Choosing a Kennel for Your Dog
By Rochelle Caviness
A kennel should provide a safe, secure and healthy environment for your dog. Other than that, the type of kennel that will be right for you, will be one that meets your personal preferences and the size of your wallet.
Kennels can run the gamut from basic cement floored cages, too luxurious, carpeted suites with piped in music. Consider your dog's temperament and the conditions it is use to living in when making your choice.
What makes a kennel good?
The kennel should have someone on staff 24 hours a day.
The actual kennels should be large enough for your dog to be comfortable. They should also be heated in the winter and cooled on very hot days. The kennel should also provide access to an outside run that is covered to protect your dog from the elements.
If your dog will be in the kennel for more than a day or two, you may want to make sure that there is an exercise yard or if there is someone who can take him for a daily walk. The small runs available in most kennels may be suitable for a small lap dog, but if your dog is active or large, he will be happier if he gets a brief 'leg-stretching' every day.
Security is always an important concern. There should be at least two barriers or fences surrounding the kennel, in order to minimize possible escapes.
The kennel should have a vet on-call, in case of emergencies.
Special Needs
An 'ethical' kennel will try to meet the special needs of your dog. Be sure you let the staff know what, if any, those needs are.
Most kennels, however, may not allow bedding or toys from home, due to problems of soiling and misplacement.
The kennel should provided mats for older dogs.
If your dog needs to be given medications, make sure that the kennel is willing and able to provide this service.
If you have two dogs that like to be together, ask if they can be housed together.
If your dog is on a special diet, the kennel should be willing to serve it - especially if you provide the food.
What you should look for when inspecting a potential kennel…
Don't simply pick a kennel from the phone book and then drop your dog off the day you leave on vacation. Take the time to visit the establishment and talk to the people who will be caring for your dog.
Is the kennel licensed?
Ask to be given a list of previous customers that you can talk to about their experiences with the kennel.
Does the kennel require that your dog be vaccinated? If not, don't send your dog there or he might pick up an unwanted illness from the other dogs. Also, make sure that one of the vaccines required is the one for kennel cough. Kennel cough is a serious and sometime fatal respiratory infection that is easily spread in confined spaces, such as in a kennel.
Are the cages relatively clean and well lit with plenty of ventilation?
Ask about their flea and worm prevention programs.
How do they handle the dogs? Will they be petted, and talked to? If your dog suffers from separation anxiety or simply needs lots of attention, make sure that the kennel in question can provide it.
Is the kennel, on a whole clean and tidy?
Does the air smell clean, or is there a stench?
Are the food bowls filled with old, dried upped food?
Do the dogs all have clean water?
What type of training has the staff had?
Visitation Policy
If you are boarding your dog of an extended period, and will occasionally be in the area, will you be allowed to come in and visit with your dog? If not, you should really ask yourself, "Why won't they let me see him?" If they don't have a valid answer, look elsewhere.
Dog Vacations
If you have the means and the desire to really spoil your dog, you can send your canine friend off to a doggie resort. These may provide everything from individual attention, to a real bed or sofa to sleep on, daily or weekly grooming sessions, one-on-one training with an obedience instructor, and special diets for those that need to lose a few extra pounds!
