As a valued member of your family, your precious canine deserves to be treated with the utmost respect and care when you’re away. However, with the hundreds of dog kennels out there, it can often be overwhelming and stressful to have to choose one.
Lara, certified dog trainer and owner of Lara’s Canine Solutions, a well-known New Braunfels dog kennel, shares insight on how to pick the best dog kennel for your furry friend.
Do Your Research
Before making any calls or reservations, allow yourself enough time to conduct research about the various dog kennels in your area. A wealth of information is now available to us via the internet, so why not use it?
First step is to pick several of the highly recommended or most well-known dog kennels in your area. Visit their websites and look for licenses, certifications, etc. If you notice they don’t overtly advertise any licenses or certifications, but are still considering them as an option, take note of this. This will help you remember to ask them about it later should you choose to let the kennel move forward in your elimination process.
Once you feel you’ve done a thorough background check, read their ratings and testimonials. Several sites such as Yelp, Angie’s List, and Google Reviews give honest opinions rather than just happy, glowing reviews. It is important to note the average experience most owners had with the kennel in order to determine how your service will be.
Eliminate any dog kennels with testimonials claiming animal cruelty or neglect. Being away from your family is hard enough on your dog; he/she shouldn’t have to endure anymore stressors or unbearable boarding conditions. Remember, no matter how nice their website appears or facility pictures look, reviews don’t lie.
What Services and Qualities Matter Most To You?
Once you’ve narrowed down your list to the most suitable candidates, list their individual services and qualities and pick which ones matter most to you and will make your dog feel the most comfortable.
Lara, owner of well-known New Braunfels dog kennel, Lara’s Canine Solutions, suggests writing your own list of “must-have” services and qualities first. Some popular questions that can help decide your must-haves include: how many hours of play per day does a dog being boarded receive? Are the dogs boarded closely together or in separate rooms? Who will be administering care to my pet? Can my dog receive medication while boarded?
When you feel your must-have list is complete, compare it to other lists you made describing each kennels particular services and qualities. If a kennel doesn’t have at least 4 or 5 of your must-haves, eliminate them.
Don’t Be Afraid To Ask Questions
Now that you’ve narrowed your list of dog kennels down to a more manageable number, it’s time to start making calls and asking questions. As mentioned before, if a kennel does not include any licenses or certifications on their website, don’t be afraid to ask. Chances are, if they did not list any licenses or certifications, they don’t have any and therefore could be a risky choice.
If you feel a phone call just won’t suffice, go out and inspect the kennel yourself. Usually, a trained staff member or the owner would be glad to give you a tour of the facility and answer all of your questions in detail.
No matter which dog kennel you choose, what’s most important is the happiness, safety, and wellness of your pet. By following these steps and conducting proper research, you can ensure your pet has a comfortable stay while you’re away. 