Traveling can be stressful, especially if you’re worried about whether your pet is being well cared for while you are away. The following are some questions Canine Sleep Over, a New Jersey dog-boarding service, recommends you ask before choosing a place to board:
Are the dogs supervised at all times?
The better sitters watch over all of the guests with a special eye on newcomers.
Is there a schedule of activities and safety rules?
A good day is broken up into times for play, rest and feeding.
Can the staff handle special requirements?
The better places are skilled at administering medicines, pills, ear ointments and insulin, and paying special attention to elders.
How do you group the dogs?
According to Canine Sleep Over, the better sitters group dogs by their activity level, not by size, and boarders should be skilled at grouping pets in the right environment, with dogs of a similar nature.
Canine Sleep Over owner Audrey de Gaster has been boarding dogs for over 25 years out of her home and her background is Dog Training and Behavioral Modification. She has four outside play yards and ample room inside for everyone to enjoy.
“We don’t over crowd (not even over the summer or during Holiday time),” she related. “We group our/your kids by their activity level, not by size. If your dog is allowed at home on the sofa, they are more than welcome to use the ones in my home.”
Can we tour your facility?
When you and your dog visit before their stay, it makes everyone’s vacation more comfortable. You get to see where your dog will be and it makes it more familiar to your dog.
Touring is actually a requirement at some facilities, but keep in mind that meet and greets are done usually by appointment only.
What medical paperwork do you require?
Typically, dog boarders ask that you provide evidence of up-to-date rabies, distemper, and bordetella shots.