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What to expect at a boarding facility?

1K views 10 replies 7 participants last post by  TilliesMom 
#1 ·
We considered boarding Maggie at a local daycare/boarding facility when we take a short trip out of town next month. Their screening process was very thorough.....Maggie had to spend an entire day there and I had to fill out some very detailed paper work. She passed the evaluation, but I'm having second thoughts. The big dogs were separated from the small ones by a short picket fence that the little ones couldn't see over, and a higher chain link fence. I didn't like that they squirted the big dogs in the face with a water bottle for jumping on the fence. They all used the same outdoor concrete area at different times. They seemed to do a lot of hosing down, inside and out, and when we picked Maggie up she was wet, bedraggled, and smelly. OK.....as I read over what I've written, I'm thinking no way will we take her back there. Or, am I expecting too much???
 
#2 ·
nope, not expecting too much. We have NEVER left Tillie in 'boarding' because of the reasons you mentioned plus MANY others!! Some do and it works, but I don't think I would have the heart to leave her in a place like that.
Sure wish we had more options in our town! Makes for taking vacations tricky...
 
#3 ·
Ahhh Tammy, you can leave Tillie with me.
 
#4 ·
I would never leave Kodi at a commercial boarding facility.

1. I don't think he'd be happy.

2. I don't trust that he'd get the level of care I would be comfortable with.

3. I think he would be frightened and intimidated in a situation like that.

4. I KNOW they wouldn't be able to handle a coated dog, and I'd come home to a horrible mess.

Soooo... I found a wonderful in-home boarding situation for him, with a gal he adores. She has two small dogs that he loves playing with, and a large young dog that he bosses around. :) She is also a groomer, so I don't have to worry about his coat. In fact, since I am allergic to most dogs, including hers, she gives him a bath just before I pick him up so I won't be allergic to the other dogs' dander in his coat.

On the rare occasion that this gal isn't available, I have another person I can use that he likes just as much (and also has two little dogs for him to play with) but she lives almost an hour away, and although she tries to keep up with his coat, she's not a groomer, and I know I'll still have my work cut out for me when I get home. Still, he has such a good time with her, and I KNOW he is completely safe in her care, so if my first choice person isn't available, I still feel comfortable having him go to this other home.

For me, in-home boarding is the only way I'd be willing to go. When ever it is even remotely possible, we prefer to take him with us! (we recently declined the gift of a vacation condo from DH's parents because they don't allow dogs, and we knew we'd never use it!:))
 
#5 ·
I have never boarded mine either. I have always found someone to stay at my house with them. Do you know anyone who could take her or anyone who could stay with her. I found a great girl on Sittercity.com. She is a teacher and great with the dogs. It may be a good place to find someone. Also, if you have a groomer, they are a good person to ask if they know anyone who will take small dogs in their home. My groomer sends me a lot of dogs. Where do you live?
 
#8 ·
We found a boarding/daycare facility that we (and Sonic and Aries) absolutely love. They also had a very through application process and required short visitation/daycare stay to check out the dogs. They do grooming there, although we don't regularly use them for grooming, but I know they would brush them out or bath them when needed. They actually called me the last time and asked if I wanted them to give Sonic a hygiene trim and I did take them up on that. They only keep so many dogs, depending on how many workers they have those days, and will board only a minimual number of dogs at once. They also have an apartment above that someone stays in so any boarders have someone close for emergencies. They keep the small dogs separate from the big ones, give daily updates with pictures and have been very accomadating to my any request. We fell in love with the first visit and although I would rather have them with me or in a family members home, it works in a jam and I know they are having a blast and are well cared for. I would even love to get them into the daycare more often, but when I have to go into work, I have to way too early (4:30), and DH has a very erratic shift thats constantly changing so most times when we would be leaving the dogs for long periods during the day, they aren't opened yet. Although they did even tell us if it came down to a day we'd be leaving the dogs home alone for an extended day to give them a call a day in advance and they would schedule to have someone let the dogs in early, thankfully we've been able to work our schedules so the most we've had to leave them so far is 4 hours. This place has been great because they really do care about the wellbeing and happiness of the dogs.
 
#9 ·
Oops, I guess I got carried away with a long post, but my main point was.. If you weren't really comfortable with the way Maggie came home to you or anything else about the place, do continue looking. If you find the right place you will just know it.

Also our trainer recommended the place above to us. That might be another source, if you have one.
 
#10 ·
I think I was shocked more than anything, because a friend who is very particular about her pomeranian, boards her dog there and she recommended the facility to us. Anyway, our youngest son lives in town, but works overnight shifts at a hospital......12-13 hours, and I didn't want to goof up his wake/sleep cycle. Bless his heart, he switched his schedule around and will stay at our house with Maggie, who absolutely adores him. I think we'll be coming home to one spoiled puppy!
 
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