Choosing the Right Boarding Kennel

Christmas is just around the corner! If your holiday plans involve leaving town, have you considered where your pup will be spending his time? The holidays are the busiest season for dog boarding kennels, and for many of the dogs, it can be their first experience away from their family. Boarding your dog can cause a great deal of unnecessary stress if handled incorrectly. However, by following a few simple guidelines, you can rest happily knowing your pup is enjoying his holiday just as much as you are.

                                  

If this is your first experience with a boarding kennel, now is the perfect time to start researching. There are several types of boarding kennels available:

• With traditional kennels, each dog, or dogs from the same family, are kept separate from each other. They are housed in kennels throughout their stay, and taken out regularly for exercise and attention. This is best suited for low energy dogs who enjoy lounging during the day.
• Luxury kennels, or ‘pet hotels’ are an option for those with a little extra cash to burn. Your pup can relax in the lap of luxury, while enjoying heated swimming pools, massages, and custom-made beds.
• Private kennels, which are often run out of the owner's home, generally have fewer dogs and more space, which can be a great choice for dogs that require specialized care.
• A daycare & boarding combination, such as PetU, is the best choice for social dogs who are active during the day. Dogs boarding with us won't spend their time longing for you to pick them up, they'll be too busy running and playing to notice you're gone! Another benefit is that if your dog regularly attends daycare here as well, they will have a built-in group of friends to play with during their stay.

Once you decide which route you would like to take, make sure to book early as space fills up quickly. 

If you plan on boarding with us at PetU, we have a few easy guidelines for you to follow:

1. If this will be your first time boarding with us, make sure to stop in with your pup and check out our facility. Appointments are not required, but it never hurts to call ahead. This gives you a chance to fill out the paperwork, and your dog can get acquainted with us and sniff around the facility.

2. We also recommend that you bring your dog in for at least 1 day of daycare before your scheduled boarding. This way, your dog will already be familiar with the staff and the daycare dogs, so that when you do drop him off for boarding he will be excited to be back. He’ll hardly even notice when you leave! (But he’ll be overjoyed to see you when you return, of course!)

We update our facebook page with pictures every day, so you’ll always know what your dog and his friends are up to. Then, when you pick him up, we’ll even send him home with a first day report card!

3. When you finally do come in for boarding, bring familiar items from home to put in their kennel.

A dog bed or old blanket, toys, and a dog bone can help to reduce stress levels for them. However, make sure that you won’t be overly upset if the items get chewed on or ripped up!

4. We also ask that you bring only enough food for your dog’s boarding stay, pre-packaged into bags or containers for each meal.

If you plan on boarding with a different kennel, make sure to check in with them for their personal requirements!