Boarding
 

I my have to board Molly for a few days over Thanksgiving. I have never boarded a dog before. Will it scare her? Will they keep her in a cage the whole time? Does any one have any suggestions. I am tring to figure out how I can take her with me. I am such a spaze.

I would talk to whoever is boarding her and see what they do. I boarded mine for a week and they were never in cages. My groomer kept them and she had a little room she kept them in when she wasnt with them. She took them to her home at other times

I had to board Simon and Hallie in March. I was able to board them at the daycare I take them too so they played all day and only slept in the kennel at night (together). I would visit a few places and "interview" them, ask to see their facilities, meet the people that take care of the pets, etc.

Mine had a great time, it was much harder on me :) IF you want to bring her to NY she can stay with us while you are gone (haha) :)

I just borded Cooper last weekend at my vets.....he got a great report card and seemed fine when we got home (other than the usual hyperness). They do have them in cages but not the entire time and we were able to bring some things from home for him. They also said that the little one's (who are so cute) usually get out more and are able to walk around with the people watching them. I was sick about it at first but it went well so now I'm feeling better about it and will do it again when needed.

all of the boarding facilities around my house keep the dogs in cages with "outdoor runs" well that was not going to work for me. i called around and found a "babysitter" if-you-will and it is at someone's house and they watch her like i would at my house. it is perfect for us!

If we ever have to board Katy. It will be with the people that she goes to daycare with. I would make sure that you can go back and visit. See where they keep them. Ours encourages you to do that. Katy loves to go there. She jumps down from the car, runs to the door and barks for Carol to open the door for her. If you are not fast enough to pick her up over the gate when she gets in the door, she jumps it.

Long time ago, all us girls went out. One the way home, bout 2am, one wanted to stop and see a girl that was working in one of the places that boards dogs in our city.

I got to pet all the dogs and cats! I had more fun there, than I did partying earlier that night. Several dogs were running loose, having a blast, but most were in cages. But then again now, it was 2 am or so.

Thanks guys. I don't know if there are any daycares here or not. I just think that keeping her in a cage and letting her go potty there is going to sabotage my potty training. I know they will keep her in a cage a the vets. I better keep looking I had no idea the was such a thing as doggie daycare. Hey, Too bad I can't send her to NY. :)

I know what you must be going through. We haven't had to board our girls yet, but came close. We ended up having a friend stay at the house & watch them. I'm to far south or I'd take care of Molly.

Check with your groomers too. Both of the groomers my dogs have went to board dogs

Connie K, where in Georgia are you?
 

I live in Alpharetta and I found a great boarding facility in Buford. It's called Carrie's Canine. I drive 45 minutes to take my dogs there when they need to be boarded. They keep the dogs in 4' x 8' runs with their own little potty area in the back. They have a little playyard and take the dogs out several times during the day to play together. The girls that work there are great. It is the only place I have boarded my dogs where they don't come home sick because they are stressed out. They also take turns letting a few dogs come up front in the office with them for some extra attention. It is very reasonably priced too. They fill up quick though especially around the holidays.

Let me know if you would like more info.

The website is not working for me right now but here it is.

http://www.carriescanine.com/grooming.htm

I live to far to go to Buford!!!
 

I live 11 miles from AL straight out I-20. It would take me 2 hours to get there. I am going to call the lodge where we are staying to see if I crate her if we can bring her. If she is going to be in a cage all day any way atleast I could go back every couple of hours. We will see. I am still looking for a day care. I don't want to leave my baby!!!!!!!

Are you too far from Mobile, AL?

I have 2 yorkies, Venus and Adonis. Venus is 4-1/2 months old, and I'm still working on the potty training, whats another yorkie? lol

I have been pad training Venus, but she also goes outside with Adonis. Seems she likes to poop out back, and pee on the pads.

Adonis is 6 years old, but still loves to play.

oh, btw....if your interested my email is brend111 @bellsouth.net

no spaces inbetween. I put spaces in to keep more junk mail from hitting my box.

Brenda
 

That sure is a sweet offer. Isn't Mobile In south AL. I am straight east of Birmingham. I am right in between there and atlanta. I am heading to south Georgia for my husbands family. It is near Dothan. I called two places today. One has a 4x4 inside cage with a 6 foot outside run. The other hasn't called back. I am just trying to figure it all out. I still need to call the lodge. They my let me bring her. I have seen some places that you can bring your dog if it is under 10lbs. Aw heck I'll just hide her in my purse. Does 9 dollars a day sound right for the price? Well thanks for all the offers. You guys are the sweetest!!!!!

Mobile is soutwest AL. I've never been to Dothan, so not really sure how far it is.

I know I'm about2-1/2 to 3 hours on I-65 from Montgomery. Don't think there is an interstate going from Mobile to Dothan.

I will leave the offer open, just in case! I know it would kill me to have to board my 2. I've never boarded Adonis, much less Venus. Suppose I just stay home if I can't take him, lol..

I'm retired and nothing better to do anyway!

Why not look into hiring a bonded pet sitter to come to your house several times a day to take care of them. Some pet sitters will stay at your home. If you decide to do this make sure they are bonded and insured

I have no idea what the going rate is on boarding dogs, since I never boarded either of mine. But if you wanted to leave your baby with me, I'd take whatever you want to give.

