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.

Dog Boarding Facilities: They’re Not All Created Equal

If you plan on taking a vacation and you have a dog it is important to find a dog boarding facility for your dog.  There are many ways to look for the proper facility for your dog to ensure it is happy while you are away and they take proper care of your animal.  Some of the things you want to consider in a dog boarding facility are the type of place your dog will be sleeping, how many hours of exercise your dog will get, and more.

If you can’t have someone pet sit in your home, then a boarding facility is the best option.  You should never leave your pet home alone.  It is, unfortunately, all too common for people to leave their pet chained up in the backyard with a huge bowl of water and food.  What will your dog do when it steps on the bowl and dumps the water it has for the week or gets tangled in the chain on the tree and chokes?A pet needs to be taken care of on a daily basis.  The worst thing you can do is leave town and leave your dog at home alone.

When you are looking for a dog boarding facility you want to check out the type of facility your dog will be housed in. There are wonderful facilities for dog boarding in Ann Arbor.  Some people provide dog boarding in the home and they may have spaces in their backyard for your dog to run and sleep.  If you have an indoor animal you want to ensure your dog is going to be provided something it is comfortable in.An owner’s vacation shouldn’t end up being a traumatic experience for a dog.A pet deserves a safe and healthy environment while you’re away. 

It is also important to learn the area your dog will be expected to spend most of its time.  Learn how your dog will spend its days and its nights.Is your dog’s prospective sleep area safe?  Is it comfortable and fitting too?You want to make sure that your dog is just placed in a cage and forgotten.  It is very common for boarding facilities that do not properly take care of animals to keep them in an area too small for exercise and unacceptable.  Always verify that the area your animal will be in offers plenty of space for it to get enough exercise on a daily basis and one that is satisfying to your liking.

When you look at a boarding facility for your dog you should make sure you pay a visit to the place before you drop your dog off there.Just talking to the facility over the phone is not enough to ensure its a safe and healthy place for your pet.  Always verify what you are told over the phone. A good option is to test out the facility with a day or two of dog day care. You want to be sure the boarding facility you place your dog in while you are away is acceptable and they will take proper care of your animal.