Dog Bitten While In Boarding Kennel

[Clyde]

This has happened to me before, I was so upset and furious! The kennel owner was/is also a dol'er.I haven't used kennels since, it was about nine yrs ago. But am using them next week for the first time. They don't mix sbt's regardless of the owners wishes and I feel confident that they will respect my instructions for no socialising. They have a really good rep and loads of clients use them. Still nervous though

[rebelsquest]

This has happened to me before, I was so upset and furious! The kennel owner was/is also a dol'er.I haven't used kennels since, it was about nine yrs ago. But am using them next week for the first time. They don't mix sbt's regardless of the owners wishes and I feel confident that they will respect my instructions for no socialising. They have a really good rep and loads of clients use them. Still nervous though

You mean you are using a different boarding kennel right, not the same one that your dog was injured at?

[~Anne~]

I haven't used kennels. I always find other alternatives. I am not sure my guys would deal with a kennel anyway to be honest.

I think the business owner needs to be consulted. It may have been a once off mistake. All of us make mistakes, if they show a cavalier attitude, deny responsibility or try to move the responsibility to someone else, and they are clearly at fault, then more fool them for such a mistake.

[OSoSwift]

I just had a fight here between two dogs from the same family, broke it up quickly, small scrape small amount of blood not through the first layer of skin. Immediately called them to notify and tell them what I was going to do ie seperate them until they go home tomorrow and tell them I was happy to take her to the vet if they wished me to but described the small wound and said I relly didn't think it warrented an after hours Sunday arvo visit.

Why would they not call, to me it is just what you do. Have they been called and asked about it as yet? I am interested to hear the reply!!

[Staffyluv]

That is just terrible - you would think the kennel staff would have at the very least told you of an altercation (if the dog wasn't with others, surely they would have to know about it)..

I put Ollie in a kennel once and never did it again.

When I collected him, it was 2 fourteen year olds at the kennel who got him from out the back. They couldn't find all the containers that had his food, had lost his meds container and the container they gave me back still had all the food in it (he was on a special diet at the time).

To top it off, he was covered in his own faeces and fleas (he had never had a flea in his life and wasn't kennelled with another dog (as far as I know).

I explained when I called to book and again when I dropped him off the importance of his meds and food regime.

The poor lad was so ill after 4 days in that hole that I swore I would never do it to him again.

I have heard of good kennels (including the one I left Ollie in, it had rave reviews from lots of people)..

The next time I had to go away, I left him with our vet up there and he was well treated.

[Clyde]

This has happened to me before, I was so upset and furious! The kennel owner was/is also a dol'er.I haven't used kennels since, it was about nine yrs ago. But am using them next week for the first time. They don't mix sbt's regardless of the owners wishes and I feel confident that they will respect my instructions for no socialising. They have a really good rep and loads of clients use them. Still nervous though

You mean you are using a different boarding kennel right, not the same one that your dog was injured at?

Sorry yes, I wasn't very clear. Totally different kennels. No amount of money would convince me to use the other one again!

[Sheridan]

Reading stuff like this fills me with horror. Trouble is, you just never know what they will do with your dog.

[ellz]

It isn't just restricted to kennels unfortunately. My father had taken his dog to the vet for treatment and left him there when he went into hospital himself. Sadly, my father didn't come home. When I collected the dog from the vet a week after he went there (and a rather large bill as well), I was absolutely appalled. He was in dreadful condition and was so weak and ill that I ended up taking him to another vet where he was euthanased.

[Bisart Dobes]

Sorry haven't been near the computer today :).

Firstly - I will answer all the PM's I have received re the kennel name - OMG So Many !!! Probably not tonight though, early start in the morning.

Secondly - I cannot contact the kennel as he isn't my dog & I didn't board him so they won't give me any information at all.

The dogs owner has photos of the wounds, has the vet report & bill and has attempted / is attempting to contact the kennel - no response as yet that I know of.

The bites are around his shoulder blade area - not possible through a fence, this is like another dog trying to dominate bite.

I told the owner not to expect too much - if they didn't even bother to call to advise of the injury / fight / altercation, I can't see them being good about this. But if they aren't I will certainly be advising everyone who visits our website of what happened and the kennel name etc And just from the pm's I have it will be costly to them already - the 'dog world' is a small place.

He has been for a run with our dogs and didn't show any change in behaviour - I just hope that it hasn't affected his temperament / attitude towards dogs he doesn't know. Really all I personally want from them is the breed of dog that was involved so that I can ensure he is exposed to that breed in a controlled environment and we don't / won't have an issue in future. A 40kg entire male dobermann can certainly be a handful if that attitude is bad & we work hard to produce good temperaments on our dogs - and his owners have done a great job with him as well.

