Recommended Kennels In Bray/Wicklow Area

gaa fan no1 · 21-03-2008 4:50pm #1

Hey...

I'm heading away on 2 weeks hols and looking for a good Kennel to leave my 1 year old dog... Would anyone have any suggestions/experience with Kennels in the Bray area?

Thanks in advance

mikedragon32 · 22-03-2008 8:18pm

There are kennels up and Windgates (at the crest of Bray Head on the road to Greystones), and I saw an ad for Kennels in Blacklion in the window of the petshop in Greystones village.

We leave our cats in a place up near Rathdrum. They have kennels up there too and they are very good.

I'll root out the number for the place we use and if I'm up by the village tomorrow (quite likely), I'll get the number from the ad in teh window and I'll PM them both to you.

orchidsrpretty · 25-03-2008 3:36pm

We put our dog into the Corncrake Kennels in Roundwood. I find them to be great. I was very apprehensive about putting our dog into a kennel so i did alot of research into all the kennels in the Bray/Wicklow area and although the one at the windgates seems great( she keeps the dog in a big enclourse all day, and indoors at night), the owner never asked me for proof of vaccs, which if you look at any website that always the first thing they should ask. There is one in Rathdrum also and one in Greystones that will only take small dogs. All have websites, hope you find the right one.

boomer_ie · 25-03-2008 3:47pm

orchidsrpretty wrote: »

We put our dog into the Corncrake Kennels in Roundwood. I find them to be great. I was very apprehensive about putting our dog into a kennel so i did alot of research into all the kennels in the Bray/Wicklow area and although the one at the windgates seems great( she keeps the dog in a big enclourse all day, and indoors at night), the owner never asked me for proof of vaccs, which if you look at any website that always the first thing they should ask. There is one in Rathdrum also and one in Greystones that will only take small dogs. All have websites, hope you find the right one.

Ive used Windgates three or four times with my two boxers (sometimes with both sometimes with just one) and had no problems. Each time I was asked for proof of Vacination (which resulted in a trip to vets every time, I ALWAYS loose that sheet of paper!)

Goffie · 25-03-2008 10:47pm

HI
If you're interested in boarding your dog in a someone's home rather than kennels I can pm you the details of my dog walker who takes my westie when we go on hols (and I'm VERY fussy)

That way he's still in a home and he loves it there! He's big pals with her three dogs. She's in Bray.

gaa fan no1 · 27-03-2008 6:39pm

Wow...Thanks for the great replies guys. Really appreciate this as I’m very wary off leaving my dog on its own for the first time. If I find the right place I use it again obviously, so Goffie could you pleas IM that number to me please.

Regards and thanks a million

mags16 · 27-03-2008 7:05pm

Regarding the kennels mentioned on this thread, I left my little dog in one of them ( I won't say which one) for 4 days and she came out "as sick as a dog". It cost me a fortune in vet bills not to mention the emotional distress of it all. It may not have been the kennels' fault, she might have caught a bug from another dog. In future, I'll get someone to stay in the house with her.

merryhappy · 27-03-2008 7:44pm

mags16 wrote: »

Regarding the kennels mentioned on this thread, I left my little dog in one of them ( I won't say which one) for 4 days and she came out "as sick as a dog". It cost me a fortune in vet bills not to mention the emotional distress of it all. It may not have been the kennels' fault, she might have caught a bug from another dog. In future, I'll get someone to stay in the house with her.

Sounds like your dog had seperation anxiety. We went away for two weeks

last year and left our two cavaliers on kennels, we really thought they would

have a great time as they had a tv and underground heating and plenty of

human contact, anyway when we got home both dogs got a vomiting bug

which lasted for about 5 days and one of them had to hospitilised she got so

dehydrated. Because all of their vaccs were up to date and there wasnt a

bug going at the time the vet said that hteir immune system dropped

because they were so stressed and upset that we left them and they didnt

have as much human contact as they were used to in the kennels.

