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Dog Minder North Co Dublin

  • 29-06-2011 12:58pm
    #1
    Registered Users Posts: 70 ✭✭


    I'm looking for a minder for our fairly loopy but lovable 2 yr old lab for two weeks in July. The idea of putting her in a boarding kennels just doesn't appeal as she very used to company, loves kids, cats and other dogs and to be honest, she's a bit spoiled. Have looked at the option of someone calling to the house while we're away but again, I think she'd die of boredom and generally feel unloved and abandoned. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, thanks.


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Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 6,596 ✭✭✭anniehoo


    Have been following this crowd on facebook Canine Creche based in Castleknock or DoggyDayDay not sure where in Dublin theyre based though. Out of the 2 Doggydayday sounds really good going by their updates.


  • Registered Users Posts: 11,904 ✭✭✭✭scudzilla


    We use this place, really really good

    http://www.hilton5star.edicypages.com/en


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,456 ✭✭✭westies4ever


    http://www.petsittersireland.com/

    I use these guys - they are excellent and very animal orientated. I'm in Laois but I believe they do a nationwide service. I have two very spoiled indoor dogs and I didnt go anywhere for two years because I couldnt face kennels anymore.

    So nice to be able to go away even for just a night and know that the dogs are happy and tucked up in their own beds.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 384 ✭✭suziwalsh


    I highly recommend this girl very reasonable and only keeps maximum of two dogs in her home at a time...any dog will be spoilt rotten.

    Email thedogminder@gmail.com
    Phone 085 8194425

    Her name is Triona and she is amazing!


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,322 ✭✭✭JustAThought


    I had a similar prob last year and after much driving around meeting peopleand looking at places got a recommendation for a place about an hour from Dublin called the canine country club! Cringey name butreally great place. The dogs mix in various supervised settings, and once they getalong there is a HUGE ( couple of acres) fenced grassy field when they run and play all day. mine is very social and a bit hyperactive and I was riddled with guilt going away but she LOVED it, and tried to escape the car and jump back in when I came to take getaway at the end of 10 days!!!! The individual kennels where they sleep look concretey and unwelcoming but the dog I suppose dosnt mind and the care she got was fantastic.
    I highly recommend; and I've looked everywhere!!!! I also use the hiltondoggydaycare but for shirt stays/ days only. For a fun bionic social nutty hyperactive dog like mine the canine country club was fantastic. Ask for Mick!


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2 bhairbre


    colly3 wrote: »
    I'm looking for a minder for our fairly loopy but lovable 2 yr old lab for two weeks in July. The idea of putting her in a boarding kennels just doesn't appeal as she very used to company, loves kids, cats and other dogs and to be honest, she's a bit spoiled. Have looked at the option of someone calling to the house while we're away but again, I think she'd die of boredom and generally feel unloved and abandoned. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, thanks.
    My dogs came out of the canine country club with rashes fleas sores in their eyes and smelled horrific. Met another lady by co-incidence when I had them at the vet after their stay her dog had caught the same. The reply to my complaint was "whatever sure you don't have to bring them back here if you don't want to". Awful experience. My poor pets took about 8 weeks to recover. If I had the money and time I would hire a solicitor for vet fees and to recover the kennel fees which I paid in cash.


  • Registered Users Posts: 19 SukisMam


    bhairbre wrote: »
    My dogs came out of the canine country club with rashes fleas sores in their eyes and smelled horrific. Met another lady by co-incidence when I had them at the vet after their stay her dog had caught the same. The reply to my complaint was "whatever sure you don't have to bring them back here if you don't want to". Awful experience. My poor pets took about 8 weeks to recover. If I had the money and time I would hire a solicitor for vet fees and to recover the kennel fees which I paid in cash.


    Yep, that's their general attitude. I wouldn't put my girl in kennels EVER or even with a minder if I could avoid it, but I did contact this crowd about their hydrotherapy. Very poor communication and customer service skills and when I complained about this, I was told to just go elsewhere, they were far to busy to deal with someone like me!!