Re-reading your post, I'm not sure where in GA you will be. I know though, I-10 runs in FL south of there. I'm about 3 hours from Tallahassee FL on I-10.

I-65 dead ends in Mobile, and I-10 runs east/west through Mobile.

I would be glad to help you any way I could. The only time I crate Venus, is at night, since we're still working on potty training. She sleeps in a crate beside my bed. Adonis sleeps with me.

Have you thought about a trusted family member to come stay with your pup? Just a thought here.

Something else hit me.

Venus went to get her final set of puppy shots Sat early. I had no idea my vet did boarding! At 9am someone was there to pick up his dog.

So might also want to check with your vet, they might do boarding also.

Seems though, the place my neices friend took us by...they went according to how "friendly" your dog was, as to who stayed out of the crates. The girl knew some of the dogs quite well, as their owners must go out of town a lot.

Hope you get what your looking for. Many here have give a lot of really good advice! I know its really hard making decisions on something like this, especially the first time.

I know if I had to go out of town, and my babies just no way couldn't go, my younger sis would be the only person I'd trust with my 2, lol.

I have two occasions where my dogs refused to eat while I was away.

The first one I left in a doggy "suite" (complete with VCR showing doggie-appropriate movies), at a very highly rated Kennel and even though we called every day to see how she was doing, (they said fine), she was so weak from not eating that she couldn't stand up or even open her eyes when we picked her up. We thought she was going to die. (She had separation anxiety and we should never have left her).

The second one was a dog that I left with my sister and nieces and nephews. They called me and told me that she wouldn't eat and I asked them to take her to my house (which was only a block away from them) and let her walk around the backyard and give her the food there. It worked, when they took her back home she started eating just fine.

I don't want to scare you but I would recommend letting her get familiar with the person you are going to leave her with, before you go. I would also suggest you leave a blanket or something that will have the smell of your home and family on it.

Since we have gotten our Yorkies, we have never left them with anyone and we don't intend to ever do it in the future. We just don't want to take that chance.

Usually my mom and I trade pet-sitting, but I did have to board 2 of mine for a few days. I kept checking the boarding places and found there was a huge difference in how they kept pets. I chose a place called Wee Tuckem Inn -- it was great. I got my little ones a room with a window and tot bed. They had all different accomodations to choose from. They were guaranteed to go outside 6 times a day and they fed them the food I brought. I toured the facility unannounced and found it clean and all the dogs looking well cared for. They were very attentive during check-in, making sure all their shots were up to date and they had all the contact information and medical history. We picked them up a little early and they were clean and happy. It is not ideal to have to leave them at a boarding facility, but if it comes to it, I am happy to know this business cares enough to spoil them as they deserve. Hope you can find one as nice.

Oh Dear
 

Well I looked on the map and bringing her to mobile is too far. Darn!! I can't take her to the lodge. I am an only child and both of my parents are gone. All of my husbands family is going to south Georgia too. I am either going to have to put her in the kennel I called about. ( They said I could bring everything she needed. Bed,blanket,toys and food.) Or smuggle her in. The vet is out of the question. they keep them in a small cage and let them out 6 times a day. Thanks everyone for your help and advice.

If you do decide to board your dog at a kennel, make sure you visit the kennel first to see where your dog will be kept. The best way to do that is to not call ahead. This way, the kennel is not prepared for your visit and you will see how clean they keep the kennels, etc, on a regular basis. I worked 9 years at a kennel and never minded boarding my dogs there. We always kept the small dogs in the cat area where it was much quieter, indoor, and they got a lot more attention. Of course, I prefer to use a pet sitter whenever possible because then my dogs can be kept at home.

Can you do a "google search" for the city your going to, and pet friendly hotels/motels?

I kinda figured when you were going to south GA, it'd be too far. But I know how us yorkie moms love our babies and want the very best.

So sorry your in such a tough situaition here.

I'd definitely check local places, and like someone else said DON'T call ahead! Give them no warning your going to come to check them out!

I know I've heard of folks that do come to your home, to let them out, feed them, etc. Might be a good time to find one of these people.

Dunno about trying to sneak your baby in. If you get caught, you may be going home a lot earlier than expected!

Does hubby have some relatives down there, maybe you can stay with and bring your baby with you? Just another thought here.

You can check this website for pet friendly hotels also. Just remember to call the hotel directly if you plan to use it because pet policies do change.

http://www.petswelcome.com/

Thanks everybody!!!!
 

My husbands aunt who lives in south Georgia where we are going said I could leave her in her kennel at her house at night and pick her up in the mornings. I will have to take her with me every where but that's okay. I just am not ready to leave her in a kennel. She is so little. I don't want her to not eat while I am gone or risk someone being mean to her. I hope it will work out with her staying at Ken's aunts house at night. She doesn't usually whine at night. I hope being in a strange house won;t make her whine. Thanks everyone.

I'm really glad that you have reached this solution. As I said, from my own experience, I am afraid to leave them at a kennel with someone they don't know. I hope this works out well for you. At least you will have peace of mind.

I'm so glad you found something workable for you girl! I know one day...I might face the same thing, now having 2 instead of one.

I wish we lived closer, cause I sure don't mind an extra baby to spoil for a few days! I know my pups would love it too:p

I wished we lived closer too. At lest we could let our baby's hang out.