The General Wibble Thread

catp wrote: Or, if anybody else did it, could they comment on their experience with kennels?

We started off using kennels, both were on personal recommendation, both displeased me immensley. He doesn't go to either now.

We're fortunate enough to have friends who will look after Indy when we go away, their son has always wanted a dog so this is the next best thing for him, and we know he is well looked after, unlike the kennels that were 'recommended'.

We holiday in this country in the summer and he loves his holidays as much as we do, so he comes too. Any other odd days (and our skiing week) when we can't take him, he goes to his country retreat.

I have a useful friend who moves in to look after my dogs when we go away and eats her way through the freezer as payment!

catp wrote:--- Icy: Did you actually place your dog in a kennel during a holiday? Or, if anybody else did it, could they comment on their experience with kennels? I thought about doing that, but here in the US the prices are higher than what Icy mentioned, and for two dogs the fee becomes pretty steep. And, besides that, I also worry that they would feel abandoned.... So if anybody did it, I'd appreciate any feedback.

Before I start, you need to know that the bad wind I have smells worse than any dogs!

Yes, I used to put my Border Collie in kennels very regularly when I went skiing/summer holiday. She was first in there when she was about 9 months - 1 year so she has always been used to it. She used to love going there. Long long walks 3 times a day, great food (we did feed her at home by the way!) and other dogs. She always wanted to stay when we came to get her. It used to cost us about £200 for a 2 week holiday. It came recommended and if I had another dog it would certainly go again.

The kennels have their own dogs and have had them in 'show' many a time so know how to look after dogs!

Like OA said, the key is getting them in early, that way they are used to it.

I dont have the problem anymore :(

Iceman wrote:
Yes, I used to put my Border Collie in kennels very regularly .............
Like OA said, the key is getting them in early, that way they are used to it.

I dont have the problem anymore :(

Sympathy and hug :cry:

That's very sad, poor Icy :cry:

I suppose that's another potential downside to owning a dog. My brother 'lost' his dog the same way :(

Another bad thing about owning a dog is that they do make an awful lot of mess in the house - with dog hair and mud etc.

Practically every week I have to de-dog both our cottages for the next visitors and it's amazing how much dog hair there is and where it gets to - like in the fridge, stuck IN the mattress (through the sheet and 2 mattress protectors), in the chests of drawers, stuck to the cushions etc. and I wash all the throws every week which cover the sofas and armchairs and after we've had a dog there's always loads of dog hair in the filter in the tumble drier.

I think myself the best dog to have would be one that didn't lose it's hair, although then of course you'd have to either trim it yourself or have it done professionally. When I was a child we used to trim our poodles ourselves, and once I started farming the farm sheepdog wasn't allowed in the house so mess wasn't a problem.

Snapzzz - have you made your mind up yet? I think what Dids said was very sensible and perhaps you should only get your daughter a dog if you want one yourself, in case it ends up being your dog and not hers because she loses interest in it.

My younger daughter has just asked me for a car - now that is even more expensive than a dog, but at least I won't have to take it for walks in the rain :lol:

but you will have to pay for insurance, servicing, MOT, repairs....nothing is free in this world. You let dogs in your cottages? :shock:

I think Snapzzz has decided to get the dog, in fact there is a picture of it below :D

Iceman wrote: You let dogs in your cottages? :shock:

Icy, sometimes it feels like we are providing holidays for dogs (plus their owners) :lol:

A couple of weeks ago, for example, a charming elderly lady was in the 4 bedroom farmhouse on her own with 2 dogs. She said the dogs needed the space :shock:

Actually we get a lot of bookings by agreeing to take dogs, because many cottages won't have them, and our guests pay us an extra £10 per dog :D

I am well prepared for dogs with throws on the furniture, slate floors, and special cleaning kit like those sticky rolley things I use to remove the dog hairs from the cushions and bedding :D

Ally, do you advertise on dog friendly websites? We usually go there to look for dog friendly places.

Our dog is a nightmare with his fur, I constantly find I have hairy socks.