  • Registered Users Posts: 332 ✭✭Kali_Kalika


    I've always left my pets (cat & dog) with Rosemarie Bryson of Kildare Pet Services (http://www.kildarehorsesitting.com/dogcatservices.html)

    She's totally fantastic! All my guys have loved their holidays with her! And my dog used to come home so happy and much more well behaved as well! Even my cat - who usually stresses out completely over lifestyle changes liked his holidays there - on his last visit there he even socialized with her cats!!! I couldn't believe what she was telling me when I was away!!

    So overall - couldn't recommened Rosemarie enough! She's fantastic! And her rates were incredibly reasonable compared to others that I was getting at the time - so its a win-win-win all the way around!


  • Registered Users Posts: 19 SukisMam


    I've always left my pets (cat & dog) with Rosemarie Bryson of Kildare Pet Services (http://www.kildarehorsesitting.com/dogcatservices.html)

    She's totally fantastic! All my guys have loved their holidays with her! And my dog used to come home so happy and much more well behaved as well! Even my cat - who usually stresses out completely over lifestyle changes liked his holidays there - on his last visit there he even socialized with her cats!!! I couldn't believe what she was telling me when I was away!!

    So overall - couldn't recommened Rosemarie enough! She's fantastic! And her rates were incredibly reasonable compared to others that I was getting at the time - so its a win-win-win all the way around!


    100% agree. I didn't even think to mention her earlier. Maybe so I can keep her a secret so as she'll always have room for my Suki if I need her! Rosemarie is unique. She LISTENS when you talk about your animal, she follows instructions to the letter, and she is genuinely interested in her furry lodgers and takes every measure to ensure that they are looked after to the very best of her ability. HIGHLY recommended.


  • Registered Users Posts: 332 ✭✭Kali_Kalika


    SukisMam wrote: »
    100% agree. I didn't even think to mention her earlier. Maybe so I can keep her a secret so as she'll always have room for my Suki if I need her! Rosemarie is unique. She LISTENS when you talk about your animal, she follows instructions to the letter, and she is genuinely interested in her furry lodgers and takes every measure to ensure that they are looked after to the very best of her ability. HIGHLY recommended.


    That's true! I do worry about sharing the joy of her too much! ;) But she's too fantastic not to! :D

    The first time I dropped the fur-kids off she asked me questions about their care that I literally had to sit and REALLY think about! What does Floyd (the cat) do for fun and entertainment ..... um ..... um ...... bat plastic milk rings around?? LOL And with the dog - does he prefer beach walks or forest walks .... um ...... um...... I dunno, I'm not sure if even he knew! Running around was running around to him!!

    But that's gotta be a great sign - when the pet minder asks you questions about their care that you actually have to drain your brain to come up with the right/good answer! And she gave me so many good tips and advise for working with them both!


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  • Registered Users Posts: 5,322 ✭✭✭JustAThought


    Shocked to hear such an unusual and bad report about the canine country club : left mine in for 12 days and she nearly broke my arm trying to get back when we were trying to leave. Don't doubt your experience : dogs don't lie. Well, only about not having been fed when you ve just fed them!!!

    Just remembered and thought it was fair to add. I left mine there on one days notice after another b"@&;£ kennel owner "lost " my booking for his kennels in Garristown because I dared to ask how many dogs he's be minding and how long of a daily walk shed be getting.

    Mick in rhe canine country club opened up his kennels after hours in the night for me ( a total stranger) and took my dog in on no notice as a favour because I was desperate and my flight was at 7am the next morning. He also agreed to and gave my ( big!) dog her eardrops for the time she was there so I got back a fixed dog who'd obviously been given her prescription eardrops 3 times a day. ( not an easy job!!) ( my dog HaTES having anything done to her ears!!) it's still the best place I've found for space exercise and a happy dog - and I agree, for a big enthusiastic dog it's very hard to find somewhere caring and good.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 42 foxxrok


    Just remembered and thought it was fair to add. I left mine there on one days notice after another b"@&£ kennel owner "lost " my booking for his kennels in Garristown because I dared to ask how many dogs he's be minding and how long of a daily walk shed be getting.

