Let’s Talk About Boarding Your Dog
Today, more and more concerned pet owners are choosing to
board their dogs at boarding kennels. Kennel managers who belong to ABKA are
professional pet-care providers who make a public commitment to quality pet
care and who subscribe to the ABKA Code of Ethics and the Bill of Rights for
Pets in Boarding or Daycare Facilities. Their kennels often offer a variety of
pet care services such as daycare, pet sitting, special exercise programs, cat
boarding, grooming, retail sales, training, and pet shipping.
What are the advantages of boarding your dog?
The vast majority of dogs adapts well and enjoys their stay
at the kennel. For some dogs—puppies which have not had their immunizations,
extremely old dogs with chronic illnesses, very aggressive dogs, dogs that
require medication more than twice a day—you might consider boarding with your
veterinarian, asking your pet care provider if they offer in-home care, or
using an ABKA pet sitter. Keep in mind, however, that pet sitting in your home,
even when it is performed by a trained ABKA professional, does not offer the
same level of supervision that boarding does. Furthermore, when you are not at
home with your dog, his or her behavior might differ significantly from the
normal behavior. For instance your dog might try to “escape” to find you,
become destructive to your home, or become aggressive toward the pet sitter.
You should definitely consider boarding your dog rather than taking him or her on vacation with you. Many motels will not accept dogs, and those that do charge extra and become very upset if your dog annoys their other guests. Pets can become ill as a result of traveling because of the frequent changes in water. Many dogs suffer heat prostration while locked in the car when owners go sightseeing, eating or shopping. The national parks have an abundance of lost dogs that somehow got away from their owners and couldn’t be found before the family had to leave for home. Another serious risk is exposure to various parasites and diseases such as heartworm, ticks, hookworms, fleas, and mange.
Selecting a boarding facility
Stop by a boarding facility and visit with the owner. Get
acquainted with the people who will be caring for your dog. Ask questions; take
nothing for granted. Are toys or bedding welcome? How will your dog be
exercised? What will the facility feed my dog? Talk about safety features.
Discuss frankly any qualms you may have about boarding. They will appreciate
your frankness and interest.
The experienced staff members at an ABKA facility are trained to recognize the warning signs of potential health problems and will contact a veterinarian if they feel it is called for. Many times it is easier for the pet care provider to detect problems than it is for the owner of the dog. A good example is blood in the urine: A warning sign that deserves attention can more easily be detected in the boarding facility than at home because the dog is exercised in a specific area that is cleaned regularly. It is not, however, part of the pet care provider’s job to diagnose or to prescribe. If your dog does require veterinary care while being boarded, you should be aware that you—the pet’s owner—are financially responsible for such care. Discuss, before boarding, any medication or special care your dog might need. Many boarding facilities offer specialized play programs such as playschool and nature walks.
During boarding it is possible that dogs might step in their stools or urine and become dirty. This can happen in the cleanest of facilities. Also, some of the finest disinfectants available for sanitizing are not always the most pleasant smelling, and the odor may cling to your dog’s coat. Bathing or grooming may be a welcome solution. Advise the pet care provider if you want your dog to have a bath on the day he or she goes home. Make certain you understand the rate structure for all services and hours of operation. The fee for boarding includes the care of your pet, as well as the peace of mind that goes with knowing that he or she is safe and with someone you can trust. One standard of measuring the pet care provider’s interest in his profession is his membership in ABKA. You can be certain ABKA members are trying to keep current on the latest developments within the industry and that they truly care. Their membership certificates will be proudly displayed.
A working partnership
When you have selected your boarding facility, keep in mind
that successful boarding is the result of the partnership between you and the
manager, working together for the best interest of your dog. As a responsible
pet owner there are a few things you must attend to before bringing your dog in
to board. Make certain all immunizations are current. The manager will be happy
to discuss the immunization requirements with you. Your pet should be free of
internal and external parasites and not have been exposed to any contagious
diseases. Do not feed your dog for at least four hours prior to boarding to
minimize the possibility of stomach upset. Boarding is a great alternative, but
separation from the family or being in strange surroundings can produce stress
in your dog. And stress can result in lowered resistance to disease and
sometimes even temporary changes in behavior. Be sure to inform the boarding
facility of any special idiosyncrasies or medical problems your dog may have
(history of epilepsy or fear of thunder, etc.) that may assist in keeping your
dog healthy and happy.
Dogs should be prepared psychologically for boarding. It’s best, of course, to begin with a puppy as soon as the immunization program is complete. (Puppies usually learn very quickly to enjoy boarding.) Some boarding facilities offer daycare services enabling you to leave your dog for a few hours at a time. This is an excellent way to introduce your dog to boarding. After just a few visits your dog accepts a pet care facility as a normal way of life.
