Leaving your dog in a dog hotel or a boarding service facility can be a stressful situation. Especially if you and your dog haven’t had an experience like it. Even if you did, there are a few things to consider when looking for a dog boarding service.
Tips for choosing a dog boarding services
The best way to choose the right boarding service for your dog is to ensure that you are familiar with the place and how they operate.
If it’s your first time leaving your dog at a boarding kennel, start with places that your friends, family, coworkers, or acquaintances suggest.
If you don’t get any valuable suggestions from them, you can go for a boarding facility that maintains a high internet rating.
Lastly, visit the dog watcher’s home to see their facility, service, and professional competence firsthand.
If you already have a boarding service that you used in the past, it’s recommended to stick to it since your dog is already used to the people and the space there. If they are competent and professional, that is. If you’re unhappy with the service so far, consider these things when choosing the new boarding kennel.
Things that a boarding service should have
When you explore or visit a dog boarding service, it’s important to keep a few things in mind and ask all the relevant questions.
There are the most important things to consider when looking for dog boarding services:
Legal regulations and Licenses
The first thing to ensure is that they are a certified and professional organization with knowledge, expertise, and practice in dog care.
- What is the personnel’s professional background? Do they get trained?
- Is there a night shift?
It might also be productive to go there together with your dog and see how your pet and the personnel there “click.”
If you are looking for an individual dog sitter, ask them about their experience, problems encountered during their work, and how they handled it. Knowing that you’re leaving your dog in good hands is essential.
Hygiene and Sanitation
Next, ask about their regulations regarding the hygiene and sanitation of the facility.
- What is the vaccination status of the dogs they accept?
- Do they do checks for flees?
- Are they taking note and considering any other possible health conditions that might put your dog at risk?
To inspect the sanitation on your own, note the smell in the boarding service. There will be a natural animal smell, but ensure it doesn’t smell like a “zoo.”
Living Conditions
Further, note and inspect the living conditions of the pets there.
- Do they have food and water at all times?
- Do they provide snacks?
- Is the space ventilated yet warm?
- Is the kennel itself big enough for your dog to stand up, stretch, and freely walk?
Health and Emergency
The next thing to ask is their emergency policy.
- Will they contact you or a contact reference in case of an emergency?
- Do they have a veterinary on-site or on call?
- Is the facility trained in pet first-aid?
- Do they have at least the minimal kits and medications in an emergency?
- If your dog has a specialized diet or medication schedule – will they tend to the dog’s needs timely, efficient, and with care?
Fun Activities
Lastly, you must ensure that your dog will have fun while in the dog watcher’s home.
- Do they get walks? How many times a day?
- Do they play out in the open? Are the dogs supervised during that time?
- Is there any training for your dog? If so, does it cost extra?
- Do they have toys that your dog can use during its stay?
Conclusion
Leaving your dog in a boarding service facility for a time can be stressful for you and your dog.
To ensure that you leave your furry baby in good hands, we recommend you visit the facility together. There, ask and observe the personnel, the place’s hygiene, the dogs’ living conditions, their health and emergency policies, and the activities they provide.
That way, both you and your dog will get the required vacation.