Kenneling your dog can be a difficult thing to do even if you have the most sociable dog in the world. It can be a very anxious ordeal for both you and your dog. This only becomes increasingly difficult if you know that your dog does not usually get along with other dogs.
As much as owners try and socialize their dogs, some dogs just do not get along well with others. That doesn’t mean they are any less loving to you but it can be quite the event taking them out in public or to a dog park.
If you need to kennel your dog and it doesn’t get along with other dogs, there are a few tips you should follow.
Tour the kennel
The first tip is to tour the kennel. This actually holds true for all dog owners whether your dog is sociable or shy. This is probably one of the most important things you can do for your dog’s well-being.
The goal of the tour is to preview the kennel ahead of actually leaving your dog there. A quality, upstanding kennel will be more than happy to take you on a tour of the premises. If a kennel does not allow tours, it is best to find a different kennel. During the tour you should have the opportunity to view all of the essential areas such as where the dogs are kept, play areas, eating areas, bathing areas, etc.
During the tour you should also have the opportunity to ask questions. Fire away. The more questions you ask, the more comfortable you will feel afterwards. Anything left unanswered will just contribute to your anxiety while you are away from your dog.
The tour will also give you an opportunity to follow the next tips.
Disclose it to the kennel
It is in your best interest and the best interest of your dog to disclose his or her dislike for other dogs to the kennel. Some kennels check for this prior to accepting a dog. They will look for signs of aggression or shyness.
The key is finding a kennel who is well equipped and well staffed with experienced dog handlers. They will be able to help your dog throughout its stay at the kennel.
By disclosing the fact that your dog does not get along with other dogs to the kennel, your are giving them a heads up. They can take special note to keep an eye on your dog and make special arrangement for him or her. This could be in the form of separate play times or secluded play areas, away from other dogs.
Find out the kennel’s supervision policies
Another important factor to check on while you are at the kennel is their supervision policies. It will range from kennel to kennel but ideally, you want to choose a kennel that is staffed 24 hours per day.
Kennels that don’t have staff around the clock aren’t necessarily bad, but the more thorough the supervision, the better.
Ask the kennel what they do in emergencies
Many reputable kennels will have a veterinarian on-call 24 hours per day. This is important in the event that your dog becomes ill or worse. If your dog does not get along with other dogs, the emergency policies are crucial. You will want to find out what the kennel does in the event that a dog attacks another dog. Will you be notified? Will the dog be brought to an animal hospital or will a vet be called in?
Questions like these will help to assure you that you’ve chosen the right kennel for your dog.
Does the kennel have private areas
Private play areas are important for kennels for a multitude of reasons. One of the more obvious reasons is to separate small and large dogs. Even if the dogs get along, larger dogs often don’t realize their size and strength, and just how fragile their smaller counterparts are.
It is also important to have separate play areas because of dogs that don’t get along with other dogs. If your dog displays any signs of shyness, fear, anxiety, or aggression, it is nice to know that they can be separated from the large group of dogs. This will help to avoid any unnecessary incidents.
In summary, if your dog does not get along with other dogs and you need to kennel it, disclose the dog’s nature to the kennel and do your homework on the kennel.
Andrew Fujii is a marketing professional with expertise in digital/web and content marketing. He is also a copywriter for multiple agencies producing copy for blogs, articles, websites, product packaging, mobile apps, and more.
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