[Dailydrool] Boarding dogs

[Beverly Szaton]

Everyone has feelings about boarding their dogs. Ok, MOST people. Certainly
the Basset people on this list.
Having been on both ends of this stick, I have a couple of tips.

Cleaning kennels is not a prime job. It stinks, literally. It can be
physically exhausting. It can be dangerous. Aside from slipping on the wet
floor, accidentally stepping in a bucket or slamming into an open kennel
door, there is always the risk that some unhappy doggy is going to lunge
right up that leash and nail your hand or arm with a serious bite. Good
kennel help is REALLY hard to find.
Therefore. When you board your dog and he or she comes home in good shape,
with a smile and smelling clean, remember the staff. Admittedly it may cost
you plenty to just board the dog. But arrange to have a pizza delivered to
the staff-- including the kennel staff, not just the receptionists! Bring a
big box of donuts and one of those boxes of coffee from Dunkin Donuts when
you pick up your dog. Send a card to to staff thanking them for being so
wonderful. Tell the Boss if one person has done an outstanding job and be
sure you get the name correct.
Attaboys in kennelwork are few and exceedingly far between.
The next time your dog is there, someone is going to remember the pizza, or
the donuts, or the thank you card and put out extra effort. It is a huge
edge for your dog, and the monetary output is well worth it.

I have five hundred other things you can do or should do but probably the
most important thing is to be sure the kennel knows who your Vet is and has
permission to take your Basset to the Vet and treat the dog. This also means
leaving every possible phone number with the kennel AND the Vet. Nothing
sucks quite like having a really sick boarder whose owners are
unreachable....don't put your beloved dog or the kennel in that position.

MomPerson. Former Kennel worker, Kennel Manager, Vet Tech: Currently
Grooming Assistant, cook, maid and chauffeur to Nigel, Llewis, Mitchell,
Cooper & ZeldaATB
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