Cure a Dogs Upset Stomach

When planing a family trip there may be several occasions in which your dog will not be able to travel with you. You might be forced to take a business trip, want to go on vacation with your spouse, or need to visit family in another state. Ideally, you would liek to leave your pooch with a loved one while you’re way from home. Unfortunately, that’s not always possible.

When you have to leave your canine behind, and cannot find someone you trust to care for him in your absence, a kennel may be your best option. Some are wonderful while other are certainly not. In this article, we’ll offer a few suggestions to help you identify trustworthy facilities that can make the transition as easy as possible for your pooch.

Tip 1 - Tour The Facility

Before you leave on your trip, invest the time to tour the boarding facility at which you intend to leave your dog. Most kennels will be happy to oblige as long as you make an appointment.

When you visit, take note of the smell. If you become aware of a lingering odor of urine or feces, that can be indicative of a sanitation issue. Also, look at the floors and bowls from which other canines eat and drink. Are they dirty? Do they appear as if they’re not regularly cleaned? Be aware of the bedding and crate sizes. Are they clean? Do the other dogs seem comfortable, or are they stressed? These are all subtle indications that a given facility may not be adequate for your canine.

Tip 2 - Speak With The Staff

You’ll learn a lot about the care provided to pets who are boarded at various facilities by speaking with the staff. You might be surprised to discover that the employees who are tasked with feeding and caring for the dogs harbor a disdain for their jobs. It’s hard to hide. If you notice that any of the staff have such an outlook, take your pooch to another facility.

Tip 3 - Ask Questions In Advance

Take a moment to ask the kennel’s manager to explain a normal day for the canine boarders. Ask how many meals they receive, how much time they spend outside their cages, and who works with them. Inquire as to the presence of an on-stie vet, or if the facility works closely with an emergency clinic. You should also double check the vaccination requirements necessary for all pets prior to arrival.

Tip 4 - Pack Special Supplies (If Necessary)

If your dog has special needs, be sure to pack the appropriate supplies for the kennel’s staff. For example, you can ask the facility’s employees to feed your pooch a special diet. You should also provide the kennel with any medications your dog may need. You can call the kennel and ask them to accommodate such requests after you drop your canine off, but it’s better to prepare supplies in advance.  You might want to even leave your dog’s favorite brand of dog treats, to remind him of home.

Leaving your dog at a boarding facility can cause him stress, especially if it is his first time. Try to make his stay as comfortable as possible by carefully choosing the right facility.

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If you are a pet owner, it’s likely that at some time or another you have asked yourself whether you need a dog kennel and run.  Most dog owners have come to the conclusion that they are definitely worth any investment made, particularly dog owners whose dog stays at home while they go off to work, as well as those who are specifically trying to train their pup.  Keeping your dog in a run during the day when you’re gone allows the dog to run and play and expend energy and it’s a much better idea than leaving him tied up all day.  It also keeps your dog safe from other dogs or other animals, especially if you’re able to lock the pen while you’re away.

Making the decision whether you’ll build or buy a kennel should be based first of all on if you can build it yourself and if you have the time to do this yourself.  If you aren’t much of a handyman, or you are under time constraints then you’d probably be best going with the option of purchasing a already assembled kennel.
Especially if you are not practiced when it comes to building, you could actually put your dog in danger if you try to put together your own kennel. Even though a dog kennel appears to be simple to construct, it’s important to ensure it is structurally sound and that it’s not built from materials that may in any way hurt your puppy, or harm them if gnawed on. 

Buying a kennel, especially if you are careful and thoughtful in your choice, will make sure that you have a safe, strong home for your pet. Even if your pet won’t be spending a lot of time in his dog kennel, it’s still important that he feels safe and protected there. 

When it’s time to make the decision on what type of kennel you need, or build, you must remember to fit the style of kennel to your dog’s breed and temperament. Larger breed dogs naturally require larger, stronger and more well-built kennels than the toy breeds. The larger the dog, the more durable the kennel and run should be as it’s remarkable how strong a dog can be. More than once a large dog attached to a flimsy kennel has taken off, dragging the kennel behind him! 

If you decide to go the route of building your own kennel then make sure you plan it carefully and assemble all the materials you will need before starting the job. One pro to building your own kennel and run is that you can custom design it to your dog’s needs, your home or back-yard, and your budget. You can decide whether it’s to be purely functional or if you want to incorporate little details that make it just a bit different from other kennels. This is also especially helpful if you have a couple of dogs, or different sized dogs; you can custom design your kennel so that it fits the needs for both dogs.

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