Before selecting a boarding kennel, be sure to do your research and ask staff members the right questions, like those listed below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Can I visit the facility with my dog before booking?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Are the boarding staff trained to handle dogs correctly?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Do I need to book in advance? (If yes, how far in advance do they recommend?)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Which vaccinations do they require?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Will my dog fit in the kennel unit?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- How often will my dog be walked?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- How do staff interact with the dogs in their care?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Do you supply dog food during the dog’s stay? (If yes, which brands?)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Does the kennel offer home boarding?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
If the kennel staff can answer all of these questions to your satisfaction, you can proceed with this chosen facility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Be Honest About Your Dog’s Behaviour and Personality<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
To ensure your dog receives the correct care and the kennel staff are properly prepared, it is vital to honestly describe your pet’s behaviour and personality, especially if your dog has behavioural issues. Anxious and reactive dogs can require staff members with experience handling these types of dogs, and some boarding facilities will be able to adapt the kennel for the dog’s stay, such as placing the dog in an area with less foot traffic, offering additional exercise time, etc. If they cannot handle your dog’s needs, then look for different dog boarding kennels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is not limited to only reactive dogs. As other dogs find boarding extra stressful, their behaviour can change when kept in a new environment. If you let the kennel staff know how your dog normally behaves, they can monitor for changes and act accordingly. For first-time boarders, separation anxiety is a possibility, especially if the dog has never been without its owner before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Similarly, if you own a puppy or an elderly dog, you should be upfront about their care needs. Puppies and senior dogs can need extra attention at times, whether this is more meals throughout the day or additional interaction with the staff. By alerting the boarding kennel of the needs and behaviour of your dog, they can be better prepared to care for the dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Check the Facility Caters to Your Dog’s Diet and Medication<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Many dog boarding establishments will provide food as part of the cost. When they offer this, they will have a selection of dog food brands and types to choose from. However, in some kennels, the pet owner will need to provide the food for the duration of their dog’s stay; this is more common when the dog eats a special diet or has food allergies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you do have to provide dog food, to ensure the dog food stays fresh and is clearly marked for your dog, ensure your dog’s own food in a re-sealable container or individual sandwich bags. You should also leave instructions on how much kibble to feed the dog and when mealtimes should be. If the kennel also requires you to bring a food bowl, mark the dog’s name on this, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"dog](\"https:\/\/householdpets.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/dog-eating-food-out-of-dog-bowl-1024x515.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nCatering to a dog might also require administering medication. Again, if your dog needs medication regularly throughout its stay, make the boarding kennel aware of this beforehand and provide clear instructions on the dosage, when to administer it, and so on. Unfortunately, not all staff members will be trained to give medication, but most kennels will cater to this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the dog boarding facility passes steps one to four, then it is still to begin preparing your dog for its stay in the kennel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Get the Dog Health Checked<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once you have chosen a reputable boarding kennel for your dog, you should ensure your dog is health-checked by a vet and its vaccinations are up-to-date. The routine vaccinations required should be discussed when first contacting the boarding kennels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To ensure your pet’s health is protected during boarding, dogs will require up-to-date vaccinations (at least one week before boarding) protecting them from:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Distemper<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Hepatitis<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Kennel Cough<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Leptospirosis<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Parvovirus<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Proof of these vaccinations will be required, so bring the vaccination card with you when dropping your dog off at the boarding establishment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vets will also check the general health of animals before they are put in boarding kennels. Although most dogs are given preventative treatment for worms, fleas, and ticks, parasites can still be a problem for boarding facilities; your vet might insist upon double-checking that your dog is clear before its planned stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. Plan a Visit with Your Dog<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If this is your dog’s first boarding experience, it could be a stressful time, but visiting the boarding kennel could help lessen this anxiety. A good sniff around the premises will familiarise the dog with its surroundings before the planned stay. Thankfully, most reputable dog kennels will allow visits before the dog’s stay; in fact, alarm bells should sound if they do not allow your dog to visit beforehand. This can sometimes signal that the establishment does not align its practices with The Animal Welfare Act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the visit, you should be able to check the individual kennels, see where dogs get their regular walks and exercise, and view the dogs currently staying in the boarding kennel. Pet owners should be on the lookout for potential issues when visiting a boarding kennel, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- How noisy the kennels are<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- If the kennels smell unpleasant<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The standard of dog accommodation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
If the kennel also offers cat boarding, you should check how this affects the dogs. Both cats and dogs should not be able to see each other if the boarding kennel offers both, as the very sight can cause stress for either animal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7. Update Identification and Microchip Records<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Unfortunately, it is possible for dogs to go missing, even when kept in a good boarding kennel. Some dogs will dig under or jump over fences in the exercise area of the property or get loose during a dog walk. If this happens, it is essential that all identification records are updated and checked to ensure the dog gets back home when found.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The correct contact details for the dog owner should be listed on the ID tag on the dog’s collar and in the records for the dog’s microchip. Microchipping<\/a> has been compulsory for dogs since April 2016.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
8. Begin Crate Training<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Boarding your dog means they will be kept in one area for a certain amount of time, with breaks for exercise and enrichment. Some dogs can feel more comfortable in enclosed, personal spaces, like dens, and crates can be a great way of creating this safe area. However, not all dog owners will have thought to crate-train their dogs, which can cause some issues when it comes to boarding a dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Crate training your dog before the planned stay in a boarding kennel can help ease the stress and uncertainty of the experience. This is because the dog will begin to feel comfortable in its own space, will adapt easily to the boarding situation, and will be less likely to suffer from separation anxiety. Your chosen boarding kennel might even allow your pet’s crate to be put inside the kennel unit to add more familiarity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For tips on crate training, check out this video below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n