    I agree with you. The one in Garristown (if it's the same one) was highly recommended to me and I have left my dog there before but the owner is a very difficult person. And quite abrupt. He has just let me down this morning and I am to leave on Friday early. Being the middle of summer I am finding it extremely hard to find anywhere.

    The people in Irish Rosettes Boarding Kennels have been suggested to me by many people today but they are all booked up :(

    http://www.irps.ie/


  • Registered Users Posts: 70 ✭✭colly3


    After many, many visits to kennels (a few that are mentioned here included) over a 6 week period I was on the verge of tears because there wasn't one I felt entirely comfortable with for various reasons, some just niggly issues but others more significant. I then came across a kennels in North Co. Dublin that blew me away. Brought the pooch over for a meet and greet and could have strangled her.... she instantly took to both of the owners, forgot about us completely and wasn't in any rush to get back in the car!!

    To make a long story short, I knew there and then she was going to well looked after and that she felt at home so the following week she trotted off throught the gates with bag of toys etc and didn't bother to look back!! We were kept up to date on her antics all the time we were away and that gave great peace of mind and knowing what a clown she is and what she gets up to, we knew the updates we were getting were genuine.

    When we picked her up she looked less than happy to see us and ended up being lifted into the car. Barbara and Frank are superb, a wonderful couple who really care about animals, they only take a small number of dogs but have acres of enclosed fields and a sand arena (not to mention the splash pool, yes splash pool!! The pooches even have piped music in their night time kennels... a nice touch, particularly for dogs like mine, who are used to living in a noisy household!!

    I couldn't recommend them highly enough so if any of you have any reservations about kennels, check them out, they may just be the answers to your prayers, and the prayers of your dogs!!

    http://willowcreekboardingkennels.com/Gallery.html

    foxxrok wrote: »
    I agree with you. The one in Garristown (if it's the same one) was highly recommended to me and I have left my dog there before but the owner is a very difficult person. And quite abrupt. He has just let me down this morning and I am to leave on Friday early. Being the middle of summer I am finding it extremely hard to find anywhere.

    The people in Irish Rosettes Boarding Kennels have been suggested to me by many people today but they are all booked up :(

    http://www.irps.ie/


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,322 ✭✭✭JustAThought


    Sorry to hear that that €~<¥er in Garristown has also almost ruined your holiday. I got talking to a lovely couple while out having coffee with my dog the other day (!) who have just opened a kennels, in oldtown close to Garristown. It's called willowcreekkennels.com
    There's a few in America called the same name but this ones about the fourth on the list and the Dublin one!!! It sounded great thou i havnt been out (yet) to see them personally ; the fees are very reasonable and they were real dog people ; my dog took right to them. I'd say itd be well worth trying them. I loved that they had dog football in the kennels and it sounded like lots of walks and outdoor running. They also breed and rescue Shetland ponies: sounds like the kind of people that should be working with our favourite pets!!! I'd try them. If they are full repost and i might have someone elses' kennels that might help! Best of luck
    Don't mind that lousy $¥€*%# in Garristown


  • Registered Users Posts: 14,008 ✭✭✭✭tk123


    GAH!!! I've been plucking up the courage to ring the kennels and book my guy in - not that I think he'll be mistreated but because I feel so guilty lol. It's the same one you've had bad experiences thou our experience was fine - the guy was abrupt that morning but the then puppy was in great form when we came to get him. Now i'm wondering if we should try Willow Creek instead!?


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,322 ✭✭✭JustAThought


    Well I'd pay them a visit so I could objectively look.

    Did you ever see inside that one in Garristown? Like mist people I've no real idea what goes on there as he never let's people in, anytime.

    If your pup was happy that's great. Buy like me do want you holiday ruined or cancelled because when you call to his premises with your dog he takes a dislike to the colour of your TShirt or hair and tells you he can't find your booking, sorry full up. Or in my case, yes I remember your vacs, meeting your dog, you visit three weeks ago; oops I made a Mistake I didn't write you in the book, next time don't ask how many people I employ, find somewhere else: at 5pm the night befor a long haul flight. If canine country club hadn't opened their kennels at 9 that night for me my thousands spend on a holiday would have wasted.No dog minder, no holiday. I would never trust him ever again.


