Dog Boarding Tips & Info

 — Published 11-11-2018 by: Leonard Houser (Thunder Ridge Kennels)

Dog boarding is getting more popular than ever. As our lives become ever busier the need to have dogs boarded either overnight or for longer durations becomes more necessary. There are numerous things to consider to make sure that both you and your pet have the best experience possible when boarding becomes necessary. This short article aims to give you a bit of useful information to help you get the most out of your dog boarding experience.

What Do I Need to Consider?

There are several areas of important things to consider for both you and your pet when boarding. Some common, if not obvious, considerations when selecting an appropriate dog boarding facility include:

• Location. Is the facility in a convenient location relative to your travel plans? Does the location meet your pet’s need? (country setting preferred?)
• Experienced Staff. Is the boarding kennel run by experienced dog professionals or staffed by minimum wage teenagers…
• Special Needs. Does the facility have the experience and ability to meet any special needs that your pet may have?
• Availability. Plan ahead and make reservations in advance.
• Cost. Cheaper is not always better, make sure to balance cost with benefits.

Useful Boarding Tips

Here are a few useful tips tpo help you select a boarding facility. You and your pet deserve the right facility:

• Start Young. Getting your dog used to boarding from a young age makes it much less stressful on you and them both. Even just some short afternoon stays can make a big difference.
• Bring along a familiar item such as a toy, blanket, etc… Familiar items nad smells make your pet more comfortable when in a strange environment.
• make reservations ahead of time. Kennels are often booked up for weeks in advance. During bust travel times (such as summers or holidays) they may be booked months ahead. Plan ahead to make sure you can get your dog in the right kennel.
• Give the kennel ‘too much’ information. The more they know about your dog the better they can meet their needs during the boarding stay.
• Similarly, get too much information. You can’t ask too many questions. Be informed.
• Stay in contact with the kennel. A good kennel loves to have you call and check in on your pet. If they don’t, then select a different facility!