How do you choose your Boarding Facility

[Hazel & Chester Wayte]

We are thinking of a trip to England in the Summer. My Parents are British and I have family there.

We decided that Chester is a bit too much for a friend to look after for 10 days. Not that he is misbehaved but it is a lot to ask of your friends. He will likely be weighing 90 ish Lbs at be a year.

My family aren't really dog people and DH's let their dogs run off leash and think we are crazy for the way we are feeding Chester.

So we are looking into boarding facilities. We don't crate Chester at night so I want a place that doesn't insist on this. I also want a place that supervises the play and will be there for all Chester's needs. Is this too much to ask? He really isn't that needy..but I don't want him to be upset or anxious.

We checked out a place that I had been somewhat excited about and I was kind of nonplussed..

They also do a daycare during the week. They kept dogs of similar temperaments together. Their website and facebook page looked so good. I just didn't get the warm and fuzzies when I was there.

Chester is such a people dog that I don't know if he would get the attention he needs.

It is so hard to decide what to do.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I have been lucky and have been able to have friends look after Cooper when we went away. They came by the house twice a day. not as much as I would like, but Cooper had the cats with her too. I worried about her every day. I would have prefered someone with her more than that.

I see you are from Halifax Nova Scotia... is there anyone on DK who could take Chester? 

if I were looking for a boarding facility, I would make sure i find one that feeds the food I provide, not the same generic crap that most kennels feed

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

I would ideally want a facility that has other options like training, day care, etc.  I would "try out" the facility I was really interested in by taking a class, using the day care and popping in at odd times with and without my dogs to see what was going on. 

A good facility will be clean clean clean.  It will require you to prove your dog has all his shots and a Bortadella shot.  It will allow you to provide your own food and have an option to give meds for an extra charge. There will be play space and option at a charge for 1 on 1 time with Chester everyday.  Night crating or a "room" for each dog.  There will be someone on the premises at night, every night.  Ideally the owners live there.  The owner or manager, should have some "creds" that make you feel that s/he has the dog smarts to be in charge of a bunch of unknown dogs.  Finally, it should feel right to you.

There are usually reputable pet sitters who will take an extra dog into their home or stay in yours.  I really prefer this situation.  Just be sure you really check their references. 

 

 

[Diane and Alma]

In 2008 we took a 9 week trip and in 2010 we were away for a month.  I knew we needed to find a great boarding facility.  I checked out over a dozen and personally visited at least 6 - some as far away as 45 minutes.  I have 2 favorites that I rely on.  Both have rooms for the dogs to eat and sleep in.  Both have outdoor areas for all day play.  The only time the dogs are in their rooms is at night or for eating.  One offers walks - for a fee.  Both offer kong treats - for a fee.  One posts pictures on their facebook page daily so if I want I can check in.  I can call anytime to find out how Alma is doing. 

My biggest concerns were (not in order):

1.  Supervised, all day play time

2.  Friendly, dog loving staff

3.  Clean (immaculate) facility

4.  Recommendation from other clients

5.  Required vaccinations - including current bordatella, and current fecal test

I highly recommend touring the facility to see how the dogs are treated.  If they are all barking I would take that as a bad sign.  If they are running around, playing, hanging out in a clean yard with fresh water that is a good sign.  Also make sure you check out the storage room where they prep food.  Is it organized?  I always bring my own food.  They always ask what I am feeding so if they run out they can continue feeding the same food.

Good luck and happy travels.

 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I think what you need may best be found at a private home that boards dogs. I've done this but even so my dogs were crated at night.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

That's tough-I would visit the one you choose that has your needs and I would visit more than once. For 10 days you want to be sure. I think the private home like F said would be a great thing to look into. Oh and I WOULD feel out your friends, you don't know if you don't ask???

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

We use a Boarding Facility similar to what you've described.  It's also a Daycare, and my guys go there once a week, so they are used to it.  They get to play all day.  At night they go into what they call "suites" where they have their own toys and bed which we bring from home.  We bring the food, so there is no change in diet.  The staff is wonderful, and I know my guys are well cared for.  Was there something about the Facility that you checked out that was a concern?  I know sometimes it's just a "feeling" that we get.  Good luck!

[Hazel & Chester Wayte]

There wasn't really anything I can put a finger on about the facility that was concerning..some of the dogs were still in their rooms at 10:30. The owner didn't really offer up much information- I was doing all the questioning.

I think what really bothered/shocked me- is she didn't seem to care about Chester- she didn't try to Pet him- ask how old he was- anything about him. I know if we booked a time there there is a questionnaire to fill out..

But I am sort of new to being a 'dog person' and I am always asking other people what their dog is? what is name is how old he is..

Did I say she didn't even pet him?? How couldn't you pet him?

[Bonnie and Kona]

I can certainly understand your concern. All of those things would be huge red flags for me, too.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I'm pondering the same question myself.  So far we have only left Riley for one night! and my eldest daughter came to stay.  Jess was happy to do it and could easily do a long week-end but as a very busy Music Therapist whose work takes her all over the country a week or two would be too much to ask.  I wanted to book our Spring holiday shortly and we were toying with the idea of a cruise but that would be a two week break.  The other alternative which my partner favors is to take Riley with us to England on the boat and either take anther ferry to France or go to Cornwall in England and do it during the Summer time.  (It sounds like it could be a tiring holiday and not the relaxing pampering one I have in mind !)  We could of course stay at home and holiday in Ireland and take Riley with us, that is option C.

I am also doing some research to see if I can find a petsitter who could either take Riley to their home or come and stay in ours.  I am a little reluctant to have a stranger stay but the research continues.  For me the boarding facility option is out of the question as I just wouldn't trust even the highest standards that are on offer here that I have found (so far).

I wish you the best of luck with this issue as the last thing you want when going away is added worry about Chester's care.

[Hazel & Chester Wayte]

I would love to take him with us.....If only. We named him after one of our favourite little English towns.. Winchester.

Our vacation last year we stayed in Nova Scotia- went a 5 hour trip away to CapeBreton- It was really pretty. We took him with us. Everyone loved him.

[Bonnie and Kona]

We have always paid someone to stay with our dogs at home. I don't know why but it seems to be no more expensive than boarding them. Have you checked into dog sitters? Your vet should have some recommendations. The advantage is that the dog is in his own environment so no stress there. I hope you find a suitable situation for Chester so that your vacation is worry-free!

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I dont want you to get too hopeful but...

There is a POSSIBILITY that I may be in Halifax this summer. I have been in discussions with a company about possible work this spring/summer, in either Newfoundland (probably St Johns) or Nova Scotia (probably Halifax). If DH and I are there we will be more than happy to look after Chester (no charge of course)

I did pay my friends to stop by twice a day to feed and exercise Cooper...

I wont know about the job for a few months though, so dont stop looking for somewhere. You can always cancel them if I do happen to be in Halifax. it is a small possibility though