Needs a good kennel?

 

There comes a time when we all need a holiday and sometimes it's just not possible to take your best friend with you. So how do you go about finding a good boarding kennels? Make sure you follow these tips to treat your dog to a great holiday too!

Choosing a good boarding kennel
We all put time and thought into choosing our dentists, plumbers, electricians etc. It is really important to invest the same amount of effort into selecting a boarding kennels. Consider the following:

• Do any of your dog owning friends use a kennels?
• Can your Vet recommend one in your local area?
• Have you tried a search engine on the internet?
• As ever, the local telephone directory can also help.
• Once you have narrowed your choices down to 2 or 3 suitable kennels the next step would be visit them. This will give you the opportunity to see if it really is the place you would like your little friend to live whilst you are on holiday.

Please be wary of any kennels who will not allow you to visit. Reputable kennels will be very welcoming as they will have nothing to hide.

Visiting the Kennels
Now is the chance to ask the questions that you feel are important.

• How do the kennels look?
• Are first impressions good?
• Don't be put off if it is not quite as clean as you would like. Remember that they may have set times in the morning and afternoon for cleaning but do ask about their routine.
• Ask about the security?
• Are you confident that the environment is safe and secure?
• Are you happy that the space is adequate for your dog, both inside and out?
• Will there be opportunities for exercise? You may like to ask how often this will occur and how long the dogs will have to play and be walked.
• It is a good idea to ask about feeding times as you will have your own routine for your dog. Ask when the dogs are fed and what they are fed on. It is essential to ask if you can take your own food if your dog has specific dietary requirements.
• It is often easier for a dog to settle into the kennels if it has its own bedding. Do ask therefore if there is a dog bed available or if you can or need to take your own bedding?
• It is a good idea to ask about the daily rate as different kennels have different rates. No nasty surprises then when you go to collect your dog at the end of your holiday.
• Please don't be put off by the noise when you are looking around. The dogs do get excited to see visitors but are usually calm and quiet the rest of the time.
• Always ask if they have any suggestions for things you can do or take with you to help your dog settle in.

The most important thing is that you are confident and happy to leave your dog in this environment whilst you are away. If you are still unsure you may wish to consider other possibilities such as dog sitting services. This usually means leaving your dog with another dog owner. It can be a more expensive option but may be the perfect solution for you and your dog.