kennel

As summer draws to a close, I’ve been thinking about the number of conversations I had over the last few months with clients about options for their dog(s) when they go out of town.

And I’ve been frustrated by the number of judgmental comments that have come with those discussions (either with clients or seen online from others). There are folks who cannot believe owners would choose to leave their dogs in a boarding facility and typically refer to it as “doggie jail.” There are others who cannot believe an owner would trust a stranger to come into their home while they are away to care for their dog. And there are others still who cannot believe anyone pays for either service and believe instead that dogs should be left with close friends/family.

So what’s best? Boarding facility, pet sitter, family friend?

In my opinion, CARED FOR IS BEST.

What does that mean? It means that what’s best for me and my dog might not be what’s best for you and your dog. Here are some of my thoughts on the pros and cons of each option:

Pros:
> Boarding Facility: In North Carolina, boarding facilities must be inspected/licensed by the state to legally provide overnight boarding or daycare. This should give owners confidence in the cleanliness and proper/sturdy construction of their animals’ living quarters. Boarding facilities also very often provide supervised social/play time for your dog, which can be a great enrichment while you are away.
> Pet Sitter: Hiring a pet sitter allows your dog to stay at home in its own environment, which may be much preferred by some dogs (especially those who may be shy or older). It would also be assumed that a good pet sitter would be able to give your dog good one-on-one attention.
> Family/Friends: Asking someone close to you to watch your dog can be a lot of fun and usually much cheaper. This allows your dog to stay with someone it is hopefully comfortable with and who may know its habits well. As a bonus, they usually don’t charge as much (if anything) compared to a pet sitter or boarding facility.

Cons:
> Boarding Facility: Depending on the facility, boarding kennels can be somewhat loud and chaotic places with a lot of dogs and limited staff.
> Pet Sitter: Allowing a stranger into your home may make you feel uncomfortable and it may be hard to be sure that your pet is receiving the type of care and attention you desired.
> Family/Friends: Let’s be honest, sometimes family and friends who are doing you a favor for free don’t put in the same time and care you might appreciate.

I’ve used all three of these options at some point, depending on my circumstances at the time. And thankfully, I’ve had almost all wonderful experiences.

At the moment, I choose to leave my dogs at a boarding facility – and my dogs LOVE IT. The facility is inspected/licensed, the people are great, and my dogs get to play four times a day with other dogs while I’m away. While Tucker could likely be adequately cared for by a small child, Ellie the Warrior Princess requires a little bit more expertise and focus. A well run boarding facility, with secure housing, supervised play time, and an employee who will play ball with her, is exactly what she needs to be well cared for and happy.

So please, unless you see a situation that is going to be unsafe for the animal, hold the judgment. Making sure your dog is well cared for while you’re away is the goal. How you choose to do that is up to you.

***A word on boarding facilities or pet sitters who keep animals at their own homes.***
Both must be inspected/licensed by the state to be legal! (Pet Sitters keeping animals in their own homes are actually considered kennels/boarding facilities.) There are A LOT of folks who are knowingly, or unknowingly, breaking the law in Watauga and the surrounding counties. Spoiler alert – there are only 5 stand alone kennels in Watauga County who are legally licensed to board (vet clinics with attached boarding are licensed differently). As of a search on 8/9/19, in alphabetical order, the licensed facilities are: Fetching Ridge Pet Hotel and Spa, Happy Paws Dog Den, Mountain Mamma’s Bed and Biscuit, Pet Prairie Dog Retreat, and Woof Pack Pet Services.

Here’s a link where you can check your own NC county for licensed facilities and view their inspection reports. Click here.

In my domain, my dogs have always earned freedom. What does that mean?

It means that before Tucker earned unsupervised free run of the whole house, he had to show good unsupervised behavior in my bedroom.

And before he earned unsupervised free run of my bedroom, he had to show good partially supervised behavior in my bedroom.

And before he earned partially supervised behavior in my bedroom, he stayed in his kennel when I wasn’t able to watch him – because that was the safest place for him (and my stuff).

It would surprise most people to know that Tucker was not left outside of his kennel if I wasn’t home until he was somewhere between 2-3 years old. Why? Because I knew his kennel was safe, and when he was an adolescent, I didn’t 100% trust him not to stick his head in a trashcan or steal some kleenex.

I have received numerous calls, emails, and text messages from folks who have provided their dog (usually a puppy) with too much freedom too fast. Young dogs are like children – they get distracted, they “forget” rules, and they are easily tempted. You shouldn’t feel guilty for limiting your dog’s unsupervised freedom – it can save you money and your dog injury! I have heard of dogs destroying couches, digging through walls, and even ingesting foreign objects – all because they were trusted too soon.

But here’s the reality folks – as you begin providing freedom, you may have great success for a while and then your puppy does something very “puppy.” So what then? Just like a parent with an unruly teenager, it’s okay to take freedom AWAY again for a time until you feel it can be handled appropriately again.

Exhibit A:

Ellie just turned a year old this past Saturday. She’s a firecracker, so she has not been given much freedom yet. It’s only been in the past few months that she’s even been trustworthy enough to leave in the living room while I walk down the driveway to get the mail. Lately, she had been showing much improved maturity – so the hallway gate blocking off half the house was used less frequently and fewer doors were closed when she was out of her kennel.

This morning I took a phone call from a client. I didn’t realize that Ellie was no longer in sight until the call ended – less than 10 minutes. I found her ripping up Tucker’s bed in the back room. So what now?! We’ll take away some freedom – we’ll spend a while using the gate again and closing more doors – and when she has gone a while without an incident, we will slowly begin providing more freedom again.

Restrictions and boundaries aren’t mean folks – they’re a safety net for you AND your dog. Don’t feel guilty – feel in control!

Cared For Is Best

Freedom is Earned