My husband and I are heading on vacation next week and the Kennel which we have looked at, approved, and had our puppy do a test visit with is full and can't accomodate us. What we love about this particular kennel is that there is lots of group doggy play time. Our puppy just loves to socialize with other dogs so we encourage it whenever we can. I made an appointment to look at a different kennel over the weekend which looks great. From what I can see online, it is extremely clean, tidy and very well kept, however after speaking to the owner, I found out that the pups are kept in individual runs all day with no group play. Their individual areas are all chain link with attached 12' outdoor runs. So they can all see each other and talk to each other, but can't actually play together. She said it is a very social atmosphere. He will definitely be exercised and played with multiple times per day, but on an individual basis. Does anyone see any downside to this type of set-up?

And BTW, regarding the first kennel we were told after his overnight test visit that he did great. He ate all his food, slept overnight and played very well with all the others.

We love our little guy to death and we just want to make sure we do what's best for him.

I always board Kale individually. I prefer the kennels that don't have Chain link, Kale massacred the backs of his canines on chain link while boarding. Biting and twisting the fence can break them. I prefer the ones that have polyurethane see-through doors that he can't bite. The reason I don't board at a place where he can play is just a precaution. Dog fights happen, and I would rather me not be hours away, getting a phone call saying that Kale was injured, and them asking about stitches and all. But that's just a personally preference.

Thanks. I appreciate your input. My only concern with him staying in the kennel without group play is that I'm worried that he'll be really lonely. Breaks my heart to think of him being sad.

I work at a kennel and personally I think daycare all day is too much overstimulation. For that reason my dogs don't come to work with me more than once or twice a week.

We left Sabaka for his first overnight stay at a kennel very similar to the chain-link enclosed one that you have described. It came highly recommended and we were excited to think that even though the dogs had no group play time they could see each other and run along the fences together. Another positive for us was that the kennel would bathe them before you picked them up. We were asked to call them about an hour or two before we arrived and they would return to us a fluffy, good-smelling dog. We thought that was a great perk, but after picking up a nicely bathed pup...with urine from another dog all down his back leg, we began to wonder if the bathing was just what they had to do in order to hide the fact that the dogs were peeing on each other through the chain-link fence. I can't know if that is really what happens, but we decided not to chance leaving the poor guy there to be peed on for days while we are away. We used another kennel that has very private cement block walls. I wish there was something in between these two scenarios for us, but our options are limited.

It so hard to leave your beloved pet in someone else's hands. Since our trip is so closely upon us, and we have the opportunity to bring him with us, we are leaning towards that. The two main reasons we had decided not to take him with us from the get go are (1) that we are driving from New England to North Carolina and we just aren't sure how well he'd do on a long drive like that; and (2) we are bringing another couple (friends of ours) so we didn't want our dog to become a burden for them on what is their vacation too.

I was also in this dilemma, but I made up my mind a few weeks ago. I'm taking Juneau on an 18 hr car ride next week lol.

I find it very hard to bear the thought of receiving a phone call saying my pup has been hurt or injured while at a boarding facility (with a kennel that has individual pens, I think it would be fine). Your pup is by himself at home, right? It would be no different imo. They still interact with humans with the plus of seeing other dogs.

If given the choice, I would take him with you. There are harnesses that have a seatbelt restraint on them to hold your pup in place while driving. I put Juneau in my backseat with the harness and she just falls asleep (in the path of an AC vent, of course). Bring a few different variety of chews/bones/etc to chew on, and a water bowl. You would probably have to stop every 2-3 hrs to let him pee, depending how old he is. I'd give little food. A friend of mine's dog got car sick, so be careful that he doesn't have a good view of the window all the time. He may get dizzy.

Good luck!

Also - ask the couple going with you if it's okay with them.

If your concerned about the length of the drive and him getting car sick ask your vet about dramamine

Luckily our friends are great and don't mind having him travel with us. We are definitely leaning in this direction. And if we do, he'll have plenty of his favorite treats to last him the whole week!

Thanks for everyone's input. It always helps to get the perspective of others!

I take mine to a kennel that has large enclosures that they can keep all of my dogs together. Therefore they have each other to play with and I don't have to worry about any other dog hurting them. Each enclosure has its own run area. I love the place, they offer free play time with one of their handlers. It is one of the locally owned kennels here and they are very behind the times technology wise. They don't accept credit cards or have a website. For the way they treat my dog.... I'll forgo that stuff