Question about Pet Sitters - Page 3

I have worked at two different boarding kennels and they have been both good and bad. Both were concrete/chain link and it did get very loud especially during feeding time since there were so many kennels (the first kennel I worked at was 68 indoor/outdoor and 12 outside only, the second kennel was 72 indoor/ outdoor runs but they would board almost 140 dogs at a time whenever they could). Whether or not a dog gets stressed  at a kennel depends on the dog. Some dogs love coming to a kennel and will pretty much drag the owner in the door; they actually really like boarding because it's new and exciting. Other more sensitive dogs don't like leaving their comfort zone, they get stomach upsets, lose their appetite, get dehydrated, pace, tear up their pads and noses on the chain link and concrete. Attentive staff can give special attention to a stressed dog (as long as attention from strangers doesn't stress the dog more) but only if the staff are allowed extra time beyond what's neccessary just to clean, feed, medicate, and move dogs in and out.The first kennel I worked at was better in many ways..as far as the food they fed and the cleanliness. They were meticulous about keeping records of whether the dogs were eating and eliminating, and if a dog wouldn't go in his run and wasn't signed up for walks they would take the dog out to potty twice a day. They also were very strict about dog-dog interaction. The owner had to sign an additional release to give permission for their dog to so much as touch noses with another dog much less play together. The second kennel didn't care so much. The didn't keep any records of whether the dogs were finishing their food, hence one dog lost ten pounds during a 2 week stay although food was put down twice a day. This kennel also put dogs from different families together in the runs if the owner stated their dog was not aggressive toward other dogs, but many times owners are not honest because they think a kennel won't board a dog aggressive dog--or they just don't know that much about their dog's behavior. This always struck me as dangerous but the owners said they had been doing it for 25 years without problems (I saw some disagreements between kennel mates but thankfully very few that caused wounds).This kennel mate policy was in the boarding contract but few owners read it carefully.

If you board your dog drop in for an unannounced visit before you make reservations and be choosy. The best time to look is a summer weekend or holiday because this is when a bad kennel will really try to cram the dogs in if that's the way they run their business.  The kennels should be roomy, clean and secure, the dogs should not look stressed, they should have plenty of staff taking care of the dogs. They should show you everything, not just one or two runs; if they cut it short they probably have something to hide or they don't have enough staff to give a proper tour. Make sure they feed quality food and read the boarding contract carefully. If they offer exercise sessions and you trust the staff to handle your dog sign him up, otherwise your dog will most likely stay in his run the entire time. Both kennels I worked at had someone on site at all times day or night. I would probably choose a trustworthy petsitter (friends of mine) over the kennels I worked in because my dogs are the type that do get stressed in the kennels (at least they did when I brought them to work with me. Also, one of my dogs climbs chain link and opens gate latches) but petsitters also have their disadvantages. Usually they just come by for long enough to potty and feed and then the dog is on it's own again for hours. At least at a kennel there's always something happening to keep the dog entertained. If you can find a good kennel and your dogs aren't stressed by new places and peop

places and people, it's probably a better choice, but it really depends on your dog. Just make sure you look closely before you leave your dog in someone else's care. 

It's always been a dream of mine to design a great boarding kennel. If a kennel is designed well, well staffed and has good policies, it can be one of the best things for young dogs because it allows them to socialize with new people (and dogs if applicable) and I feel it makes them more well rounded and confident. Especially for active dogs, staying at a kennel and getting hours of exercise every day can be the best thing under the sun. Plus you get to come home to a happy and exhausted dog. It's good to hear that some, like hodie above, are so attentive to the animals in their care and take pride in their business and don't look at it as just money, money, money.

Crimsonribbon makes many good points. I will say again that in my kennel, there is almost no barking, even at meal time. Why? Because I don't allow the dogs to bark. Most dogs will be quiet if others are quiet. In the rare instance a dog wants to bark just for the hell of it, I will put on a bark collar and that will stop that in seconds and then I take it off, but it is very, very rare that this is an issue. And if a dog is barking, I go see why. It is the rare dog who barks just for the hell of it.

Dogs who are routinely let out multiple times a day to be outside, do their business, play with me, and wander around are much healthier, and much happier. I do NOT see stressed dogs here and it is in the design and the running of the facility. I also think that dogs having their own secure space, not able to see dogs on all sides of their kennel, makes a huge difference. If a dog is nervous, there are ways I can deal with that as well to make the dog more comfortable. It is rare that a dog does not relax in a few minutes to an hour or so.

One thing I will disagree with however is about people entering the kennel area proper. In general, I used to think it is a good idea and for many kennels it probably is a good idea. But I do not allow it for several reasons. First of all, I am inspected by the state and I have a facility vet who knows me and the facility and my dogs well. She now refers exclusively to me, as do several other area vets because they have NEVER had a complaint or a sick dog coming from here. Those records and personal references are available to anyone asking.