The psychological preparation of a dog for boarding—and also for helping to develop a healthy personality—includes getting your dog used to new people and experiences (socialization). This is probably most easily accomplished by taking him or her through obedience classes, spending a few days at a dog daycare, and occasionally boarding him or her. Naturally, a dog who is relaxed about boarding is more likely to board well. (A pet owner sometimes needs reminding that it is not beneficial to lament over the dog in the front office before leaving, nor should the suitcases come out the day before the trip—both of these things cause the dog to be unnecessarily upset.)
Understanding the kennel environment
It is important to understand the possible effects of stress
on a dog and to do everything possible to minimize stress both prior to and
immediately after boarding. Sometimes temporary behavior changes can occur as a
result of unfamiliar surroundings. While boarding, your best friend tears up
the bed that has been slept in for years. Or “Killer,” that rowdy scourge of
the neighborhood, turns into a little lamb. Eating habits change under stress,
and a dog assimilates food differently. Some will eat like canaries at home and
like vultures at a boarding facility. They may put on a few pounds. Others can
lose weight though eating well or lose weight by not eating enough. Life in a
boarding facility can be very exciting, and some dogs lose weight because they
run the weight off as they charge around barking at other dogs and having a
wonderful time. These dogs often leave the facility exhausted but happy, and
sleep a lot the first couple of days they are home. All of the preparation by
the pet owner merely points out that successful boarding depends not only upon
the pet care facility, but also upon how well the owner prepares the dog for
the experience.
Now that your best friend is home again
When your dog is picked up, he or she will be very excited
to see you. Do not feed your dog (though
he or she will act hungry after getting back to familiar turf) for at least
three hours, and then be very careful not to overfeed. Also, excitement might
cause your dog to pant a lot and become thirsty. Give a few ice cubes to hold
him or her over until feeding time. Again, in a happy, excited state, excessive
food and water consumption can create problems.
The vast majority of dogs view their stay at the boarding facility as a vacation. Relax and enjoy your trip.
To learn more about the ABKA and its programs, visit www.abka.com.
You should definitely consider boarding your dog rather than taking him or her on vacation with you. Many motels will not accept dogs, and those that do charge extra and become very upset if your dog annoys their other guests. Pets can become ill as a result of traveling because of the frequent changes in water. Many dogs suffer heat prostration while locked in the car when owners go sightseeing, eating or shopping. The national parks have an abundance of lost dogs that somehow got away from their owners and couldn’t be found before the family had to leave for home. Another serious risk is exposure to various parasites and diseases such as heartworm, ticks, hookworms, fleas, and mange.
The experienced staff members at an ABKA facility are trained to recognize the warning signs of potential health problems and will contact a veterinarian if they feel it is called for. Many times it is easier for the pet care provider to detect problems than it is for the owner of the dog. A good example is blood in the urine: A warning sign that deserves attention can more easily be detected in the boarding facility than at home because the dog is exercised in a specific area that is cleaned regularly. It is not, however, part of the pet care provider’s job to diagnose or to prescribe. If your dog does require veterinary care while being boarded, you should be aware that you—the pet’s owner—are financially responsible for such care. Discuss, before boarding, any medication or special care your dog might need. Many boarding facilities offer specialized play programs such as playschool and nature walks.
During boarding it is possible that dogs might step in their stools or urine and become dirty. This can happen in the cleanest of facilities. Also, some of the finest disinfectants available for sanitizing are not always the most pleasant smelling, and the odor may cling to your dog’s coat. Bathing or grooming may be a welcome solution. Advise the pet care provider if you want your dog to have a bath on the day he or she goes home. Make certain you understand the rate structure for all services and hours of operation. The fee for boarding includes the care of your pet, as well as the peace of mind that goes with knowing that he or she is safe and with someone you can trust. One standard of measuring the pet care provider’s interest in his profession is his membership in ABKA. You can be certain ABKA members are trying to keep current on the latest developments within the industry and that they truly care. Their membership certificates will be proudly displayed.
Dogs should be prepared psychologically for boarding. It’s best, of course, to begin with a puppy as soon as the immunization program is complete. (Puppies usually learn very quickly to enjoy boarding.) Some boarding facilities offer daycare services enabling you to leave your dog for a few hours at a time. This is an excellent way to introduce your dog to boarding. After just a few visits your dog accepts a pet care facility as a normal way of life.
The psychological preparation of a dog for boarding—and also for helping to develop a healthy personality—includes getting your dog used to new people and experiences (socialization). This is probably most easily accomplished by taking him or her through obedience classes, spending a few days at a dog daycare, and occasionally boarding him or her. Naturally, a dog who is relaxed about boarding is more likely to board well. (A pet owner sometimes needs reminding that it is not beneficial to lament over the dog in the front office before leaving, nor should the suitcases come out the day before the trip—both of these things cause the dog to be unnecessarily upset.)
The vast majority of dogs view their stay at the boarding facility as a vacation. Relax and enjoy your trip.
To learn more about the ABKA and its programs, visit www.abka.com.