Tips to prepare your pet for dog boarding kennels

Some individuals are unable to face the prospects of dog boarding kennels and consequently, they stay home instead of going on holiday. Others either impose on their friends or hire a pet sitter to come into their homes. But in the end, a vast number of people do choose a dog boarding kennel.

Before committing your pet to a specific dog boarding kennel, you should visit the facility for a personal inspection. Does it seem to be clean, does it smell clean, is it sufficiently lit and ventilated? How is the temperature? Are the cages and runs of satisfactory size? A phone call to the American Dog Boarding Kennels Association (719-667-1600) will determine if the kennel under consideration meets accepted standards and is accredited.

After you've made your final selection, it's time to prepare your dog for its visit. First and foremost, make certain your dog's vaccinations are up to date. A dog boarding kennel will reject your dog if his rabies vaccination isn't current. Furthermore, even though you've selected a sparklingly clean boarding kennel, your dog is subject to any number of communicable illnesses always present in a boarding population. A current shot record is good insurance against some of these diseases.

If at all feasible, you should contemplate stopping by the kennel with your pet for a brief visit. He can meet the staff and become somewhat familiar with the surroundings. An overnight stay will do wonders to prepare the dog for his longer visit.

Always provide as much information as possible to the staff. Obviously they will need to know about any medications they'll have to oversee, food allergies, whether or not the dog socializes well with other animals and what, if any, specific fears or phobias he might have. If you happen to be boarding more than one dog, you might want to request that they be housed in the same pen or allowed to exercise at the same time in the same run.

If your dog requires a special diet, the dog boarding kennel may request that you provide them with a supply of his food. This will generally depend on the extent of the dog's special requirements and will be settled in advance of the dog's visit. Make sure the boarding kennel has the name and phone number of your veterinarian and a phone number where they can reach you in case of an emergency.

Most dogs will benefit from bringing familiar items with them. A special toy, their blanket, or even one of your slippers will comfort them and stave off feelings of being deserted. By all means, don't wash the item; familiar smells are half the battle, so don't destroy them.

When packing and preparing for your trip, try to go about it as calmly and casually as possible. Frenzied packing and rushing about will alert your dog that something is amiss and by the time you're ready to deliver him to the dog boarding kennel, he'll already be under stress. Gather his kennel items and have them in the car prior to loading your dog.

When dropping him off at the dog boarding kennel, try to stay as dispassionate and as calm as possible. Don't be overly affectionate or do anything that might cause your dog to attach too much significance to his circumstances. The objective is to minimize, rather than exaggerate. Keep it low key - no long goodbyes, no tears and no emotion. After handing your dog's lead to a boarding kennel staffer, allow the staffer to distract the dog and quietly slip out.

If you're a frequent traveler, your dog will get used to being boarded and in most cases will look forward to the experience, especially if he gets an opportunity to mix with other dogs at the boarding kennel. He'll get to know the staff and look forward to seeing them.

Once both dog and owner get used to the idea of a dog boarding kennel and become entirely at ease with the experience, being separated will become much less stressful. While away, the owner will be at peace, assured that his faithful friend is safe and being well cared for. And, Rover will be able to lay back and enjoy his vacation as well.