Spike is going to a kennel for the first time on saturday...nervous !

[Mel]

we are off to the beach on sat for 5 days and after much research and a trial half day, we are taking Spike to a kennel. He will be playing outside or inside in a great facility with dogs of his own size and crated for a nap around lunchtime and then again at night. Fortunately he is used to this and actually likes his crate for down time and sleeps all night in it. I know deep down he will enjoy playing and the time will go by fast but i still can't help worrying that he will be stressed and feel lost .

We really need this trip, we were hit bad by the hurricane and have spent every day dealing with the after effects of a flooded basement...no power for 4 days etc so i am looking forward to relaxing, however, i know when i pick Spike up on wednesday i will have to deal with the whole stress loose stools again that he gets after anything like this

Not sure i have a question, just looking for reassurance i guess
thank you !

[Daisy'sMom]

We've never kenneled Daisy before but we're going to have to for the first time in November. I'm already worried and nervous about it. So I don't have any real advice for you but I wanted to let you know I feel exactly as you do. I'll look forward to hearing about it after you get back. And yes, you do deserve to get away, wow!!! From what everyone tells me, as long as you've done your research and are using a good kennel then your baby should be just fine Easy for me to say right!?!?! Wishing you all the best and have a great trip!!

[Ace's Place]

I'm so glad you posted this. Ace is going for a half day test of a local kennel - like you this is the kennel that we've chosen after reserching many, many places. The idea is to phase in a night or two here and there to get him ready for a weeklong getaway in March. I'm nervous too. This dog seems to be a dog of routine.

Here is my question for anyone: Does your labradoodle eat well or not at all when boarded? I know that alot of dogs just don't eat as much when they are boarded, but Ace was WITH us for a few days in Vermont (two short weekend trips this summer) and he refused to eat there - with us - in a great situation. He was never left and he played and seemed so happy. But wouldn't eat a thing. I finally bought him a hamburger that last night.

Is there anything I can do? I'm almost thinking of trying to put his food in dfferent places around the house in the a.m. and p.m. You know thinking if I get him used to being a little more flexible?

I agree with Daisy's mom that you sound like you have done alot of research and I think thats key. Can you bring Spike's food or does he eat what they serve? And how does that work exactly? Will these places mix your dry and wet or is that too much to ask?

[Daisy'sMom]

"This dog seems to be a dog of routine" - That's my EXACT worry! Thank you Ace's Place for putting into words what my bottom line concern is for when we board Daisy. I'm struggling with the fact that the kennel we've chosen locks up and shuts down for the night at 7:00PM. Ummmm, my dog goes out a few times, plays catch and has a snack well after 7:00PM. But, I guess I need to relax and get over it and be thankful there's a nice option for our sweetie pie I'm gathering after playing all day long with her friends that she'll be wiped out anyway. I just want someone to care for her and love her as much as I do and I know that's probably not a realistic wish

[Ace's Place]

I too am hoping Ace will be flat out pooped after a day of playing as he also has his little things (Just think... two special treats on his dog bed pillow each night - like the chocolates in a fancy hotel room? lol) But my main worry is the not eating as I mentioned above. I think realistically we probably need to tell ourselves that our dogs are kind of in a "holding pattern" until we get back and that the number one concern is their safety.

[Mel]

We can take our own food and they charge an extra $10 for separating it out into meal portions or you can portion it yourself (i plan to ) a.m and p.m.

Spike is also a 'routine dog' ! or rather I am a routine person so he had to fit in with ME lol ! The good thing is the kennel seem to be on the same schedule as me....an early breakfast, play, nap around 12 - 2 pm dinner around 6pm and bed around 10 pm.

