10 day vacation...ok to kennel Chevy that long??

[Pastor Dave]

My wife and I are going to be on holiday for 10 days, and I am a bit concerned about Chevy, our 7 1/2 month old mastiff. We have had him at our home for 3 months, and he calls this place his home. Do you all think that being away that long will cause problems for Chevy?? We made arrangements for Chevy to be next stall/ in view of our lab Coal at the kennel, and that they would be "outside" for exercise time together. The two dogs are good friends. I don't have much alternative here...but you all know how it is when you love a dog and just want the best for him. Coal does well with being in a loving kennel....not so sure about Chevy. Someone tell me that everything will be ok when we return ???

 

[dpenning]

They will be fine. I had a vacation scheduled when I brought home my first mastiff. It is more traumatic for you than for them. Leave them each with a shirt or a blanket you have used so they have something that smells like you.

 

[Pastor Dave]

Thanks, D Penning ...... we will be taking bedding with them, but the (do I have an odor??) idea of taking a shirt out of the laundry is a great idea. Thanks.

 

[joee5]

Enjoy your vacation

 

[DDSK]

I fostered my sons Lab for a year and a half while he went through navy boot camp and schooling, when he got his final duty station he had to move from California to Virginia. When they left I put a recently worn T shirt in the truck where Sierra would ride, she would not sleep anywhere else, she would not leave that shirt. It comforted her and reminded her of the home she had. I didn't see her for over a year and she didn't forget me at all, she ran to me crying when I came to Virginia to visit. So the clothing is a great idea.

 

[DennasMom]

8 months old is a tough time for them to be away from home.

Hopefully having Coal right there will be a good comfort for him.

Definitely send a favorite pillow, shirt or blanket with your smells on it for him to cuddle with!

Trust in the kennel (I'm assuming it's one you've used before) - and see if they can send you updates, so you can relax and not worry while you're gone.

 

[cj-sharpy]

It will be fine.
Agree with sending a scent, i used a work shirt in my pillow case (unwashed) and he slept with that.
Make sure to be on your knees when you go to get them back, a happy to see you over excited flying mastiff is a tricky thing to catch and stay on your feet.

 

[karennj]

They don't have rooms big enough for both dogs to be together? I have only boarded my dog once and I would only use a place where my dog could be with my sisters dog as they were buddies. This last time I went away I had only had Bear 6mo and refused to kennel him. I ended up paying college students to live at the house for the 2 weeks we were gone.

 

[Pastor Dave]

Thank you for the well-wishes and kindness. I just dropped my two long-eared boys at the kennel, with pillows, bedding, shirts, food, and a few treats. All went well. I'm not as concerned as I was before your advice. There's no way I could take the dogs along. I look forward to being home and viewing this forum again soon. Best regards to all.

 

[DDSK]

Have a fun trip.

 

[Pastor Dave]

Thanks....I am sitting at a hotel computer in Rapid City, SD, at 2:45 in the morning. I think I should have brought pillow---there's no bed like the one at home. Thanks all. I'm calling the kennel tomorrow. Good night....sort of.

 

[Liz_M]

Aww. Your boys will be fine and you'll get a very enthusiastic welcome home!

Enjoy your vacation, that's a beautiful part of the country there.