He will never be kennelled again.

[rebelsquest]

This has happened to me before, I was so upset and furious! The kennel owner was/is also a dol'er.I haven't used kennels since, it was about nine yrs ago. But am using them next week for the first time. They don't mix sbt's regardless of the owners wishes and I feel confident that they will respect my instructions for no socialising. They have a really good rep and loads of clients use them. Still nervous though

You mean you are using a different boarding kennel right, not the same one that your dog was injured at?

Sorry yes, I wasn't very clear. Totally different kennels. No amount of money would convince me to use the other one again!

Phew! From what you said I didn't think you'd be using the same kennels, but then when you said using them next week, I was confused if you meant "them" as boarding kennels in general, or that specific one!

[Clyde]

LOL. When I picked my dog up with blood all down her chest from a bite to the throat it was a pretty sure sign I wouldnt be going back!

The injury went on to have complications, because of this she had to have surgery and ultimately sped up her laryngeal paralysis (bitten in the throat at kennels and had been debarked by previous owner, the surgeries after attack in kennel led to too much scar tissue build up in her throat) and she died. She was my heart dog

So yeh, trusting my dogs with kennels has been an real issue for me. Just trusting them with anyone has been an issue!

So stepping back in to using kennels next week is huge for me so I am very nervous They are having a trial run on Tuesday and then if that goes well they are staying a few more days the following week.

[Tazar]

Oh Clyde, my heart dog left this world from LP 9 month ago, such a heart breaking thing

[Blackdogs]

I won't use kennels at all. If I can't get a trusted family member to look after them I don't go away.

[Danois]

If it wasnt your dog and you're relying on information being told to you and without knowing the facts then I'd be careful about bad mouthing the kennel to others as it could be seen as defammatory.

[dougal]

I had a similar experience some years ago. My terrier was returned to me with a broken leg. The kennel staff carried him to the car stating "that he'd had a bath and didn't want him to get dirty". I was also pregnant and they claimed they wanted to help me (he was all of about 6-8 kg). When we let him out of the car at home it was obvious. Took him immediately to the vet. Reported the kennel to Fair Trading and the RSPCA. The vet supported my claims with various statements, although I didn't get anywhere. RSPCA weren't interested (apparently the inspector had a relationship with the kennel owners.

He wasn't ever boarded again. It is only recently that I have left my cockers in a kennel environment, and then with people I know, or highly recommended by people I know.

[Dame Aussie]

I won't use kennels at all. If I can't get a trusted family member to look after them I don't go away.

Same here. I just can't trust that anyone but me or my Mum will look after them the way I expect.

[OSoSwift]

I won't use kennels at all. If I can't get a trusted family member to look after them I don't go away.

Same here. I just can't trust that anyone but me or my Mum will look after them the way I expect.

Last time a fmaily member looked after my dog it resulted in $2500 worth of TPLO surgery!

These stories are horrific to say the least.........................

[Clyde]

I won't use kennels at all. If I can't get a trusted family member to look after them I don't go away.

Same here. I just can't trust that anyone but me or my Mum will look after them the way I expect.

I wish I had that luxury I have no family here but I guess even if I did I wouldnt trust them to care for my animals as they aren't animal people at all. This is the first time I have boarded these dogs and only the second time Ive boarded at all. I left the Pug with a woman who does in home care and she was great but I wouldnt leave my SBT with her (plus she wont take them). I cant board her on her own as she is a nervous girl in new situations so the Pug will board with her to help her anxiety. Ive been here for over two yrs and havent managed to get away for a weekend yet. I really need a break. My neighbours will come and do the poultry and feed the MAremmas. But I wont leave the Pug and Stafford loose when I am not here. It really is my only option to get a break. In June I am going away for two weeks but have trusted friends travelling here to stay. I used them a year ago when I went away for 5 days and they were awesome. It's hard for them though as they have 6 dogs and need to find someone to stay at there place to mind their dogs in order to come here, so they arent available for the odd weekend etc. Luckily though they see the longer breaks here as a holiday for them so it works well.

[Staffyluv]

I won't use kennels at all. If I can't get a trusted family member to look after them I don't go away.

Same here. I just can't trust that anyone but me or my Mum will look after them the way I expect.

