From time to time, even the most devoted dog owner will want to take a vacation that just isn’t right for taking a dog, and at that time good local dog accommodation will be invaluable. A good kennel will try to make your dog’s time away from you as happy and easy as possible.

The best way to assess what a kennel is like is to visit it. Keep your eyes open and take a good look around when you visit, and ask the staff lots of questions. Find out what a typical day holds for a dog – do they exercise and, if so, how often? Does this include free running or just walking on a leash? To make the move from home to kennels easier, can you bring your dog’s bedding from home and maybe some toys too?

A change of food can be very upsetting to your dog’s digestive system, so a good dog shelter will allow you to provide food. The time your dog is fed is also a big part of his routine, and a good kennel will try to replicate what your dog is used to at home. Make sure kennels ensure that your dog will have fresh water constantly available.

If you have more than one dog, a good kennel will allow them to stay together, within reason. For example, it is reasonable to expect that two or three dogs can be housed together, but an establishment that can accommodate five or six dogs together may be more rare. This should not be taken as an indication of a lack of quality care, and a good kennel will try to allow their dogs to spend at least some time together if they are used to living together at home.

If you have a friend who boards their dog at a particular kennel, ask what their experiences have been; Have they returned from vacation with happy, healthy dogs, and has the staff been friendly and helpful? If you don’t know anyone locally who cares for your dog, visit a local dog club or log into an online forum.

A good local dog kennel will register with a local vet in case any of the dogs need treatment, so ask about this. It’s also worth asking if the kennel is a member of any professional bodies and what animal care qualifications the staff members have, as all these theses help recommend a business as one that will take good care of your dog.

One of the latest developments in dog accommodation is the use of webcams that will allow you to watch your dog while you enjoy your vacation. However, these are by no means standard, so don’t be alarmed if your chosen facility doesn’t offer this.

Ultimately, you should trust your instincts about a dog kennel. Do all the doubts you have, look around you and seek the opinion of other clients, but trust your own feelings; If you think you can’t trust a place to take care of one of the most precious things in your life, keep looking. After all, you won’t enjoy your vacation unless you’ve found quality dog ​​boarding for your pooch.