 |
 |
Articles / TULARC / Dogs / Assorted Topics / |  |
|
|
||||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
||||
|
|
||||
|
   |
|
||
|
014. Commercial Kennels |
|
||
|
||||
|
|
|
||
|
||||
|
|
Articles / TULARC / Dogs / Assorted Topics / | |
|
|
||||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
||||
|
|
||||
|
|
|
||
|
014. Commercial Kennels |
|
||
|
||||
|
|
|
||
|
||||
|
|
|
|
||
|
||
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
||
|
|
|
|
||
|
||
This article is from the rec.pets.dogs: Assorted Topics, posted to rec.pets.dogs newsgroup. Maintained by Cindy Tittle Moore with numerous contributions by others.
Comments summarized from Leisa Diel's posting in May 1993:
* If your dog is under 30lbs, it's quite likely it will be caged rather than put in a run. Instead of asking if your dog will be caged, ask if the kennel cages at all and ask to see the area. You want to see clean, neat cages, with clearly labelled information for each dog (medications, feeding & exercise schedule.
* Look for places that require proof of vaccinations, especially for parvo and kennel cough.
* If you know that your dog is going to be caged mark everything you're giving him with the loudest colors imaginable - ESPECIALLY MEDICINES and explain to the handlers if he has any special needs like a lower cage or a cage out of the draft etc. If you are told that NO dog is EVER caged, suspect you're being lied to especially if you have a small dog. If you're told that your dog WILL go in a run, check up on that a few hours after you leave for the first time. Say that you want to see where Fido is staying and INSIST (if you can't see your dog out front on the runs) on going with the attendant to get him out.
* If you feel uncomfortable doing this remind yourself that you've given the kennel every opportunity to prove itself and that under no circumstances should you be lied to regarding your pets care. The kennel people - if they're any good at all - are used to dealing with people who love animals and will be patient with your needs.
* Dogs got switched. There were so many schnauzers and boxers and they all looked ALIKE! for the most part. I was in the room when one of the trainees mixed up two sets of identical schnauzers, AND sent the wrong dog home with the wrong owner. The owner (thank GOD!) realized that her dog had been switched and brought the other dog back before his owner took HER other dog away.
* SUGGESTION: Put your own dog's bow on him or her. The usual procedure at the kennel was to take off the dog's collars (because of the strangulation danger from chain link runs)and put the dogs in a cage or run with a card bearing their name and weight etc. I paint one or more of Basil's toenails - in a distinctive pattern that I'll recognize. A week long stay won't be enough for the cement to wear the paint off and I rest easier. It wouldn't hurt to have your dog tattooed, either. Also be wary if your dog has been groomed or bathed without your consent. Sometimes this is necessary as dogs will roll in poop or something but sometimes this is because it wasn't your dog who was groomed it was someone elses who had given permission for the grooming. If you ask why the grooming was done without your consent the kennel people have a greater opportunity to see a mistake if they've made one.
* Also along these lines if your dog (and you're sure it's your dog)HAS been groomed and /or bathed without your consent it means that somewhere along the route your dog did get switched with someone elses. This is a GOOD thing to find out because it's shoddy record-keeping and you don't want to board your dog there. It may not sound like a big deal if the kennel's switched your dog accidentally for a couple of days until you realize that some dogs get big-bad medicines like pheno-barbital and if they think your pup is one of the dogs who needs the medication - your dog just got a dose. Also if your dog is on heartworm preventative - or worse yet isn't on heartworm preventative and is given one - mistakes could get fatal.
* A GOOD kennel will admit up-front any mistakes that did occur when you check your dog out, not later when he goes into seizures or something.
* If you want your dog groomed or bathed while they're in the kennel ( I would recommend letting the groomer bathe them before you take them home - its easier and generally the effect it has on the homecoming is positive for you both), check the groomer and the grooming procedure out as carefully as the kennel. Good kennels sometimes have BAD groomers with BAD procedures.
* My advice to anyone boarding a dog is to choose carefully, follow up thouroughly, cooperate with the staff as much as possible and in a friendly manner (I saw a lot of abuse of dogs that stemmed from the owners being mean or bitchy and the kennel workers took that out on the dog). Keep your copy of the shot records - give the kennel a copy if you have to but you keep a copy too. Above all though - know your dog. Know what makes him or her unique, moniter his or her state on entry and again on exit. Be wary of glib, rehearsed answers or a brusque, businesslike attitude towards your animal. Good animal people LIKE their work and LIKE animals and you can't fake this.
Ever vigilant right? Good kennels have nothing to hide!!!!
From: tims@bvc.edu (TiM SEYDEL)
First off, thanks to everyone who replied to my post about boarding my dog. A brief summary of the reponses is as follows:
1. Leave your pet with something of theirs/yours. A favorite blanket, toys and other "personal" items will help the animal feel more comfortable and won't forget you. When you leave them with something of yours, leave it "dirty" (i.e. don't wash it-like a dirty t-shirt, etc.). Toys can be better because they won't get washed and hence lose the scent.
2. Make sure to feed your pet the same food-you can usually leave behind your brand of food for your pet.
3. Leave information/itinerary and phone #s with the kennel so they can reach you, should anything happen.
4. Check with your kennel in advance to ensure your pet has all of their shots, as many kennels require they have up-to-date vaccinations.
5. Check with the kennel about where the dogs stay, if they get to go outside for exercise, etc. And ask other dog owners and/or your vet if they have a recommendation.
6. When you get back, try to spend some extra time with your pet and don't get mad if they forget some of their training. They've been out of the daily regimen, but will remember shortly after you get them home. If you have a favorite park to take them to where they can run around, go there shortly after getting home.
Continue to:
|
|
|
|
 |
|