She's a BOXER: I should have named her Cassius Clay.
October 27, 2010 10:46 AM Subscribe
Please recommend a kennel in the south-suburbs of Chicago for my Boxer/Staffordshire mix (yes, that's a euphemism for pitbull)
Noodles, my 5 year old ASPCA rescue, is a problem child. She's dog aggressive (but enthusiastically friendly towards people). I can control her but other people are intimidated by her energy. I've worked with her a lot, but even though she will 'heel', she always seems to be on the verge of a sprint. She came with a LOT of baggage when I adopted her, but she's sweet and playful now. It's just problematic with other dogs.
When we have put her up in TN, she goes to a place* where gets her own 5x7 indoor kennel, solitary access to a fenced-in outdoor run, and the owners know Noodles' idiosyncrasies. Best of all, they don't get worked up that she's a pitbull mix; other places have flatly refused to board her because of her breed.
Since I don't live there, I'm not able to check anything out in person, so I'm hoping someone can suggest a place that:
- she'll be kept separate from other dogs at all times
- she'll get some one-on-one attention from a caretaker
- she won't need medical attention, flea treatments, or anything like that when I collect her after a week. (as has happened at other kennels.)
If you know of a kennel that would take my mutt, or if you know of a private-party dogsitter who has experience with a dog that would challenge even Cesar Millan's patience, I'd appreciate a referral.
* by the way, it's called Owl Hollow Boarding Kennels, in Culleoka, TN, and it's a beautiful facility.
Noodles, my 5 year old ASPCA rescue, is a problem child. She's dog aggressive (but enthusiastically friendly towards people). I can control her but other people are intimidated by her energy. I've worked with her a lot, but even though she will 'heel', she always seems to be on the verge of a sprint. She came with a LOT of baggage when I adopted her, but she's sweet and playful now. It's just problematic with other dogs.
When we have put her up in TN, she goes to a place* where gets her own 5x7 indoor kennel, solitary access to a fenced-in outdoor run, and the owners know Noodles' idiosyncrasies. Best of all, they don't get worked up that she's a pitbull mix; other places have flatly refused to board her because of her breed.
Since I don't live there, I'm not able to check anything out in person, so I'm hoping someone can suggest a place that:
- she'll be kept separate from other dogs at all times
- she'll get some one-on-one attention from a caretaker
- she won't need medical attention, flea treatments, or anything like that when I collect her after a week. (as has happened at other kennels.)
If you know of a kennel that would take my mutt, or if you know of a private-party dogsitter who has experience with a dog that would challenge even Cesar Millan's patience, I'd appreciate a referral.
* by the way, it's called Owl Hollow Boarding Kennels, in Culleoka, TN, and it's a beautiful facility.
Well, I'm not sure how much of a drive you would be in for, but there is (or was) a place up on the north side of Chicago on a major East-West street somewhere that does training for attack and police dogs, and offers boarding and other services to people who do the training for those kinds of dogs. I am sure that they would be find with a dog like Noodle.
They offer separate boarding where the dogs are completely separate, and they seemed like they were very attentive and did a very good job with strong, aggressive dogs. I felt comfortable enough to board my small dog there. When I was there, there was a dog that really didn't like being kenneled staying there, and the owner of the place was staying overnight to make sure that dog didn't injure himself on the kennel. However, I'm not sure if the dogs get a full area or just a kennel, and I can't remember the name or exact location, so sorry I can't be more helpful. I think that this place might be on Lawrence, Foster or Montrose, but I'm not really sure.
Good luck...
posted by iknowizbirfmark at 12:06 PM on October 27, 2010
They offer separate boarding where the dogs are completely separate, and they seemed like they were very attentive and did a very good job with strong, aggressive dogs. I felt comfortable enough to board my small dog there. When I was there, there was a dog that really didn't like being kenneled staying there, and the owner of the place was staying overnight to make sure that dog didn't injure himself on the kennel. However, I'm not sure if the dogs get a full area or just a kennel, and I can't remember the name or exact location, so sorry I can't be more helpful. I think that this place might be on Lawrence, Foster or Montrose, but I'm not really sure.
Good luck...
posted by iknowizbirfmark at 12:06 PM on October 27, 2010
This is an aside and it sounds like you know your stuff so it is probably something that's going to be of help for someone else with a pitbull: Be careful with whom/how you address the issue of you're dog's breed (if it's a pitbull).
The OP here has it right, don't say "It's a pitbull" until you've wowed someone with the dog's great behavior because, due to so much negative press/usage of the breed, recently municipalities have been limiting/criminalizing the breed to a scary degree.
This comes from the owner of two (more or less) pitbulls, one stray-rescued and one city kennel-rescued.
They're a great breed with tons of energy and awesome loyalty but no worse than alot of other breeds out there. I'm sorry some places have turned you down in such a terrible manner (if indeed it was due to breed and not the lack of facilities to deal with your dog's needs).
