If you’re like me, you always feel a
little guilty when travelling forces you to leave your furry best friend behind.
Modern pup parents want their canine charges to be well cared for in their
absence so whether it be an upscale dog hotel or a more budget-conscious
facility there are a number of things you should consider before dropping Fido
off in someone else’s care. Here are some of my recommendations:


– Think about your dogs needs before beginning your search for a boarding
facility. If your dog isn’t well socialized he likely won’t enjoy his stay. If
your dog is an activity freak, make sure the facility you choose has an
adequate exercise regime in place as well as space to run off that excess
energy. Some boarding facilities provide lengthy nature walks, but expect to
pay extra for this feature.

– Don’t rush, always visit the boarding facility well in advance of
your trip, making sure you get a tour of the sleeping, exercise and feeding
areas, as well as a chance to meet and chat with the staff. Doing this will
give you ample time to choose an alternate facility should it look
disorganized, unclean or otherwise poorly managed.

– Ask for references or customer testimonials.

– If you feel uncomfortable about any aspect of the boarding facility,
trust your instincts and look elsewhere.  

– Once you’re satisfied with the facility you’ve chosen, be prepared to
complete paperwork outlining your dog’s history, veterinarian, your contact
info, emergency contact, as well as the policy to follow should your dog
require immediate veterinary attention while in their care. You will also need
to prove your dog has up-to-date vaccinations. Avoid last-minute frustrations
and get this done well in advance of your trip.

– The best boarding facilities are always
the first to fill up so if you’ve left it too late and are not willing to
settle, make your reservations now or consider either bringing Rover along or
staying home. And I’m speaking from personal experience when I recommend
booking for the Christmas holidays now.

 

The Province newspaper recently dropped by Modern Dog’s office to snap a few pictures of our office dogs. Click here to see the article they ran on my suggestions for boarding your dog along with accompanying photo.

 

And here’s my dog Kaya on vacation at the Rex Dog Hotel:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click here to see more pictures of the Rex Dog Hotel