Palmetto Proving Grounds

I cringe everytime I think about your dog's name being Alshon.

Depends.

Some dogs can go somewhere like a kennel, which is a stressful/scary environment for them, and come back perfectly fine. My dog is like this.

My gf's dog, though, comes back and has diarrhea, stressed out, hiding in her crate, etc. for some reason.

Some kennels are better than others, too. Most will let you take the dog for a one night stay to test them out, get the dog used to it, etc.

You can also take him with you... consider what other animals/pets are at her parents' house, whether or not your dog is housebroken enough to trust him inside her parents house, etc.

Is the dog crate trained? If so, take the crate with you, that should help.

I mean, is this a puppy? How old? etc.

Chain him up to a tree out back. Get 2 five gallon buckets and 8 bricks. Tie the buckets to the same tree and put 4 bricks in the bottom of each to weigh them down so he doesn't accidentally tip them over. Fill one bucket with water and one with dry dog food. You're done.

It would take Alshon the better part of a year to go through a five gallon bucket of dog food, but thanks for the advice.

Anyway, if it helps, Alshon is a black teacup poodle that's 7 inches tall and 3.5 lbs (give or take some, depending on what he's eaten that day). Do you think he'd be okay in a kennel?

Serious answer has a lot to do with how her parents feel about you bringing him with you. My two dogs shed pretty bad. Wife has 3 vacuum cleaners!! Now at our house if you have a problem with the dogs or thier hair, you may as well not come over. It is thier home and they, like me, are allowing you to visit. Think I would go with her parent's recommendations. But remember, you are all he has, his whole world is being with and pleasing you, and you are his security. That's how I see it!!

I thought the dog was picked up by a blue jay earlier in the week. I guess you found it?

I think she should take Alshon and board you.

Problem is, he's been producing an absurd amount of eye boogers lately. It's disgusting. My gf won't stop complaining about it. Have any experience with this? Any suggestions?

Your girlfriend has never met her parents? Weird...

To the OP dogs of any kind are great, even with eye boogers. Tell your gf to get over it. If you are in Columbia then board at Red Barn Kennels in Lexington. They are terrific. Do NOT use Barnwell Oaks Kennels.

no on the eye boogers. it does make me think that his hair is getting in his eyes. is it? something is making his eyes water, so, unless he has been watching 'beaches' and other chick flicks and crying with your girlfriend when you are not there, I would look into allergies, and more so; his hair getting into his eyes and irritating them. I know poodles have long, curly hair. so that is the most obvious answer to me.

The poster who mentioned staying calm is exactly right. My last dog that I posted about earlier used to want to fight every dog/person we met when I was walking her. It was pretty worrisome because she was a pit-bull, and people react differently to dogs like pits and rotties and such. Anyways, I watched the dog-whisperer, and he emphasized this. Turns out, It happened one time at first when a dog was trying to eat me, and after that; every time we would pass someone with a dog, I would tense up, and tighten up on the leash, so she would go into protect mode. I was causing her behavior. I learned to relax, and it stopped. That is how in-tune dogs are to us. Again, something we can learn from dogs; pay attention.

Your best bet is to call around to the various boarding facilities in the area and ask the following questions:
1. Are you associated with a particular vet in case of emergency?
2. Do you segregate the smaller dogs from the larger, male from female?
3. What records (shots, rabies vaccination, kennel cough preventative, etc) do you require before boarding?
4. Are ther boarding packages that include bathing, exercise, playtime with an adult, etc?
5. Are you able to check on the animal on a daily basis telephonically?

Boarding facilities associated with a vet are preferable in my opinion especially if this is a first time board. Some facilities are very strict about shot records while others can be lax. Choose the one which requires a complete record of your pet's health. If the facility does not offer boarding packages it is best to avoid it. Finding a facility that segregates may be hard in your particular area but they are worth their weight in gold if available. Look for a facility that is well ventilated and has indoor/outdoor run combinations. Also look for a facility that is willing to board your pet in a run versus a cage only and will allow you to provide bedding and food if you prefer this. Understand that bedding needs to be elevated in a run since they hose the areas down each day to keep them clean.

Hope this helps. In the future if you travel with your pet, La Quinta Inns and Suites is very pet friendly and not overpriced.