Having said all that it doesnt stop us from going away the last time we went

we had a relation stay in the house with them and we are going away for 6

weeks in the summer and they are staying in a ladies house, she only takes

4 dogs at a time and that will have the run of the house!

So I guess what i'm trying to say is kennels don't suit every dog!

Country-Bumpkin · 28-03-2008 2:13pm

I have 4 dogs of my own and run a kennels of sorts!!! Ie. I mind peoples dogs for them in my house, they live with my dogs, sleep & eat with them and get treated like one of the family. So far its proved to be fantastic, we have repeat customers and some dogs who HATE going home. (oh and I only take 2-3 extras at a time otherwise its not fair on my own dogs)

We started it up because we couldnt bear to leave our own babies locked up in cages for 2 weeks, we have to get people to live in our house while we're away so thought we'd do something to help other scared dog-lovers. Although some kennels can be great, I agree with merryhappy, they dont suit all dogs!

Sigma Force · 28-03-2008 3:28pm

Have heard good things about yuppie puppie in bray, havent used them but worth a call u can google the name it should come up.

Sometimes dogs come home sick because the stress of being parted from owners can bring them down, in an area with lots of animals of the same kind close together no matter how clean it is viruses can pop up.

Thing is to go and visit the kennel before hand and make sure they agree to let you see the kennels themselves.

gibbon · 22-04-2008 11:03am

just to let you know my own opinion of windgates kennels, was a couple of years ago so they might have changed,
i asked her how many times she walked the dog, she said none
the owner reluctantly showed us around,
and well, it was my sixth kennel i had been to in about three weeks, - and i was that close to calling the rspca, a couple of terriers covered in muck and shaking came out of thier pens- pens were filthy, cold and built together badly with cheap wood
again, this was a few years ago, they might have changed it, but i was shocked, been an animal lover, she didnt seem to have any routine for the dogs,
hopefully that has changed, but that was my experiecne in 2004

Alun · 22-04-2008 11:11am

We had a similar experience there with our cat there when we first moved to Ireland back in 2001. Tiny little cages, with hardly any room to move, and dirt trays instead of cat litter, all in a dark, draughty, unheated shed. We didn't do a visit first unfortunately, as it was a last-minute thing, but if we had we'd never have put him in there. Needless to say we never went back.

cotton · 22-04-2008 1:52pm

I live 2 seconds away from Windgates Kennels. I'd rather leave my animals home alone than go there.

gibbon · 22-04-2008 2:03pm

i've just been up to visit a great cattery in kilternan in the last hour, talk about state of the art, an actual house nearly- very large accomodation, view over the valley and fields towards killiney hill, cats there were very relaxed, the owner Robert, had lyric fm playing for them, wanted me to see it before i made any decision about bookings, i think he has only started six months ago, but well worth having a look, it was called Alpine Cattery, dont do dogs though, so i have to get a good kennel for them

Killme00 · 22-04-2008 2:24pm

gibbon wrote: »

i've just been up to visit a great cattery in kilternan in the last hour, talk about state of the art, an actual house nearly- very large accomodation, view over the valley and fields towards killiney hill, cats there were very relaxed, the owner Robert, had lyric fm playing for them, wanted me to see it before i made any decision about bookings, i think he has only started six months ago, but well worth having a look, it was called Alpine Cattery, dont do dogs though, so i have to get a good kennel for them

Please let us know if you do find a good kennel. Sound like a wonderful place for the cats.

gibbon · 22-04-2008 2:28pm

will do!

9wetfckx43j5rg · 22-04-2008 4:26pm

I own greyhound kennels and decided to use the spare ones as boarding kennels. im 17 btw. I put up a ad on a website and within a few days had a good few replies. It was only last weekend and I already have a dog that im minding. i think is a good idea cos the kennels are basically in my back garden but its a full building wth 2 storys. the 1st has 4 kennels and upstairs its just storage. this way dogs spend some time in kennels and some time in the house. its kept very clean and such.

what do others think? is it a good idea?

