Is it safe to board my doxi for a week

[Rosco]

I have a 1 yr old black and tan smooth doxie
and I am thinking about boarding hime for a week when I go to Costa Rica in Nov. Is this
safe to do? He is rather dependant on me an I
worry what being gone for a week will do. If anyone has any suggestions I would really
appreciate it.

[Penny's Aunt]

I can't really see a problem with boarding for a week IF YOU DO A GOOD JOB CHECKING OUT THE KENNEL.

Can you just walk in (unannounced) & get a tour of the place? How does it look? How does it smell (there's a difference between old filth & fresh poop)? Beware of strong deodorizers.

Look closely at a typical cage & run: are they easy to keep clean (good) or do they have wire bottoms (bad)? Is there old poop (etc) in cracks & grooves, like the cages aren't thoroughly cleaned?

Would your dog have daily access to a run for exercise, or will she spend the whole time in a cage?

Can you bring some of her own things: her blankie (NOT freshly washed) & toys?

Does the place have smoke/fire alarms?

Do they insist on proof of vaccinations? (good)

What's your gut feeling? PAY ATTENTION TO IT!

WRITE your vet a note, giving them permission to do anything they need to do in the case of an emergency, & you guarantee that you will pay for it when you get back. Give a copy to the kennel, so they have NO EXCUSE not to take the dog in if something happens (accidents happen at the best kennels). Give them the vet's business card.

Put a good buckle collar on your dog, & some ID. Stick a piece of adhesive tape to it & write a local-friend-who's-usually-home phone number on it with a Sharpie or other permanent marker. Tell them about the note you left at the vet's.

Now go on vacation & have fun & don't worry.

[doxielover]

Penny's Aunt pretty much covered all of the important and necessary things about Boarding. Up-to-date vaccinations are required AS IS a Kennel Cough vaccination (VERY important, and good Boarding Kennels REQUIRE it!). It's best to have the Kennel Cough vaccination given a good month in advance, to allow it to "kick in". Also, you may want to bring your dog with you at your first visit (when you "feel it out"). I did that. It eases their mind better, and tends to make the transition easier. SMELL the place! Are there FLIES (BAD sign!)? Also, there should be a board of some sort about 4-5 ft. high between each kennel for protection, so that the dog can not be attacked. Years ago our other dachsie stuck his snout in the hole of the fence that divided the kennel, and the dog next to him bit his snout and ear badly! Required stitches! http://dachsie.org/ubb/frown.gif Bad experience! Cleanliness & safety & responsiblity are SO important!

Susan

[Owen's Mom]

Here's my suggestion.... Find some other Dachsie lovers and owners in you area and make a connection with them. You'll never have to worry about boarding your doggie again because they'll ALWAYS offer to take care of your baby http://dachsie.org/ubb/wink.gif

I have people offering to take Owen anytime I travel and I've never even asked them. They just offer it up!! Let us know what part of the country you're in and maybe you're someone's neighbor.... I've meet several dachshund owners from the boards I post on that live close by, and one of them took Owee a couple of weeks ago for a sleep over.

http://dachsie.org/ubb/biggrin.gif Amy http://dachsie.org/ubb/biggrin.gif

[Wienergal]

Excellent advice from the previous posters, Rosco! Just wanted to add two things.

First, don't worry that your little doggie will just pine away for you while you're gone. We'd all like to think they do that, but most of them do just fine when boarded.

Second, since you're not registered, we can't tell where you're located. If you are in or near a city, you might want to consider doing what I do when I go away. There are lots of professional pet sitters in the city. These are NOT the dog walker people--these are people who keep your dog in their homes while you're gone. Many are older women who are wonderful with the smaller dogs, LOVE having them, spoil them rotten, and charge a reasonable fee. I have two ladies I depend upon, and my dogs are thrilled when the car pulls up in front of their houses. They have supervised play time in Aunt Jean or Aunt Helen's back yard, they have comfy cuddlers for naptime, AND they usually end up sleeping with the sitter!

A kennel is just fine if it meets all the criteria suggested by the others, but a pet sitter can be a really nice way to go too.

[doxielover]

Pamela,

Now that's a thought - having your dog stay at THEIR home! I've never heard of that before. I've just read about Pet Sitter's coming to YOUR home. Amy's idea is great too! Actually, Freddie's Groomer has said that she would take Freddie (she has dachsies too), IF her one dachshund could be trusted. Unfortunately, Elvis (he's the king! http://dachsie.org/ubb/biggrin.gif) is a big, dominant UNneutered male, and he would probably try to kill Freddie. Otherwise, my Groomer would take him. It would be a perfect environment at her home too! Shucks! http://dachsie.org/ubb/frown.gif I'm actually thinking about taking a trip one of these days. I really would prefer Freddie staying at someone's home.

Hey, AMY! Who are these people that you know that would take Owee?? http://dachsie.org/ubb/biggrin.gif http://dachsie.org/ubb/biggrin.gif

Susan

[Uschi]

My vet provides both emergency and vacation boarding on site. I haven't checked more into it, though. I do know that they're open 6 days a week, and my guess is that they have someone in on Sundays for a decent chunk of the day to feed/water/exercise/play with the dogs. Might your vet have a recommendation for you?

[isobelsmom]

Roscoe,

I used to work at a vet clinic that had short and long term boarding. This may sound cold, but vet clinics tend to hire high school kids to clean, walk, feed, etc. so as to save on money. Some of these kids may mean well, but many do it as a "job" and it's for little above minimum wage. I was always on them for not leaving water and not really cleaning up the runs. That's why I quit!
Try to find someone who does in-home boarding, someone who LOVES dogs. Many times owners would leave special blankets and toys and such for their babies to make them feel more at home. Many places do not allow the dogs to have toys and such in their crates or pens because things get lost or they just don't wanna.
If you find someone who your pupper can stay with it would allow for a schedule to be maintained and hugs and kisses would continue to flow. But check out any place you are thinking of to the best of your ability and you may even call the BBB to get info on a place.
Good luck whatever you decide!

mary and isobel

[Penny's Aunt]

Also, some veterinary technicians do some dog-sitting on the side. Check around. Some vets have bulletin boards with pet sitting ads. BUT ASK THEM IF THEY KNOW THE PEOPLE. If they don't, either pass or check them out thoroughly.

[Rosco]

I would like to thank everyone for all the
valuable information I have received. I
am a first time doxie owner and I have learned alot from this board. There is really nothing quite like being a doxie owner, or should I say being OWNED by a doxie. Its been frustrating at times, but
mostly alot of fun. I'll talk to y'all
soon.