We have a big trip coming up in November, and have decided, due to Katos easily unsettled nature, that we are going to board him for the period that we are away. I feel so urk in the stomach about it, We had decided right from the start that if we were going to have pets, that our life style and the things we did had to revolve around the animals being cared for inside our home or come with us......but this trip is just vertially impossible to take him with us, it is an interstate trip, with stops at national parks and other areas that do not allow pets.

We have chosen what we believe to be one of the better equiped boarding kennels, but I still feel that no one else is capable of fully understanding his needs......I went to visit the kennels today and spoke to some of the staff, and as much as I tried to explain Katos nature and his inability to trust strangers, I am still not sure they completely understood.

We have decided, given that in his time Kato has never stepped inside a boarding kennel, that he will stay there one night a fortnight before we leave, just in hope that he will become used to the surroundings and people. But is there anything more we can do to help make the transition as painless and stress free as possible?

If possible, why don't you take him to the kennel as much as you can before you leave so he get get accustomed as much as possible to the workers and surroundings.

[reeskujo]

I'm sure you know this already nattie but try and bring him some of his own toys from home and if he has his own blanket bring that to....I would try not to give him a long drawn out good bye when you drop him off so that he doesn't feel something is wrong....Try also to contain your stress and worries as much as you can so he doesn't pick up on it....Let me know how it goes.

November is far off enough for you to do a couple of things.


First. When possible take Kato to the boarding facility and allow him to sniff the place out! They love dogs there so this shouldn't be a problem. Take Kato on a tour and explore the premises. Let him smell the outside area as well as the inside area (ie. lobby or waiting area). Drop by the front desk and chat with staff, having Kato by your side. Let him know that these new faces are OK. Ideally, do this as often as your schedule permits and at a time the boarding facility isn't major busy.


And secondly, as reeskujo had mentioned, bring his own blanket and toys for him to have a little bit of home away from home. And when you drop him off, remember to keep it short and brief. A longer goodbye may make your abscence harder on him, as he could pickup on any anxiety or worrying that you may feel with leaving him behind.


Good luck!

[wishbone]

You have enough time to bring him to boarding kennels and make him feel comfortable them. You can also tell a friend or relatives nearby to visit him often on the kennel...

It's so important to choose the right place to board your dog. I've heard some disaster stories.. but I live in Toronto Canada and the number one place people are using here is a place called Dogs at Camp Cookstown. Check them out and you'll see why.. I would try and find a place like these guys or call them and ask them if they know anyone in your area. I have brought my two dogs to them for years now

[gambler-girl]

Hi Stacey,
I live near Toronto as well, I use Houndhouse the guy that owns the place said to me the second time a dog goes to a kennel is allmost always better as it know that it will be picked up and not abandond, made sence to me.

GG

[angiesample]

I think all the suggestions above are excellent... im sure you've thought of this but when we board our dog.. which isnt to often but it does happen.. one of the first things i was worried about was is there people in the facility 24 hours a day.. A good portion do not have people there at night so just make sure. Otherwise does the place u are boarding ur dog offer any kind of "day camp" or anything? The place i take my dog offers "day camp" so i take her about once a month and SHE loves it!! Plus it makes it easier when she does get boarded, bc she goes to the same place for play time. Anyways good luck!!

[Todd]

Originally Posted by angiesample

I think all the suggestions above are excellent... im sure you've thought of this but when we board our dog.. which isnt to often but it does happen.. one of the first things i was worried about was is there people in the facility 24 hours a day.. A good portion do not have people there at night so just make sure. Otherwise does the place u are boarding ur dog offer any kind of "day camp" or anything? The place i take my dog offers "day camp" so i take her about once a month and SHE loves it!! Plus it makes it easier when she does get boarded, bc she goes to the same place for play time. Anyways good luck!!

This thread is over a year and a half old. It shows the date above the member's name in the left margin.

[lil mutt]

Work more on socializing him, the sooner you leave him to the kennel so he will get used too, the better.

[nattiej1976]

lol it IS an old thread, cause I started this one ages ago.............Katos first stay with the boarding kennel was over 18 months ago now, although there have been many times since that he has been there.

Things have turned out to be fantastic in the boarding kennels, and he is one of their very favorite visitors and everyone argues over who gets to work in the area where Kato resides when he stays with them.

He boards in our local RSPCA kennels, last time he stayed they had a big adoption promotion, bbq all that sort of stuff and they had Kato out with them as their mascot, he loved it, sat next to the bbq all day and got fed sausages and burgers

They have to hang up a big sign on his kennel to advise people who are looking for dogs to adopt that he is NOT a dog looking for a home cause they get so sick of people asking if they can adopt him

We are under strict instructions not to bring toys up, as they have their special own Kato toys up there, that get put away for him until he comes back

He has charmed the staff sooooo much up there, there is nothing more they could do now except roll out the red carpet upon his arrival. He is treated like royalty, and loves every moment he can get up there.