Furphy · 12-10-2008 10:01am

Hi,
I was wondering if anyone had recommendations for a cage free (no kennels) place to let my dog stay when I am away. She is very well behaved. When I have gone away in the past, I left her with a dog sitter who cared for her with his own dogs. I have since moved and am looking for a place that is similar to this set-up in the Wicklow or wider Dublin area. I would appreciate any recommendations! I am fussy!
Thank you!
Furphy

Sigma Force · 13-10-2008 12:33am

Hi Furpy think I mentioned Yuppi Puppie already they are in Bray and use cage free kennelling, the parents are really fussy and their dog was very happy there with no problems.

Sadly the neighbours are complaining about so many cars going up and down the laneway that she is going to try and sell up and move somewhere with more land but you can visit the place.

The parents dog was never left in kennels before, the dog had her own bed in the kitchen but just followed her around all day.

Larger dogs are kept in a seperate area but not caged, just google the name the website should come up.

dimple · 03-11-2008 8:09pm

Does anybody know if Yuppie Puppy are still operating in Bray? I've tried calling and leaving a voicemail and emailing but no response. I need to sort out petsitting for my dogs for the end of the month and liked the sound of Yuppie Puppy

woofie87 · 04-11-2008 8:59am

dimple wrote: »

Does anybody know if Yuppie Puppy are still operating in Bray? I've tried calling and leaving a voicemail and emailing but no response. I need to sort out petsitting for my dogs for the end of the month and liked the sound of Yuppie Puppy

Leave the message on the answering mashine and Barbara should ring you back - she 's busy with the dogs so hardly ever answers her phone, but normally rings back. Also, I left my little scamp with a lovely lady for a week. She lives in Bray and takes 3-4 dogs to mind in her house. They get plenty of walk and have lots of fun playing all day, and they sleep wherever they slepp in their own homes ( Woofie slept in the kitchen on his own bed). He came back home happy and in good shape. If you want to I can forward your number to her and she will ring you.

Sigma Force · 04-11-2008 6:18pm

She should ring back or try to e-mail her. Same with my parents dog she had a bed in the kitchen but the dog followed her around all day like a shadow lol.

Montyw · 24-12-2008 1:16am

woofie87 wrote: »

Leave the message on the answering mashine and Barbara should ring you back - she 's busy with the dogs so hardly ever answers her phone, but normally rings back. Also, I left my little scamp with a lovely lady for a week. She lives in Bray and takes 3-4 dogs to mind in her house. They get plenty of walk and have lots of fun playing all day, and they sleep wherever they slepp in their own homes ( Woofie slept in the kitchen on his own bed). He came back home happy and in good shape. If you want to I can forward your number to her and she will ring you.

hi, we recently got a very mild mannered westie puppy and are looking for somebody who could mind him three days a week. I was wondering if this lady you mentioned would be interested in minding him so regularly.
If so can you let me know so i could pass on my details, i'd really appreciate it. Thx a mill

woofie87 · 24-12-2008 12:17pm

Montyw wrote: »

hi, we recently got a very mild mannered westie puppy and are looking for somebody who could mind him three days a week. I was wondering if this lady you mentioned would be interested in minding him so regularly.
If so can you let me know so i could pass on my details, i'd really appreciate it. Thx a mill

Sure send me a private message with your ph number and I will give it to her.

dogyoungone · 25-12-2008 12:39am

Do try to get a booking in Yuppie Puppie as your dog will be very happy there. I've left my dog there twice and Barbara and her assistant (think she's Polish) were so nice to her. She came back healthy and had obviously been very well looked after. Barbara runs the place more like a home than a kennel and lets the dogs run around, play on the patio and even share her sofa! I hope Y.P doesn't close down as I wouldn't leave my dog anywhere else (I live in Cork and drive up to Wicklow so she can stay there! ). Perhaps try to ring the mobile after 6pm or early in the morning.. Good luck

