If you have a dog with questionable behavior you may have a difficult time finding a place for him to stay. Normally dog’s can’t aggressive and overly protective (i.e. sharing). Like I mentioned, just like the child care center, if your child is aggressive and can’t share chances are you will be getting a call. Many times you will be required to state and sign a waiver that your dog isn’t aggressive. Chances are about 100% that an aggressive dog will be flushed out before you have time to stick the key in the ignition and put it in gear.

Speaking of waivers, most places will want you sign over a medical power of attorney in case something happens to your dog while you are away and potentially unreachable. Don’t let this worry you; it’s really a formality that protects the kennel as well as your pooch.

Many people think of their dog as their child, here’s just another way that the similarities are actually much closer than you realize. Normally, dog owners must provide written authorization if anyone else is to pick up your dog, tell them to bring identification because all good kennels will ask for some sort of identification that they are who they say they are. For day kennels you should expect to pick up your dog at a specific time you determine, it’s not fair to staff unless you call in advance to let them know you will be late.

For feeding purposes you will need to bring your own dog food, dogs that are fed off of their regular food may encounter diarrhea. If your dog is on medication make sure the staff clearly understands the dosage as well as any potential allergies.

Last, most kennels will require your dog to be spayed or neutered after a certain age. After all, they aren’t running a brothel or breeding kennel! Not to mention, you don’t want to come back from your vacation only to find that Mrs. Fido is expecting.

Preparation for your stay will be needed, take the time to tour the kennel, interview the staff and understand what is expected of you and your dog. It will make the experience much more complete.

If you use a home dog kennel most likely your dog will be spending a lot of time in it, so try and make it as comfortable as possible for them. Even if your dog isn’t a pet and more of a hunting dog as an example, they still deserve the best in creature comforts.

Make sure you keep the kennel clean from dog droppings, urination or other obstructions that can cause the dog to be less than comfortable. Also, consider a roof or tarp to keep the wind, rain or sun off of your dog.
If you build a permanent dog kennel and have a cement floor consider doing something that provides more comfort, such as a kennel deck. A kennel deck provides a certain level of comfort and keeps the surrounding much more sanitary. Many are made from a plastic resin and are made to easily drain and provide air circulation. Some even are absorbent, reduce odors and can resist bacteria, mold and mildew.

Make sure the dog has a place to lie down that isn’t directly on the floor, unless of course Fido chooses it! Dog bedding is essential for your pet, don’t pass on this thinking it’s only a dog, it really does make a difference in their overall happiness and mood.

Just remember to keep your dog happy, a kennel isn’t meant to be a babysitter so use it wisely!

It’s important to understand some of the signs that your dog may be under too much stress, here are some key area and signs to consider.

Vocalizing: Excessive whining and barking, you know your dog best and can gauge whether it’s above and beyond normal.

Body Posture: Odd tail wagging, tense, stiff or excessive scratching, body becomes lethargic and appears tired or the hair rising on the back of the neck.

Eyes: blinking, squinting, dilated, glazed or red pigments in the eyes. This is an area that may be hard to notice, so keep a lookout during potentially stressful situations.

Mouth: unusual panting, yawning, drooling or licking of the lips and nose. Again, you are looking for things out of the ordinary.

Other areas: Sniffing, digging, seeking unusual levels of attention, uncertainty and general sitting around.

These are by no means the only signs of canine stress, so what you really need to do is consider your dogs’ personality and what may cause various levels of stress. Also, remember that dogs handle stress differently; some lash out while others become closed off. Remember, dogs can exhibit the same symptoms and outcome as humans when showing and experiencing stress.

Situational stress a dog can experience at a dog kennel can be noticed quickly. Watch your dogs initial reactions, does Fido become aggressive or reserved or does he jump in and enjoy the surroundings?
Choose your dog kennel carefully, make sure it matches your dogs personality. Try choosing a place that gives him ample one on one time with humans, activities to stimulate him and the opportunity to engage with other dogs at a pace and time that helps him to adapt. If possible allow him to take things that will be familiar with him so he can have a touch of home while he is away.

Just remember that just as you feel stress and reactive differently to it than other humans so does your dog. Pay close enough attention to it to keep your dog both physically and emotionally healthy.

Finally, one way to reduce your own stress in these situations is to have a good laugh, and that is why I often look at Cute Puppy Pictures for personal stress relief.

There are obvious solutions, such as dropping Fido off at a friend’s place or paying the neighbor kid to feed and water him for the week. However we all know how life intervenes in ways we don’t expect, so the care of your dog might not come as readily as they need it to be. Yet one great option is often overlooked; and that’s a boarding kennel.

Why have your dog stay back home with no one to play with or to show them affection? By taking your canine to a boarding kennel they’ll be placed in an environment where they’ll be looked after constantly and will be given the opportunity to exercise and avoid loneliness.

Many dog owners fear stress will overcome their four-legged friend in the strange new environment, and that they’ll long for the familiar scents and the known layout of your home. However boarding kennels are often focused of reducing the stress of change your pet would face. Some offer one-on-one time with care takers who help them play outdoors to get your special friend the attention and exercise they need.

And often enough, boarding kennels allow owners to leave their canines with toys, blankets, and other household items to help keep their doggie happy and calm in an unfamiliar environment. The best thing to do about this is ask the staff whether leaving your pooch with its personal items is allowed, and often you’ll find them to be more than accepting of the idea.

You might not even be aware of it, but there are many kennels right around your very city, and you’ll find many of them quite appealing, as will your furry friend. Kennels are a reliable place to let your friend stay while you’re away, as thousands use these services yearly within the United States. Next time you and your family make the decision to take a vacation far away, consider a boarding kennel, you’ll soon find that you and your friend will enjoy the surety of one of your local boarding kennels.

For starters, you’ll want to consider the time of year you’re taking the trip, as most kennels are packed during the summer and holiday seasons. If you are taking your vacation then, you’ll want to consider the size of the kennel and how many dogs they take in at a time. You’ll definitely want to be sure you can get your canine comrade in a shelter that isn’t over run by hundreds of dogs. Be certain that your pet will be looked after with the utmost care while you’re away.

Ask about the regiment your dog will be a part of. Know how their feeding schedule runs, how often your friend will be able to get out and run around, and how well staffed they are at all times, especially at night. You’ll want to be sure that if there’s an accident, that there will be a veterinarian on call, ready to help divert a crisis.

Be certain you’re not paying for a flashy setting, (simply because your pooch could care less what color wall paper is hung, so long as they’ve a nice bed and a few familiar toys beside them.) Check to be sure you’re not paying for extras your friend won’t need. Often time’s kennels will charge an additional fee depending on a setting and location.

If you’re uncertain, then take a tour! (You most likely won’t be able to schedule one; you’ll have to make due with noted observations.) Check to make sure of a few key things, such as the outdoor area for the canines to exercise in, you’ll want to be certain it’s not a fenced off part of their parking lot, but something softer, often grass or some type of field. Make sure it’s well kept and that there aren’t droppings everywhere.

Inside the kennel, make sure it doesn’t reek, if it does, then it puts the sanitary state of the establishment into question. Make sure the floors in the building are not something cold, like cement again. When you speak to the staff, use your judgment to ensure you know they know what they’re talking about, and that they truly care about your furry friend.

Your dog’s well being should be their number one priority, and it’s your job to make sure that’s the case. When you go to drop your pet off, be sure you know that’s the boarding kennel that’s perfect for them.