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Will kennels cause bad habits in my gun dog?

Wednesday, 13 June 2007

I have a 14 month-old lab dog who will have to put him in kennels for two weeks while we are on holiday. I'm concerned he may pick up bad habits while in the boarding kennels?

OUR EXPERTS
Jeremy Hunt
Jeremy has been breeding labradors for over 25 years. He is a member of the Kennel Club and lives in Lancashire and is well known as a writer on country sports and rural issues.

Mark Whitehouse
Mark is an 'A' panel Kennel Club judge for spaniels and has represented England six times in international gundog events. He trains and breeds labradors and spaniels at the Cheweky Gundog Kennels in Yorkshire.

JEREMY SAYS:

This is a common problem but there are several options. You could try and find a local gundog training kennels that would take the dog while you are away and as well as board your dog they could give two weeks of training. This may cost slightly more than a conventional boarding kennels but your dog would be in safe hands and should be even wiser when you collect him.

Alternatively you need to check out the daily regime of any conventional boarding kennels you may consider using. Some are austere places where a somewhat clinical and rigid routine can be equally as unsettling for a young dog as a more relaxed one.

But you certainly don't want a well-meaning kennel maid throwing a frisbee for your dog and undoing months of dedicated work. If you are a member of a local gundog club, maybe someone from the club would take care of your dog for the time you are away?

At least you know he would be under the guidance of a knowledgeable individual. You should check out all the options and visit any kennels you are considering before you make a final decision. I would go for a professional gundog trainer.

If you have have any gundog related questions/queries then please send them in to:
Gundog Questions, Shooting Gazette, PO Box 225, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 2HS.