  • Registered Users Posts: 14,008 ✭✭✭✭tk123


    You're right - i might give them a call. If i could take him out to meet them and see he got on ok with them i'd really put my mind at ease! He loves water so the thought of the little pool lol :)


  • Registered Users Posts: 68 ✭✭sral1


    tk123 wrote: »
    You're right - i might give them a call. If i could take him out to meet them and see he got on ok with them i'd really put my mind at ease! He loves water so the thought of the little pool lol :)
    There are good kennels in east Co. Meath,,, not that much further than north Dublin


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,322 ✭✭✭JustAThought


    Would the dogs have to get a special passport for there!!!!


  • Registered Users Posts: 68 ✭✭sral1


    Would the dogs have to get a special passport for there!!!!
    I think Ryan air fly in on drivers licence


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2 bhairbre


    Thank you for that I will get in touch with them. Much appreciated that you shared your secret.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 42 foxxrok


    I finally got a dog minder for my dog that very day at http://www.hilton5star.edicypages.com/en
    I spoke to Jen and she was brilliant and very accommodating. I got a confirmation email back from the other owner Luke immediately with all the details of the stay.
    Even when I was away Jen sent me a picture message to my phone to show me a photo of my dog sitting happily by her laptop (I don't know how because the damn dog never looks up when I'm trying to take a pic lol)
    Pick up/drop off is between 10am and 2pm so it's really handy. And because they run a doggie creche during the day my dog got to take part in socialisation classes which she benefitted from.
    I was in the shop the day after picking her up and children were rubbing my dog and not a peep out of her. Normally she would back away and bark at strangers. I was amazed and didn't know what had got into her until I thought of the time she had spent in the kennels.
    Jen kept her in the house with her as she is a small indoor dog. She even washed her before we got her back.
    I am going away again this week and I will be leaving her with them again.

    I was so happy with kennels that I have been telling everyone about them. And if you haven't time to drop off your dog they can pick them up and drop them off for a small fee. Definitely five star treatment!

    It was off here that I saw about their kennels (but don't remember who wrote it) but thanks for the recommendation. So happy that she is being minded at the Hilton Kennels again and not the place in Garristown. A nurse at my vets told me about the Garristown one. Well I'll be getting onto her about that recommendation!!


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,322 ✭✭✭JustAThought


    Hey that's great I'm very glad you got your pet sorted. I also use Jennifer but not for overnights.
    A few items that might be misleading if I might .
    They don't run socialisation classes; the dogs are mixed and put in together. Luke us not an owner he is a 12 year old boy that occasionally helps out when Jennifer is mad busy or away ( thou a genius with dogs) . And they are not restrictive about dropping dogs at set times such as 10-2 which can be a total nightmare to match in with.
    I agree that the place is a godsend but I have had some issues with my dog clearly not getting walked once a day and being left all day for periods of a week or more in a run or small yard. that is why I would never kennel her overnight there as it is a high energy dog.
    I also have issues around her allowing unmuzzled restrictive breeds in her common shared runs. I write this only because you have erroneously said that she runs socialisation classes and I do not want anyone to make a big mistake with their pet.
    Jennifer really loves dogs and does mostly a great job.


  • Registered Users Posts: 70 ✭✭colly3


    Guys another thing I really like about Willowcreek, none of this "make an appointment" nonsense, there's someone there all the time and visitors are welcome, speaks volumes!!


  • Registered Users Posts: 14,008 ✭✭✭✭tk123


    colly3 wrote: »
    Guys another thing I really like about Willowcreek, none of this "make an appointment" nonsense, there's someone there all the time and visitors are welcome, speaks volumes!!
    Hey can I ask did they wash the dog for you? The other kennel we used before gives them a bath before they're collected as part of their stay - it's not a 'groom' you request or are charged extra for. I haven't gotten around to calling them yet - have to get my act together!! :p


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,322 ✭✭✭JustAThought


    I know that on muddy days if the dog is in a state after playing in the grass/ mud all day they try to hose them down before handing them back!! It is not a daily service just an occasional courtesy in case of mud crusted dog! Of course if everyone picks up at thensamr time and it's still muddy then there's only so much they can do for you!!!!! For e13 a day you can't really expect them to be washing your dog as well!


