How to Choose A Kennel For Your Dog
When planing a family trip there may be several occasions in which your dog will not be able to travel with you. You might be forced to take a business trip, want to go on vacation with your spouse, or need to visit family in another state. Ideally, you would be able to leave your pooch with a trusted friend or family member while you’re away. Unfortunately, that’s not always possible.
When you have to leave your canine behind, and cannot find someone you trust to care for him in your absence, a kennel may be your best option. Some are good while others are decidedly less so. In this article, we’ll offer a few suggestions to help you identify trustworthy facilities that can make the transition as easy as possible for your pooch.
Tip 1 – Tour The Facility
Before you leave on your trip, invest the time to tour the boarding facility at which you intend to leave your dog. Most kennels will be happy to oblige as long as you make an appointment.
When you visit, take note of the smell. If you notice a pervasive odor of urine or feces, that suggests a sanitation issue. Also, check out the floors and bowls being used by the other canines. Are they dirty? Do they appear as if they’re not regularly cleaned? Take note of the bedding and crate sizes. Are they clean? Do the other dogs seem comfortable, or are they stressed? These are all subtle indications that a given facility may not be adequate for your canine.
Tip 2 – Talk To The Employees
You’ll learn a lot about the care provided to pets who are boarded at various facilities by speaking with the staff. You might be surprised to discover that the employees who are tasked with feeding and caring for the dogs harbor a disdain for their jobs. It’s hard to hide. If you notice that any of the staff have such an outlook, take your pooch to another facility.
Tip 3 – Ask Questions In Advance
Take a moment to ask the kennel’s manager to explain a normal day for the canine boarders. Ask how many meals they receive, how much time they spend outside their cages, and who works with them. Ask whether there is a veterinarian on duty, or if the facility works closely with an emergency clinic. You should also double check the vaccination requirements necessary for all pets prior to arrival.
Tip 4 – Pack Special Supplies (If Necessary)
If your dog has special needs, be sure to pack the appropriate supplies for the kennel’s staff. For example, you can ask the facility’s employees to feed your pooch a special diet. You should also provide the kennel with any medications your dog may need. If usually better to bring supplies with you, althought it is possible to call and make arrangements for such requests after dropping your dog off. You might want to even leave your dog’s favorite brand of dog treats, to remind him of home.
Leaving your dog at a boarding facility can cause him stress, especially if it is his first time. Try to make his stay as comfortable as possible by carefully choosing the right facility.
April 25, 2010 under 
Dogs And Family
Tags: boarding your dog, dog, dog boarding, dog kennel, Dogs
Related Posts
- Children and Dogs – a Good Combination?
- Choose dog toys for your dog in accordance with its size
- How To Choose A Large Dog Bed
- What Kind Of Dog Would You Like To Choose?
- Looking For A Dog Day Care Boarding Facility
- Providing The Best Care For Our Pets
- Dog Boarding Facilities: They’re Not All Created Equal
- Proper Dog Care
- Dogs and Separation Anxiety
- Kids and Dogs – How They Work Together
It took me a couple of tries to find a suitable kennel for my dog. Most that I visited kept the dogs separated and each dog had a small narow run that led outside.
When I finally found a kennel that had scheduled time where they let small groups of dogs into a large fenced area to play I knew that was the best fit for my dog who has very social and energetic.
When I would come to pick him up I could tell he was very happy and didn’t really want to leave as apposed to being a ball of energy and thankful to get out of his cage.
An alternative to kennels is Home Boarding. It is a more expensive solution, however your dog gets to stay in a home environment. As this is personal service your dogs care can be tailored to its individual needs and habits to make his or her stay an enjoyable experience.
People offering this service are dog lovers and generally have dogs themselves.