Why My Dog Will Never Be Kenneled (Just Anywhere)

[Boxer Mom]

Great tips here on how she goes about choosing a boarding kennel...I have to say, I like her list!

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What would it take to find a place ideally suited to my pet? Here’s my list:

1. Separate dog and cat facilities (no barking dogs in earshot of cats).
2. Noise dampening indoor spaces so dogs don’t lose their hearing while they’re boarded (this does happen, you know).
3. Non-communicating indoor spaces (no confined nose-to-nose interactions possible).
4. No indoor rooms with more than ten roommates per space (limit transmission of pathogens).
5. Outdoor dog play several times a day with roommates only (no dogs from other rooms).
6. One full-time, dedicated staff member per 20 boarders.
7. Strict flea and tick policy upon entry (mandatory pre-stay inspection; parasiticides only if absolutely necessary).
8. No unnecessary vaccine requirements (DHPP and rabies annually? Come on, it’s 2010, we know better).
9. At least two dedicated isolation wards for puppies or boarders flagged for potential infection.
10. On call veterinarian and one certified technician on duty for daily physicals (part-time is OK).
11. Comfy sleepy spaces with clean bedding.
12. Separate air-handling units for every 20 boarders.
13. Cool outdoor environment or indoor play area.
14. Online visual access to pets for concerned parents.
15. Staff on-site 24-hours.

OK so this is my dream kennel. What would that cost per night, you ask? I don’t know but I’m willing to pay at least $75 a night for something that comes anywhere close to this. At that price it makes me think twice about going out of town. But at least it offsets my reluctance to travel otherwise.

Mini four-posters and home-cooked meals? Bone-shaped pools and Animal Planet 24-7? Victorian exteriors and manicured grounds? Bed-time stories? No thank you. I tend to think these comforts are superfluous gimmicks geared towards parents, not pets. If I want perks I’ll opt for hurricane-proof windows and an outdoor misting system.

Ultimately, what I want for my dog is personal attention, health and safety. But then I’m a vet, so perhaps my priorities are a bit skewed.

[LaylaBoo]

I agree!!

ditto it all

[My Boxer Baby]

That would be ideal. We don't have any kennels in our area though because Thousand Oaks has an ordinance against it.

[kona coffee]

This is great! Our camp actually fulfills all the requirements except for these two

1. Outdoor dog play several times a day with roommates only (no dogs from other rooms)
2. Strict flea and tick policy upon entry (mandatory pre-stay inspection; parasiticides only if absolutely necessary).

The pups have outdoor dog play with all of the dogs in the camp (which we actually prefer because we like for them to be well socialized!)
There is no actual flea or tick inspection, but if they spot any fleas on any of the dogs they will remove them
We actually LOVE our boarding place! We pay quite a bit but the pups get so much attention while they are there!
The only thing we don't like is the fact that Bear and Kashi have to be separated during playtime because of their size, but theres nothing we can do about that.
We're going to the Bay Area for Chinese New Year and my gramma's birthday this weekend so the pups will be back at Camp Bow Wow. They always have so much fun there!

[Boxer Mom]

I had NO idea dogs could lose hearing while being boarded until I read this

[Mom 2 2 Boxers]

I had NO idea dogs could lose hearing while being boarded until I read this

That particular reason shocked me too

I hope I never have to board mine and if I ever do, I hope I can find a place that treats them as well as Dee Dee has found

[soavey]

This is what we were looking for when we went to SF but i would not put my two in kennels, just don't think they care enough.

[kona coffee]

That particular reason shocked me too

I hope I never have to board mine and if I ever do, I hope I can find a place that treats them as well as Dee Dee has found

Aww thanks! We're really happy with ours! It's a chain...but the people who run the one in San Diego are very sweet and genuinely seem to care about our boys.
Not that it is something to laugh at but if the Bear lost his hearing while he was being boarded it would probably be from his own barking! That boy b!tches about everything!

[Mom 2 2 Boxers]

Aww thanks! We're really happy with ours! It's a chain...but the people who run the one in San Diego are very sweet and genuinely seem to care about our boys.
Not that it is something to laugh at but if the Bear lost his hearing while he was being boarded it would probably be from his own barking! That boy b!tches about everything!

and that would be ShaKira's reason for losing her hearing also