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,339 ✭✭✭borderlinemeath


    Hey that's great I'm very glad you got your pet sorted. I also use Jennifer but not for overnights.
    A few items that might be misleading if I might .
    They don't run socialisation classes; the dogs are mixed and put in together. Luke us not an owner he is a 12 year old boy that occasionally helps out when Jennifer is mad busy or away ( thou a genius with dogs) . And they are not restrictive about dropping dogs at set times such as 10-2 which can be a total nightmare to match in with.
    I agree that the place is a godsend but I have had some issues with my dog clearly not getting walked once a day and being left all day for periods of a week or more in a run or small yard. that is why I would never kennel her overnight there as it is a high energy dog.
    I also have issues around her allowing unmuzzled restrictive breeds in her common shared runs. I write this only because you have erroneously said that she runs socialisation classes and I do not want anyone to make a big mistake with their pet.
    Jennifer really loves dogs and does mostly a great job.

    Just a thought, you have highlighted a couple of reasons why I don't leave my dog in kennels anymore.

    Most kennels seem full and can "squeeze you in", and make you feel grateful for it. Here's the thing, if they're full to capacity and only ever seem to have a couple of staff, how do they get all the dogs walked?

    I know kennels state that the dogs get exercised, but in reality I'm sure it doesn't happen. I doubt when I left my girl in kennels last year that she got her run every day. She's a field setter and needs to be run out or a few daily walks on the lead. I knew well when we collected her she hadn't been sufficently exercised.

    Also she hates going into the cages/runs, she can be very timid and fearful of other dogs, the noise, the situation and the fact that she's trapped really effect her nerves.

    I'm always on the lookout for a good home boarder. At present our neighbour looks after her when we go away (and never for more than a week, I just fret). He's just brilliant with her but there's bound to be a time when he can't do it or is away himself. And we've just started fostering a rescue so I need to be really sure of somebody before I let them look after the "babies"

    We've looked after friends and relatives pets when they go away, so I would always offer "home boarding" to anybody who has the same concerns as me. There's nothing worse than being away and worrying constantly about your pet.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,131 ✭✭✭subway


    foxxrok wrote: »
    I finally got a dog minder for my dog that very day at http://www.hilton5star.edicypages.com/en
    I spoke to Jen and she was brilliant and very accommodating. I got a confirmation email back from the other owner Luke immediately with all the details of the stay.
    Even when I was away Jen sent me a picture message to my phone to show me a photo of my dog sitting happily by her laptop (I don't know how because the damn dog never looks up when I'm trying to take a pic lol)
    Pick up/drop off is between 10am and 2pm so it's really handy. And because they run a doggie creche during the day my dog got to take part in socialisation classes which she benefitted from.
    I was in the shop the day after picking her up and children were rubbing my dog and not a peep out of her. Normally she would back away and bark at strangers. I was amazed and didn't know what had got into her until I thought of the time she had spent in the kennels.
    Jen kept her in the house with her as she is a small indoor dog. She even washed her before we got her back.
    I am going away again this week and I will be leaving her with them again.

    I was so happy with kennels that I have been telling everyone about them. And if you haven't time to drop off your dog they can pick them up and drop them off for a small fee. Definitely five star treatment!