I spoke to someone from the kennel yesterday and voiced my worries about Spikes ongoing on/off loose stools....probably food related, definitely worsens with stress....she really reassured me She said that they will give him chicken and rice if needed and possibly metronidazole (he has had that 2 times and it works for him), also if he seems over whelmed/over tired or stressed they will bring him into the 'special needs' area where they keep the senior dogs to stay calm. I can't help laughing at that because Spike is the LAST dog those seniors will need around !! he is one crazy doodle

When he did his half day trial he didn't really drink anything and apparently that is normal at first...they are unsure of everything so i expect him to eat and drink less at the beginning. Five days will whiz by i'm sure, i think he will enjoy playing with other dogs and hopefully he may learn some manners from the older dogs

[lindamarie]

I can identify! When Bogart was a puppy, we had to leave him once in a kennel.

Sometimes, I'm glad I have PTSD because he now can go anywhere with me as my Service Dog. When I look back at what I had to go through to acquire PTSD, it makes me angry.....yet because of it, I don't have to worry about kenneling anymore.

But, there is a point I want to make....
Before Bogart was a SD, we had to leave him. My PTSD caused great anxiety in me and I must have driven these kennel people insane with my questions.
The "kennel" was more like a hotel for dogs and there were people there 24-7!
They even had video cams where I could go online and see him playing.

We were allowed to bring his food for a $1 more a day.....and they even had yogurt, mini-soft cones for the "special" treatment....AND if you paid more, there was even more special attention. Of course, MY bill was high because I wanted "nuthin' but the best"!

Don't forget.....dogs don't know time! For all of us, a week.....5 days a month....is a long time. To a dog, it's nothing.
They come home tired and satisfied. They sleep for at least a day, and probably wish they could go back.

Enjoy your well deserved trip knowing that he is in good hands and won't even realize you are gone for long.

[Ace's Place]

To Linda or anyone else who has thoughts....
I brought Ace for his first half day of doggie daycare today. Little did I know that Friday is the busiest day, and the Friday before Labor Day one of the busiest year-round. Anyway, my question is he came home tired (expected), thirsty (expected) but panting alot - on and off. I know he played hard for 4 hours, it was his first time there and is kind of warm today, but I'm reading some things online that say he might have strained something, its a sign it did not go well for him, etc.

He's lounging on the couch right now, not panting, but its 5 hours now since I brought him home so I think it has subsided.

Anyone have any thoughts? If your dog goes to daycare do they come home like this?

Geez, I just wish he could talk and tell me if he liked it or not! LOL

[lindamarie]

Hmmmm........I first have to say that we do a lot of online searches for ourselves as humans and for our pets. IMO, it's probably the worst thing we can do. I found that my aunt and myself have done far too many online self diagnoses.
Now, having said that, does he appear to be in any pain? Have you moved his legs and feet around to see if he's uncomfortable?
See, my guess is that he was just THAT tired.
It's not unusual for dogs to come home from a hard day at play and feel that way.
If he had been panting like that for no reason, I would be concerned. But, it's their way of sweating....the mouth an the paws.....and panting is fairly normal from what I recall.

How is he today?

[Ace's Place]

Hi Linda,
Thanks for your reply. He is absolutely fine and I think you are right. I was projecting my nervousness about the whole thing onto it - including the internet research. I emailed the daycare and asked what they thought and they reassured me that he had a good first half day and that sometimes the dogs just don't drink as much as they should when they are busy playing. I also took a little run myself that afternoon and realized that it was pretty humid here in CT. I think I can relax now from "my" first day of doggie daycare - LOL....

[lindamarie]

YAAAAAY!!

[Mel]

Spike was also exhausted after his first half day trial....he was so thirsty and he slept for the rest of the day.

I am on day 2 of our beach trip and i feel better today...yesterday i felt terrible ! i missed him so much and felt so guilty i have called the kennel twice to check on him and they said he is fine....i hope they are telling the truth i know they have a lot of dogs so i can understand them not concentrating on individual dogs. i never thought i would miss him so much !

[lindamarie]

Awww......of COURSE you miss him!
Believe what they say....it sounds like you took him to a great place and that they are taking good care of him.
ENJOY the rest of your vacation knowing you will soon be home with your doodle......a tired but happy doodle!