tx2478 Posted September 23, 2004 Posted September 23, 2004 we have several kennels here that do boarding, personally i would rather take star with us but the hotel said no. and i am not the one who is paying for the hotel....what should i look for any questions i should ask...i will check back later Quote
MajiesMom Posted September 23, 2004 Posted September 23, 2004 Whether it is good or not depends on the boarding kennel. Tell us about the places your are thinking of boarding at. What are the facilities like etc… Quote
imported_Matty Posted September 23, 2004 Posted September 23, 2004 Some veterinary clinics will board clients' dogs. This may be an ideal situation, especially if your dog has a certain medical condition. Here are some questions to ask Will they be able to perform the necessary tasks such as walking the dog, etc? How much experience do they have, and do they have references? Are they acquainted with the veterinarians and the emergency clinic(s) in the area? How do they answer questions you may pose such as, What would you do if the dog vomits frequently? Make an appointment and have a tour of the facility and talk with the staff. Find out: What are the sizes of the kennels or runs? Do they have solid partitions between them? Are there both indoor and outdoor facilities? How frequently, where, and for how long are the dogs walked? Are the kennels, runs, and exercise areas clean and free from excrement? Does the kennel or exercise area smell? How often are the kennels, dishes cleaned, and with what? How are the kennels cleaned between boarders? Will they bathe your dog if he becomes soiled with urine or excrement? What is the regular feeding schedule, and can it be adapted if your dog has special needs? Can you bring the dog's regular food? Who actually works with the animals? What are their admit and pick up hours? What if your return is delayed? Which vaccinations are required, and which are recommended? Are vaccinations that you administered acceptable or do they need to be given by a veterinarian? Is there a veterinarian or emergency clinic nearby? Is there a time you can call to check on how your dog is doing? What are their security provisions? Do the kennels and cages have good latches? Are the fences to the outdoor runs at least 6 feet high? Is the facility accredited by the American Boarding Kennels Association? Its a good idea ask your veterinarian, family, and friends for their recommendations when choosing a boarding facility. Regardless of the boarding facility you decide on, make reservations far in advance, if possible. Many facilities are fully booked four to six months in advance Ask if you can bring a dog bed, toys, or your sweatshirt to put in with the pet. This may make the time away from home less stressful for your pet. Knowing your dog is in good hands and being well-cared for will make your trip less stressful for you. Quote
Yoladybug Posted September 23, 2004 Posted September 23, 2004 Thanks for all of that info. I was thinking about posting a question about this, so how convenient! My dad decided to take the family (and my boyfriend) on a cruise, so all of the people that I trust to watch Abby will be with me on vacation. Looks like I'm going to have to board her. I'm scared to death. I've heard so many horror stories...my sister boarded her dog during the week of her wedding, and he came back a completely different dog. He turned aggressive and they've gone through hell and tons of training to repair the damage. I know that's just one instance, but it still sticks in my mind. I love my Abby so much...I'm probably completely over protective, but it scares me to leave her. I'm going to tour the kennel tomorrow. It's out in the country and owned by a trainer who comes very highly recommended (he's the one who worked for weeks and weeks with my sister's dog). I'm only going to board her, not do any training, but it's good to know that my sister trusts him so much. Thanks to you Matty, I now have a good list of things to look for and ask about. I may be back tomorrow night with more questions for all of you experts out there. Quote
Yoladybug Posted September 23, 2004 Posted September 23, 2004 Here's the place I'm going to see tomorrow: http://capitalcanine.com/boarding.htm Quote
imported_Matty Posted September 23, 2004 Posted September 23, 2004 Your welcome :wink: Remember to leave some thing personal with your scent for your dog when you leave. It seems to calm them as they can always have their owners scent near by. Its also nice when the kennel attendants leave your dogs leash clipped to the run (only if your dog is not a leash chewer :lol: ) some times when a dog can see its leash it calms the dog down. A leash means walks which equals owner is going to be back :wink: I have seen many a dog calmed down just by having full view of its leash while boarding. Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted September 23, 2004 Posted September 23, 2004 Alena here are some boarding areas' in found around us http://www.royalpetmotel.com/index.html not to impressed with this one.. : http://www.canyoncrestk9.com/boarding/ http://vanity.qwestdex.com/ramrodkennels/Page1.html This place looks cute ;) give them a call they have mil. disc. http://www.tandckennel.com/rates.htm http://www.gillshirekennels.com/pictures.html Quote
tx2478 Posted September 23, 2004 Author Posted September 23, 2004 i am such a wuss to me they all look like jail but i just dont want to leave my baby girl....i feel all heartbroken. Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted September 23, 2004 Posted September 23, 2004 i REALLY dont like that 2nd one. their kennels look like a dog shelter :( all dark and stuff Quote
Baileysmom Posted September 23, 2004 Posted September 23, 2004 When is this for ? I would be willing to pet sit if I dont have the foster puppies anymore - otherwise I can help you find someone...... in fact my mom has been an awesome pet sitter for us - she loves dogs, but doesnt want to get another one til she retires, so she loves to watch them temporarily (shes in north tacoma) Quote
tx2478 Posted September 23, 2004 Author Posted September 23, 2004 it would be for the weekend of 30-3 it is a 4 day usually dal would sit but being it is really close to departure date so she is going with her hubby somewhere too. My girl is german shepherd do you pet sit large dogs. ok she is not that large she is just spoiled. Quote
tx2478 Posted September 23, 2004 Author Posted September 23, 2004 stupid question....is pet sitting in your home or mine? Quote