    It was off here that I saw about their kennels (but don't remember who wrote it) but thanks for the recommendation. So happy that she is being minded at the Hilton Kennels again and not the place in Garristown. A nurse at my vets told me about the Garristown one. Well I'll be getting onto her about that recommendation!!

    out of interest, why do you think pick/dropoff that is between 10 and 2 is convenient?
    its absolutely useless if you are trying to drop them off on a working day and a pain in the ass if you arent coming home on an early flight or have a long drive home on a sunday.

    i dont mean to sound ignorant, but your post sounds completely false to me. like someone wrote it as an ad rather than a review.

    i used them once a few months back and will never again go near the place. my dogs came out with one of them covered in faeces and their mat also badly stained with faeces and urine. they had them for 3 nights
    i have no idea what they did to my dogs but they only left a very young boy to run the place when we picked them up.
    they had lost our leads, hadnt sent us any of the promised "updates" and refused to show us the kennel area when we originally arrived.

    i was so angry with the place but since it was only a child there what could i do. i gave him the money and left. he said he would tell the owners about the leads and they would call us (obv they never did)
    i have no intention of calling them back as i am disgusted with the place.


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,322 ✭✭✭JustAThought


    Hi; just to be fair; the boy is six foot two and looks about 20!!! He's rarely there only when they're very busy and to be honest if I could put him in my house for te day to mind my pet I'd do it! He is a dog genius and my pet who is big and a bit mad respects him!! A bit unusual. !
    I'm sorry to hear about your bad experience there; ring re the leads and she will sort it out for you. I sometimes get the wrong one back and she always sorts it for me; usually the same ogre owner who has no memory for theirs !
    Just one little point to be fair to Jennifer; I leave my dog there when I work three days every week and she Does Not have hours of 10-2 to leave in dogs. Mine goes in daily month after month at 0815 and comes out between 630pm and 730pm depending on the traffic so she has totally saved my career because I could not do it without her.
    : $

    Not related or anything to do with her I promise!!!


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 42 foxxrok


    Subway: 10am -2pm drop off pick up is handy for me. I'm commenting on my experience. It suits me. You should've gone elsewhere if it doesn't suit you.

    It seems that you should never have left your dog with Jen at all if you weren't happy to begin with.. you said they wouldn't let you see the kennels. Any place you intend to leave a pet with and you aren't happy with, well you should never leave the pet with them if you aren't happy. Why did you pay the child that was there in the first place when your dog was returned to you covered in dirt and leads missing?! You should have told him that you would ring Jen about the payment and complained to her then. He was only a child afterall. What was he going to do.. stop you from taking your own dog?!
    I label everything that I leave with them... food, leads etc because I can't afford to be buying new leads so they never go missing. I do that anytime I've left her with kennels.
    You need to ring Jen, tell her how unhappy you were and ask for a full refund for the stay and the price of new leads. No point complaining on here when you won't even complain to her. That's plain daft. And that thing about he would tell the owners about the leads and they never rang. Well everyone knows what children are like especially male children. They only tell you about stuff or remind you about things when it benefits them so don't go presuming they never rang because they couldn't be bothered. I'm betting the young fella never told them. By you not ringing them and informing them of your issues, they won't know how unhappy you were with the service.

    My dog hasn't come back dirty. But she has done from other places. So I suppose we all have bad experiences from places that others think are brilliant.

    You're not being ignorant by thinking I'm advertising for them instead of reviewing. You're just skeptical after your bad experience. Any time I see a good thing said about the place I had my dog at before I had her at Hilton Kennels I think "what a load of bs."

    And again this time I got picture messages while I was away. And Jen was there at the house when I picked up my dog and told me how she got on the weeks she was there. I love my dog and if anyone was being nasty to her I'd knock them out first of all and never leave her with them again. But I trust Jen with my dog. And no I'm not advertising for them nor do I know them personally. You had a bad experience, made worse by you not being pro active about it. I had really good experiences with them.

    Just A Thought: I'm sure you can make arrangements to leave your dog with Jen for day creche but with the boarding it says between 10am-2pm and I stuck to it. But yeah Jen is very accommodating as far as I've dealt with her. Taking my dog an extra night at very short notice, without any bother. Do you have a labrador? I've seen some really big dogs there but I know Jen has the great Dane. They seem so happy there, because you know when a dog isn't happy, don't you. Ever since I had my dog with Jen I notice a difference around other dogs in the street and children. Especially small ones who think she's a toy lol. She's alot calmer around strange dogs and children she doesn't know where before she would've backed away, barked at etc. And it's all down to her stays with Jen.


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