It has all turned out wonderfully over the last couple of years, and the progress he made at the boarding kennels allowed us the ability to travel a fair bit recently, knowing Kato is very VERY happy on his own little holiday.

[reeskujo]

Well Nattie he's an Akita!! Did you excpect him to do anything less then charming the pants off the staff?...LOL

I'm glad it's worked out well at the kennel...When we had Kujo and Nina traveling was always an issue for us since neither of them could be boarded and the only person the dogs would allow in the house when we were gone were my daughter and son-in-law who lived 45 minutes away from us..

[Todd]

Originally Posted by nattiej1976

lol it IS an old thread, cause I started this one ages ago.............Katos first stay with the boarding kennel was over 18 months ago now, although there have been many times since that he has been there.

Things have turned out to be fantastic in the boarding kennels, and he is one of their very favorite visitors and everyone argues over who gets to work in the area where Kato resides when he stays with them.

He boards in our local RSPCA kennels, last time he stayed they had a big adoption promotion, bbq all that sort of stuff and they had Kato out with them as their mascot, he loved it, sat next to the bbq all day and got fed sausages and burgers

They have to hang up a big sign on his kennel to advise people who are looking for dogs to adopt that he is NOT a dog looking for a home cause they get so sick of people asking if they can adopt him

We are under strict instructions not to bring toys up, as they have their special own Kato toys up there, that get put away for him until he comes back

He has charmed the staff sooooo much up there, there is nothing more they could do now except roll out the red carpet upon his arrival. He is treated like royalty, and loves every moment he can get up there.

It has all turned out wonderfully over the last couple of years, and the progress he made at the boarding kennels allowed us the ability to travel a fair bit recently, knowing Kato is very VERY happy on his own little holiday.

Is this more of a kennel where he is in his cage for most of the day or is this more like a doggie daycare center type of thing?

[Yogi]

A true boarding kennel does not have cages but actually what is called a kennel. It is a chain link or wood walled unit indoors with a chain link area outdoors where the dog can come in or go out as it pleases. Generally there is a yard area outside where the dog can be let out to run then put back after exercising and feeding. Doggy day cares rarely have these set ups.

Boarding kennel

http://www.findpetcare.com/be/servic...|1|1|0&metro=1

[Todd]

Originally Posted by Yogi

A true boarding kennel does not have cages but actually what is called a kennel. It is a chain link or wood walled unit indoors with a chain link area outdoors where the dog can come in or go out as it pleases. Generally there is a yard area outside where the dog can be let out to run then put back after exercising and feeding. Doggy day cares rarely have these set ups.

Oh OK. Makes sense. Thanks.

[Yogi]

If you check the link you will see what is considered a boarding kennel. Second pic can be enlarged. A secure indoor outdoor area for the dog to come in or go out through a passage way from the building to an outside enclosure.

[nattiej1976]

Originally Posted by Yogi

If you check the link you will see what is considered a boarding kennel. Second pic can be enlarged. A secure indoor outdoor area for the dog to come in or go out through a passage way from the building to an outside enclosure.

Hey Yogi, it is the modern boarding kennel type with the big indoor/ outdoor cage, and exercise yard the dogs are released into turn by turn. Kato just gets a little bit extra special treatment sometimes so will often be out and wandering the office or off driving with the staff. YES one of them did take him home with her one day, cause there were storms coming through and she knew he didnt like them, so she took him home

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by nattiej1976

Hey Yogi, it is the modern boarding kennel type with the big indoor/ outdoor cage, and exercise yard the dogs are released into turn by turn. Kato just gets a little bit extra special treatment sometimes so will often be out and wandering the office or off driving with the staff. YES one of them did take him home with her one day, cause there were storms coming through and she knew he didnt like them, so she took him home

The ones you describe are not common here where there is a large indoor play area. Most are like those in the link. Though I have heard of care takers taking extra care for those that need it of have special needs by taking them home with them at night etc.
I looked at the possibility of opening one, may still do that if I get back to more rescues. Just waiting for family to move back out from the east coast to discuss with them.

[nattiej1976]

Originally Posted by Yogi

The ones you describe are not common here where there is a large indoor play area. Most are like those in the link. Though I have heard of care takers taking extra care for those that need it of have special needs by taking them home with them at night etc.
I looked at the possibility of opening one, may still do that if I get back to more rescues. Just waiting for family to move back out from the east coast to discuss with them.

we have been lucky with this one, Kato is not always friendly with everyone he meets, but just fell in love with a couple of the ladies there, so they got to see the Kato we do, who is intensely loving and caring with those he thinks alot of, so they could do nothing but fall in love with him, and he makes them give him that little bit extra. We are glad for it, bacause as you may remember, he is stranger wary, to have these ladies as another family is just wonderful for us all.

[reeskujo]

Sounds like a great place Nattie!...It doesn't suprise me a bit that handsome Kato gets all that special attention...lol