TessaGA
Georgia
MH
Posts:2378
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| 08/31/2010 12:12 PM |
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I was wondering if anyone has boarded their GSP in a regular boarding kennel for a longer time. Tessa is going to be boarded for three weeks - it's a long time. She's never been at a kennel. I might drop her off for a day and a night beforehand to see how she does but there is no way to test for the longer timeframe.
Of course there are alternatives to boarding, I thought of dropping her off with a trainer for 4 weeks but it's just not doable for me for several reasons.
The kennel is the regular type with a small indoor area and a average size outside run attached. All my previous dogs (American Bulldogs) have done really well there. The people that run it are wonderful and I trust them completely. They have boarded GSPs - they say they tend to drop weight so they keep a close eye on it and up the food if needed. They use the same vets I use - best in town. Family operated, and they live right there on the premises. Tessa is not a very soft dog and attaches easily to strange people and dogs, so I would think she'd be fine, but it's a long time, and a totally new environment for her.
They will take her into a fenced off-leash area once a day (20 minutes) and I also ordered a few pool sessions (30 minutes) weather permitting. Other than that, it's the kennel.
Any feedback is appreciated. |
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To live without dogs would mean accepting a form of blindness. [Thomas McGuane]
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everbell
Kanata, ON
MH
Posts:2737
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| 08/31/2010 1:13 PM |
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Our guy LOVES going to the kennel ... we have boarded him up to 12 days I think. They get a lot of off-leash time in 4 fenced-in yards, as well as at least once on-leash walk and a couple "nap" times in their kennels.
We have noticed that Bo is a bit thinner when he comes back, so we always send some full-fat yogurt which they give him once a day to fatten him up. (Might also be because they are on well water opposed to city water).
I would definitely do at least one over-night, just so she can get used to it. I'm sure she will do fine. |
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Joce and Rich
Bogart and Shiraz (GSPs)
Roxane (RIP: 1995-2009) and Tiger Lily (Cats)
The Everbell Adventures |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:6748
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| 08/31/2010 3:04 PM |
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| I have boarded mine at a very nice kennel for up to a week. They have gone to the same place for daycare so they are familiar with everyone too. The difference is they have open fenced areas where they match the dogs up in play groups, so they are not in their kennel except at night. Mine also all stay in the same kennel at night. Halo always drops weight when I board her. Ringo and Belle usually are ok weight wise. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
     
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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ChessieGirl
Dahlonega,GA
JH
Posts:21
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| 08/31/2010 6:19 PM |
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| What is the name of the kennel. I live in georgia. I dont know where in georgia you are located. We have borded chessie for up to a week and she is fine. But it is also the breeders that we got her from that have the kennel. So she knows them well. So they know the breed and there home is on the same property. She goes on walks on a long lead in a pasture and she also gets playtime if one of her siblings/half-siblings/cousins are there. It is The Bed and Biscuit Inn. It is in Lula Ga. |
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TessaGA
Georgia
MH
Posts:2378
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| 08/31/2010 6:22 PM |
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| I'm in Athens so Lula is not that far away! I've always used Four Seasons just outside of Athens. |
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To live without dogs would mean accepting a form of blindness. [Thomas McGuane]
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ChessieGirl
Dahlonega,GA
JH
Posts:21
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| 08/31/2010 6:51 PM |
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| The owners at the one we take chessie to are really great. I use to live in athens. My dad still lives in athens, he lives in watkinsville just outside the 10 loop. I think we use to take our dogs when i was younger to four seasons. Here is there website. http://www.hollysbandb.com/ And here are there gsp's: http://ruffonbirdsgsp.com/ |
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TessaGA
Georgia
MH
Posts:2378
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| 08/31/2010 6:53 PM |
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| Oh no I can't look they have puppies LOL! |
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To live without dogs would mean accepting a form of blindness. [Thomas McGuane]
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unowhoandwhy
Middleofnowhere, NH
MH
Posts:1794
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| 09/01/2010 12:09 PM |
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I boarded Daniel & Layla for 3 days once & they did well other than not eating much. Next time I will definitely shell out extra money for the doggy daycare option so they can get in some play time with other dogs... or at least Layla can, Daniel could care less about other dogs.
Three weeks is a long time, but if it is with a kennel you can trust then I'm sure she'll be fine. I do know that I will never, ever do the dogsitter thing again. I went away for 10 days when Daniel was a puppy & a "friend" was supposed to house & dog sit. It turns out he never stayed there & only went a couple times a day to let them out for a potty break.
I had explained to him that both my dogs were very social & active & needed plenty of attention & exercise, but he really let me down. The house was trashed & there was poo & urine everywhere when I returned (my dogs have to be 12+ hours desperate before they go inside the house!). Needless to say, I'd rather pay a pro & not ruin a friendship! |
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Daniel Yankee Flyer - 8/2002
Lady Layla - 1/2006 |
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Almost Heaven GSP
Springfield, WV
MH
Posts:725
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| 09/01/2010 8:30 PM |
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Why not do the Trainers? I would think it cheaper and they could be working on kinks you may be having?
