Finding a boarding kennel that matches your dog’s needs is critical to ensuring you enjoy your vacation. That’s why it’s essential to trust where you board your dog while you are away. There are so many misconceptions surrounding boarding, so let’s get down to it!
Myth 1: My dog will be bored locked in a cage all day.
Many clients feel guilty leaving for a vacation and having to board their dog. They immediately think of the image of dog kennels and imagine their dogs locked away like they are in Alcatraz! Having their kennel should not spark these thoughts. It is healthy for your dog to have its own comfortable and safe space without competition for food or water. Kennels that are safe and have enough room for your dog to move around and stretch to sleep are healthy.
At The Doghouse, we choose the top-of-the-line Mason Kennels to ensure they get this. When the dogs are in between let-outs, we encourage ‘downtime.’ This is not a period of inactivity but rather a time for your dog to relax and recharge. We tell people all the time if I stimulated your dog 8-10 hours a day for a week straight and then sent them home, you would shoot us. Imagine your kids going to Disney World every day for a week with mind breaks from all the stimulation. Not good; they might turn feral! While inside, dogs watch us clean, observe tours, and enjoy inside interactions with the kennel staff. Some rest and sleep, but most are interested in observing the daily grind of the kennel routine.
Myth 2: My dog is on a different schedule/route than the kennel will be on, and that will create stress for them.
Dogs are among the most adaptable and flexible animals. It takes them only a short time to figure out a new routine and feeding schedule. Dogs are notorious for adapting to changes in their human environment and the dynamics of family changes/additions. Most dogs quickly establish new social bonds with other dogs or people. Studies have revealed that these changes can be mentally stimulating for them.
Myth 3: My dog will be miserable if it isn’t in a playgroup with other dogs.
Some dogs love the action of playgroups and thrive during their kennel stays meeting new dog friends. Each dog is unique in its level of desiring social interactions. Matching dogs in small, rewarding playgroups is an area we pride ourselves in at The Doghouse. We truly get to know each dog individually to accommodate what would make the best stay for them. We rarely have more than 2-3 dogs matched in a group, which makes for more intimate and constructive interaction. If we find a dog constantly being overwhelmed by a dog, avoiding interaction, or staying by the gate to come in, we allow them their own let-out time. These dogs are content romping the fields and exploring all the dog scents. Our large, outside, shaded yard is like a nature trail for them with all those dog smells. Compare it to reading a book on vacation instead of dancing at the club!
Myth 4: My dog needs a suite with 24-hour video cameras that I can access for peace of mind.
This suggestion has always baffled me. I compare it to sending my kids to summer camp. Suppose I could observe every second of their day. Would that ease my mind or cause me more anxiety by constantly feeling the need to check in? My obsessive personality wouldn’t allow me to disconnect and enjoy my vacation. Trust is what we strive for at our kennel. We tell clients to pick up the phone anytime to check-in. We keep daily logs of dogs’ eating, accidents, or changes in behavior. When you trust someone caring for your dog, there is no need to check a video camera for peace of mind.
*At The Doghouse, we use cameras for safety and security. We equip every room in our kennel with cameras that we can always access, and we also have cameras in all our play yards. We don’t take the responsibility of housing dogs lightly, so please go and enjoy yourself.
Myth 5: My dog should never get sick or hurt at a boarding kennel.
I can only speak for our facility, but we run a tight ship, and these things still happen! They are few and far between, but we are housing live animals 24 hours a day/ 365 days a year. As much as we disinfect, wash, clean daily, assign small playgroups, check shot records, and constantly replace equipment, there is always a small risk when boarding. I compare these risks to sending my daughter to kindergarten. I will not blame the school if my daughter comes home with a sore throat or scratched knee, mainly because I’ve established a relationship with her teacher and know it’s a safe environment.
Incidences such as dogs getting sick don’t happen much, but our protocol at The Doghouse is to immediately notify the client of any illness or ailment we notice. We do daily checkovers on each dog to ensure they are healthy. If we suspect a client’s dog is sick, we have quarantine protocols. This means the affected dog will be isolated from other dogs to prevent the spread of illness. We then let other clients know if your dog was in contact with them. We are very selective on the boarders that stay and don’t allow for quick overnight stays from out-of-town visitors we will never see again. This rule establishes a community of regular dogs in our facility.
Myth 6: All boarding facilities are the same.
They are not! Please do your research and compare the differences. Then, match your dog to where they are best fit. The Doghouse’s number one priority is we stand for safety. We schedule a mandatory meet-and-greet/tour before any dog can stay at our place. I encourage clients to go into every room and observe the dogs. See how relaxed and comfortable they are. We are constantly complimented by how quiet and clean our facility is. Please look at our safety protocols and how secure our facility is. We take every measure for your dog’s safety, and it is a calm environment.
There will never be 10-plus dogs running in a playgroup, which is not safe or constructive dog play. We would never allow non-family dogs to sleep “cage-free” in rooms, which is risky. We don’t support the idea of houseboarding as a business. It terrifies me to imagine a front door accidently being left open or my dog in an uncomfortable situation living under somebody else’s roof. Even when family or friends come over to help care for your dog, there is still a safety risk, especially if things are locked and managed the way you would.
Now that we have debunked a few myths let us know if we can schedule a tour for you and your dog!
