Finding the right boarder for our dogs is very important; they cannot speak up when mistreated.
We originally went to a very highly rated boarders They always charged extra for play time but we thought that was normal (it’s not) and of course we paid for it so they would spend time out of their cells. But at some point (for anonymity I’ll call them Asscroft) they went downhill. The first indicator was when I picked them up, they had always wanted to come home but this was “Get me out of here. Get me the hell out of here.” Next time was when I picked them up and their toys were still in the bag from drop off. The last time, we get a call in Greece. Asscroft lost their food and was feeding them the stock shit so they wouldn’t starve. But don’t worry, they were not going to charge us for it.
I found a new place and they have been there a few times. Play time is free. Making the reservation this last time, the person at the counter didn’t recognize me from my name. She then asked what my “kids” names were. When I said Spice, Thugnasty and Biscuit, she was all Oh yes. We know them. I didn’t get to play with Spice on his last day last time. My dogs are people centered and don’t care for other dogs, so I found out that when out of the kennel, my dogs get the run of the kitchen. They do not mind going unlike the last few times at Asscroft. Incidentally I found out what happened was Asscroft was sold to a corporation right when we started noticing problems.
Our boarders and daycare (Know Thy Dog) love our boys and they love them. Lucas is a real ladies dog and just likes to hang out with the staff. They post pics and videos on FB every afternoon. Such a relief to find the right peeps.
I hate boarding my dog (well, she hates it), and I don’t like the place (I get weird vibes). Boarding options where I live are limited. I’ve spent the last 4 Christmas’s home alone by myself (well, with the dog) because the spouse and kid went out of town to spend the holidays with her folks, and I refused to board the dog.
My parents are dead and while I like my in-laws I don’t feel a pressing need to see them so I’m OK with it. And the dog is good company. Spouse thinks i’m nuts.
Oh man. We have a great place. The Doggie Dude Ranch The staff is incredible and they all really love animals.
Let’s see.
Inground pool for dogs
At least two outdoor play areas for dogs of different sizes and temperament. You don’t necessarily want to mix the seniors with young pups.
Indoor play area. That has some sort of padded rubber floor. So not directly on concrete. If the weather is crappy/cold, they will use that.
Seems like the staff is always outside playing with the dogs
They post 50-75 pictures a DAY of all the dogs romping around. You get to see your pooches playing.
When we go on vacation, so do our dogs. Just different resorts.
Good for you @mozchron ! Stand your ground. We signed up for this when we got animals. The joy we get from them is returned 10 fold
We play chess nearly every night. That’s the sign to our doggies that they are gonna get their special doggie ice cream (it’s made for dogs). Our one dog is soooo cute. She picks up her ice cream cup and goes to her ‘cave’ (dog bed under the stairs, it’s right next to me). Just as if saying, “OK, don’t bother me, I’m going to enjoy this”
Wow. Relatively speaking, that facility is nowhere near you.
Is this just the plan for when you’re flying somewhere (or heading out East by car) or do/would you actually drive the dogs there for a road trip in another direction?
Shit–when we lived in Telluride we would board our dog in Durango, spend the night and fly out of there. Pretty much added a half a day or more to every trip. Living in the mountains has its drawbacks.
Yeah. It’s sort of close to DIA. So it works for flying. If we are driving west it’s a bit more problematic. We spent a couple days on the western slope this summer. My dear wife had the time to take them down there before the drive to Grand Junction. Then, of course, they had to be picked up. But we a looking at properties on the front range, so it worked out.
It’s worth it to not have to worry about them.
My wife loves long drives. She drove to South Carolina and back this past summer to see a friend. She doesn’t like to fly, but certainly will. She is a little claustrophobic. Airplanes bug her.
To the tune of “The Things we do for Love” by 10cc:
Too many packaged foods are lacking in cow liver
Too many donut holes you kept away from me
You buy your pets and then you pay the price
The things we do for dogs, the things we do for dogs
To take vacations there is boarding to be answered
You’ve got to drive a while to get those puppies home
The roads are crap and all the plows are out
The things we do for dogs, the things we do for dogs
Yeah. When my mother needed help, I drove to Denver and back ~ three times a month. That adds up. Plenty of drawbacks. But sitting on our deck, playing chess with my wife with Mt Bross and Lincoln (both 14’ers that make up the other side of the valley), is just… well it’s indescribable.
The 30 feet of snow a year is also indescribable. Bah.
A Miniature Aussie owns me, and he doesn’t get boarded very often. But he goes to play time there once a week for about 6 hours. I’ve been using these folks for 18 years with 2 different dogs.
I know he likes it there because he’s all excited when he recognizes when we get close. He barks until they let him into the inner area.
It’s great to deal with people you know and trust with something as important in your life.
I think it’s pretty standard at kennels to charge extra for “play time”. At least, someone should be watching over the dogs to see that there aren’t fights and no one gets into trouble while trying to escape or eat something they shouldn’t.
We use Rover for our pet boarding needs, which matches us with a person who takes care of our dog in their home (no cages). Usually it turns out pretty well, although sometimes our favourite pet-sitters are booked up and we have to take a chance on someone new. There’s always several photos per day though.
A buddy of mine breeds Golden Retrievers. We’ve been friends for 30 years and have helped each other out numerous times.
He boards our dogs when we go to the Caribbean. I don’t know how we would do it without him. He has 5 acres fenced for them to run in. They are otherwise in runs in a building he usually uses for pregnant bitches so there is great heating and air conditioning. He knows how we are, so he sends us pics and videos every day.