Dog Kennels, are they ever Ok and do they damage dogs ?

[Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 275
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We have a one year old chihuahua girl and the person who was supposed to be looking after her whilst we go on holiday in May is no longer able to assist, so I'm tentatively looking at kennels:(
I've even looked at a woman who specialises in toy breeds and takes them into her home but charges £25 a day !
Can anyone recommend a really good kennels near North Beds (biggleswade ) ? We are half an hour from Cambridge, Peterborough, Bedford and Stevenage.
Connie is a very happy, well adjusted dog, but she is quite attached to us and I worry about leaving her in some cold concrete hell, so it must be a good kennel and I don't mind paying £20 a day for the right one.
Any recommendations ?
Thanks
Melissa
x

Comments

  • molliepopsmolliepops Posts: 26,821
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    When we had a Chi we found no kennels would take her, only home based operations like you just described. The size and delicacy were main reasons we were given. Made us reevaluate holidays as we didn't want to separate our 3 dogs so have always taken them with us since.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 5,219
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    Our dog used to enjoy kennels while we were on holiday. He used to get really excited when we drove up to the gate.

    Some kennels and dog boarding houses are really good, and they treat the dogs as if they were their own.
  • The Lost BoyThe Lost Boy Posts: 1,330
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    I will never put my dog in Kennels ever again! When we picked him up he was covered in fleas & smelt of wee. While we were waiting to pay they got his bedding out and it was absolutely sodden with wee. How long he had been left in these conditions i have no idea and don't want to think about it.
    We normally have a relative to house sit but we had a massive family holiday that year. We won't be doing that again.

    All kennels are not the same. :)
  • snoopy33snoopy33 Posts: 1,218
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    Our dog is going into kennels next week.We went and looked round a few until we settled on one. It was lovely, we mentioned that our dog would prob withdraw into himself, no problem they said, we`ll bring him into the office with us , they also wash the bedding and the dog before they`re picked up again. £11.25 a day .
  • stud u likestud u like Posts: 42,100
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    Kennels tend to be warm inviting homes these days. Look around for the best deals.

    The places with the smaller number of pens are better as the dogs get more attention.
  • stud u likestud u like Posts: 42,100
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    I will never put my dog in Kennels ever again! When we picked him up he was covered in fleas & smelt of wee. While we were waiting to pay they got his bedding out and it was absolutely sodden with wee. How long he had been left in these conditions i have no idea and don't want to think about it.
    We normally have a relative to house sit but we had a massive family holiday that year. We won't be doing that again.

    All kennels are not the same. :)

    Very true! I hope you reported the abuse to your dog as they were not seperating toilet and relaxing areas.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 620
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    The first kennels that we ever used were not so good but we were recommended to one where they treated our dogs as their own. They used to send us postcards of the dogs playing around and the dogs used to get really excited as we approached. Sadly the couple who ran it are now retired and I would not feel as comfortable putting our current dogs in there now.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 275
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    I like the look of this one :
    http://www.westlodgekennels.co.uk/boardingkennels.htm
    which isn't too far away
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 275
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    and I like the look of this one too:

    http://www.cozypetshotel.com/gallery.php
  • nikki1nikki1 Posts: 1,343
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    dont know how far away you are from here

    http://www.tollgatekennels.co.uk/
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 102
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    I am not sure about the UK, I am from the US, but here an alternative to kennels is some veteranians will sometimes board the dogs. I have used them and they love my dogs because they are no trouble. I try to have a dogsitter come in but sometimes there are spur of the moment trips. Also, one time I took the dog with me and found a hotel that would allow pets. That made it a lot easier. I stayed at the hotel rather than at my relatives so I could have the dog with me.
  • welwynrosewelwynrose Posts: 33,666
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    this is why we no longer have foreign holidays just UK based where we can take the dogs - although I think the dogs would be ok in kennels - it's the OH that would get upset ;)
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 620
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    nikki1 wrote: »
    dont know how far away you are from here

    http://www.tollgatekennels.co.uk/

    How spooky. They are the kennels that I was posting about but the original couple who owned them are now retired.
  • nikki1nikki1 Posts: 1,343
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    How spooky. They are the kennels that I was posting about but the original couple who owned them are now retired.

    I know Karen/Ryan the owner, been to the kennels, I would be happy to leave my dogs there and believe me I am very fussy.. the animals are treated like their own...Karen also has poms so she is well used to small dogs.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 620
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    nikki1 wrote: »
    I know Karen/Ryan the owner, been to the kennels, I would be happy to leave my dogs there and believe me I am very fussy.. the animals are treated like their own...Karen also has poms so she is well used to small dogs.

    Has it changed hands again because I thought the couple who took it over from Ken were into Alsatians?
  • nikki1nikki1 Posts: 1,343
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    Has it changed hands again because I thought the couple who took it over from Ken were into Alsatians?

    Yes they show and breed GSDs, but also have poms as well.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 3,317
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    welwynrose wrote: »
    this is why we no longer have foreign holidays just UK based where we can take the dogs - although I think the dogs would be ok in kennels - it's the OH that would get upset ;)

    I'm not surprised if you make him stay in a kennel :eek::D
  • i_am_a_gremlini_am_a_gremlin Posts: 3,722
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    Tass wrote: »
    I'm not surprised if you make him stay in a kennel :eek::D

    :D:D:D:D
  • MrsRobinsonMrsRobinson Posts: 4,492
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    Melissa, I haven't read all the replies yet and assume are you going abroad for your holidays! If so, maybe there are kennels close to where you're flying from and if not going abroad, perhaps there are kennels close to where you're staying (assuming the reason you can't take them is because the place you're staying doesn't allow dogs). If that's the case, maybe someone on here knows a place near to where you're staying.

    I couldn't bear to put any of my dogs in kennels after reading some reports on various websites (and on here) about some conditions! :eek: I know they aren't all like it but some sound really awful and my dogs would hate it and I wouldn't enjoy my holiday so in-laws either come and stay here or we go somewhere we can take them!
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 59
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    Meljduk wrote: »
    I like the look of this one :
    http://www.westlodgekennels.co.uk/boardingkennels.htm
    which isn't too far away

    Hi Meljduk,
    our little scottie (Jasper) has stayed at Westlodge 3 times and he loves it!
    Kennels and grounds are always spotless and staff are really friendly. Jasper always has a visit to their upstairs beauty parlour before we collect him.
    Also easy access to M11.
    I would definately recommend Westlodge.:)
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