Choosing The Right Boarding Kennel For You And Your Dog

Published A Few Days Ago
ADVERTISEMENT

Parting is such sweet sorrow – so it makes a world of difference when you pick a boarding kennel that takes care of your dog properly

Having to leave your dog when you go away can be stressful and upsetting for everyone involved. However, you can certainly lessen the blow and make the whole experience much more positive for you and your pooch. It’s important that the kennel you choose is right for everyone so that you don’t spend your whole time worrying.

Plan Ahead

Make sure you plan well in advance when boarding your furry friend. The best kennels can get booked up quickly and you don’t want to miss out on quality care for your dog. As soon as you know you’re going away, call and inquire about boarding options. Ask friends and family members or your veterinarian’s office if they have any recommendations for quality kennels.

Related:What To Look For In A Quality Dog Boarding Facility

Your Dog’s Needs

Think about your dog’s needs and temperament and make sure they can be catered to. If you’ve got a social and friendly pooch, will she be able to interact with other dogs who are being boarded? Conversely, if your four-legged friend gets stressed by other dogs or has aggressive tendencies, will adequate care be taken to keep her separate from them? If your pup has any special needs or requires medication, are staff at the facility capable of looking after her properly? Your dog’s comfort and happiness is paramount, so be sure that the boarding facility will be able to meet her needs.

Exercise

The boarding kennel you go with should be able to meet your dog’s exercise requirements. Some kennels will take each dog out for a walk, whereas others will simply give them access to an outdoor run for an hour or so each day. While the latter is fine for some dogs, if you have a big or energetic pooch, this probably won’t cut it. If your dog doesn’t get enough exercise, all her pent up energy could cause her to become unduly stressed during her stay. Ask the staff how they plan to make sure your pup is getting plenty of exercise.

Related:Tips For Boarding a Dog with Separation Anxiety

Looking Around

Once you’ve decided on the kennel at which you want to board you dog (or at least made a shortlist), you should be able to have a look around before you book. If a kennel discourages this or says that you aren’t allowed, then alarm bells should start ringing. Any boarding facility worth its salt should be happy to show prospective clients around to see the amenities and let them talk to the staff.

What to Look Out For

During your trip to the kennels, you should know what to look for. In order to avoid the spread of infection, they should be clean and well ventilated. If this is the case, they shouldn’t be smelly, so stinky kennels should throw up a red flag. While they should be well ventilated, they shouldn’t be drafty, or your pup might get cold at night. Make sure that the kennels and runs are secure, properly maintained and big enough for the dogs they’re housing. Although the dogs at the kennels will start barking and get excited when you first arrive, they should settle down before too long. If they seem stressed or unhappy, this might not be the best place to go with.

Trust Your Instincts

If you take a look around a boarding kennel and something doesn’t feel quite right to you, trust your instincts and go with another option. While you may be entirely wrong about it, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Besides, if you ignore your initial instincts, you’re likely to spend your whole trip away worrying about your precious pooch, which won’t exactly be fun for you.

ADVERTISEMENT

Lauren Corona is a freelance writer from merry old England. She specializes in writing about dogs and other critters. Lauren lives near Oxford, with her gorgeous Doberman, Nola. When she’s not tapping away at the keyboard, you’ll find her walking in the woods with Nola-dog, raising money for the Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary, cooking vegan food, making zines and writing about herself in the third person.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

You May Like

Halo Hosts NYC Pop Up Shop to “Do Good” for Pets

We were excited to hear that Halo, Purely for Pets, a natural pet food company co-owned by Ellen DeGeneres, is hosting a ""Pop Up Shop.""
How To Help Dog Shelters When You Can’t Adopt

You don’t have to have a dog in order to help them – here’s what you can do for your local dog shelter You can be an animal lover even if y…
Belgian Laekenois

Bred to herd and protect, the Belgian Laekenois still has these instincts. This dog is not a suitable choice for families with young children or other pets.
Welsh Springer Spaniel

The Welsh Springer Spaniel is an athlete that can be happy flushing birds in the fields or playing Frisbee in the yard. This dog will keep you active.
Why Playtime Is So Important For Your Cat

Reasons why you need to schedule a play date with your cat every day A lot of people think that cats are independent and don’t really require a lot of…
Poolky

The vocal little Poolky brings the playful smarts of the Miniature Poodle together with the spirited nature of the Silky Terrier for a fun family dog.
What Is Giardia In Dogs?

Does your dog have a belly ache? The cause may be from an intestinal infection called Giardia. Learn more about the parasite behind giardia in dogs.
The P.E.T.S. Plan – Four Steps To Divorcing With Pets

Divorce isn’t easy – especially when pets are involved. If both parties want guardianship of the dog, what options do you have? Debra Vey Voda-Ha…
Chock Full Of Carob Chip Dog Treat Recipe

Chocolate is deadly to dogs, so they miss out on the joys of chocolate chip cookies. But they can have the next best thing – carob! Carob is naturally…
Best Raw Cat Foods

Raw cat foods are a healthy alternative to commercial pet foods laden with artificial ingredients and cheap fillers that could seriously harm your pet.
Upside Down Dog Of The Week – Moose

Meet Moose, the winner of Upsidedowndog.com’s Upside Down Dog of the Week. He is a 1-year-old Chocolate Labrador Retriever from Quebec, Canada. His own…
Silkyhuahua

A mix between a Chihuahua and a Silky Terrier is popularly called the Silkyhuahua or Silky Chi and is a quirky, affectionate, fun, and adorable dog.
Borador

Playful and energetic, the Borador makes an excellent family dog. Described as naturally happy, they are incredibly sweet and are great with children.
Best Cool Holiday Gifts For Dogs

Make a list, check it twice. Who''s been naughty or nice? Our pooches always make it onto the ""Nice"" list, so put these cool gifts for dogs under the tree.
Top 5 Things NOT To Say When a Friend’s Pet Dies (and What You Shoul

When a friend''s pet dies, you want to say the right thing, but the wrong words come out. We''ve got a few suggestions of what to say and what to avoid.