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everbell
Kanata, ON
MH
Posts:3166
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| 12/11/2007 5:35 PM |
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On another note, Rich was walking Bo tonight and ran into a couple of friends with their human parents. When Rich happened upon the parents were discussing bad dog kennels, and in particular the one Bo was at this past weekend.
When Rich picked Bo up on Sunday, they had said he was really timid this past weekend. That combined with his tummy troubles (which seem much better now) have us really worried about leaving him there when we are on holidays in January. Obviously we will have to do some more research.
Any recommendations on what to look for in a boarding kennel, since we obviously struck out with this one?
Poor Bo -- I'm feeling like a really bad momma right now 
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Joce and Rich
Bogart and Shiraz (GSPs)
Roxane (RIP: 1995-2009) and Tiger Lily (Cats)
The Everbell Adventures |
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Pointer Fan
Westminster, Colorado
MH
Posts:954
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| 12/11/2007 7:50 PM |
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| I was taking Molly to a kennel that also had an obedience school. The people really liked the dogs. Unfortunately it was an older building and cleanliness seemed to be a problem. The last time we took her there she came home with some sort of virus. Now however we have a new "Pete and Macs" kennel. Glass block enclosures, indoor and outdoor exercise areas, cots for the dogs and very clean. What really impressed me is that when I make reservations to board Molly or have her groomed, they call me if any of her vacinations are not up to date. I have always had them done between times but the fact that they check every time and call me if the newest ones are not on her record has really impressed me. One time we were gone for a week and she got ill and they took her to my vet. |
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kdvollmer
JH
Posts:20
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| 12/12/2007 1:32 AM |
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KInda hard to describe what I look for exactly. There are a few things. I used to work at a kennel when i was in college. Overall cleanliness carries alot of weight. I mean, if they don't make an effort to make the business look clean and professional, then they sure as hell aren't doing it for your dog. You need to find a place that the employees genuinly love dogs. I will call and ask if I can tour the kennel before I will board my dogs. If they say no, then I won't even bother talking to them. I want to see clean indoor, outdoor runs. I don't want my dog to be locked inside during evening hours. If needs to go outside and potty, then he needs to be able to. I want to see the inside kennel cages looking maintained, not ratty, and rusted. There is a smell about a kennel too. I know, somebody will say. duh, it's a kennel, it will smell of dogs. But a kennel that has that dank, ground in poop, and pee smell, says something about the cleanliness. Where I worked, when a dog went home, that kennel got cleaned out with disinfectant and soap and water. I think we can see the obvious reason for doing this. On the outside, are they washed out 1 or 2 or more times daily. Are the outside runs also surrounded by a secondary fence, in case a dog manages to get his kennel open at night, or gets out when kennel is being cleaned.
These are just the basics of what I want to see. Then, there is just the feel of the kennel. You ever walk into a place, and though it looked nice, something just didn't feel right about it. Same thing for kennels for me. It drives my wife nuts since there are several other kennels closer to where we lived, and some were nice looking, but just didn't like the feeling there. Maybe it was the people, or something I see that subconsiosly turns me off. Not sure. I will drive a considerable distance to board the dogs if I like the kennel.
For the doubters. We had kenneled my basset Hound once at a place that seemed to meet most of the criteria. Though there was something I didn't like about it and I couldn't put my finger on it, we were in a pinch of a family emergency, and had no choice. We ended up coming in a early enough on the day before we were due to pick up the dog, and wanting my buddy home, we went to the kennel to get him. Only to find that he smelled of crap, and his blanket was dirty and nasty. To the point it made it in a dumpster on the way home.
I toured one VET OFFICE kennel only to find that the dogs stayed inside a small 4 x 4 cell, and were taken outside once daily. Theses were not inside, outside runs, just a 4 x 4 cell. SO don't think that just cause it is a vets office, that it will be top notch kennel.
OKboff my soapbox. Just remember. Ask to tour the kennel. Lok for some of the things that I mentioned above, and most importantly, follow your gut instinct. If it says no, then don't use that facility.
Kurt |
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everbell
Kanata, ON
MH
Posts:3166
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| 12/12/2007 6:02 AM |
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| We thought we had done all that with this kennel, but obviously not. (Some of the stories my husband heard were extremely worrisome to say the least.) Fortunately, between fur friends in the neighbourhood, our dog walker and another board member, we have gotten some other leads so I'm not quite as freaked out as I was last night. |
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Joce and Rich
Bogart and Shiraz (GSPs)
Roxane (RIP: 1995-2009) and Tiger Lily (Cats)
The Everbell Adventures |
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Ace1cappuccino
Carp Lake, Michigan
MH
Posts:1618
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| 12/13/2007 9:44 PM |
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| I use one in Mackinac City. They have a heated building/floors, cots, food dishes, indoor and outdoor runs (individual) and they exercise each dog daily. I was very pleased with them. They take great care of my babies!! |
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Cornell's GSP'S- Mocha cappuccino, Lili Belle Lotte, Sir Leopold Vom Hunter 1, Lil Miss Lotte Doddi, Ace Hunter Twisted Mister(GSP'S)  
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Mydogiscrazy
Chapel Hill NC
MH
Posts:323
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| 12/14/2007 12:39 PM |
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My girls spent a good deal of time in kennels this past year, in fact we got a bill and it was over $1500 for the year. We sent them to two different kennels, my GSP went to a place that was primarily a doggie day care. She got so tired while playing with the other dogs all day there it didnt matter that sleeping arrangements were no 4 Star Hilton. But I preferred that for her because of their customer service and it just felt right. Sure I have looked at many places and some I like and some I will never return to. But this daycare knew her by name, and went out of their way to open early or close late for me. When I pull in the parking lot they see me and already have her leashed and behind the desk (and usually her front paws are on the desktop searching for treats). I figure that any place that treats customers that well treats the dogs well too. They were laid back, the way I would be with my dog. Plus I could tell she had a smile on her face when I picked her up. It just felt right |
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