aynneone · 31-01-2009 3:05pm

Came upon this thread a bit late, but thought I would throw my tuppence worth in anyway.. Have boarded my cats, unsucessfully several times over the years, but found a gem of a place in Greystones itself, .. the cats there get individual attention, constantly, they get Lyric FM..lol.. but the woman who owns and runs the place absolutely loves cats, her set up is brilliant, there is nothing I could fault her on, all for half the price of what they charge in Enniskerry, though I dont doubt that place is good, but personally the fact my cats are known and loved and looked after so well .. just had to throw a post in.. its located almost opposite the vet place at Blacklion, if anyone wants to know the name drop me a pm, or I think the Harbour vet clinic reccomend it.. Cloyne Cattery is the name..Cheers...

Sysiphus · 24-03-2009 1:53pm

Does anyone know of any dog sitters in the South Dublin/Bray area that could take two dogs for next Saturday night?
We have been let down badly by Yuppie Puppie in Bray. The wife booked the dogs in and confirmed the booking over 5 weeks ago via their website with someone called Barbara. When she went to contact to confirm there was a voicemail message promising a return call. We have since been onto the number 4 times and no response and have also emailed and no response
We are both extremely dissapointed about it. It was our anniversary night and we now have to cancel becuase it is too late now to find an alternative.

woofie87 · 24-03-2009 2:30pm

Sysiphus wrote: »

Does anyone know of any dog sitters in the South Dublin/Bray area that could take two dogs for next Saturday night?
We have been let down badly by Yuppie Puppie in Bray. The wife booked the dogs in and confirmed the booking over 5 weeks ago via their website with someone called Barbara. When she went to contact to confirm there was a voicemail message promising a return call. We have since been onto the number 4 times and no response and have also emailed and no response
We are both extremely dissapointed about it. It was our anniversary night and we now have to cancel becuase it is too late now to find an alternative.

Is it just for one night? If you PM me your mobile I will forward it to the lady in Bray who took our one when we were going away ( came back to find the dog happy, healthy and rested!). If she can take them she will contact you.

Sysiphus · 24-03-2009 2:45pm

Hi Woofie - that would be very kind of you.
It is two dogs - they are cocker spaniels.
I will ping you my number.
Thanks
S

Sysiphus · 24-03-2009 3:27pm

Thank you so much woofie87! Your friend called and we are going out to meet tomorrow.

GrainneC · 28-03-2009 2:29pm

Hi,
I have a quiet Springer Spaniel 3yrs approx... rescued her last July and in unfamiliar surroundings she can be very nervous. Because of this, I do not want to put her into boarding kennels and also because she is a house dog. (She sleeps and spends must of her time with the full run of the house.:))

She does great with TLC and has no problem with other dogs.

Yes I have tried to contact Yuppie Puppies but when the lady got back to me it was too late and a friend helped me out instead. This lady in Bray seems great. Would you mind PM me her number please.

Thanks very much,
Grainne

Sysiphus · 29-03-2009 8:01pm

Hi,
We got a phone call from Barbara and our lads have just returned from Yuppie Puppie where they really enjoyed their stay.

Have to say that we were extremely impressed with the setup there. The larger dogs were given a big field to run in all day. The littles were in the Kitchen and had a big fenced off yard to play in all day. We got a text in the evening to let us know how they were getting on.

Very impressed altogether but highly embarrassed by the post I made a couple of days ago which I hope people will just ignore and mark down as a rant.

If you are not a fan of the traditional kennel (cages etc) then this is the way to go. She only charges 18 euros a night per dog which is very reasonable considering the amount of care they get. It was obvious that she had spent a fair bit of time with our fellows becuase she had their personalities down to a T.

It is a pity there are not more of these home away from home kennels - all doggies should be pampered in style when you go on holiday.

S

michaelsu · 01-04-2009 11:02am

Goffie wrote: »

HI
If you're interested in boarding your dog in a someone's home rather than kennels I can pm you the details of my dog walker who takes my westie when we go on hols (and I'm VERY fussy)

That way he's still in a home and he loves it there! He's big pals with her three dogs. She's in Bray.

