Going on vacation? If you’re thinking of boarding your dog while you’re on vacation, there are some things to consider to make sure your beloved pet is getting the very best care possible. When you’re caring for your dog yourself, you know that he is always comfortable, that he’s fed properly, exercised and watered sufficiently, and treated with kindness. Why should it be any different when he’s in the care of someone else?
Start by checking out the person who will be caring for your dog while you’re away. Ask for references, and check out each one. Make sure you know ahead of time what kind of treatment your pup will receive, so you can feel confident that you’ve made the right choice.
Also, you want to board your pup with an experienced person who knows how to handle dogs with aggressive behaviors, since some dogs tend to have aggressive behaviors. If the caregiver can handle such dogs, you can be sure that your pup is safe.
Kennel Construction–The kennel should be constructed in such a way that it can be cleaned thoroughly and quickly. Aluminum, steel, and concrete are easy to clean and do not hold any odor or unwanted matter. They can be sanitized properly, so you can be sure that your dog is in a healthy environment.
Wood is not the optimum material for a kennel,since it tends to hold odors, bacteria, and other potentially unhealthy residual matter. If you have other options, don’t choose a wood constructed kennel.
A boarding kennel that gets plenty of sunlight will tend to offer a healthier environment as well. If the kennel sits in a spot that prohibits if from receiving a fair amount of sunlight, or none at all, it will stay damp and cool, thus providing a perfect breeding ground for unhealthy mold and mildew. Being surrounded by trees may give a kennel a cozy-looking environment, but if sunlight is not allowed to surround and enter the building, there is considerably more risk for unhealthy mold and mildew growth.
Does the boarding kennel have an efficiently working septic system? This is imperative to keep bacteria and odor to a minimum, and to provide a cleaner, fresher, more pleasant environment for your pet. Some facilities have no system in place, and everything is simply washed into the surrounding grass or dirt. That’s not what you want! Look for a system that has no back up of water or solid material. Take the whiff test. Yes, it’s a dog kennel, and yes, there will be some dog odor, but if the kennel and kennel runs are frequently washed down, there will not be a build up of urine or fecal matter.
Kennel Runs–Your dog should not ever have to share a kennel run with another dog. Make sure he gets his own space, and make sure the dog has the ability to go inside or outside the kennel facility whenever he desires. There should be ample room inside for your dog to lie down without being crowded, and ample room outside to stretch his legs and get a little exercise.
When looking for a good boarding kennel, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Your pup deserves the best when staying with other caregivers. He should be kenneled in a top-notch, safe, healthy “home away from home”. After all, he is your favorite canine family member, isn’t he?
