To board or not to board... difficult decision

[acarabias]

My husband moved up a planned trip from november to July. Originally I wanted it when the weather was cooling off so I could leave the dogs in a boarding kennel, with a lady that is also a trainer and they have daycare for the pups and socialization with other dogs which I think Aldo and katara are in need for. But, my husband moved it to July.. Temperatures here range from 100-115 in July.. I have called several boarding places and none of the outdoors/indoor ones will take them because of the breed and this lady will, but how do I guarantee she will keep them indoors when all the other dogs are let outside? The only other kennel I have found to board them is indoor only with a 15 minute play time in the morning.. they wouldn't socialize with other dogs and will be locked up in a large area together.. all... day... long... I don't know if I can do this to them. I spoke to my husband and he said they will do fine.. they're just dogs.. (of course we know they are more than that ) Me, I'm not sure I can leave them locked up like that.. The other option is moving the trip back to November, but I would have to ship Bruno.. Aldo and Katara were both shipped to me, and both did very well.. And then in November I would board all three of them with the trainer lady were they can play and be free in cooler temperatures.. Do you guys agree with me that it's a better decision/ or do you think that kind of indoor kennels is fine for dogs that are used to their crates for a good amount of time per day, but also receive a lot of attention from humans and get to go outside at least a full hour and roam around the house and indoor large playpen for a good amount of time.. My husband thinks I am crazy.. but I need to hear from some more bulldog knowledgeable peeps..

 

[Davidh]

Well I don't trust kennels, too many horror stories of them killing bullies, by letting them out and forgetting them. Is there a pet sitter or someone that can house sit and take care of them?

 

[Sherry]

Ship me out to your place, I'll stay with them.

Don't you have anybody you can trust to stay at your home and make everything easier for you? Someone really really mature? Like ME

I'm sorry, I feel very silly tonight.
I know I wouldn't want to put them in a kennel, that's for sure.

 

[cowsmom]

i for one dont trust kennels. i would find a nice sitter or someone who can come to your house or move the trip back.

 

[BullDogGunner]

I am in this same situation. I ave a cruise planned in September, while it won't be as hot, I will have to use a kennel which I NEVER do. I just can't trust anyone to actually commit to watching him and not change their minds. This is hard since I love my with everything in my heart!

 

[RaRett]

We must be really lucky, our vet has a really nice boarding facility - indoor - with private outdoor runs (the dogs can go in and out when they want too during the day) he's a bully specialist (used to breed them) and his staff is up on Bullies - we dont think twice of boarding there - However, if its 1 night or 5 nights, if they offer a bath before pickup.. TAKE THEM UP ON IT !

 

[cali~jenn]

Wow, that is a tough one I would say. I have never boarded. Thankfully I have a couple friends I can count on usually to come stay at my house while I am away. The outdoor place sounds beyond scary. This heat is too dangerous and there was a posting on one of the rescues last month of someone who boarded their bulldogs and they died due to letting them out in the heat after being told no outside. Unless you are taking to a "bulldog" vet who boards I would be beyond hesitant to say the least.

 

[ChanelnBrutus]

Oh Ana this is a tough one! I wouldnt leave any of mine at the boarding kennels...I am too afraid of them forgeting about the bullie outside or something! I would see if a family member or friend could take care of them while you are away! I would def do the trip in Nov to give yourself time to find the rightr people to babysit Good Luck with everything

 

[RiiSi]

I don't think you're grazy. I have to say that I could not board Usko. But then again I'm not acquainted with any around here. There must be reliable boarding kennels, who understand bulldogs special needs??? Luckily my cousin loves Usko and Usko loves her and she comes to stay at our house when we are away. We were both away for a night for the first time this weekend and admit I was total wreck. Everything went well ofcourse and the reunion today was extremely joyful. At the moment she is the only one I trust to take care of Usko besides his breeder.

 

[Alice Kable]

If at all possible, I'd move the outing back to Nov. so heat won't be an issue. We board our boys 4 times a year because my husband chooses to go to those 4 shows with me. The boys are always happy to go and totally worn out when they get home. The owners of the kennel understand that the Bulldogs can't handle heat so they are protected from that. One time Mack came home with a small bite out of his ear. Knowing Mack, I'm sure he was sniffing a little dog's privates when he got bit. Next time we tried kenneling them with a local vet (not ours), and we picked them up early and they both smelled like chit! Will Baby Bruno have had all of his shots by then?

 

[acarabias]

If at all possible, I'd move the outing back to Nov. so heat won't be an issue. We board our boys 4 times a year because my husband chooses to go to those 4 shows with me. The boys are always happy to go and totally worn out when they get home. The owners of the kennel understand that the Bulldogs can't handle heat so they are protected from that. One time Mack came home with a small bite out of his ear. Knowing Mack, I'm sure he was sniffing a little dog's privates when he got bit. Next time we tried kenneling them with a local vet (not ours), and we picked them up early and they both smelled like chit! Will Baby Bruno have had all of his shots by then?

By when? November? or when he is shipped to me in July?
By November he will have I guess 3 series of the distemper parvo, the rabies I waited until 6 months with Aldo and Katara.. not sure if they'll take him in the boarding without the rabies..

 

[acarabias]

Thank you to all who expressed your opinions and experiences on this thread.. Aldo and Katara will not be boarding during the heat. We have pushed the trip back up to the end of November (Thanksgiving). By then, all three will be able to board with the indoor outdoor lady I trust the most. The temps will be from about 60-75 most likely.. I will still make sure she needs to bring them in to rest up.. and educate her about bulldogs.. I do know they have bulldogs that come to daycare but still, I will need to tell her so she understands how important these guys are to me.. I will be nervous about leaving them. Bruno will be only 6 months.. but I think I will still be more comfortable to leave them then than now.. when it's the middle of the summer and extremely hot and sunny and dry!!
I hope baby Bruno makes it fine in his shipping travels!! I was hoping I could pick him up, but, I do believe this is the best decision for all three of them..

 

[Alice Kable]

In this area people can't board without rabies shots. If Bruno can't be boarded maybe you could find a responsible pet sitter for all your critters!

 

[acarabias]

In this area people can't board without rabies shots. If Bruno can't be boarded maybe you could find a responsible pet sitter for all your critters!

Bruno was born May 19th so he will be 6 months by then, which means he will be already vaccinated with the rabies.. he should be ok to board. I would love to find a sitter, but my grandmother will be handling the poodles and she is elderly and cannot risk the bulldogs attacking the poodles, she wouldn't know what to do.. When I got Aldo and Katara I promised my mom that I wouldn't leave them with my grandma (since she lives with me) when I go on vacations. Now, my sister lives about 25 min away and has her own family and dogs and wouldn't be able to stay here.. If I find a sitter it would have to be someone that my grandmother accepts since she will be in the home when we're gone.. the good thing is that I will be gone only a few days and I have a few months to find someone... I do like that boarding service though.. the lady is a trainer as well, so all training is welcome for my pups..

 

[Davidh]

[MENTION=3247]acarabias[/MENTION] how are they shipping Bruno to you, is it by ground transport? I hope so. Not good to fly pups, it is way too much stress and the heat can get to them as well.