Hi, could you please PM me the details of that person.

Michael

Harris · 01-04-2009 1:17pm

Hi MichaelSu

I have PM'd you my details as I do boarding at home for dogs. I take them for a trial visit first before confirming, just to make sure they, you and I are all happy!
Thanks

Harris

Happycat · 22-06-2009 3:57pm

Hi there,
I recently had to board my 2 cats and my usual cattery was booked out and the lady who runs it strongly recommended me to go and see Sophisticats Cattery which is in Greystones. I rang them for a viewing and went to see it the same afternoon. The place is just outside Greystones in a beautiful setting in amongst trees and beside a little stream. The cattery is run by a qualified nurse and her husband who were really nice and we had a long chat about my cats requirements and knowing that the lady was a vet nurse really made me feel much happier to leave my cats with her, in case something went wrong in my absence. The cattery itself is brand new and really bright and warm. The cats all have their private little suites and evrything is clean, fresh and fun looking. When I was there they played LyricFM to the cats and meditation style music and all the cats were really chilled out. I left my 2 darlings with them for 2 weeks, even though I felt so bad to do that, but they have never come back as happy as from this place. They also sent me a text a day after I arrived at my holiday destination to let me know that my 2 cats had settled in nicely. I have them booked in again with them for September and I am really glad I found this place and can only recommend it to anybody.
Cheers

Kaiser2300 · 13-10-2009 2:16am

Hi, I read your reply and was very interested to hear about your dog minder. I was really hoping to find someone like her for my dogs. Would it be possible to have her number if you still have it? I don't really want to have my pets stuck in a cage while I'm away.

Regards,

Austin

vicky doyle · 05-11-2009 8:46pm

I use a place in glenealy in wicklow 25mins from BRAY its called moggies and doggies motel great for cats they have an outdoor run looking out over a valley its just great lots of toys and the radio is on for them and she has the heat on its brill i leave my 2 furballs there and my dog goes there 2 he gets 2 walks a day in the woods its great value too 5star at 2star price !! she is very nice and open 7 days a week but shes get booked up as it is a small place but great i have booked in my 3 for the summer just to be sure:)

StargazerLily · 14-11-2009 2:16am

We use Corncrake Kennels (NewtownMtKennedy address but actually around the corner from Roundwood Golf Club) and have never had any problems. I looked at other ones a few yrs ago in Wicklow and Bray and picked Corncrake as the dogs aren't in cages but purpose built stalls (plenty of space and you bring your dogs own bed so they are more secure) and they have several teenagers there who walk the dogs. Plenty of dog runs and they also keep track of when the dogs vacs are due.

Only criticism I'd have is that their opening hours aren't great so it can be a hassle getting the dog there on time and we did get caught out once when I forgot that they closed early and arrived at 4.30pm to drop him off and they were closed and they don't answer the phone after hrs.....we were heading to the airport.....we managed to organise a friend to help us but it was a huge hassle. My own fault though for not double checking the times.

Other than that I would recommend them and still use them.

reima · 26-12-2009 5:26pm

Could someone please tell me if they know of a dog sitter in Bray that I can leave my miniture with for a few nights over new year? Really need to get something sorted asap!

dogyoungone · 26-12-2009 5:53pm

reima wrote: »

Could someone please tell me if they know of a dog sitter in Bray that I can leave my miniture with for a few nights over new year? Really need to get something sorted asap!

Try Barbara at Yuppie Puppy outside Bray, on Greystones road. Her website is www.yuppiepuppie.ie

Sigma Force · 27-12-2009 1:58am

As mentioned Yuppie Puppie would be well worth a try, my parents are super fussy and have only left their dog in kennels once in her 5 years at the time I couldn't take the dog so they had to and they were very happy with the whole set up and the dog was grand.

finchway · 25-01-2010 2:32pm

gaa fan no1 wrote: »

Hey...

