As you girls may recall, our dog is a rescue that was pulled out of a high kill shelter and then fostered until we adopted her.
The 2 occasions we've gone away for the wknd since adopting her, we've had a girlfriend of mine housesit for us and so D got to stay right here in our own home. This coming wknd, though, we don't have anyone to watch her so we have her booked to stay at a boarding facility that a coworker of mine recommended. We took D to visit the place today so she wouldn't be totally freaked out when we drop her off next wknd. She was fine - curious but calm, sniffing about. We went into the actual kennel area and I think DH and I were just totally suprised by all the loud barking of the other dogs. D wasn't phased - she went right up to the first kennel with other dogs in it and stuck her nose up to it to check them out.
Of course DH and I are totally suffering from guilty parents sydrome. I loathe to leave her in this loud, barking kennel overnight. Even though the staff is really nice, it's clean, and we've signed her up for a playgroup session so she's out of her kennel and can play with other dogs; and an individual walk session. His big fear is she'll think we're leaving her or punishing her for something by bringing her there and going away overnight.
Ugggghhhhh. Please tell me you have boarded your dog with no issues. I'm a horribly guilty feeling dog mommy right now. :-(
Re: Those who've boarded their dogs...
We have boarded our dogs at least 4 times. I actually worry about my rescue pup less because she was raised in a kennel when she was very young, and always liked her kennel at home much more than our Boxer who is not rescue.
I'm not going to lie. I cry every single time we drop them out. I just miss them, but I know that they are safe and happy. We kennel them in the same ginormous kennel, so they have each other to keep company.
Every time we drop them off, dogs are barking like crazy, but our dogs don't bark a lot, and I'm guessing they don't bark all night because there are houses around this kennel place.
Our dogs are definitely tired when they come home. The usually sleep for the entire next day (after their bath).
Don't worry too much, but no that you are not alone as a pet parent.
We have also boarded our dog and it stinks when you have to leave them. I usually make Matt take him and then I'm the hero that goes to pick him up. We also use a boarding service that has a doggie daycare like you described. We have had him there twice for weekends and another time for 9 days when we went on our honeymoon. There is a lot of barking, no matter where you take them. And even dogs that don't bark much are going to be barking because of the other barking dogs. When we brought Owen home from his 9-day stint, he was hoarse! He would bark and it sounded so funny. But my heart ached for him becuase I knew his little throat was probably hurting.
You've done your research. You've purchased services that will get him out of his kennel. You've done everything you can under the circumstances. You can always call and check on her while you're gone. Try to enjoy your weekend away.