I have a couple people that will leave their pups with me when they go on vacations for a couple weeks at a time and they have me work on any bugs or issues they're having a difficult time with. At least here in the Mid-Atlantic, I'm actually cheaper than most/all boarding facilities. |
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Money will buy a fine dog, but only kindness will make him wag his tail.
Bruce Shaffer
Almost Heaven GSP's
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Almost Heaven GSP
Springfield, WV
MH
Posts:725
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| 09/01/2010 8:31 PM |
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| I should add, that Tessa would also be well stimulated at a Trainers as well, vs. just laying in a kennel with occasional play/pool time. |
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Money will buy a fine dog, but only kindness will make him wag his tail.
Bruce Shaffer
Almost Heaven GSP's
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TessaGA
Georgia
MH
Posts:2378
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| 09/02/2010 7:10 AM |
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Trainer would be the best, I agree, and actually almost the same cost, but one reason I can't is that the one I would have used is 3 hours away (one-way) and I just don't have the time to transport back and forth, as all my leave at work is going towards the trip.
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To live without dogs would mean accepting a form of blindness. [Thomas McGuane]
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:6748
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| 09/02/2010 11:15 AM |
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| TessaGA - Even if you have to leave your girl longer in order to make the back and forth trips to the trainer, Tessa will be much happier at the trainers. You might want to think about leaving her for the entire month with the trainer. I know, I know you will be anxious to see your girl after being away for 3 weeks, but just something to think about. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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TessaGA
Georgia
MH
Posts:2378
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| 09/02/2010 11:25 AM |
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| The logistics on my end just don't allow for it... |
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To live without dogs would mean accepting a form of blindness. [Thomas McGuane]
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:6748
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| 09/02/2010 11:38 AM |
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| I understand. Shame there isn't a good trainer closer. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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vnrose53
MH
Posts:321
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| 09/02/2010 12:11 PM |
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Just one comment about petsitters--if you find a good professional petsitter, that can also work well. I'm lucky enough to have two women I can use who are former vet techs, true dog lovers and very responsible. However, this partly works for me because I have a dog door and a secure yard, so the dogs can come and go as they like (and are trustworthy with it).
BTW after a recent two week vacation I came home to read daily notes about "The kids were so happy to see me! We had fun playing ball and with squeaky toys!" Where were the dogs at that time? Well, one had gone back to sleep and the other ran outdoors to chase birds as soon as she verified it was me.  |
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Marie
Wisconsin
MH
Posts:2662
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| 09/02/2010 10:12 PM |
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| The nice thing about GSPs is they live in the moment and do not hold grudges like some other breeds. Sounds like a good kennel to me. I like a kennel with an outdoor run so the dog can be in fresh air and see other dogs in kennels like themselves go back in and lay down on their beds when they want to.. Rocky does real well in the kennels when we leave him. I sign him up for play yard time that has a pond and nature walks. I don't think dogs look at time the way humans do. Tessa will be just as happy to see you back in 3 weeks as she would if you left her one week. Don't worry, just have a good, wonderful time being away for 3 weeks. |
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Marie and Rocky, a tall, high energy GSP
http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab18/Annette_Merryfield/100_0285.jpg?t=1287205231 |
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Phillyo118
UK
MH
Posts:664
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| 09/03/2010 1:00 AM |
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Pop her over to England, i'll look after her for a few weeks for you  I'm sure Tessa and Bentley would get on like a house on fire  |
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"From the dog's point of view, his master is an elongated and abnormally cunning dog."
"My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am." |
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TessaGA
Georgia
MH
Posts:2378
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| 09/03/2010 5:48 AM |
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Don't you have a 6-month quarantine in the UK? LOL
I was trying to take her with me (Germany) but my parents' landlord wouldn't have it. Bummer! |
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To live without dogs would mean accepting a form of blindness. [Thomas McGuane]
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ChessieGirl
Dahlonega,GA
JH
Posts:21
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| 09/04/2010 6:52 PM |
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| Has Tessa been at the four seasons before? |
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TessaGA
Georgia
MH
Posts:2378
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| 09/06/2010 7:36 AM |
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No she hasn't. I was thinking of boarding her for a night prior but in the meantime I made other arrangements, at a vet w/boarding - because it's smaller and because of the way it's set up and run, she will have much more interaction there. I am very comfortable with it.
BTW I did talk to Holly and while I will not board Tessa there this time, I will check it out when I come back and keep it in mind for future boarding. It sounds good, just need to see it in person and get a feel for it. |
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To live without dogs would mean accepting a form of blindness. [Thomas McGuane]
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