I'm heading away on 2 weeks hols and looking for a good Kennel to leave my 1 year old dog... Would anyone have any suggestions/experience with Kennels in the Bray area?

Thanks in advance

hi. I see its a long time since you posted your question, but may be my reply might help someone in the same situation as yourself
i left my dog a springer with a kennels in enniskerry over christmas 09. i am fussy and heard about this place from a friend. it was the nearest thing to a holiday adventure camp that i have seen for dogs. the kennels are set in the middle of a farm and the dogs spend hardly any time in a pen. when i arrived with coco i was meet by the owner and eight dogs playing and chasing a ball, all of them were off the lead. there are horses there also ponds and a huge area to run about in.i dont know if i will be struck off for naming the kennels, but here goes. beeches brook boarding kennels. if any one wants to talk through my experience send me a mail.
finchway

delany · 22-06-2010 3:16pm

I have to agree that Beeches Brook Boarding Kennels are 'out of this world'. First impressions are lasting, and Philip (the owner) certainly impressed. His welcome was so warm and reassuring, and his calm aura both with the dogs and ourselves made us all feel so much at home. All the dogs in the Kennels just seemed to adore his magnetic personality. The kennels were 5 star- spacious, homely, clean, manicured lawns and so relaxed. Our dogs didn't miss us when we were leaving (which is most unusual) and were reluctant to come home( we had to lift them into the car!). Since they have met Phillip, they are much calmer and more confident. Our dogs cant wait for their next holiday at Beeches Brook and we are so lucky to have found such a beautiful setting and owners!

joeyspot · 31-08-2010 1:48pm

mags16 wrote: »

Regarding the kennels mentioned on this thread, I left my little dog in one of them ( I won't say which one) for 4 days and she came out "as sick as a dog". It cost me a fortune in vet bills not to mention the emotional distress of it all. It may not have been the kennels' fault, she might have caught a bug from another dog. In future, I'll get someone to stay in the house with her.

Hi
Regarding dog kennels:
Please for your dog's sake.
always ask on the phone can you view the kennnels?
Ask where are they walked?
Do they have a vaccination policy?
Can you collect or drop dogs off at unusual hour in an emergency?

If you get no as an answer to any of these queries then go elsewhere. I would recommend Ferns Kennels in Wexford or Kings kennels www.kingskennels.ie 040468807 in Glenealy. I have used both and would recommend them without hesitation.
Regards
Dog Strooler

jimoige · 12-10-2010 11:27am

you might check www.pawshotel.ie ,i have read somewhere that they are really good..or just check http://www.boardingkennels.org/

finchway · 12-10-2010 11:42am

HI JIMOIGE.
THANKS FOR YOUR REPLY. I DONT SEE MYSELF LEAVING BEECHES BROOK BOARDING KENNELS AS THE SERVICE THEY OFFER OFFER ME AND MY MUT IS EVERY THING WE NEED. I THINK THE PROOF IS HOW HAPPY MY DOG IS WHEN I RETURN TO COLLECT HIM. I CANT GET HIM INTO THE CAR, AND WHEN WE ARRIVE AT THE GATE OF THE KENNELS HE CANT WAIT TO GET OUT. CHECK OUT THEIR WEB SITE AND SEE FOR YOUR SELF. bbboardingkennels.com

jimoige · 12-10-2010 11:47am

there is no photos on that web at all :-/

finchway · 12-10-2010 2:32pm

Hi jimoige. yes you are correct, what a shame as it is the business and a picture tell it all. what can i say.

philldoyle · 26-04-2011 1:49am

delany wrote: »

I have to agree that Beeches Brook Boarding Kennels are 'out of this world'. First impressions are lasting, and Philip (the owner) certainly impressed. His welcome was so warm and reassuring, and his calm aura both with the dogs and ourselves made us all feel so much at home. All the dogs in the Kennels just seemed to adore his magnetic personality. The kennels were 5 star- spacious, homely, clean, manicured lawns and so relaxed. Our dogs didn't miss us when we were leaving (which is most unusual) and were reluctant to come home( we had to lift them into the car!). Since they have met Phillip, they are much calmer and more confident. Our dogs cant wait for their next holiday at Beeches Brook and we are so lucky to have found such a beautiful setting and owners!

