Choosing a boarding kennel?

GinaB

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My sister is getting married in July and I have a room booked in the hotel for that evening. Originally, I was going to come home after the wedding to look after Beastie and sisters Boggoly dog. Sis then decided she really wanted me to stay that night and so me and my OH booked a room and it was agreed OHs sister would look after Beasie and Boggoly dog would go into kennels (she is a very easy dog to work with, loves everyone etc)

However, now me and OH have split up I can no longer ask his sister to look after Beastie but my room is booked and paid for and sister really wants me to stay. So it has been decided that Beastie and Bog dog should go into kennels together. Don't most do 'family' kennels so they can be kept together? I think that would help calm my Beastie.

I must say, I am worried sick about putting her in but it's only one night. She will forgive me, right?

So what I'm really trying to say is, how do you all decide on which kennels to use? And what should I be looking out for? I assume they will have staff who are experienced in dealing with more difficult dogs?
 
Try and get a personal recommendation, and speak to a few on the phone, and go and visit them too:)

Alternatively look for a homeboarding service, a good one will only have your dogs in at a time. A bit more expensive, but if it's only for one night...
 
I am truly worried sick. Beastie is really rather special. In the nearly 9 years I have owned her the only time she has stayed away from home has been when we've been away in the caravan and she was with us.
 
Will PM you, mine go to a super place, they always come back looking fab and their runs are right next to each other. Place is immaculate, huge exercise run, heated and they are kept on clean sawdust.

Might be a bit of a hike for you but I can't recommend it enough.
 
Place is immaculate, huge exercise run, heated and they are kept on clean sawdust.
Sawdust!
This is not allowed under the terms of the licence and if the kennels are properly constructed there should be no need for any absorbant litter. Sawdust has it's own hazards.

Good kennels have smooth floors and use washable bedding or disposable tissue beds. Heating too is part of the licence conditions.

Just think of the money I could have saved by not putting down ceramic tiles.

To the OP - your dogs will need to be up to date on vaccinations and you need to check with the kennels as requirements differ regarding timing.
Most kennels can accomodate two dogs from one household sharing, I have one kennel that can take three large dogs with provision to seperate them for feeding if needed.
To be honest though many kennels will not take new dogs for a one night, Saturday, stay once the school holidays start.
 
Sorry, sawdust as in wood shavings? Really, why is that? Is is hazardous for horses, also?
Perhaps the regulations are different where I am, the kennels are constructed very well and I would not leave my own dogs there if I was not happy and they are changed daily.

I know a lot of people who keep their dogs on shavings, should I tell the Breed Warden he is doing something wrong??
 
A lot of people still use shavings for their OWN dogs but boarding is another issue.

Sawdust can cause irritation, eye ulcers and is considered a disease harbour.
Boarding kennels have to be designed to be easily cleaned and disinfected and for this reason the surfaces have to be non porous and kept clear.

Personally having helped nurse a shih tzu who lost one eye and nearly lost both having had sawdust in her face I wouldn't use any for my own dogs.
 
The sawdust/shavings are normally kept at the back of the run and are skipped out every day. That's interesting, I will see the proprietor at the weekend and run that past him.

BW has been using it for decades and has himself sustained an infection but none of his dogs have :p
 
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