Baileysmom Posted September 23, 2004 Posted September 23, 2004 it could be at either place, but I would do it at mine...... I have 2 "med" size dogs, so whats one more?! :lol: I am guessing I will have my fosters til sometime next week, so with any luck it might work :wink: Does Star get along with other dogs? - Im sure she gets along with kids, since I know you have some :wink: I have 3 kids (6, 10 and 13) If you are interested I will find out for sure about the fosters and talk to my hubby tonight...... Quote
JackieMaya Posted September 23, 2004 Posted September 23, 2004 Matty listed some great questions to ask about prospective kennels. I've been boarding Jackie and Maya at a wonderful kennel for about 2 years now. I usually take them there 2 or 3 times a year. I had heard nothing but great recommendations about them from everyone, and I didn't have to make an appointment to see the place, which I think was a big plus. And their vet is the clinic my horse vet works at. The first time I dropped my dogs off there, I had only had Jackie for about six months and Maya for only one month. I cried when I left them. It was definitely harder on me than it was on them. But every time I take them there, they get all excited when we pull up there, and they're happy when I pick them up. I can tell that they had a good time. They have adjoining kennels inside, and they play outside together in one of the big play yards. But if I end up getting another dog, I'll probably check into pet sitting, as boarding 3 dogs would cost a fortune. Quote
Horsefeathers! Posted September 23, 2004 Posted September 23, 2004 While you're at it, find out HOW they clean the kennels. Do they take the dog out of the kennel and then clean it, or just hose it down with the dog still in it? I'm dismayed to find that so many boarding places just hose down the kennels without moving the dog to a dry kennel first. A real pet peeve of mine. :x Quote
MajiesMom Posted September 23, 2004 Posted September 23, 2004 Okay here are the criteria I would have if I were looking for a place to board my baby. I work at a boarding kennel and I have been to see a lot so I have a good idea what I personally would look for. - Do they allow you to drop by anytime during the hours that they are open to see the kennel where your dog would be staying? Not during certain hours i.e. 9-10am and 4-5pm so that they have time to clean up for visitors. If my dog is staying there then it should be clean all the time. (A little bit of a smell is okay because we are talking about dogs here.) Oh and they should let you see the indoor area and outdoor area – a lot of places only allow you to peek through a little window or something like that. (what are they trying to hide?) - It must have a private indoor area with an attached private outdoor area. Not shared runs! They are also good because on nice days they can leave the doors open and the dog can go in his kennel and out to his outdoor run as he chooses during the day. Covered outdoor runs are better because if it rains or snows the dog can still go outside and stay dry. - It should be bright and dry, a lot of them are like dungeons, so dark and wet. Eek. - They should ask for up to date vaccine records for your dogs’ protection and others. They should ask for Bordatella(kennel cough – and the nasal vacc. needs to be administer 3-5 days before otherwise it is the fresh virus that they can spread if they touch noses with another dog) and the normal rabies and annual booster. - I would like one-on-one activities because (well my dog is dog aggressive). I don’t think it is a good idea to mix dogs that you don’t know together anyway especially since they are away from home in a strange place and might fell threaten for whatever reasons and they might fight. Yes that includes the ones that “have never attacked another dog before.” It happens. There is a groomer in my area that “doesn’t believe in crating dogs” and a dog die after being attacked by another dog in their shop that yup “never attacked another dog before... I don’t understand…blah, blah, blah.” A lot of kennels just open the door and allow all the dogs to fun free together while they clean in feed etc. - Allow you to bring your own food, dog bed, blankets and toys. Those are just a few important things to me, I didn’t get into details like climate control and stuff. There are good kennels out there you just have to look and do your research. It’s good if you get referrals too. I always take my dog to work because she L-O-V-E-S IT! They do have a really good time when they are clean, safe and feel comfortable in a nice kennel with good staff. Quote
courtnek Posted September 24, 2004 Posted September 24, 2004 the kennel I board my dogs at is exemplary. they have big cages where two dogs can house, and little outside enclosures attached to the inside cages, with flappy doors, so they can go outside and yet not escape or be harmed by other dogs. they also have a big seperate play area that they take the dogs to. they clean the inside cages first, after putting the dogs out, then clean the outside ones. the dogs never have to soil in their cages, they always have the outside enclosures for that. a good kennel is more expensive, you get what you pay for. one of the dead giveaways is the smell. there will always be smell in a kennel, but it should not be overpowering (liike an uncleaned cat box) but rather smell like dogs. Quote
bk_blue Posted September 24, 2004 Posted September 24, 2004 There are a lot of bad kennels around, just as there are several outstanding ones. Everyone has made great points on what to look for. BK and the dearly departed Rinny have been to the kennels maybe 3-4 times in the past 7 years and absolutely adored it according to the owners (all those other dogs to play with in BK's case, and the geriatric facilities for Rinny), though I think the first time BK ever went he got a bit of a shock, going from the spoiled only dog to one of several. :roll: :lol: The kennel was in the far outer suburbs (ie semi rural- lots of room), clean, bright, dry, could drop in anytime, etc etc. It was expensive but worth it because at least we knew they would be well cared for. Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted September 27, 2004 Posted September 27, 2004 Horsefeathers! napisał(a):While you're at it, find out HOW they clean the kennels. Do they take the dog out of the kennel and then clean it, or just hose it down with the dog still in it? I'm dismayed to find that so many boarding places just hose down the kennels without moving the dog to a dry kennel first. A real pet peeve of mine. :x :o :o WHAT>??????? that is sooo wrong Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.