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  1. #1
    Best Friend Retriever annkie's Avatar
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    First time boarding...

    I need to get Archie accustomed to being boarded. I have a facility that I used with Jules and it's great. All kind of activities I can sign him up for (swimming, day care- half day or whole day, bath, etch). It ain't cheap but w/e. The crate area, I believe, is about 6 x 8 on a thick rubber mat. Here's what's holding me back.... all the barking. Archie is just 9 months old. He's never been in an environment like that. I'm worried he'll be stressed out. Then he starts chasing his tail like a crazy dog. But on the other hand we'll be going on vacations at some point and I need to board him. Ugh, I'm dreading it. I don't want my baby stressing out. Maybe start with one night and see how it goes? Thoughts?

  2. #2
    Real Retriever Murphy030813's Avatar
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    I would recommend starting with a half-day of daycare and then move up to a full day of daycare. Explore the other options that they have. We did that with both of our dogs and now they LOVE the place and LOVE going there. Whenever we need to board them there, it's the easiest drop off ever...well, for them at least, I still get teary eyed!

  3. #3
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    do they offer day programs? like daycare for dogs who are not in boarding?

    I'd definitely try 1 overnight otherwise. Dogs adjust and sounds like he'll have fun. Probably good to do it while he is still young as part of things he gets used to (the overnight/spending a day there) VS wait til he is older. Sounds like you trust the facility which is really more than half the battle!

  4. #4
    Best Friend Retriever silverfz's Avatar
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    I would recommend starting day care from 1/2 day . Does he go and play with other dogs . If so he might have the social skills . Gigi is a dog park bum so she is good as 0laying and avoiding trouble makers.

    Gigi has been going to day care from 4 months . We made a point to get her used to it. Even them she does not do well when boarded . Every time after pickup we felt she has never slept or eaten.

    So i started using Rover.com to find dog sitters
    Next week we take the kids to disney so she is going to stay with a young lady and her little chewnie. Before that she has been stayed with her one or 2 days a few times. We tried another lady but 3rd floor apt was not good.

    We felt after a few boarding that she is stressed being in a dog kennel all night aa she is more of a people person. Its strange that she rather stay with people at home .
    Must be a lab in her , prefers people .

    Anyway the thing is day care and then start overnight a few times. As with training it takes working in short periods . End of the

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  5. #5
    Best Friend Retriever silverfz's Avatar
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    Could not . Edit but wanted to add she loves day cares , dog parks . When we travel and need a dog free day she happily goes to day care where ever ...or dog sitter . But for some reason a night in the kennel stresser her .

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    Last edited by silverfz; 10-20-2017 at 06:33 PM.

  6. #6
    Best Friend Retriever OHfemail's Avatar
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    Love the idea of starting with an overnighter. We toured a few facilities when Gabby was around 7 months. The 1st one was SO loud that the DH and I were stressed when we walked out! We found one that's actually a calm environment, as kennels go. I think it's got a lot to do with the fact that the dogs have large indoor kennels, with full day access to the outdoors. Each opens into their own huge individual grassy area. Gabs isn't a dog lover, and the only time we took her to doggy day care, she was a hot mess when we picked her up. It sounds like you've found one to try, so go for it sooner rather than later.

  7. #7
    Best Friend Retriever annkie's Avatar
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    First time boarding...

    Archie does go to dog parks. We've started that recently so he's been about 4 times. I'm extra cautious with him there though. He's a soft dog so don't want him to get traumatized. But he enjoys it after the initial greetings are over. I guess i worry that he wouldn't get the human contact he loves during boarding. Maybe I'll call them and talk to them about it. They're also a training facility so i hope they understand these things.


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