It is that time of year again when we pack up our things and
go on holiday for a stint in the sun. You might just be going away for a week
to Europe to lounge by the pool, or you might be on a 3-week tour of the States
or the Far East. Wherever you are heading, if you are a dog owner then you will
be very much aware of the dilemma that faces everybody: what do we do with our
dog?
If you do not have any friends or family who are able to
look after your pet then there are two main options available to you: dog
kennels or dog
boarding. Dog kennels are probably the better known of these alternatives.
A dog kennels is usually a place where lots of dogs stay over the period that
you are away. Dog boarding is when your pet stays with somebody who looks after
your pet in their own home.
Dog kennels are a lot more common than dog boarding and they
are often represented in very different ways. Some dog kennels consider
themselves to be the higher end of the spectrum and market themselves as luxury
“doggy hotels” where dogs are pampered while their owners are away. However
this is not a very accurate description of a dog’s experience in a kennel.
Unfortunately a lot of dog kennels simply provide a small,
isolated room for your dog to sit down, eat, and sleep. A common complaint
regarding kennels is that the dog often misses out on regular exercise and
general socialisation. Some dogs are absolutely fine in this environment but
other owners report that their pets do not respond well to this decline in
exercise.
A particular problem for rescue dogs, being put temporarily
in this sort of environment can rouse old anxieties that owners have worked
hard to eliminate. Pets that are used to living in a family home where they are
loved and shown a lot of affection may find it especially difficult to adjust
to a new atmosphere where they are treated the same as everybody else and maybe
not be given the level of attention that they are used to.
Dog boarding is a modern, popular alternative to kennels
because your dog is placed into a loving home until you return from your trip. Home
from Home ensure that all of the dog boarders who work with them have had
enough experience with dogs that they will be capable of looking after yours
with a lot of love. The boarders are not allowed to have any cats or dogs of
their own which means that there is nobody there for your pet to clash with.
More importantly it means that the person “adopting” your
dog for the period is able to dedicate all of their time to your pet. Whereas a
kennel might contain lots of dogs all of who compete for the attention of the
people in charge; the person (or family) who your pet is boarding with will
only be looking after your dog.
If you are interested in becoming a dog boarder or if you
would like to arrange to have your dog looked after in time for your holiday,
call Home from Home on 01932 568584.
