Dear All

Just interested to know what the experts would expect - it would also be useful to here from those who own/work in kennels. I have used a couple in the last 6 months on a few occassions and am interested to know how you would assess them and what you would expect in terms of a daily routine and care.

Any opinions would be really appreciated, as next year my gurl needs to go for 2 x 8 days stays!

Best Wishes
Karen.

Hi Karen.
I manage a large boarding kennels. You say you have used a couple in the last 6 months, why? what was wrong with them? Not being nosey but if you are happy with one place then I would suggest you stick with them, its much better for the dogs. Anyhow this is what I would expect.
1. The kennels should be clean and not smell of urine.
2. The management should want to know everything about your dog, you shouldn't need to prompt them into asking, your dog is their priority.
3. The dogs should look content and have bedding and clean water available to them.
4. Look for secure exercise facilities, and ask how they are exercised, i.e on their own or with other dogs.
5. Look for the lisence, it should be displayed.
6. Ask if the price includes insurance.
7. Tell them YOU want to take the dog to its kennel, if they say no, why?
8. Do they charge extra for giving medication?
9. Will they feed a specific diet?
10. Are the kennels heated in cold weather?
11. Make sure you are shown EVERYTHING, inside, outside, exercise areas, everything, kennels should also have an isolation block too.
12. Do they ask for vaccination certificates?

All in all you will know if a property is run properly because of the dogs that are there, if they seem happy and content, I would say that is a good indication of things being done properly. Day to day running will vary from kennel to kennel, the owners of each should tell you their routine.
Hope this helps a little.
Dawn.

Hi Dawn

Many thanks for your reply - sorry I am so late in getting back! The reason I have used two, is that one of them gets v. busy, particularly in school holiday periods. Now I am in a situation where I feel that I should choose one and stick with it and make my bookings as far in advance as possible. Both meet all standard requirements as in they check vaccinations certs., they are reasonably clean, they are licensed etc.

The difference is that one has small indoor kennels with a flap going to a small private outside run for each dog, which i think is nice, particularly when it comes to going to the loo :). The other seems v. popular (and is the one that is booked up) - they dont have outside runs, but they do seem to have a few walks and have in the past spotted something with Poppy (the start of an eye infections) which again I really appreciated.

What I dont know is how many walks a day a dog usually has (or should have) in a kennel. If there is no outside run are the expected to toilet in the run?? What should happen in the evening after last meal? As you say I need to check these questions out with them both, but would appreciate some guidance with regards to what I should expect.

The other point about how the dogs appear - often very noisy with a great deal of barking, but I understand that's usual when strangers walk into their kennel area. In both places, they looked fine and healthy.

Any other pointers for me would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Karen.

Hi Karen.
If a dog needs to go to the loo, they will. Some do hold it in and do not seem bothered by it, but by-enlarge if ya gotta go, ya gotta go!

We have two blocks, one with ouside runs and one without. The dogs do just as well in both blocks, but some dogs do better if they can get outside and some do better if they can't. Horses for courses really. I suppose all places are different, you need to make a choice on what you see and feel.

We always have a radio on in the kennels all day untill last thing, that tends to keep things ticking over and is something for the dogs to hear. Our dogs have regular checks throughout the late evening etc... and last thing is when we give out pills etc...
Dawn.