Have to say I can not believe that is an honest review! I have read it almost word for word across three sites. The only thing that changed was the calm aura was around Patricia in another one. Sorry I just hate when people post false reviews as it is not a genuine reflexion off the service as experienced by customers.

philldoyle · 26-04-2011 11:39am

My personal take would be that magnetic philip, not so magnetic (but then again maybe I am just made of wood!). We asked should we bring his cage and bed as he is cage trained and PhiliP agreed that this relaxes dogs. When I arrived to collect him he was standing at the gate looking out. As soon as he got out he obviously thought it was the great escape and legged it until he saw me! Unfortunately he could not reach me due to the 5 huge dogs chasing him around my car. You can be sure that our dog had no problem leaving philip and Patricia as he was terrified of the big dogs who hit him with there paws. By the way, these are the same dogs displayed on the website playing in lush green fields. If this is what you expect... Don't as your dog will be kept in a .25 acre yard, half covered and not shown on the web site.

Anyway, when I got him in the car, Patricia brought me back to a stable where I had left the dogs cage and bed two days earlier. Obviously everyone that brought up beds were left in here and not given to the dogs. I asked was my dog not given his be and was told no he didnt need it. When I told her that we wanted him to settle in, she said that he had settled in really well in the first couPle of hours. Our dog has not left his bed for almost 24 hours and is moulting like crazy from stress. I know dogs often stay in their beds once the come home from a kennel but our dog just can't keep his eyes open. I have to wonder, if he slept at all and what type of bed he was given?

Groom! · 04-05-2011 2:30pm

I left my 4 dogs with Beeches Brook on 2 occasions in the last while.

1. Golden Retriever aged 5
2. Pomeranian aged 4
3. English setter aged 3 (nervous wreck)
4. Collie/Lurcher x aged 6 months and leggy!

I am a dog minder myself and normally get someone to stay but I couldn't on these 2 occasions and anyway I thought it would do my dogs no harm to have a new experience. I was slightly nervous leaving the setter as he is kind of odd, but they told me they would ring if any problem, as I had a Plan B for him if needed. He settled in very well and has acted totally normally (for him!) since coming home, so no side effects!

I brought vet bed with me but ended up bringing it home as they have really good beds like those Fat Boy bean bags. Patricia told me they wash them at 90 degrees which must be practical and handy in a kennels. I was happy with the bed situation anyway.

When I collected them, the setter legged it into the car as quick as he could, but that is normal for him. The others were happy enough to come home, but I got the impression that they would quite happily have stayed longer! They were totally wrecked but as they are all under 5 and probably spent their time chasing and playing, that would be normal. I have to say I was really happy and would almost favour leaving them there, rather than getting a dog sitter in the next time.

PHILDOYLE: I can understand them not using your dog's bed, as sometimes when dogs came to stay with me, the beds ended up being used as tug of war toys, and getting destroyed. Also, kennels are not for every dog and some small breeds might fare better in home boarding.

Having said that, I think it's good to take your dogs out of their comfort zone every so often, and sending them to an adventure camp, which this certainly looked like from their point of view. They were all running around an enclosed field when I arrived.

In the past some owners have phoned me after their dog goes home from staying with me, to say that the dog is exhausted and subdued, but this is normally due to them missing their friends after a week of bonding and chasing, and also being tired.

I for one will definitely go back to Beeches Brook. There are so many bad bad nasty kennels out there, but this place is a find, and I really felt I had to describe my dogs' stay there, as I don't think it's fair to knock a place just because it didn't suit your dog.

P.S.-PhillDoyle - what breed of dog do you have and is it possible that it is naturally moulting as this is the time of year for it?? (I speak as a groomer!)

Recommended Kennels In Bray/Wicklow Area

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