How to Board a Dog

Look for a boarding kennel well in advance of your trip. Don't try to do it just a few days beforehand and expect good results. Talk to friends. Call around. Comparison shop. Prices and quality can vary greatly from one kennel to the next. Ask your vet and his staffers which kennel they recommend.

Visit the kennel. Ask who owns the place. Is the owner also the operator? Is she a licensed dog breeder or handler? What's her background? Merely owning a place in the country and a couple of 50-lb. sacks of dog food is not good enough.Does the owner live on the premises or next to it? What are the staffers like? Do they seem smart and alert? Are they paying attention? Do they clearly love dogs? Who stays with the dogs after hours--a dedicated, well-trained dog professional or a slack-jawed, resentful teenager making minimum wage? Is someone readily available around the clock, on the phone, in case you need to contact them while your dog is at the facility? Do the people at this facility seem to appreciate your interest and your questions, or do they give the impression you're imposing upon them?

Inspect the facilities. What are the dog runs like? Are the floors concrete, wire, wood or dirt? Does the concrete go up at least 2' or 3' high between the runs? Do you see urine or feces? Do you smell it in an overpowering way? How is waste removed from the run and how often? Where does the waste go? Is it just hosed off to one side?Is the water clean and abundant? Are the water and food bowls clean and free of urine, feces and other foreign matter? Do the bowls have green scum inside them?What are the dog shelters like? Plastic or fiberglass are much more hygienic than wood. Is there bedding and if so is it clean? Is there ample shelter and shade in the outdoor portions of the runs against sun and rain? Will the dog have a climate-controlled environment? This is especially important if yours is by nature and custom a "house dog" and you live in a part of the country where temperatures are extreme. No dog at a kennel should be kept outdoors for more than a few hours, and then only in the context of playing, walking and exercising. The majority of a dog's time at a kennel should be spent indoors.Is there adequate and secure fencing separating the dogs? Are the fences high enough to prevent escape? Are the fences set in concrete so the dogs can't dig out? Can a smart dog open the gate? Can a dog hurt himself inside the run?Are docile dogs safe from aggressive neighbors? Are docile dogs segregated from aggressive ones? Is there a high, secure fence, impossible to dig under, climb through, or jump over around the entire property in case a dog gets loose? Are there potential dangers on the property for loose dogs? Are there busy streets or highways beyond the property? If aggressive dogs get loose, are they close to schools, playgrounds, or other places where they might attack children or others, get hurt, or incur property damage? How have problems like this been handled in the past at this facility?

Ask about the routine at the kennel. Can the dog play around in his run as much as he wants? Can he have toys--even his own toys from home? How often are the dogs fed, petted, played with and exercised? If the answer is less than twice a day, go someplace else. Boarded dogs should not be made to feel like prisoners.What's the food like? Is there a variety available? Will the staff feed your dog the food he prefers? If a dog doesn't like one kind of food, will the staffers try something else?What is typically done if a dog is having behavior problems, if he's lonely or scared, barking incessantly, refusing to eat, acting aggressive?Do the dogs you see at the facility seem happy? Are they having a good time? Do they seem bored, lethargic, sick, or unhappy?

Inquire about the application process. The kennel should ask for more than just shot records. Is your dog's behavior studied? Is his medical history explored in depth? Is the staff interested in your dog's habits, tastes and temperament? What procedures are undertaken when a dog arrives at this kennel? Is he dipped, sprayed, bathed?

Look into how medical issues are dealt with. The owner/manager of the kennel should be the only one administering medications, and should keep a record of everything he does. This is for purposes of legal liability, if nothing else. Ask what course of action is taken if your dog has medical problems. Will the kennel manager call your vet, arrange a house call, or take your dog to your vet, the kennel's attending vet, or whatever vet is closest? What can your vet tell you about these colleagues? Is the kennel manager clear about how far you'll go to save your pet in case of an emergency and how much you're willing to spend? Are you clear about how far she'll go to save your dog? What contingency plans does the owner/manager have in case of an outbreak of such illnesses as kennel cough, or in the event of a natural disaster? Is the kennel insured?