Sending Your Dog To The Kennels When You Go On Holiday

You finally have saved enough for that dream holiday, now there is only one problem, you can’t take your pet pooch with you. Deciding on what to do next can be as difficult as choosing the right childcare option for your children. There are many options, from friends and family to professional house sitters, but for real peace of mind and value for money only the best dog boarding is the right answer. All that remains then is to find the right kennel environment for your furry family member.

What To Look For In a Boarding Kennels 

Every dog owner will have their own idea of what makes a perfect boarding kennels experience. But, within these wide ranging ideas there will be some central, key element. One of the first and most important is security. When you place your dog in kennels you want to know that they will be safe. When you first visit the kennels check what security measures are taken. Look at the height of the fences; would they be easy for your dog to jump over or climb? Could they be easily accessed from the outside? Also look at gates and watch how carefully staff approach locking and unlocking gates. Take the same approach to door, kennel areas, play and walking paddocks and any training areas. Ask staff about the measures they take to ensure that only people you have agreed upon are able to pick your dog up from dog boarding kennels. At the very least you should be asked to provide the name and phone number of a point of contact, just in case you are unable to either collect or be contacted to make a decision regarding your dog. 

Sounding Out dog Kennels Staff

Your dog’s surroundings are not the only area of consideration when choosing dog kennels. As a responsible and caring owner you also want to know that the kennels you choose employ the right people. When it comes to boarding kennels the right people will be those who love animals and actually enjoy spending time with them. They will most likely have their own pets, and want to tell you about them. When you first arrive to view the kennels take time to talk to the staff. Enthusiastic and caring staff will want to know about you and your pet, they will also want to show you how their dog boarding facilities can meet your pet’s needs. You should feel welcome and at ease with the staff. Don’t be shy about asking questions, either about policies and procedures, or about training and experience. If your dog has any specific habits, for example, your dog scratches its bed a lot, make sure you make the staff aware. A lot of the time dogs scratching their beds simply do this as a habit or because they are territorial. If your dog is up to date with their jabs take them with you for the visit. Watch how the staff members interact with your pet and see whether they are both at ease with each other. Remember, there won’t necessarily be an instant relationship, but if the staff member is open, friendly and encouraging your dog to interact than you are on the right track.

Other Animals In Pet Boarding

It is rare that pet boarding kennels will cater solely for dogs. Most take on other animals, most commonly cats. While this is great if you are looking to place both, as you only have to make one visit, and can be assured that both pets will get the same level of care, there are a few things you need to check on. Cats and dogs do not necessarily get on and cats especially can be very sensitive to their presence, or even the hint of it through smells. When you visit the boarding kennels pay close attention to how close the cattery is to the dogs living and exercising areas. Ideally they should never be able to see, hear or smell one another during their stay. Good hygiene and regular cleaning routines are essential in supporting this process as it will stop the smell of either animal being transferred across to the other. If you are considering cat boarding and have a cat that is particularly sensitive to the other it might be worth checking whether there are separate staff for each area, or what the procedures are for staff going between the cat and dog areas.

Optional Extras

The last thing you want is for your pooch to become bored during their stay. To avoid this many dog boarding kennels offer optional training classes, alongside your dog’s normal walks and play sessions. Dog training is ideal for dogs that have a little extra energy to burn, need more stimulation, or are exhibiting behaviours that you really don’t like. Training can help with barking, destructive behaviour, jumping up and improving your dog’s ability to obey commands. If you are kennelling a young dog then this is the perfect opportunity to instil the desired behaviour. Training can also be added to dog day care; it’s a sure way to ensure your dog enjoys their day while you are at work.

Necessary Inoculations For dog Boarding Kennels 

Inoculations stop your dog from getting, and passing on, a range of illnesses that can potentially make them very ill. As the body grows accustomed to the inoculation over time it is important that boosters are given every year. Most dog boarding kennels require dogs to receive their inoculation, or booster, at least two weeks before entering kennels. If it is the dogs first round of inoculations and it requires more than on jab, the final jab must be given before the two week time period. The minimum inoculation requirement of most dog boarding facilities is the C5 vaccination. This gives your dog immunity against parainfluenza, parvovirus, distemper and hepatitis. It also offers immunity against bordatella, the cause of kennel cough. Once the vaccinations have been completed the vet will provide you with proof of the dog’s immunity status; this needs to be presented to the boarding kennels before your dog is allowed access to the facilities. It is not just dogs that require immunisation before being placed in pet boarding kennels. If you are looking to board your cat while away they will need to receive the F3 vaccination. This offers immunity against the most common contagious cat aliments including cat flu and feline enteritis. Although it is not always a requirement, some vets and kennels may suggest that your cat is also covered for feline leukaemia and chlamydophila. Keeping up with immunisations is an essential part of caring for your pet, and when it comes to boarding, any responsible owner will be relieved that the kennels take the matter so seriously.

Maintaining Good Health At Boarding Kennels

Keeping your dog healthy during their stay at boarding kennels is not just about vaccinations. It is also about their general health, routines and training. If your dog has a long standing health condition then it is important that you discuss this with the staff when you first visit. The best boarding kennels will be prepared to administer medication and will know what to look out for in terms of common complications. They will also have a vet on call to support their work and administer any further medical if required. When booking in your pet ensure that you provide a plentiful supply of the required medication, along with detailed instructions of when and how your dog takes the medication. No two dogs are the same so don’t assume they will know that your pooch will only take his epilepsy medication in a piece of sausage. Even if your dog doesn’t have an existing health condition there are steps you should take to ensure they remain fit and healthy. Before they go into boarding kennels check that their worming and flea treatments are up to date; even the best kennels cannot stop fleas from hiding in the grass and hitching a lift on your dog. If your dog is a fussy eater then make sure you take their normal food with you to the kennels. While most kennels provide food as part of the service, the last thing you and the staff want is for your dog to refuse to eat while you are away.