Due diligence is so important in choosing care for your dog because there are so many different styles of boarding care. The research can feel overwhelming, but it’s necessary to find the best fit for your pup. The good news is that if you take the time to research your options, you can provide your dog with an enriching experience that leaves them happily tired out, more obedient, and better socialized!
When it comes to searching for boarding options your pup, you’re likely to come across many traditional facilities. Traditional boarding facilities can be great because commercial permitting and zoning laws requires these companies to follow a specific code when handling your furry friend. This is something that gives you peace of mind when dropping fido off.
Another common style of boarding that you may find is contracting sites like Rover, Wag, etc. to have an individual look after your dog. Pet care websites can be great because of the personalization and attention your dog may receive — like bonus walks or playtime in the park — but it’s important to interview the caregiver to get an understanding of where your dog will spend time. In some cases, your dog may be housed with multiple pets, and you want to be sure the caregiver is properly trained in managing conflict.
Overall, it is so crucial to look around for the right place for YOUR dog. You should always look for a boarding option based on your dog’s temperament, energy level, and personality. Every dog is different!
3 things to look for in any dog boarding option to ensure your pet will get the best care:
1
How many dogs do they take?
You never want your dog to feel overwhelmed in any scenario. A problem with large commercial boarding facilities is that they may squeeze 100+ dogs into a play area during the day that is not made for those kinds of numbers. As a result, it is easy for dogs to become overwhelmed, anxious, and overstimulated when they have nowhere to separate from the others. Be sure to ask the facility about the max number of dogs they take, so that you can know what kind of situation your dog will be in daily.
2
Who is taking care of the dogs during the day / night?
With both commercial dog boarding facilities and individual care, you may come across people with no training experience, and often times there are no requirements in order to become a yard attendant. For this reason, it is always wise to talk to the different facilities and people about who will be taking care of the dogs. Handling dogs is not an easy task, so it is important to make sure the people who are in charge of managing conflict, socializing dogs, and spending time with them are experienced and well-equipped.
3
What is the daily schedule?
Always ask what a normal day looks like when researching dog boarding options! This will give you a great idea of how much exercise, stimulation, and affection your dog will be getting during its stay. It is important to find a facility or person that has appropriately scheduled time for playtime, feeding, training, and more! This will also help you get the best value for your dollar, as you will be able to find out available add-ons they offer (one-on-one training to learn some slick moves, why not?).
3 Warning signs to tell if you’ve found a bad dog boarding option:
1
They don’t let you tour the facility or show you the living conditions
If they do not want to give you a tour of the facility or show you their home, then they probably are hiding something. It is important to do a walkthrough of any indoor and outdoor areas, to ensure your dog will be safe when staying. Moreover, this will give you an idea of the number of dogs staying and the number of staff available.
2
The walls, floors, or bowls look dirty
Always look around to examine walls, floors, and bowls when entering the facility. Hygiene is super important whenever a group of dogs are boarding together, so make sure you are in tune to the general hygiene of the facility. It is really easy for diseases like Bordetella and conjunctivitis to spread when dogs are in such close proximity. Therefore, if the place looks dirty and not well kept, consider looking elsewhere.
3
Not enough trainers for the number of dogs
This is a crucial tip that most people forget when considering where to take their dog. Boarding facilities often want as many dogs as possible, so they will fill their yards with dogs, but do not schedule enough employees. As a result, they do not always have the staff to compensate for the sheer number of dogs, which can lead to major issues like dog fights, bad behavior, and stress (for the workers and the dogs). This can really affect the energy within the group of dogs and make the experience extremely unpleasant for everyone.
Boarding your dog while you are away can be a great opportunity for them to have fun, socialize, and maybe even come back learning a few new tricks. Just make sure you do your due diligence to find the right option for your pup. Be sure to match their temperament and energy with the place you choose, and don’t forget to look for the important warning signs! That being said, there are many great people and boarding options who will truly care for your dog if you just take the time to look!
To see what makes Crafty Canine Club different from other facilities, view our why us page
