what about kenneling a sheepie?
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| You will still be able to take a vacation...don't worry! There has been a recent thread regarding what others do when they go away. Please check it out for some information!
http://forum.oes.org/viewtopic.php?t=6370 |
| I haven't responded to the other discussion on kennels, so I will respond here.
If you know for a fact that you will not be taking vacations for at least 4 years it may be a good idea to kennel your dog as a puppy or have them watched by someone else even though you are in town. Before I was born my parents had a sheepdog named Oliver. They never went on vacation or left town for...I am not sure how long. When they finally did take a vacation they left him with my grandma and grandpa. He was so upset at being left that he didn't eat for days. He moped around and generally made himself sick with worry. Finally he did eat after my grandma enticed him with all kinds of treats. But was never happy being left...even at grandma's. When I was little we got our next two sheepdogs. Jake and Izzy. My parents decided that they didn't want leaving them to be a problem....so we kenneled them for a day or two after having them a couple weeks...even though we were at home the entire time. After that they got used to it and loved it. They were so excited everytime they got to go to the kennel. That is why I would suggest "leaving" your dog every once in awhile, even though you may be in town. Amanda |
| and it also depends on the personality of your dog. Some are more shy than others. My parents' sheepie is very shy and doesn't like other dogs (she is nice, she doesn't want to have anything to do with them, though) so sending her to a kennel or doggie daycare would probably give her a heart attack. My dog Barney, on the other hand, LOVES LOVES LOVES going to doggie day care and the kennel and he loves all other dogs and would probably rather live at the kennel than with us (just kidding--he would just rather have us bring everyone home with us!) |
| Just a thought.....at one point in time in my life I wanted to be a Vet Tech, I worked with a clinic for a whole 2 weeks!!! I quit once I had to walk, feed, clean the animals who were boarded...over the Christmas/New Years vacation.....The Doctor was great and really seemed to care but the employees that had to do the above said work treated the animals terribly! I told the Doctor but, I was new and it didn't go far. I couldn't stand to watch what was going on so, I quit!
My brother had 2 dogs die while being boarded at their vet....(another clinic in another state and on two seperate occasions)..... Do not get me wrong, I am sure that there are good clinics and people who really care....just make sure that you do extensive research on your options.....ask if you can view their kennels (during a busy season)...if they have nothing to hide, it shouldn't be a big deal...... I personally leave my animals in th comfort of home and have family and friends stop in and walk, feed run....them. Don't mean to scare anyone! I just think you all have a right to know! Good Luck To You!!! I am sure you will make the right decision for both you and your baby!! |
| Just to add to my earlier post...I have never boarded a dog at the vet. Only a kennel that operated on its own. Therefore, I don't know if the conditions at a vet would be similar to a kennel or not.
Rebecca also made a very important suggestion. Before boarding anywhere you should always take an "unscheduled" tour to see what the facilities are like. Amanda |
| We boarded our two sheepies last summer. I had boarded our older
one before and vowed to never take him back there. That was at our old vet, and they boarded right there at the Vet's office. My boy was horribly matted and very upset. They had bathed him, against my clear instructions, and never bothered to dry him let alone brush him out. So when I picked him up, he was a complete mess. He is also allergic to lamb, and his personality is completely opposite if he gets any lamb at all. I was VERY clear about that part too, and even gave them bright orange slips stating "lamb allergy" to put clearly in his area. While we were leaving and I was paying the bill the attendant was giving him treats by the handful and saying how he just loved them. They were in a clearly marked bowl on the reception counter - labeled lamb! I couldn't believe it. I sort of made a stink over it and I think they really didn't care. Needless to say, I changed vets! I love our new vet, and she loves my boys. She only has one other OES client, and ours come in together, so she looks forward to our visits. They also recommended someone to us for boarding. They were so excited about having an OES - and TWO at that. They told us they were looking forward to it for days. My dogs were much happier there, and I know they got special attention from the carers. They did not bathe them, or give them anything with lamb - thank goodness. I was very happy with them, and I will use them again. Of course, now it will be two full grown OES, so I will pay a little more. The kennel was very clean compared to places I have seen before, including the old vet. They had an indoor/outdoor run, which I thought was really great. Plus they were kenneled together. I was never able to have them together before. Their area was really big, and comfortable for them. I have started to think of it as a vacation for them as well. Like I said though, it was mostly because this kennel had never had any OES. They really listened to me, they didn't act like they knew it all and that was a really big plus in my book. They treated my boys well, and that wins out over anything! My advice is: ask as many people about boarding in your area as you can. Get your vet involved, they generally know who is good and who to stay away from for boarding. While you are at the vet, ask other dog owners if they can suggest anyone. I actually went to the kennel ahead of time, before I even decided to board there. Ask to look around. Get a feel for the place, gut reaction does count for a lot. Ask as many questions as you can think of. The reaction you get just from questioning will tell you a lot too. If they don't want to be bothered with questions, walk away. How many people work there? Will your dogs just be stuck in a cage, or will they get real attention? You don't want to be away somewhere worrying about your dog. That is no good for you or your dog! Shellie |
| try and find a friendly neighbor or a good friend who is willing to stay at your house.
I do that and so do several of my friends. we help each other out. My kids stay over at her house, and we take turns feeding her dogs and playing with them. someone doesn't have to stay with the dogs all the time, but just go over to keep them company, again to sleep over, the dogs like to stay in their home. |
| Thank you all so much!! This takes a load off of my mind... seems I have lots of options available to me-- it's just about chosing wisely! |
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