Every year I get a few weeks off in December, usually we go to the coast on holiday and this year is no different. These places have to be booked in advance to ensure that we get an open spot, so this year we reserved our accommodation in February. Before we got Lila and Rusty. Unfortunately this place isn't pet friendly.
How does your Dachshund/pet adjust to a kennel? How do you adjust?
So a few months ago I started looking for kennels. We finally found the perfect one, which is managed by a vet (their offices are also on the same premises). They will be staying there from the 14th until the 26th of December. I maintain that no one, not even a vet looks after your pet like you do. Because they don't love them like you do.
That said, I am absolutely dreading Sunday evening when we have to drop them off. I have considered not going on holiday so I can stay home but the accommodation was paid months in advance and it's quite a bit of money.
They have not once slept in any place but our bed in all the months we've had them. I'm wondering if they'll cope? Will I cope?
I need all the encouraging thoughts you guys can manage because I'm sure that it will be worse for me than it is for them! I feel absolutely horrible and for the first time in years I am not looking forward to leaving this town behind for a week.
How does your Dachshund/pet adjust to a kennel? How do you adjust?
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I understand how heart wrenching it is to leave your little loved ones while you're off vacationing. However, I work at a doggy daycare/boarding facility 40 hours a week. I'm the office manager and I've worked here for almost 2 years. I can tell you, that although your pups won't be getting "your" love, they will be getting love and shelter and everything that they need to be well taken care of. It's great that there is a vet's office right there because if anything were to happen, they are right there. That's one thing to be very grateful for. It is always harder for the "parent" but they are still young, and they should adjust fairly well, even if never being in a kennel before. An added bonus? They have eachother to sleep with. So, pack something with the smell from home, like a shirt of yours or a blanket (but I wouldn't take their favorite or yours because there's always a chance it could be misplaced). They'll be okay! :D
Tofu is fortunate enough to have human friends who line up to take care of him while we're away. There have been times when we've had to leave him at a daycare for a full day though. The first time was nerve-wracking for me. But he's developed such a great relationship with the people there that we now take him for a half day every week because he loves it there so much.
It'll be tough and you won't be able to not think about them but knowing that they're in good hands and together will be a relief.
Have fun on vacation!
I was so stressed the first day of doggy day care. I went back at lunch, I called, I emailed, I was basically the worst customer they could ask for. Now? I love bringing them because the puppies love being there. They run, shaking with excitement, into the arms of their humanfriends. It's the best!
I know this is completely different for you but it'll be better for them to get used to new experiences too! It'll be great for all of you and just think about how excited they'll be to see your face again :)
I have no good advice. I was once supposed to kennel Ike, but at the last minute, we found a dog sitter and I jumped on that instead. :(
I hope you have a fantastic vacation! I think it will be ok for you to call often to check up on them, though!
We had a Basset Hound for 14 years who wasn't much of a traveller, so we had to board him when we went boating. We used to have housesitters, but they became more and more difficult to find.
We eventually got around to boarding him at our vet's office. He came to love it there! All the staff fussed over him, he was taken out several times daily, and felt safe in his "cage".
When we dropped him off, we would just say "See you later Jake!" and hand him over to the vet tech. The secret is not to make a big deal of it.
Your pups will be just fine. You, on the other hand... But seriously, allow yourself to have a wonderful holiday knowing your babes are well taken care of.
My roommate's dad is a vet who has a boarding kennel in his office, so that's where my dogs always stay. (he actually delivered the beagle, Bagel, 7 years ago, so that one is never a problem to drop off)
The new dog, however, raised some concerns. We actually had to board Glasgow about 3 weeks after bringing him home from the SPCA because of a contractor doing work at the house. He was scared at first to go in, but I think it helped a LOT to have Bagel there with him because the report we got when picking him up was nothing but raves.
The point: it may feel stressful for you, but they'll be fine. Especially since they have each other.
At least they have each other!
I'm sending mine to people who are going to spoil and completely untrain them while I am gone! By the time I get back they'll be trash-digging, carpet-eliminating, food-begging nuisances.
; - )
They are going to be very annoyed.
My wife and I travel due to job and family issues (aging parents) and have left our 2 girls (senior citizen dachies) with a variety of sitters and such, until we found one that the girls loved and we trusted.
The girls had a great time and all, but they will miss the home, the smells and you...and will be very bratty when you come back. Our oldest gets her nose in a real knot, as she is hugely attached to my wife. My little girl is just a happy dog all around, so after a an hour of moping, she is fine and back to happy normal.
To tell you not to worry is senseless. You'll worry. You'll worry a lot. You'll think that no one is caring for them in the way they deserve. And they won't be in their normal routine...they'll be miserable.
The truth is that they'll have issues with the change for a few days, but they'll settle in and do JUST FINE. My precious Jasmine has stayed in a PetSmart Petshotel as well as with family friends. In BOTH situations, she wouldn't eat for three days the first time she stayed. However, the second time around in BOTH venues, she started eating within a day.
I remember calling to check on Jasmine the first time she was at the Petshotel. The staff misunderstood and thought I wanted to talk TO Jasmine and they held her to the phone. It was one of the most awkward moments...what do you say to a dog over the phone with people listening on BOTH ENDS? That's when I started to relax...I found my anxiety a bit silly.
What you want is a safe, warm clean environment with staff that can handle any situation quickly and effectively. It sounds like you found a great place, so don't worry...your babies will be fine. Until you return. Then there will be hell to pay! :-)
i was a wreck trying to find a kennel for my three doxies( schnitzel; winnie; and wilbur). finally, found a place that i was comfortable with. the kennel let the three stay together. wilbur sang when we dropped them off. i cried all the way home. my three doxies were so happy to see us a week later. they looked so cute in the new year bows. i worried about them the entire time we were gone. the kennel said they were good as gold. try to have a good vacation.
Thanks for all the great comments guys! I speak to the vet every day and apparently they're doing just fine. I miss them terribly though!
your pictures of your puppies are the best! i just want to snuggle with them!
anyway, I'm with you on the kennel situation. we still haven't done it. We either drive 5 hours to drop them off at the grandparents house or we have friends watch them. Before we left for the wedding I kept on having awful dreams about something happening to Savvy! I was so worried but of course they were fine and had a blast with their dog sitters. Don't worry too much, I'm sure they are in good hands!
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