What Do I Look For When Boarding My Doodle Dog? We would all love to take our Doodles along with us on all of our vacations. But it may not always be possible, especially in the event of family emergencies or when leaving the country. In these cases, it is still a great idea to have a backup plan. A kennel can be your dog’s home away from home. When I look for the right boarding facility for my Doodle Dog, it is essential to choose one that is right for your dog and will make them feel as comfortable as possible. You may be wondering what to look for in a kennel? Let’s take a look!
Size Of Kennels
When you take the tours of kennels, it is always important to ask about all sizes available in kennels. Most boarding facilities will have a stand size but have upgrades available at an additional cost. These larger kennels can be worth the money for larger breeds of Doodles. Since Doodles are known to have separation anxiety, small enclosures can worsen the symptoms.
You will want a kennel large enough that your dog can walk the length and width, this will vary depending on the size of Doodle. If the boarding facility happens to have indoor/outdoor kennels, this same rule applies to the inside portion. Even if the enclosure is indoor/outdoor, you will want to focus on the interior part more. Because your Doodle will most likely be shut in at night to adhere to noise ordinances, you will want to make sure there is enough space. Also, in extreme heat or cold, your dog will be spending most of his time inside.
What To Bring
Many Doodle dog kennels will allow you to bring as much or as little as you want to keep your dog comfortable. Generally, things such as bedding, blankets, treats, and food are brought by pet parents across the USA. They may offer things such as bedding to prevent the destruction of your belongings, but bringing items that your Doodle knows and loves is the better option. Since dogs use smell to identify their surroundings, bedding that smells of other dogs may stress them out.
You may even want to bring their favorite bedtime snacks or toys that are their favorites. All of these are great for keeping your dog feeling right at home. If any kennel does not allow any of these objects, stay away from them. These kennels are not welcoming and knowledgeable of dog psychology.
Fabulous kennels might label your belongings to make sure that they all get back home safely. They will even wash any soiled bedding before you pick up, which means one less thing for you to do when you get home to unpack.
Feeding Times And Medications
Every boarding facility has its own feeding schedule. You may want to ask about these feeding times, and if your dog eats more frequently ask if they can add feedings. These facilities do have many dogs in their care every day, so their feeding times may vary slightly than your regular feeding times. But generally, they will feed all the dogs every morning and every night. If your dog only eats once a day, don’t worry. Just let them know what meal times your dog has so they will be able to follow it.
If your dog takes a specific medication, during the tour is a great time to ask if they can medicate. Most facilities can give pills, but not all are trained to administer insulin shots. Also, if your dog has a condition that requires special attention, now is the time to talk about it. Depending on the severity of the disease, they may not have the ability to give your dog the care he requires.
Playtime
All boarding facilities give each dog individual playtimes. There are a few things about this playtime that you will want to ask questions about.
Play Areas
While touring the Doodle dog kennels, you will want to view and inspect the play areas. These areas should be clean and well managed. If the play areas are outdoor, they need to be well kept and have plenty of space. You will need to take notice if the play area is fenced and free of doggie poop.
In some areas, playtime can either be in a group with other dogs or alone. You will want to ask about how many people supervise these dog groups, and how large the groups can get. A great rule of thumb is one person per 15 dogs. If your dog does not get along with others, ask if they can accommodate playtimes outside of group play.
Amount Of Playtime
Another great inquiry would be how much time your Doodle will be spending outside of the kennel. Some will look for a boarding facility for your Doodle Dog that has free all-day doggie daycare with everyone who boards with them, others you will have to pay extra. Even if daycare is extra, there should be some outside play every day. In most cases, this playtime is at least an hour.
Time outside of the kennel is an essential aspect of your dog’s stay. These playtimes allow them to socialize with other dogs, and get affection from people.
Vaccinations
Another great thing to look for in a kennel is what vaccinations are required. A great Doodle dog kennel will need all guests to have rabies, bordetella, and parvo vaccinations. These vaccinations are to protect all dogs that stay on the premises. Any dog that is allowed to visit without these vaccines can be a potential threat to your Doodle.
All states require rabies vaccines, even if you do not board your dog. But, vaccines like bordetella and parvo are sometimes by request only. These vaccines are just as necessary, though! Bordetella is widely spread throughout kennels across the country. It can cause great respiratory distress to your Doodle that can require hospitalization. The vaccine can protect against most strains and prevent the spread of what is commonly called “Kennel Cough.”
The Parvo vaccine is just as important because this disease alters a dog’s brain that can cause irreversible damage. A dog that carries parvo can spread it into the ground through feces. Once this happens, that soil is contaminated for years to come unless treated with strong chemicals.
To protect your Doodle, choosing a facility that requires all of these vaccinations is a better choice.
Bad Weather And Emergencies
When you look for a boarding facility in your area for your Doodle Dog, you may want to ask about what they do in emergencies. Every facility will have action plans in case of natural disasters or medical emergencies. They will also have access to a 24-hour vet in case something were to happen, and they are unable to contact your vet.
These emergencies are rare, but they will know how to handle them correctly. They care just as much as you that your pets come home safe. They will have evacuation plans and will always notify you and all emergency contacts of anything going on.
Also, in the events of heat waves or cold fronts, there should be a backup plan for any outside playtime. Most Doodles enjoy the cold weather, but not so much to be out in it all day. And since most Doodles have thick, lush hair, they can quickly overheat. A great boarding facility will have plans for events when outside play is not an option.
Cleanliness
Last but not least, a great thing to watch out for is cleanliness. The facility should be free of foul odors and excessive waste. Kennels where the dogs’ sleep should be clean and dry. Cleanliness is one aspect that can quickly get out of control when you care for too many dogs. If the staff is unable to keep the areas clean, they may not have the time to care for your Doodle.
Cleanliness is especially crucial for Doodle dog boarding because smells can become trapped in their fur. Once a scent becomes trapped along with any dirt from group playtime, it can be hard to get out. Dog kennels that go above and beyond in their care will give your Doodle a complimentary bath. This bath is if your dog has stayed there for an extended amount of time, or if they got muddy. These kennels take pride in their care of dogs and their owner’s satisfaction.
In Conclusion
As you can see, there is a lot more to consider when boarding your pet than price alone. All of these tips are great things to watch out for in what to look for in a kennel. If you can find a facility that meets all of your expectations, hold on tight. These are the types of boarding facilities that the workers will make your dog feel at home. They will be happy to see your dog at each visit and will get to know them just as well as you. Your dog will even love going there so much, and they may temporarily forget about being at home. Temporarily, of course.
Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. so you can pin it to your Doodle Board!!
