Dog Kennels: What You Need to Know

Dog kennels are all different, but there are some things you need to be aware of that are pretty universal.  Regardless of the rules of your dog day care center, there are a few common sense things to remember.

What do you need to do to prepare your dog for dog kennels?

• Make a reservation prior to coming in.

This is just common sense.  The attendee will be able to tell you what to bring in based on the rules of the dog kennel.  It’s possible that there is no vacancy and you don’t want to be unpleasantly surprised!

• Make sure your pet is up to date on shots.

When you drop off your pet, you’re required to leave the shot and medical records along with heath certificate.  Dogs are required to have vaccinations against Bordetella, rabies and distemper.  Remember, Bordetella vaccinations are required in puppies every 6 to 9 months if they’re under a year old.

• Bring your dog’s food in a labeled, plastic container. Dog kennels have a LOT of dogs to keep track of, and it’s important that they know where to find the food that belongs to YOUR dog.  Zip-lock baggies are not advisable, as they tend to tear.

• Bring your favorite dog’s treats to help him feel more comfortable.

• Do not bring special doggie beds, as this can interfere with other doggie residents. Dogs that are “cage-free” boarded are expected to play with other dogs, and a toy can get in the way of nice play.

What can you expect from good dog kennels?

In addition to knowing what to bring, it’s a good idea to also know what you can expect from high quality dog kennels. Quality play time.

Good dog kennels will allow the dogs who are good with other dogs to play together, well supervised.  It should be noted, however, that some dogs just don’t get along well with others.  For these special “high maintenance children”, there should also be quality play time available as well.  Some dog kennels will just put the problem children in a cage and leave them there.  Conversely, a good high quality dog kennel will make sure that even isolated caged dogs get their time for run and play.  Good quality kennels allow dogs to run 4-5 times per day.  Some quality “day-care” facilities even have doggie pools for romping on hot summer days!

A bath before leaving.

Dog kennels that care about keeping their facility clean and safe will make sure the dogs are clean and free from pests upon arrival, and they also get to have a bath before leaving, so you’ll be picking up your best friend smelling his best!  Upon arrival, you need to make sure your pet has been bathed and on flea prevention medication.

Safety first

Just like you’d never leave your child with a sitter without advising who the doctor is, you’re also asked to give doctor records for your pet when you leave him.  In case of an emergency, it’s your vet who’s called first for the most effective treatment possible.

When you’re looking for the best dog kennels in Clearwater, Florida, simply google “dog kennels clearwater” and search for a dog kennel that provides what this post suggests.  You’ll find “A Very Important Pet” center, or “aVIP” to be the first on the list for dog kennels in Florida!