Thornwood Farm Boarding and Breeding Kennels in Harling Road, Norwich

Having never left my dogs in a kennels before (relied upon family) and referring to them as my babies like most owners would I decided to have a good look around the kennels before booking them in, the first thing you will notice is how quiet and content the dogs are here, they have large indoor heated kennels with outside runs and fenced paddocks to free run in at least 3 times a day. I was one of those concerned owners and made a point of contacting the kennels (too many times) to see how my fur babies were doing but was kept well informed and never felt I was asking too much. My dogs have since visited several times and are always keen to jump out of the car and head straight to the paddocks, they now get regular holidays too.

I know most people don't bother to write good reviews but I felt this may help anyone with the worries or issues I had.
Due to being let down by my usual dog sitter I found myself looking for a boarding kennel for my dog. An easy task you may think but my dog is hyper, pulls on the lead and can escape from almost anywhere. After visiting the kennels I did feel more at ease as I was able to check that everywhere was double gated and escape proof and although for most dogs free run in the paddocks must be amazing I asked that my dog was kept on lead, this wasn't a problem as they have extra long walking leads just for this purpose.
I spoke at length with the owner about my worries and my dogs hyper tendencies and arranged a home visit before boarding. At the visit I wasn't really surprised to be told my dogs issues were mostly caused by the way I was with him and our routine but I asked for some behaviour work to be done during his stay.
I rang several times whilst I was away just to check all was well and was always kept well informed, even if the phone went to answerphone I was always called back and reassured.
As I drove down the drive to collect my dog, I could see him in the paddock with the owner, and yes you've guessed it he wasn't pulling on the lead just walking along beside him on a loose lead without a care in the world. Obviously this wasn't all my problems fixed in 14 days but I left with a lot advice and a programme to continue at home. I have since had another home visit and we are well on our way to making life a little more relaxed for everyone. So if you looking for help with your dogs behaviour or just a safe place to board them whilst your away I would recommend a visit.

Boarded my dogs for 10 days in October 2015. They were meant to have some degree of behaviour input for being over excitable on the lead as I thought might as well have a professional look at them while they boarded as we were on holiday. Actually researched kennels in the area that could give behaviour input while boarded and talked to him at length about them over the phone when booked in. I knew this service cost extra and agreed to it.

The male owner/behaviourist was meant to visit them before they boarded to assess them but never contacted me to do this as he said he would. When I raised this a week before they stayed he said he had a health scare and now didn't need to visit them even though he had said it was really important 2 months before when I booked them in.

When we arrived to board them, we were met in an offhand manner from him, he just wanted to take the dogs off me and have no conversation with me. I actually left very upset which I have never done anywhere before in 8 years of boarding y dogs as felt he wasn't really interested in listening to me - very 'just go now' attitude and took the dogs off me. (He had asked earlier in the day when we would drop them as he wanted to go out straight after closing even though it was 1/2 hour before closing hours when we arrived and there are no set appointments slots!).

When we picked the dogs up when we were back, we saw a woman and no mention of any input behaviourally and no advice. We were not charged the extra for the behaviour input. As we were just back of holiday decided to email the guy with how it went in a couple of days.

Worse thing ever was that one of my dogs has epilepsy and thyroid condition and needs medication for both twice a day. Was told this was fine and not a problem when booked in. Having never used the kennels before I noted exactly how many tablets my dog boarded with. When I counted his tablets, found out he returned with more tablets than he should have. Turned out that out of the 10 days he stayed, he only got all his medication on 5 days!!!!! I was devastated to learn he very likely had fits nearly every other day over 10 days while there.

Brought this to the guys attention a couple of days later by email as really didn't want to email while so angry and upset. I also mentioned the lack of behaviour advice considering that's what they boarded THERE for. I received an email response about the behaviour just detailing what I needed to do etc and at the bottom I received one sentence reply to the issues of the medication that he could only apologise and would look into it. Never heard any more and cannot believe he did not take it more seriously, did not even have the decency to call me to apologise directly.

Epilepsy is a life threatening condition and medication is essential in controlling it so my dog remains seizure free while on them.

I gave them 2 months to get in touch with an explanation heard nothing since.

Will NOT be using again.