Tips On Boarding Your Dog.

Chance Says:
This is a picture of me on vacation last year. Mom bought me a Yogi Bear stuffie!




With the onset of spring, brings vacation time. With gas prices the way they are, most people will stay close to home. But, there still will be 1000's of people traveling across the United States. If most of you dog owners are like me, you take your dog with you whenever possible. But, there are times when you just can't take the family pet with you on your travels.



In that case, you have to think of someone to care for your pet. There are boarding facilities throughout the Tri-State that can assist you in taking care of your best friend. But, choosing one can be traumatic. If you know of someone that kennels their dog, talk to them. Ask your vet, as some vets offer boarding. My vet, Dr. Wayne Maass of Guyan Animal Hospital, keeps my dog, Chance.



The phone book is another place. When contacting these places, ask questions. Ask whether the boarding dogs are ever all together. Ask if you can come and view the kennel. When you go visit, observe the kennel staff. Do they act like they enjoy their job, or are they just going about it like, "its just a stupid job."



The last thing to notice, is the smell of the kennel. It should be clean and smell like disinfectant. All the dogs in the runs should be clean, and their areas clean. Water bowls full, and depending on the time of day, food bowls with food. Clean blankets or beds and a toy. I hope this helps. Enjoy your summer and be safe.

Vacation Time Tips For Traveling Or Boarding Your Pet.

Are we there yet??

With summer just around the corner, many people are making plans to take vacations. If you are traveling with your dog, here are a few tips to make yours and your pet's journey more pleasant. If you have crate trained your dog from a puppy, you can use their own crate for an extended trip. Any dog that has been crate trained will happily travel in it and feel very secure.


If your dog rides free in the car, make sure that they do not run from side to side or from front to back. This is extremely dangerous. If your dog must ride in the passenger seat, you might want to consider a seat belt. Any of your bigger pet stores carry a doggy seat belt. You can also order them off the Internet. Exercise your dog before starting out, and stop every 2 hours to let them get some fresh air and relieve themselves. Just like humans, they need a break, too.


Never, never leave your dog in the car on a hot day, even with the windows cracked. The internal temperature of a car can exceed 150 degrees in less than 1/2 hour. Remember, a dog cannot sweat. They pant to cool themselves down. Each year, thousands of dogs literally cook to death inside cars. If you cannot take your dog with you, then choosing a boarding kennel is very important.


Any kennel will ask you if your dog is current on their annual shots. They also require that your pet be vaccinated against kennel cough. This vaccine is not given in the annual shots unless requested. It is a liquid that is squirted up the nose. When choosing a kennel, ask if you may come and take a tour of the facility before making a reservation. Most kennels will gladly take you on a tour. Generally, the more expensive the kennel, the more amenities you get. The less expensive kennels usually provide safe accommodations and basic food.


The more expensive are usually called "canine hotels." When you take a tour, take notice of how the employees act. Are they genuinely happy to be there, or is it just a job? Most places will let you bring any toys or your pet's own bed and food. Remember, this is your pet, a member of your family. Take anything you think will make your dog's stay more enjoyable. I usually take an old piece of clothing that has my scent on it for my dog to have with him.


Also, there are pet sitters. These are people that come to your home and feed, water and exercise your pet while you are gone. If you go this route, make sure that they are bonded, and get references. Your vet should be able to put you in touch with a reputable sitting agency. And lastly, do not make a big deal when leaving your dog. All this does is upset the dog, and you. Do your cuddles and goodbyes at the house, and make the parting at the kennel short. Also, going online to check out hotels/motels that are dog friendly is very handy. Good traveling.

Here are a few websites to check for a pet friendly hotel/motel., campground, and B&B.
www.dogfriendly.com
www.dogfriendlyhotels.org
www.officialpethotels.com
www.petswelcome.com