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Before
taking Fido to any dog boarding facility or kennel, be
prepared to make phone calls and ask plenty of questions (be
ready to answer a few questions, too). Ask if you can take a
tour of the facility. If they don’t allow tours, don’t do
business with them. If they do, follow up and take one! Make
sure you are comfortable with every aspect of their daily
operations before leaving your pup in their care. Ask if
they’ll allow your pup to take the tour with you so he can
be more comfortable with the facility and staff as well. On
the tour: does the facility look clean, smell clean, do the
other dogs look happy and healthy? If those basics have been
met, start asking the questions that are most important to
you. Here are just a few to keep in mind:
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Where, and in
what, will your dog be housed? |
The
minimum housing requirement for any dog is enough room to
stand, lie down, and turn around. Most traditional dog
kennels house dogs in “size appropriate” cages using this
method of measurement. If he’ll have more space than this in
the facility you’re looking at, great! If having more space
means having little to no human contact or being unable to
go outside to potty, is having his own little room and TV
really that great? There is a dog boarding facility out
there for every dog’s needs, just keep your dog’s needs in
mind when you’re looking!
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How much
exercise will your dog get while he is there? |
Some dog
boarding facilities offer day care programs for their
clients (click here for information on dog day care); some
offer individual play time, nature walks, or swimming for an
additional charge; and still others offer an indoor/outdoor
run so each dog has the space to exercise himself when he
wants to.
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How can you
check on your dog while he is in their care? Do they
encourage you to call to check in? Do they have web
cameras so you can check in on your dog (and the
employees) at anytime during the day? |
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How do they
train their employees and do they require any special
knowledge of their employees? |
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How do they
deal with injuries or illness? What are their policies
on notifying you if an injury or illness should occur?
If you have a dog with an illness such as diabetes or
epilepsy, a reoccurring injury, or other special need,
make sure you inform the staff of this need and that
they are set up to deal with your dog’s unique
requirements. Also be sure to ask if they charge for
these special services. |
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What
vaccinations do they require? Make sure your dog has the
vaccinations your vet recommends, and make sure the
other dogs at the facility will be required to have
those vaccinations as well. |
Whatever
their answers to these questions, be sure to ask the same
questions of at least one or two other facilities before
deciding you’ve found a place worthy of caring for Fido. Any
place can sound wonderful when you don’t have anything to
compare it to! Remember that your dog is sensitive and
easily affected by dramatic changes and choose a dog
boarding facility accordingly.
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