7 Questions To Ask When Boarding A Dog

You’re leaving town for a couple of days and can’t bring your dog along for the trip. If you don’t have trusted friends or family to leave her with, you’re best choice may be to leave put your pup in boarding. This can be a stressful situation for both you and your dog. That’s why we’ve prepared a list of questions to ask yourself and the facility before boarding a dog.

1. Have you taken a tour of the facilities? Before boarding a dog anywhere, you must tour the facilities. If they won’t let you, take that as a sign that you should get out of there as soon as you can! Make sure that the kennels are clean and spacious. You wouldn’t want your dog left in a cramped space. Always go with your gut – if you get a bad feeling about a dog boarder, don’t leave your dog there.
2. How many dogs are boarded there at one time? The dog kennel should have a limit on the number of canines it can house. Does each dog have its own unit or will it there be two or more dogs in a kennel? If so, ask why – sometimes multi-dog families are kept together, but that should only account for a handful of the accommodations.
3. Is there a play area? And don’t just ask this question – make sure you get to see it and that dogs are actually using this area to play. Some kennels charge extra to let your dog out to play or have time-restricted sessions. Insist that when boarding a dog, your pup gets enough time to burn off excess energy, do its business and socialize with other dogs.
4. How many staff members are on duty? A good rule of paw is that the dog boarding facilities should have one staff member for every 10 dogs. That way, your dog gets the attention it needs, especially if there is a problem or emergency.
5. What happens if there is an emergency? Knock on wood that it doesn’t happen, but your dog could get sick while you’re away. Ask is there is a vet on staff or on call. Make sure they will contact you before taking any drastic measures or making any serious decisions. If possible, see if your dog can be transported to her own vet if she becomes sick.
6. What are the costs for everything involved? If you’re boarding a dog, you need to have all the costs involved broken down. There may be a flat fee or charges added for special services. You don’t want any hidden charges added to your bill when you come back to collect you pooch.
7. What will my dog eat? Since boarding a dog can be a stressful situation, you want to stick to an established routine as closely as possible. And providing your dog’s preferred food and treats is a good way to limit the stress on her body. Leave instructions as to what your dog can and can’t eat, as well as a feeding schedule.

Do you have to board your dog? Do you have any tips to share with the community? Please share them in the comments section below.