AboutLani O'Brian Expertise I can answer basic questions such as:
"Why does my dog act like this when dropping off?"
"What should I look for in a boarding kennel?"
"What questions should I ask the kennel at which I'm going to board?"
"What are tips for boarding, to make it easier on my dog and myself?"
I can tell you what your pet is about to face when boarding. Some do's and don'ts during boarding. I also can answer questions about cat boarding and some small animal boarding.
Experience I've worked with pets since I was in highschool. I worked at a boarding kennel and I dog sat for a number of clients. Nine years ago I opened my own boarding kennel.
Education/Credentials 2 years of biology college courses. Business major.
Expert: Lani O'Brian Date: 5/15/2008 Subject: Kenneling a new puppy
Question I am getting a 10 week old shih-tzu puppy on Sunday.... a bit sooner than I had anticipated and have to take a business trip on wednes/thurs. I visited a kennel where the owner raises/breeds/shows yorkies so is familiar with small dogs. She showed me where she keeps the approx 15 yorkies...all clean, nice woman, felt good about that. But when the dogs saw us, they started barking non-stop. What kind of an effect will that yappy barking have on my new puppy. Will this experience make her into a yappy yorkie? Am I better off keeping her in a crate or puppy pen and trying to find a neighbor to come in several times a day? My husband leaves at 5:30 am and doesn't return until 5:30 pm? Please advise...thank you and also let me know what else I need to be concerned about if you think the kennel is my best option. Or is there any other option I haven't thought of? The breeder seemed to think it would be better for her to be surrounded by people/dogs than alone for hours by herself...
Answer Hey Karen,
First off, congrats on the new puppy!
I'm sorry if this gets long winded, but I figure I should overload you with information and opinions, rather than leave you guessing. I will go through your questions and try and tell you my opinions on them the best I can.
First off, 10 weeks old is a small puppy. I have never boarded a dog this young because I require EVERY DOG has their Rabies vaccination and it is generally not given this young. Double check with the woman with the kennel to make sure you aren't in for a sudden change of plans at drop off.
It's great you found someone that is familiar with small dogs. I personally do not offer social boarding at my facility. I'm not sure if she offers that. But it's hard to determine without a screening process who is toy aggressive, food aggressive, separation anxiety, nervous, dominating, etc, etc, etc. It is best in a kennel setting if your puppy would not have any unsupervised playtime with other dogs.
Ok, now as for the barking. Dog's bark... especially when being boarded. I have never had anyone mention that their dog has 'learned' barking at a kennel. Like I said before, I have not boarded a 10 week old pup at my kennel. If I had to guess, I don't think that a stay will turn your little Shih-Tzu into a yappy yorkie. I will tell you this, dogs at kennels do bark much more at somebody new (like yourself taking a tour) than they ever will seeing the people that work there. I can walk back in my kennel and get a couple woofs out of the residents. I take a new person back there, it sounds like WWII just broke out.
It's rough when you have to get a dog so soon and leave it shortly after. Is it at all possible to postpone picking the puppy up till after your return? Unfortunately you have to do what you have to do. But now would be an excellent time to work on crate training skills before you leave. The sooner you teach that little guy/girl that the crate is a safe, fun, comfortable place the better. Hopefully you will know a couple days after you receive the puppy if it is a social butterfly that wants attention 24/7, or a little more laid back, 'go with the flow' attitude where it seems relaxed enough to be ok on it's own. I think that will be the best factor to determine if you want to kennel or have someone you know let the puppy out.
Now you asked to know what you should look out for . First, if this is a boarding kennel, I would ask if they are ABKA (American boarding and kennel association) This is a certificate a kennel can receive by meeting rules and regulations. It's great that things seemed clean and the woman nice. That is a major bonus! If you do decide to have someone come over, make sure that it is someone you know well. I've heard a lot of horror stories about dog's getting loose on the person watching. And I hate to say it, but I would avoid any 'pet-sitting services' where a person comes into your own home. I live in Wisconsin, and there was a woman that offered such a service that was arrested for stealing RX medications out of people's homes.
Some other quick tips (before I finish this novel of a reply), is to try and not change your puppy's diet too much. The breeder should tell you what the dog has been eating, and I would stick to that for now. If you want to change brands I would do that after your are finished boarding. You have no idea how many upset stomachs I've seen due to a sudden food change. Don't pack any special rich treats because you feel guilty. That mouthwatering smoked knucklebone is just a loose stool waiting to happen. Stick to what the dog has been used to getting. Milkbone type treats tend to be best at first. They are easy on the tummy.
Ask the woman if you can bring a blanket or toys... Comfort things from home. I do not allow owners to bring clothing items to my kennel. This is advise many people give, to bring something with the owner's scent on it. I had a small dog once crawl into a sweatshirt and got stuck in the sleeve. Not a happy camper that morning. The dog was ok, but extremely stressed! It could not get it's front feet out and was stuck. People don't generally give their dog's clothing at home, so why should this comfort them while boarding? I'm not sure. Their own bedding will make them feel much more at home that your shirt.
Make sure to check if it ok to bring items from home. I'm a little picky about things at my kennel (like no gigantic stuffed dog beds for new boarders, accidents happen, and it's so hard to wash and dry big items with all the other laundry that needs to be done). Also make sure you check on those shots! That is a biggy for me, and I don't budge on my standards. No vaccinations, no boarding!
I'll give you my e-mail, it is waterbug141@charter.net
That goes straight to my cell phone, so I will make sure to respond as soon as I can get to a computer. I want to make sure that if you have any questions or comments for me that I can answer them ASAP!
Good luck with the new puppy! Let me know how everything went for boarding and how my advice helped. I want to make sure I've got as good of information as I can give!
