Finding a Dog Kennel

While there are more pet-friendly establishments and more people are taking their dogs on vacation with them, there are times when your pet just has to stay behind. If this is the case, and you don’t have a friend or relative available to dog-sit, then you’ll need to find a good kennel. For some people, this decision is as agonizing as which daycare to spend their child to. Here are some tips for finding great dog care while you’re away.

• First, ask your other dog-owning friends where they have boarded their pets. This is an invaluable, and location-specific, way to glean information. If, for instance, someone used a kennel and their dog acted like a maniac for a week after, that’s a good indication that you will want to try elsewhere. Dogs should be well-behaved after a stay – assuming they’ve had adequate play time, exercise, and attention.
• Check out the facility before you book it. Make sure there is a play yard, whether indoor or outdoor, that has sufficient space for your dog to run. Also, ask if they have one-on-one time with each dog. Look around and see if you can see how many dogs there are and how many staff members around. They should allow you to see the kennel area, and if they don’t, move on.
• Ask questions: who will take care of my dog? What activities will they do? How much of the time is my pet in a crate or kennel? If my dog is sick or injured, where do you take him? Is there a vet on-call or do you have access to an animal hospital? Ask anything that comes to mind. Not only will you get some answers, but you’ll be able to tell a lot about the kennel from the willingness of the staff member to talk with you and answer anything you ask.
• Do they offer a meet and greet? See if you can set up a pre-stay meeting for your dog, yourself, and the kennel owner or caretaker. During this time, you can allow your dog to get used to the place, as well as share any special instructions. And again, ask questions!
• Check their prices, and make sure you have an understanding about how they charge. For instance, if you return at 2 in the afternoon, do you get charged for a full day? Can you pick up your dog early and get a refund for the extra? What if you’re running late? Can you extend the stay easily without extra charges?
• Trust your feeling of a place. If you walk in and feel uneasy, or if your dog appears to feel uneasy (more than just being in a new place), trust this. It may not be the most scientific method of choosing a kennel, but if your dog is going to be on-edge for days, then you’ll want to try a different kennel.

This is a lot of work! But once you find a good kennel, you should be able to keep going back. If you want, try an overnight or weekend stay before a big trip to give your dog some time to get used to the place. And then, you should both have a great vacation.