There are many occasions when you will have to leave
home for some period of time and you won't be able to take your dog
with you. If you have decided to leave your dog at a boarding kennel,
there are a few things you should know and do before you choose one.

First,
you should go to the different boarding kennels you are considering.
Ask the people at the front desk if you can take a tour of their
facilities. Observe the conditions in which the animals are kept. Are
the runs or cages clean? Do the dogs have food and water provided for
them? Are they allowed to have beds and toys from home? All of these
things are very important for making sure your dog has a comfortable
stay at the kennel. Also, try to get a feel for the employees. Do they
seem happy with their work? You want someone watching your dog who
clearly loves animals and is not overwhelmed by the stress of working
in what is probably a loud and sometimes dirty environment. Another
thing you need to find out is how they plan on exercising the dogs.
Some kennels have a person who walks the dogs once or twice a day.
Others have a large play enclosure where the dogs can get their
exercise, either alone or with a group of other dogs. It is very
important that your pooch be allowed to have play and exercise time
while you are away.

Most kennels allow you to bring your own dog
food for your pup, and they usually also offer the option of feeding
your dog with their food. If you are going to be using their food, make
sure it is a good brand and make sure they are feeding your pup out of
clean dog bowls.

Another important aspect to consider is pricing.
Of course you want to save as much money as possible, but you also
don't want to leave your dog in the lowest quality boarding kennel
available because you wanted to save an extra few dollars.

These
are just a few things to consider when looking for a boarding kennel
for your pooch. Of course it would always be preferable to get some
traveling dog supplies and bring your pup along, but if that isn't
possible, follow the tips outlined above and most importantly, choose
the kennel that feels right to you.