The Pros and Cons of Boarding Your Dog in a Kennel

Many people love to travel with their pets, but sometimes your vacation destination is a place where pets are not welcome, like your allergic sister's home. You may need to be out of town on business a few days, with no one at home to care for your dog. You are faced with the choice of leaving Fido in the care of a trusted friend or neighbor, or boarding him at a kennel. Before choosing to board your pet, consider some of the pros and cons involved in your decision.

The Advantages of Boarding Your Pet at a Kennel
Dogs who are not used to long trips in a vehicle may be stressed by the experience. They may become carsick or anxious, and make the trip difficult. Pets who are not experienced travelers may appreciate being left in a kennel where they receive supervision and attention.

Dogs with health problems, or older dogs, may find the ride too physically taxing. When left with a reputable boarding kennel, your dog's health can be monitored by the staff. The staff is not trained to diagnose illness or prescribe medications, but may call a veterinarian if they think one is needed.

Reputable boarding kennels are designed to keep escape artists secure. If your pet gets away from you on a long trip, it can delay your journey. Even if your dog is wearing tags he may become injured or lost in a strange area. By leaving your dog in a reputable boarding kennel, you are ensuring his safety.

The Disadvantages of Boarding Your Dog at a Kennel
Dogs who spend most of their time in their own home may become anxious when they are in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people, scents, and sounds. A change in daily routine may cause undue stress to a nervous dog. He may refuse to eat or play while he is boarded.

A boarding kennel may expose your pet to microorganisms that cause health problems. Kennel cough is so named because it is easily transferred from one animal to another in close quarters. A stressed dog will have a lowered immune response, making him even more susceptible to viruses and other illnesses. Make sure your dog's immunizations are current before leaving him in a boarding kennel.

Dogs can carry disease microorganisms in their own bodies, which have no effect on them until they become stressed. Your dog may become ill, not from exposure to other diseased dogs but from his own depressed immune system, if he becomes unduly stressed by his stay at the kennel.

Choose a Accredited Boarding Kennel
Ask a friend, your veterinarian or dog trainer, or local animal shelter staff to recommend a reputable kennel. Pay a visit to the kennel personally before leaving your dog in their care. Make an appointment rather than just dropping in, so the staff has time to answer any questions you may have.

Ask if the kennel you are visiting is accredited by the American Boarding Kennel Association (ABKA), a non-profit corporation that is dedicated to improving conditions in the boarding kennel industry. Boarding kennel facilities who are members of the ABKA are required to uphold strict standards of care and maintenance, and may participate in a voluntary accreditation program. Membership requires that the boarding kennel staff is professionally trained and certified and upholds the ABKA Code of Ethical Conduct. There are certainly many reputable kennels without this accreditation, but knowing the facility has taken this extra step toward upholding certain standards will ease your mind while your dog is in their care.

What To Look For When Choosing A Kennel
Ask to see the kennel area where the dogs are kept. Are the kennels clean and well-maintained? Your first impression should be of cleanliness, daylight, space, and an inviting atmosphere.

Each individual kennel space should be roomy enough for your dog to move around and comfortably stretch out, at least 5 to 6 feet wide, with an attached exercise area. The dog should have free access to his exercise area, except in extremely hot or cold weather.

Look at the other dogs who are boarded while you visit. Do they look relaxed and content? There may some initial barking when you walk in, but it should quiet down quickly in a well-run kennel facility.

Most importantly, do staff members obviously love dogs, and love caring for them? Do the other pet residents greet the staff eagerly, and is the staff friendly and polite? Are there enough staff members to give all the dogs adequate care and individual attention?

Reducing Stress on Your Boarded Dog
Even a stay in a reputable, well-maintained kennel is going to cause some stress on your dog. He is out of his usual environment, separated from his loved ones, and surrounded by new sights, smells, and sounds. Some of this stress can't be avoided, but there are things you can do to help make your dog's stay more enjoyable.

Allow plenty of time to drop your pet off on the appointed day. If you are rushed, your dog will pick up on your own anxiety, and think this boarding experience is a bad thing. Leave your pet with a calm, happy attitude of your own to reassure him everything is all right. Don't console him or apologize for leaving him!

Bring comforting objects with familiar scents from home, if the kennel allows it. His usual bedding, toys, chews, and snacks will help him relax and settle in for his visit. An activity ball that can be filled with treats will give your dog something to do and alleviate the boredom of being confined.

Give the boarding kennel staff a list of your dog's medications, vaccination records, and any health problems. Be aware that if your dog requires veterinary care while you are away, the financial responsibility for that care belongs to you.

Let the staff know if your dog has particular fears about thunder or loud noises, or other idiosyncracies they may need to deal with. If your dog is wary of being handled by strangers or becomes anxious around other dogs, make the kennel staff aware of it. They should be sensitive to your dog's concerns, and try to reduce the known stressors while your dog is in their care.

Your dog may have never stayed in a kennel, and you need to be gone for more than a few days. Consider leaving him at the kennel briefly, once or twice a few days before your trip, to accustom him to being boarded and cared for by strangers. This will make a longer stay less stressful for your dog. It doesn't hurt to get new puppies used to the occasional kennel stay, so they are already accustomed to the experience and may actually come to enjoy their vacation from home!

Your Dog May Have Behavior Changes In a Kennel
Some dogs will react to the stress of being boarded by temporary changes in their behavior. This is normal and to be expected. Your usually docile Foofoo may become rowdy and noisy, or Killer may become meek as a lamb. Eating habits may change, and your dog may lose or gain a few pounds while he is being boarded. Just like their owners, all dogs react to stress differently. They'll revert to their usual behavior once they're home again.

Now That You're Home...
Your dog is going to be so excited to see you! Dogs have no concept of time, and are as happy to see you after you're gone five minutes as they are if you've been gone for days. In his excited state, gorging on food and water can cause stomach upset. Once you get your dog home, don't feed him for a few hours until he has calmed down. He'll probably be thirsty from all the homecoming excitement, so give him only ice cubes until his feeding time.

Choose carefully before leaving your treasured family pet in the care of a boarding kennel. There are many poor ones out there that only stay in business because some owners don't want to spend any more than necessary. These dog owners often wind up with a sick, stressed-out dog. A reputable boarding kennel will see to the emotional well-being of your dog as well as his physical care. Successful kennel boarding depends not only upon the attitude and care of the kennel staff, or the excellence of the facility, but how well you prepare your dog for his adventure.