05 Jun Are you on the hunt for the perfect kennel?
Dreaming of summer holidays but having a nightmare looking for the perfect kennel for your dog to ‘holiday’ in whilst you’re away? We’ve put together some top tips on what to look out for.
It’s easier than ever to take your dog on holiday with you, even when travelling abroad. However most overseas destinations are not practically equipped to cater for both humans and their fur babies. Having a friend or family who can ‘pet-sit’ is a luxury we may not all have, so it’s important to do your research to find the best kennel for your K9.
- Good kennels are hard to come by and the best are snapped up months in advance of peak season. Planning is important so allow plenty of time to do your research. Always remember personal recommendation from a trusted source is invaluable and may help you make your decision based on others good (or bad!) experiences.
- Good kennel keepers will be very interested in you and your dog. They’ll want to know what they like, what they don’t like, routines, feeding habits, favourite games… the list goes on! Find yourself a kennel who cares (really cares) and you’re on the way to finding the one for you.
- Make sure you visit the kennel at least once before the stay. You can ask to see the kennels themselves as well as the outdoor space available. You can also check that the area is warm, secure, clean and dry to give you peace of mind whilst you’re away. Enquire about how many staff they have working and ask questions about their insurance and vaccination policy.
- Find out about how and how often they exercise the dogs. If the dogs are all let out at once into a large paddock and spend an hour a day running around chasing each other, the behavior is likely to be repeated when you’re back from holiday and walking your dog around others. No one wants to have to re-train a dog from learned bad behaviours!
- Make sure you pack some of their favourite things to the kennel when it’s time for them to stay. Toys, bedding, food, chews and even their own bowls can be a comfort when they’re away from their family home.
Finally, ENJOY your holiday! If you’ve done your research and your pooch is happy then you can relax and unwind, safe in the knowledge that they’re being well cared for. Who knows… they may even end up enjoying their little holidays as much as you do!
The 4Paws Team