What to Look for When You’re Boarding Your Pointer – The Basics

I run a boarding kennel, and I think I do a pretty good job of it. I work hard, but I enjoy being around all the dogs.

Some of my customers board their dogs whenever they leave town and they’re old hands, but others have never done it before and I need to explain how things work when they first come in. If you’ve never boarded your Pointer before, you might not even know what to look for in a boarding kennel. I can help you with that.

Basically, there are two types of dog boarding kennels. The first type provides what I call “the basics”, and then there’s the type that likes to call itself a “doggy spa”, a “dog vacation resort” or something similar.

In this post I’ll list “the basics” to look for. I’ll tell you about “doggy spa” boarding kennels in a separate post.

Look for these basics in any boarding kennel you’re considering:

• Cleanliness. You shouldn’t see any dog “messes” anywhere – not in the areas where the dogs are kept and not in the exercise yards. Food and water bowls should also be kept scrupulously clean.
• Safety and security. All areas should be safely fenced in so escape is impossible, and dogs should be separated from each other so there’s no chance of squabbles (not normally a problem with Pointers).
• Spaciousness. Dogs must be kept in runs that give them enough room to walk around freely, and exercise yards should be large enough to let them run.
• Climate control. All dog runs should be cooled and heated as required by the outside temperature.
• Vaccinations required. All owners must prove their dogs have received rabies, Bordetella and DHLPP vaccinations within the prior year. All boarded dogs should also be on a flea and tick control program and be free of worms.
• A trained, knowledgeable staff. You want your Pointer being cared for by people who know what they’re doing with dogs.