Dogs that won't kennel

[Cerbhd]

We rescued 2 lovely Staffie crosses 2 years ago, they had been quite badly abused and passed between several kennels and fosterers until we finally rehomed them.
We though we would try and kennel them for one night and gradually build this up over time until we could get a weeks holiday,
So this morning we dropped them at a lovely kennel that we had a recommendation for and have previously viewed, 2 hours later the kennels phoned as they had freaked out, wouldn't go back in the kennel after being let out into the run and snarled at anyone who went near!
We've now cancelled our hotel and have taken them home again, anyone had this and did you resolve it?
Suggestions greatly appreciated

[gregs656]

Get a dog sitter to look after him in your home.

[condor]

As above - pet sitter to look after them whilst you're away. It's not that expensive, I'm one and I charge £30/night and provide my own bedding, kitchen equipment, food etc.
Dogs are happy that they're in their own environment and your house gets looked after as well.

[Twig62]

condor said:

As above - pet sitter to look after them whilst you're away. It's not that expensive, I'm one and I charge £30/night and provide my own bedding, kitchen equipment, food etc.
Dogs are happy that they're in their own environment and your house gets looked after as well.

Are you in the S.E Condor ?

[condor]

I'm just North of Bedford , and house sit within a 15 mile radius. There are plenty of other pet sitters whose charges will be similar to mine and they'll also provide all their own stuff.

[Twig62]

condor said:

I'm just North of Bedford , and house sit within a 15 mile radius. There are plenty of other pet sitters whose charges will be similar to mine and they'll also provide all their own stuff.

Ok, I am in Kent so off your patch.

[Cerbhd]

gregs656 said:

Get a dog sitter to look after him in your home.

Many thanks,
This is our next step and we got a number from the kennels that have used him before.
I guess I'm also concerned that these dogs are a bit more damaged than I thought but hey ho we'll see it through
Thanks for the replies

[gregs656]

Cerbhd said:

Many thanks,
This is our next step and we got a number from the kennels that have used him before.
I guess I'm also concerned that these dogs are a bit more damaged than I thought but hey ho we'll see it through
Thanks for the replies

I've done it for a couple of years on an ad-hoc basis and have looked after all kinds of dogs with various behavioural nuances - I've never had a dog that didn't settle quickly.

Get someone in you trust. Maybe introduce them to the dogs over a period of time, walk them with you etc so it's not someone they don't know - this is quite effective IME.

Edited by gregs656 on Wednesday 8th March 18:44

[Cerbhd]

Many thanks gregs that's good to know, im having a look around and asking our local vets for recommendations, anyone know anyone good in the North hants area would be grateful

[condor]

A simple way to find local petsitters is to simply put that criteria in google and check out their websites, read reviews, ask them to visit you and see how they interact with your dogs. In every case I know of, the initial visit is free and the opportunity for you to get to know and see if you like each other. Expect to pay around £10/hour if you want the dog sitter to do a test dog walk to see how your dogs get on with the sitter without you. Your dogs will let you know how happy they are on their return.

[Cerbhd]

Many thanks condor, I think this is our only option but to be honest I would feel better if they are in our house when we are away

[condor]

That's what I'm suggesting. A dog sitter looking after your dogs in your home.
I think you've misunderstood me suggesting that you allow future possible dog sitter to walk your dogs ( without you) and then get feedback from your dogs re body language and also from the dog walker/pet sitter on how they found your dogs.

[Cerbhd]

No sorry no misunderstanding, dog sitter for a trial run and then staying in our place while we go away.
It's been a bit of a long day and was looking g forward to a nice quiet night away but I'm sure we'll get there eventually
Cheers

[P700DEE]

Barking Mad, dogs get to stay in a home , not a kennel

[garythesign]

OP sorry to hear about your problem

If going the pet sitter route you could ask local dog owners for recommendations.

Also try small ads in local shops and local press or magazine

Pet sitters tend to advertise locally.

Good luck

[anonymous-user]

my rescue would kill himself before he went in a kennel.

Dog Sitters are great, they also provide security for your house at the same time.

Double win!

[bakerstreet]

We send ours off to a pet sitter. Its £25 a night and well worth it. We have a Greyhound and they are very well suited to Kennel life and can be dropped in a kennel quite easily. Kennels are considerably cheaper at £9 day, but its no where near as nice for the dog.

We also have a great relationship with our sitter. When my wife was in labor, we literally didn't know if we were coming and going and she took Herbie at very short notice.

We are lucky that our sitter is only a few miles form where we live, but I would happily drive 50 miles for a good sitter.

Your sitter swill need to test your dog to see if it gets on ok with their own dog (highly likely they will have their own dog)

Some sitters can also be picky about certain breeds. We found two that wouldn't our Grey, which was a little bizarre as they are next to no bother!

[Cerbhd]

Hopefully some good news, I spoke with one of the walkers that we see on our regular walk and he offers his services as a dog sitter on an informal basis. His dogs got on okay with mine this morning and he also doesn't like kennelling his dogs so pays around £40 per night if he can't get friends to stay.
He only lives up the road from me so our dogs would be walked in the same woods as they are now, I'm hoping to do a trial run soon and will update if anyone is interested, thanks for all the replies

[condor]

£40/night seems a bit high to me - perhaps I should up my rates

[gregs656]

And me. I don't do it for the money and have been on £20 a night for years. I do ask for food and beers however!