I wish I had that luxury I have no family here but I guess even if I did I wouldnt trust them to care for my animals as they aren't animal people at all. This is the first time I have boarded these dogs and only the second time Ive boarded at all. I left the Pug with a woman who does in home care and she was great but I wouldnt leave my SBT with her (plus she wont take them). I cant board her on her own as she is a nervous girl in new situations so the Pug will board with her to help her anxiety. Ive been here for over two yrs and havent managed to get away for a weekend yet. I really need a break. My neighbours will come and do the poultry and feed the MAremmas. But I wont leave the Pug and Stafford loose when I am not here. It really is my only option to get a break. In June I am going away for two weeks but have trusted friends travelling here to stay. I used them a year ago when I went away for 5 days and they were awesome. It's hard for them though as they have 6 dogs and need to find someone to stay at there place to mind their dogs in order to come here, so they arent available for the odd weekend etc. Luckily though they see the longer breaks here as a holiday for them so it works well.

Back in 2005 Ollie had just been dxd with MCT and was due to start chemo in the January of 06. We had tickets to go to Hervey Bay for Xmas with the whole family.

We advertised in October and November in the Canberra Times for someone to dog/house sit.

We got some complete loonies but I also interviewed a lot of really nice people. We ended up with a 3rd year law student. She was amazing and actually looked after him a few more times on weekends for us, so we could go away.

If you advertise with plenty of notice and have the luxury of time to go through the applicants, you could end up with someone as great as she was.

If I was to advertise again - I would probably just do it through the Uni. Most of the more 'normal' people I spoke to were from there.

[Clyde]

I won't use kennels at all. If I can't get a trusted family member to look after them I don't go away.

Same here. I just can't trust that anyone but me or my Mum will look after them the way I expect.

I wish I had that luxury I have no family here but I guess even if I did I wouldnt trust them to care for my animals as they aren't animal people at all. This is the first time I have boarded these dogs and only the second time Ive boarded at all. I left the Pug with a woman who does in home care and she was great but I wouldnt leave my SBT with her (plus she wont take them). I cant board her on her own as she is a nervous girl in new situations so the Pug will board with her to help her anxiety. Ive been here for over two yrs and havent managed to get away for a weekend yet. I really need a break. My neighbours will come and do the poultry and feed the MAremmas. But I wont leave the Pug and Stafford loose when I am not here. It really is my only option to get a break. In June I am going away for two weeks but have trusted friends travelling here to stay. I used them a year ago when I went away for 5 days and they were awesome. It's hard for them though as they have 6 dogs and need to find someone to stay at there place to mind their dogs in order to come here, so they arent available for the odd weekend etc. Luckily though they see the longer breaks here as a holiday for them so it works well.

Back in 2005 Ollie had just been dxd with MCT and was due to start chemo in the January of 06. We had tickets to go to Hervey Bay for Xmas with the whole family.

We advertised in October and November in the Canberra Times for someone to dog/house sit.

We got some complete loonies but I also interviewed a lot of really nice people. We ended up with a 3rd year law student. She was amazing and actually looked after him a few more times on weekends for us, so we could go away.

If you advertise with plenty of notice and have the luxury of time to go through the applicants, you could end up with someone as great as she was.

If I was to advertise again - I would probably just do it through the Uni. Most of the more 'normal' people I spoke to were from there.

I tried for 12 months to find someone suitable in this area. I registered on every conceivable housesitting/pet sitting website with no one suitable. We had only one person in this whole area who did it as a business, used her twice but then she moved. After the second time she wouldnt have come back anyway as the Pug went missing for 5days and the poor girl was a traumatized that it happened on her watch. I have to be extra careful and extra picky due to the Maremmas. I have about 60 animals (poultry included) here so the person has a lot of reponsibilty. Most of the house sitting people wanted to bring their own dogs or even their kids. One woman got quite pushy about bringing her toddler even when I kept explaining that I wouldnt trust my dogs. It's not easy staying here, the dogs all need constant supervision and separating etc so it really needs to be someone mature and responsible and someone who doesnt take risks with the dogs. The Maremma also dont accept just anyone. It is more daunting finding someone knowing if they do one thing wrong that they could be bitten so it's not a decision I can make lightly. In the end I just found it easier to accept my friends offer of help instead, I left them an A4 six page debriefing :laugh:. The Maremmas will only allow one neighbour in to check on everything as they know him well, so he is the one who is checking on them next week. They've just been away for a week and Ive checked on their dogs so it works well. We times our breaks to suit each other.

eta: I also found it hard to find people that dont own their own home. There is no Uni here and most kids/younger adults shoot off to Sydney to leave home leaving behind mature aged home owners IYKWIM.

Plus when people have come out to have a look and give me a quote it has been $100+ a day which is just not an option on top of paying for a holiday and loss of wages while away. Although in saying that if someone had been perfect I woudl have paid it.

Edited January 7, 2013 by Clyde