Choosing the Right Dog Boarding Facility When You Go on Vacation
Finding a reputable boarding facility puts your mind at ease wherever your travels may take you that your dog is in good hands.
Sometimes the best kennels are ones found by recommendations from your friends.
Otherwise, read reviews online and call a few boarding kennels to ask for a walk-through appointment or tour.
Avoid last minute arrangements to find dog accommodations especially over popular holiday weekends like 4th of July, Memorial Weekend, Labor Day & between Christmas & New Years.
While at their facilities notice how clean the sleeping area is and where dogs play (both inside and outside).
Also pay close attention to dogs already there; do they look sad, dejected or otherwise bored or are they playing and wrestling nicely together? Take note of the temperature especially if you live in a warm or muggy city.
Inquire if playtime is supervised to avoid unwarranted bullying and injuries.
Some facilities have web cams allowing you to log onto their website to check up on your dog during your travels.
Ask if they do one-on-one dog walks and if they offer training.
Some kennels specialize in boarding certain breeds allowing for same size dogs to live together.
After your tour, meet with the on-site staff or owner to ask what their protocol is should your dog become sick or injured during her stay.
Do they have a reputable vet or 24-hour dog emergency facility nearby should the worst occur or would your dog only go to her current vet? Check that the facility is licensed and bonded.
Inquire if the facility and dog handlers can administer medication or special meals should your dog require this.
And before you make a reservation for your dog at the kennel be sure to contact their references which will hopefully give you candid feedback on their experiences.
Once you've found an acceptable dog boarding kennel, you may want to do a test run and let your dog hang out for a few hours.
This will help you gauge your dog to help further your decision-making.
After all a tired dog is a happy dog and you want to return from your trip knowing your dog was looked after and loved while you were not home.
Sometimes the best kennels are ones found by recommendations from your friends.
Otherwise, read reviews online and call a few boarding kennels to ask for a walk-through appointment or tour.
Avoid last minute arrangements to find dog accommodations especially over popular holiday weekends like 4th of July, Memorial Weekend, Labor Day & between Christmas & New Years.
While at their facilities notice how clean the sleeping area is and where dogs play (both inside and outside).
Also pay close attention to dogs already there; do they look sad, dejected or otherwise bored or are they playing and wrestling nicely together? Take note of the temperature especially if you live in a warm or muggy city.
Inquire if playtime is supervised to avoid unwarranted bullying and injuries.
Some facilities have web cams allowing you to log onto their website to check up on your dog during your travels.
Ask if they do one-on-one dog walks and if they offer training.
Some kennels specialize in boarding certain breeds allowing for same size dogs to live together.
After your tour, meet with the on-site staff or owner to ask what their protocol is should your dog become sick or injured during her stay.
Do they have a reputable vet or 24-hour dog emergency facility nearby should the worst occur or would your dog only go to her current vet? Check that the facility is licensed and bonded.
Inquire if the facility and dog handlers can administer medication or special meals should your dog require this.
And before you make a reservation for your dog at the kennel be sure to contact their references which will hopefully give you candid feedback on their experiences.
Once you've found an acceptable dog boarding kennel, you may want to do a test run and let your dog hang out for a few hours.
This will help you gauge your dog to help further your decision-making.
After all a tired dog is a happy dog and you want to return from your trip knowing your dog was looked after and loved while you were not home.
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