OK so i am going on a trip for school to a conference in San Francisco CA for a few days then off to WA to visit family for another 5 days. All in all ill be gone (bf as well) for 10 days. I have to board Maverick and I am dreading doing so. I have called a bunch of places and narrowed it down to 2 kennels which both have pros and cons but I would like some advice.
Kennel#1
Cost :$250 for his stay plus an extra 25$ for cleaning products because Mav is not 100% potty trained
This kennel boards pups in home with her own two dogs...both males and her lab is mav's age and in tact (ie not fixed) which Maverick isnt either...i have some concerns about fighting etc between two unaltered male and a much older male as well. Mav will be coming in to their home but I was told she boards often and never has problems.
This kennel does not crate their dogs at all and Maverick is expected to stay uncrated as well. The owner is home all the time because this is her full time job.
The are having renovations on the back yard which is another minor concern because the dogs go to a local dog park 3 times a day which is near by and then another larger dog park once a week. I provide his food (no problems with me i prefer it) and that is about it.
Kennel#2
This one is located in the country side and is a liscenced and insured kennel. During the day they have daycare for a lot of dogs and at night dogs are boarded if their families are on trips etc. It is an indoor outdoor kennel which means he does not sleep in the home with the family. He has a concrete run and an indoor heated section for sleeping and chilling out. He goes out for runs and playtime with the other dogs *i believe another boxer is being boarded during the same time* a few times a day. at least three but i cant remember fully and she is not charging extra for the fact that he is not potty trained. She doesnt mind that mav is not fixed yet and kept her own dog until 1.5 years unfixed for her own reasons...i think to have the secondary sex traits fully develop but im not sure. Mav would bring his own food and she has about 5-10 dogs boarding there in the facility during mav's stay.
I dont like the idea of having him not in a home setting but this lady sounded more interested..for example she asked me to sleep with a blanket this week and bring it to help Mav's transition. She also is offering my transportation to and from the kennel (she doesnt do this but we never had reason to get a lisence until we got Maverick since were so central and use public transit. now weve been getting out licences and will be fully lisenced by summer thank god but until that time central or places that transport are important). She also INSISTED that i take mav out to her kennel this weekend before we leave so i can have peace of mind and he can see the place and not feel like he was just dumped there. She asked for emergency contact to take mav in if something should happen etc and talked through her practices and beliefs with me.
Which boarding kennel would you choose? I realize the perfect answer is neither id leave them with mom dad etc but i dont have that option at the moment. Also I am considering day care for mav with the second kennel once i get a car if i like what i see. I have no problem leaving him there for a day of fun and games the only thing that holds me back is the "kennel" setting..i.e. not being in the house with family.
Kennel#1
Cost :$250 for his stay plus an extra 25$ for cleaning products because Mav is not 100% potty trained
This kennel boards pups in home with her own two dogs...both males and her lab is mav's age and in tact (ie not fixed) which Maverick isnt either...i have some concerns about fighting etc between two unaltered male and a much older male as well. Mav will be coming in to their home but I was told she boards often and never has problems.
This kennel does not crate their dogs at all and Maverick is expected to stay uncrated as well. The owner is home all the time because this is her full time job.
The are having renovations on the back yard which is another minor concern because the dogs go to a local dog park 3 times a day which is near by and then another larger dog park once a week. I provide his food (no problems with me i prefer it) and that is about it.
Kennel#2
This one is located in the country side and is a liscenced and insured kennel. During the day they have daycare for a lot of dogs and at night dogs are boarded if their families are on trips etc. It is an indoor outdoor kennel which means he does not sleep in the home with the family. He has a concrete run and an indoor heated section for sleeping and chilling out. He goes out for runs and playtime with the other dogs *i believe another boxer is being boarded during the same time* a few times a day. at least three but i cant remember fully and she is not charging extra for the fact that he is not potty trained. She doesnt mind that mav is not fixed yet and kept her own dog until 1.5 years unfixed for her own reasons...i think to have the secondary sex traits fully develop but im not sure. Mav would bring his own food and she has about 5-10 dogs boarding there in the facility during mav's stay.
I dont like the idea of having him not in a home setting but this lady sounded more interested..for example she asked me to sleep with a blanket this week and bring it to help Mav's transition. She also is offering my transportation to and from the kennel (she doesnt do this but we never had reason to get a lisence until we got Maverick since were so central and use public transit. now weve been getting out licences and will be fully lisenced by summer thank god but until that time central or places that transport are important). She also INSISTED that i take mav out to her kennel this weekend before we leave so i can have peace of mind and he can see the place and not feel like he was just dumped there. She asked for emergency contact to take mav in if something should happen etc and talked through her practices and beliefs with me.
Which boarding kennel would you choose? I realize the perfect answer is neither id leave them with mom dad etc but i dont have that option at the moment. Also I am considering day care for mav with the second kennel once i get a car if i like what i see. I have no problem leaving him there for a day of fun and games the only thing that holds me back is the "kennel" setting..i.e. not being in the house with family.