Secondly, my insurance policy does not permit people in the kennel areas or exercise areas near the dogs.

Thirdly, I used to allow people to come and proudly showed them the kennel area, but it made the dogs crazy, especially my own dogs, and it would take them 20 minutes to settle. I find it is best if only the kennel staff is in that area. I explain this and have never had someone go elsewhere because of it. That being said, my inspection records, photos and the rest of the facility are open for looking. Of course, all business here is done by appointment only, except for unannounced inspections by the state.

The other tell tale sign is that I have had many people tell me when they walk in the door that they cannot believe it is a kennel. Do you know why? Because they are NOT knocked over the minute they walk in with the smell of urine and feces. To run a facility the way it should be takes a lot of hard work. But even before that, it takes some good design and thought before it is built. I designed this place, and I spent almost a year researching every possible aspect of kennel design. There are a few minor things I would change if I could do it over, but essentially, this place is easy to keep sanitized and clean. It is a great thing for dogs to be able to run around outside. State regs require that I have WRITTEN permission of anyone whose dog is mixed with others, and if I have it, I am extremely careful about age and size and temperament issues. But my repeat business is so high that often it is like old home week here for so many of the dogs.

There are some good pet sitters, but a good kennel is a better place IF one can find one.

thankks for all the replies.  Yes this is going to be hard to figure out what to do.  I have taken him a few times to petsmart hotel, but now they tell me he needs another bordatella shot (they require it every 6 months)  I do not even like shots and reallly don't want to have to give him anymore, that's why I was trying to not have to take him to a kennel.  So I guess all of you do all the dog shots all the time then?  I have been, but have learned (mostly from posts on this website) that dog shots every year are not good.  But Kennels require them.  So I guess I need to figure out what to do. 

 Don't believe everything you read on the internet about vaccinations. Even with the new protocols, bordetella is suggested for dogs at high risk. A boarding kennel, taking your dogs to dog events, dog parks, and God forbid places like PetSmart etc., are high risk of exposure. Yes, I require bordetella every 6 months. The other vaccinations can be annual or three year or whatever. I also require worming just before coming and IF I see stool suggestive of some parasitic or bacterial infection, yes, the stool is checked and treatment begun. 

It is simple. If you have someone you trust to care for your dog in the way you want it cared for at home, do it. If not, then start looking now for a good kennel. There are many that are not so great and for many, it is all about the money. 

I am actually looking forward to the time when all the money I spent to build this facility and maintain it begins to give me a salary! LOL

I think that there are going to be good and bad experiences with both a kennel environment and a pet sitter.  The main thing is finding someone that you really really trust and are comfortable with.  My dogs kennel well, so that's where they stay.  However, when I had my old girl last winter and we went away I had my parents watch her.  Which was almost more stressful!  The kennel that I use, I used to work at, so I know exactly how it operates.  There is someone that lives on the property 24/7.  They do get a evening check before bedtime, then start early in the A.M.  They are well taken care of and important things are noted everyday, urine and bowel habits, whether or not they are eating and drinking, etc. etc. 

I have never used a pet sitter as of yet, though I might consider it if I lived in another area.  Personally I live near some very busy roads and would be really paranoid about someone getting loose.  I'm much more comfortable in my situation with them being in a kennel.  The kennel areas are fenced outside of the kennel runs, in case a dog gets loose. 

Bottom line.  There are good pet sitters and there are bad pet sitters, there are good kennels and there are bad kennels. 

hodie, will you message me? I would like to see some pics of your boarding kennel. As far as the Bordetella vaccine, both places I worked at only required them every six months if it was the intra-nasal type. For the injectable type, once a year was acceptable. There are also some vets that only recommend DHLPP every three years. If this was the vets' recommendation, the kennel would accept it as up to date. Some kennels will also accept titer tests in place of vaccinations.

 crimson,

you can look at my kennel at:

www.coloradogermanshepherdrescue.net

Click on the link to Colorado K-9 Acres

I will accept a vet's recommendation in the case of old dogs to not vaccinate. But I must feel comfortable they have not been around other dogs. Actually, the vaccines are as much to protect the boarding dog as my own and all the other clients dogs here. I have never had any illness here other than an occasional sick dog of my own.

You can email me directly off of the site as well. Or PM me here and I will respond.

Thank you.

i'm going to put angus and claire overnight at least once at my breeders kennel before we vacation in the middle of june so that angus can experience it. he has never been apart from us except when he had surgery (overnight). claire has been boarded by herself before and has been fine. she's always been VERY happy to see our son (he belongs to her), but she's been fine. if i lived in colorado, i'd board them with hodie. but, i don't. my breeders live on site and at least one of the kennel workers lives on site as well. so, the dogs always have someone to to look in on them or to deal with any problems if necessary. they are pricey, but there is no way i could leave them alone with a "sitter" (even the best) to look in once or twice a day. i can also board the two dogs together in an extra large run.

Nice place, hodie! I love the swimming pool!