15 days at my dads or a kennel

[Canuck]

Hello.
My Husband and I are going away for 2 weeks to Florida. We are driving from Canada so it's about a 30 hour drive, no stopping. We descided not to bring Canuck. We will be doing the "tourist" thing while we are there and he would just be stuck at the resort most of the time :( I descided to leave him with my father. Neither my father or his live in girlfriend work. They have a big yard. My sister will spend lots of time there also (she's 15) I am still nervous to leave him :( He'll have a his own crate to sleep in but he doesn't really know my dad or his girlfriend. Is this a better way to go or would a kennel be better? I feel like a horrible mother :( by the way Canuck will be 19 weeks old when we leave. What do you guys think? Kennel or Dads? Two weeks is such a long time.

[kristyrenee]

I know it's tough and no one wants to leave their baby, but everyone deserves a vacation sometime :029
I say your fathers house for sure- he may not know them, but at least they will be home and Canuck will get attention and love from them. I don't think sitting in a kennel sounds fun at all....especially for two weeks.
It will be nice for Canuck to get to know his Grandfather :485
I recommend bringing a picture or two of Canuck and putting them up in your hotel room....that's what I do so I can still see my baby even when he's not there!

[Canuck]

Thanks
I think dads would be better to, I am just so nervous!! It's not that I don't trust my dad. I just feel guilty I guess or a little scared he'll take off on my dad. He'll stick right beside us and doesn't even think about leaving our yard. I am probably just being paranoid! Anyway thanks for tip on the picture. I am going to bring a pic for sure banana

[Karefl]

I agree that you dads will be best! Are you going to be here soon? I know that our busy spring break time is getting started next week! Wahoooo! :) I'm looking forward the THE END of the sloooooowwwww winter season! banana Have fun while your here! I'm sure that your baby will be fine with his grandpa taking care of him! :) :happy2

[Karen and Katie]

Hi, I understand completely what you are going through. I am facing the same problem. My puppy, Katie, just turned 9 months and my husband and I are going to Florida on vacation also. Like you, we are going for two weeks the end of March into April. My niece is going to come and housesit with Katie while we are gone. I have come to the conclusion that I feel more guilty about leaving her than I need to worry about her well-being while we are away. I think your Dad's house is the best choice too. Kennels are rather cold and unfamiliar to dogs even though the staff may be good. I get upset every time I think of being away from her for two whole weeks, she is tightly bonded to us and I feel like I am betraying her by leaving. The other thing is she sleeps with us and my niece does not want to do that. So Katie will be alone at night--but at home. I told my husband that starting next year we will drive to Florida and find a place that allows dogs.

Good luck!!!
Karen

[angenbear]

Yes, he's better staying with two than at the kennel. And I'm sure your sister will love playing with him! I"m sure you'll miss him, but at least you can feel relieved that he has people who have the time to play, feed with him and he can roam the yard whereas a kennel, not much playtime or attention.

[murph's mom]

I'm with Goodtim'n on this. Check with your local groomer/vet, etc. for people who do "no kennel" boarding. I had to leave Murphy for a couple of weeks when he was quite young. As it turns out, his breeder takes in her "kids" when their humans go away and she only takes in her Goldens. When he was there last he got to spend time with his sister and a couple of brothers. They are allowed in and out of the house and she spends time on their obedience when they are there, such as reinforcing the sit, no jumping, nipping, etc. When I leave him there I have to drive an hour and a half to Simi Valley, but it's worth it. She even bathes and grooms them just before they go home. There are also two trainers in our area that I've used when I'm just going to be gone for a couple of days that do "no kennel" boarding, where the dogs are allowed in and sleep in their room at night if they want to. They usually tend to be a bit higher though.

[goldenlvr]

I struggled with the same thing you are....my husband and I were going to California for 12 days and didn't know what to do with Jake. We have kids that were staying home (both are 20) but they both work odd hours and are very social so we didn't think he would get enough attention. So we looked into several kennels 2 of which we walked in and right back out, someone at my husbands work recommended the kennel they use so we checked it out, it seemed better than the ones we had already visited, so we went ahead and boarded him with much hesitation. :( We called several times to check on him while we were gone and they said he was doing fine (like they're going to tell us he's not!!)
Well, I just got back a couple of days ago, I was worried he wouldn't remember me, I was wrong! he couldn't wait to get out of his kennel and attacted me with lots of kisses. jump2
He looked VERY skinny I know he lost at least 5 lbs. and he was sheeding soooo bad! I had a black wool coat on and it was covered! This all I'm sure was due to stress! Needless to say, I will never board him again! We are also going to Florida for 2 weeks end of March first of April and my brother has offered to take care of him :029

[kristyrenee]

I feel like a 'home environment' would be must less stressful on a pup than a kennel. I know there are a lot of great kennels out there, but having your pup stay with family members in their own home would be so much more beneficial and less scary for him plus he'll get attention from them since they are home all day and have a fenced in yard. Either way- he'll be so happy to see you when you get back :029

[Canuck]

Thank you everyone. I have descided to leave him at my fathers house. I was hesitant at first because he has no experience with dogs. But he knows how much I love him so I know that he would never let anything happen to him.
Plus, I am going to be leaving him ALOT of notes, and I'll be calling every second day. No matter who has him I am going to miss him like Crazy.

[Maggie and Me]

I have a few suggestions to help your pup out. First, definitely put a towel or blanket in your laundry basket for a few nights before you leave and then leave it with your pup so he can smell you. Second, give your dad a few basic commands your pup knows and have your dad train with him. I think the repetition will be familiar and comforting. Last, even if it is a bit more expensive, is there a boarding place in the area where the dogs are allowed to run? The place I take Maggie has 3 acres of fenced in yard and she can run all day. My pup was eight months old when I had to leave her for 12 days (vacation) and my parents watched her. Even doing this for two separate nights would get your pup nice and tired. And 12 days is a LONG time for people who don't have dogs so the break for my parents was nice too.