Boarding Kennels

jaqui59

What breed of dog do you have, and how old is he? Is he independent or the opposite, and is he used to being alone or does he spend most of his time with you? And is he a relaxed kind of character or maybe a bit highly strung?

Im a believer that however hard any owner may try, that there are some dogs that will never be happy in kennels, and be much happier with a good experienced home from home boarder.

Wellyboots6

One thing I would look out for is to see what they do about feeding.

Do they assume your dog will eat their food, or do they ask you to provide your own food?

With a change in diet for a dog you should do it gradually, otherwise a change in food combined with stress of a kennel could end messily!

The dog trainers I go to also run boarding kennels and they offer the choice of either providing your own food or using theirs.

They also ask for proof of vaccinations, contact details for your vet and insurance company, a written list of your dogs daily routine (what time are they fed, walked, how far etc), they ask you provide your own bed, and also ask that if your dog becomes very distressed that you would be prepared to come and collect the dog early.

zaksmum

katy721 wrote: »

One thing I would look out for is to see what they do about feeding.

Do they assume your dog will eat their food, or do they ask you to provide your own food?

With a change in diet for a dog you should do it gradually, otherwise a change in food combined with stress of a kennel could end messily!

The dog trainers I go to also run boarding kennels and they offer the choice of either providing your own food or using theirs.

They also ask for proof of vaccinations, contact details for your vet and insurance company, a written list of your dogs daily routine (what time are they fed, walked, how far etc), they ask you provide your own bed, and also ask that if your dog becomes very distressed that you would be prepared to come and collect the dog early.

How's Tyson, Katy?

mountainofdebt

Don't be frightened to thank them for their time and walk away if you don't feel its the one for your dog.

I went to a couple of kennels before I chose one and I think the OH was getting fed up of me listing the things that was wrong with them. As soon as I found the one I liked I knew it was right for mutt and as soon as I know I need to send him to kennels, I book them up.

janeys

Our dog was a rescue and diabetic, so I went to look at 4 kennels to make my choice. 1 the actual kennel the dog would be in was lovely heated freshly painted, fresh sawdust. I did not choose this one as the dogs spent nearly all their time in the lovely surroundings with only walls to look at. The second one, looked like a prison and was next to the animal shelter, lots of howling dogs, quite frightening for a dog I thought. The 3rd one was not pretty, it was on a farm and the stalls were clean and warm but basic, the dogs did not spend much time in there as they were walked in the fields often, we chose this one. The 4th there was a run attatched to the sleeping compartment and all the runs had 1 or 2 poos in them, the dogs were agitated and overexcited to see us, a sign I thought that they were not getting human interaction. also it stunk. You will know when you find the right one, go and visit don't set a time but say 'I would like to come and see you if you dont mind'. If they have nothing to hide they will be open with you. Good luck.

gettingready

Home boarding for me every time, no kennels

nicolula87

Thanks everyone for the advice! We have a couple to look at and one or two recommended. One is near my parents so they would be around for any emergencies or if he really really couldn't manage which would make me feel a lot better!! They normally have him for me but he is a big dog so my dad has to walk him and he is working unfortunately. Worth a longer drive to the kennels to know he is near my family!

Have also been reading up online so am going to take a list of things to check/ask when I drop in for an unannounced visit!

hethmar

People keep telling me to put mine in kennels so me and OH can have a holiday together on our own, but I just cant. I dont think I could trust any boarders to care for them either. Oh dear, separate hols or hols with dogs in tow seem to be the only way - Im sure some kennels/boarders must be ok but I just wouldnt be able to rest

When I check out kennels for our rescue I always see how much cleaning is going on when I am there. What the staff look like - whether the runs are grass or concrete - how warm the kennels are, if there is piped music and of course if it smells badly of wee and if poos are not being cleared up quickly. Id also expect a good kennels to ask for innoculation cards and kennel cough treatments. Ideally the dogs have a view of countryside, rather than the inside of a kennel or the bottoms of the dogs opposite. And I wouldnt want a cattery in the same establishment.