Kennel / boarding options for dogs Articles | Dogs

By: John Wilson

If you’re going away and need to leave your dog somewhere, then you have several options.  You can opt for home boarding, where the dog is cared for in a home environment, pet sitting, where someone will stay in your home to care for your pet or the traditional kennel boarding.  Of course you want a clean, roomy, well-ventilated environment for your pet, but what makes for a good boarding choice?

If you decide to hire a pet sitter, then references from previous clients are the best determination if this is the pet sitter for you.  Ask if they are insured and who will have access to your home.  Find out how many hours they will be at the home a day and if they have emergency transportation.  See how they interact with your dog.  Determine if they are able to administer medicines.  A pet sitter is ideal for the animal that may get stressed out at a kennel with all the activity and noise.  For the home environment boarding, set up a visit.  Your dog should receive the same care here as at home.  It should be a comfortable welcoming environment with ample individual attention to your pet’s needs. 

Boarding kennels are good options, especially if you are going to be gone for a week or two.  They are also a good choice for the pet that has a need to be around people and other animals.  The kennel should have a sheltered area and a dog run area. They typically range the gamut from your basic kennel to luxury like kennels.  Whichever you choose, there are some things to look for and questions to ask.  Most importantly, visit the kennel.  Ask for a tour of the facility.  Look around and observe hygiene, temperature and ventilation.  You should check to see if it is clean looking and clean smelling.  Check the food and water bowls to see if they are clean.  Also, look to see the type of food that is served.  Is it high quality or low?  Observe the number of dogs in the kennel in proportion to the number of employees.  Can they provide what they say with this ratio?  See how the staff interacts with the dogs.  Ask questions about how they care for certain breeds, if they provide medical care, how they deal with aggression and behavioral problems.  Find out if they provide twenty-four hour coverage.  You also want to make sure your dog has access to an outside exercise area.  And make sure they have adequate insurance coverage.

When looking for boarding options, consult your veterinarian, friends and family for recommendations.  Figure out which option is best for your dog’s personality.  Talk to the pet sitter or kennel employees.  Pay attention to details, ask questions and expect them to ask questions also.  By doing so, you will find a proper place to keep your dog, while you are away.  He will be safe and well taken care of, and you can relax, and enjoy your time away, knowing this.

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DOGS Article #5

Title: Dog grooming processes

Word Count: 695

Most people wouldn’t think to go a day or two without out combing their hair, let alone a week or two.  Whether your dog has short or long hair, he still requires grooming to maintain a healthy, shiny coat. 

It is important to comb or brush his hair, inspect his coat and bathe him as required.  This will prevent his hair from tangling and becoming matted.  Tangled and matted hair will be uncomfortable for your pet, and in a worse case scenario, affect his health adversely.  They can create sores, making it hurt for your pet to be touched.  Regular grooming will keep your pet looking good and feeling good. 

In addition to preventing tangling, brushing a dog’s coat is an ideal way to distribute the animal’s natural oils.  In doing so, it also removes loose hair, stimulates the skin, loosens dirt and dander, as well as, any other materials which may have become stuck in it.  When grooming, you should also check the dog’s skin for any signs of inflammation, infection, irritation or parasite infestation.

Dogs with shorter haired coats require less grooming than dogs with longer haired coats but they do require some attention.  Many shorthaired dogs have a dandruff problem from frequent shedding.  They require daily brushing.  You should use a soft bristled brush on shorthaired dogs, or a hound glove with short wire bristles in the palm. This will remove the dead hair and dirt.  Follow up with a soft cloth to wipe any remaining loose hair.  If using a comb, choose a fine toothed one.  Begin with the head and work your way down the dog’s body to its tail and legs.   

Dogs with longer hair will require more frequent grooming sessions.  A short time every day to accomplish this will make the task easier.  Once again, start at the head and brush or comb the direction of the dog’s hair.  For dogs with a thick undercoat, lift the hair and brush under the coat to remove dead hair.  Wire pin or slicker brushes are ideal for longer coats, as the brush should have long firm bristles to pull the dead hair.  And if using a comb after the brushing, a wide toothed comb is the better option.

As a general rule, dogs should not be bathed more than three or four times a year unless excessively dirty.  More frequent bathing will remove their protective natural oils and cause a dandruff problem.  Those with long silky coats may require weekly bathing.  Before bathing a dog, it is important to brush its coat well to remove dead, loose hair, as well as, loosen tangles or mattes.  You can use any gentle, tearless dog shampoo.  If your dog has skin conditions or fleas you may need to use a special shampoo.  Make sure you don’t get shampoo in his eyes and to rinse thoroughly.  It is important to remove all shampoo so as to not cause itching, flaking and skin problems.  Then, wrap the dog in a towel and dry.  You can blow dry on the lowest setting possible with the blow dryer far enough away from the dog, so it won’t get burned. 

Another part of the grooming process is to clip the dog’s toenails.  Use clippers and be careful not to cut to the quick, which is where the blood supply ends.  Make sure you have some styptic powder on hand in case you do cut into the quick.  This will stop the bleeding.  Also, make sure you brush your dog’s teeth.  Use soft bristled toothbrush and dog toothpaste.

This is also a good time to inspect and clean your dog’s ears.  Slightly wet a cotton ball, with an ear cleaner, and wipe the folds of the skin.  If you notice a foul smell or wax buildup, then you should have your veterinarian check for possible infection.

The grooming process may seem like a chore, but it can be a positive experience for both you and your pet.  It is an ideal way to keep your companion healthy. The interaction that comes with this will turn this chore into an enjoyable and bonding experience for you both.