Good luck with your search.
posted by RolandOfEld at 1:33 PM on October 27, 2010
The OP here has it right, don't say "It's a pitbull" until you've wowed someone with the dog's great behavior because, due to so much negative press/usage of the breed, recently municipalities have been limiting/criminalizing the breed to a scary degree.
This comes from the owner of two (more or less) pitbulls, one stray-rescued and one city kennel-rescued.
They're a great breed with tons of energy and awesome loyalty but no worse than alot of other breeds out there. I'm sorry some places have turned you down in such a terrible manner (if indeed it was due to breed and not the lack of facilities to deal with your dog's needs).
Good luck with your search.
posted by RolandOfEld at 1:33 PM on October 27, 2010
I always leave my dog with a trainer from the Dog Obedience Group. They are awesome and I like knowing my little guy is in the hands of professional dog trainer. If you're concerned about your dog's behavioral issues, I'd make sure whoever you get to look after her is well-versed in dog behavior/obedience.
We took 2 of their obedience classes, so I'm not sure if they will board dogs they've never met, but it's worth a try. Dennis from the Dog Obedience Group has specific experience with rehabilitating aggressive dogs. I'd give him a call and see if he can recommend any kennels or private boarders for Noodles.
posted by Mrs.Spiffy at 2:01 PM on October 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
We took 2 of their obedience classes, so I'm not sure if they will board dogs they've never met, but it's worth a try. Dennis from the Dog Obedience Group has specific experience with rehabilitating aggressive dogs. I'd give him a call and see if he can recommend any kennels or private boarders for Noodles.
posted by Mrs.Spiffy at 2:01 PM on October 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
I wish I had a good recommendation for you, but I did want to suggest you stay well away from Naperville Kountry Kennels - my dog, who had been fine at kennels prior to this place, was so stressed out from 4 days there that she wore her front teeth down to practically nothing ($2000 and several root canals later she ended up okay, but I was never able to kennel her again).
Not sure if Naperville is one of the suburbs you were looking in, but I wanted to warn you just in case. Best of luck finding a good place (and kudos to you for giving your 'Boxer/Staffordshire' a happy home!)
posted by DingoMutt at 4:37 PM on October 27, 2010
Not sure if Naperville is one of the suburbs you were looking in, but I wanted to warn you just in case. Best of luck finding a good place (and kudos to you for giving your 'Boxer/Staffordshire' a happy home!)
posted by DingoMutt at 4:37 PM on October 27, 2010
Response by poster: @RolandOfEld yep. straight off the bat, they said that since staffordshires are pitbulls, they won't accept her. Every vet I've ever dealt with has been good with putting 'boxer' on her paperwork, but... well... she looks like this: http://www.chefjoanna.com/noodles/
as far as training goes, she takes well to MY direction, but i can't get past my own fear that she's going to hurt some other dog when I'm not there and someone else isn't on full-alert. When when she gets her hackles up, the hair sticks straight up ALL THE WAY down her back and she looks like she's prepared to defend me to the death. Even through the patio door's window.
@DingoMutt Oh you poor thing, that's the worst - putting your beloved pet in someone's care and then having your dog coming out worse for wear. I appreciate the information, and I'm glad that you could share it. Places like that shouldn't be in business. When i take my mutts to OHK, they run up the ramps. I'd be miserable if i had to drag them in there.
posted by ChefJoAnna at 8:42 PM on October 27, 2010
as far as training goes, she takes well to MY direction, but i can't get past my own fear that she's going to hurt some other dog when I'm not there and someone else isn't on full-alert. When when she gets her hackles up, the hair sticks straight up ALL THE WAY down her back and she looks like she's prepared to defend me to the death. Even through the patio door's window.
@DingoMutt Oh you poor thing, that's the worst - putting your beloved pet in someone's care and then having your dog coming out worse for wear. I appreciate the information, and I'm glad that you could share it. Places like that shouldn't be in business. When i take my mutts to OHK, they run up the ramps. I'd be miserable if i had to drag them in there.
posted by ChefJoAnna at 8:42 PM on October 27, 2010
I am in the exact same situation that you are. My "Staffordshire mix" looks just like Noodles but is fawn colored and I call him Wiggles and my other dog is The Noodle. I also need a place that has the run attached to the kennel. I need to travel and I don't want to be too stressed about my dogs. Stories like DingoMutt's freak me out.
posted by futz at 7:03 AM on October 28, 2010
posted by futz at 7:03 AM on October 28, 2010
Thought about an Angie's List account or using Craigslist to do the research locally?
As far as contacting local people to get information (from a distance): I've had amazing responses from couchsurfing commuinities... Maybe you could drop int a message board for a local group (such as couchsurfer hosts) and ask for advice.
Tough situation for sure...
posted by RolandOfEld at 1:03 PM on October 28, 2010
As far as contacting local people to get information (from a distance): I've had amazing responses from couchsurfing commuinities... Maybe you could drop int a message board for a local group (such as couchsurfer hosts) and ask for advice.
Tough situation for sure...
posted by RolandOfEld at 1:03 PM on October 28, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 11:41 AM on October 27, 2010