So I am polling some of my clients too but thought this would give me info from a unbiased base.

Basically I am setting up my spring flyer and wondering what you look for in a boarding kennel or groomer.

Cost seems the biggest and first question.( I think I am the least expensive local at $13/day dog $9/day cat $3/day bird/herp Followed by do I have heat (yes, in floor) or air conditioning (not needed in the building as it stays cool as a well constructed dairy barn on a slab) and how are the runs set up. Then it is usually more mondane stuff like can they bring...food bedding and toys (of course), shots required.

I do not and see others locally charge extra for 'extra' personal time (which I think is just BS- they should be spending time with everyone!) and extra to administer drugs ($1 per pill $2 per injection) which I think is a rip off for keeping a healthy dog. So I am noting that on my flyer...that I do NOT charge.

I tend to do stuff and not advertise them too or charge for it.....so rely on word of mouth that I wash bedding before it goes home and have been known to wash a particularlarly dirty dog without charge (though I groom too) just so it doesn't go home a pig pen.

I do get folks that just show up unannounced...presumably to catch the place filthy or something. Generally they want a tour...which is fine but a PITA if I am grooming and need to get done by a time. But I usually try to account for it.

So what would you look for and maybe what would you look for for sale at the kennel? ( I sell a few treats- but also tend to use them to reward coming in or behaving anyway- again, no charge. ) rawhides, bones- raw femurs in the freezer, stuffed toys)

TIA

Sonya: Your place sounds great. It has all of the things I look for when I board my dogs, which isn't very often. One of the main things I look for is time out of their kennel, playing with other dogs (when and if appropriate).

I am one of those people that takes my old dogs bedding, as she doesn't do well when kenneled and I want her to have those familiar smells around her. The fact that you launder the bedding is huge. I usually have to take home stinky, wet bedding but it's the price I pay for wanting the old girl to be comfy. Also that you wash particularly "pig pen" dogs is also great.

My kennel offers a line of holistic dog foods, leashes, collars, treats and dog beds. I will often buy their food there, as it is the brand I use when I'm not feeding raw. Now that is an issue I hadn't thought of. I feed raw 99% of the time. I've not kenneled the dogs since going that direction so don't know if there'd be an extra charge for that. I have always taken their kibble with me but raw is new for us in the last 4 months.

Our current kennel charges $20 per day with the play time. Not sure about pill dispensing and such.

Good luck. I think your place sounds like doggy heaven!

Hmmmm...let me think about this for a minute. I think it is great that you care. But I do know that the first thing that pops in my head and what has brought me back to particular placed with mine and that is the staff. Clean, neat, professional and all that stuff. But when they individualize my dog's visit that means the world to me. I don't know why, I guess it makes me feel good that they noticed an indiviudal need or trait and attended to that. Whether it be good (warm fuzzy) or how they resolved a concern.

The number 1 thing I look at, and I've only boarded a couple of times, once with someone I know, is security. I want them locked up, and secure.

Sonya, sounds like you run a great place.

The most important thing for me is that my dog is not allowed to mingle with other dogs, and that her accomodation is large enough that she can move around freely.

Re the treats, etc, especially with rawhide, I would be hesitant to sell or give those to dogs in my charge, becuase of the possibilty of an obstruction. Digestible chews like bully sticks would be a better choice.

Do you accept titers in lieu of vaccinations? My dog is only vaccinated for rabies; I get titers for distemper and parvo, so I need a boarding facility that will accept those. (probably not a large part of your market, though...)

 Quote: steve strom

The number 1 thing I look at, and I've only boarded a couple of times, once with someone I know, is security. I want them locked up, and secure.

Yup, same here. I rarely board too, but security, cleanliness and knowledgeable staff are top of the list for me,

I understand the rawhide thing. I don't like it myself but have several clients that wanted it and often forget their own. For keeping a dog busy I have femur bones and various nylas that I can disinfect. I ALWAYS ask what a dog can and can't have...from toys and treats to soft or stuffed bedding. Noted in their records.

Kennels are six foot high covered outside, doubled drop latches, 4 1/2ft wide with a 6 ft inside and then a dog door (magnador...wish they came in indestructable!) and then a ten foot outside run. Walls inside, fencing outside. Pea graveled yard beyond where each dog is run INDIVIDUALLY, also 6ft fencing.Touch wood I have not had any escapes. The only time dogs run together is when they live together. IF someone wants to socialize I offer my own dogs and there is a signature. Out of run at least three times a day. Nice days when I am there grooming they are out for longer and someone out all during the day.
At night everyone is closed into the inside part of their runs with a guillotine door.
Also security wise the place is locked and alarmed and the building owner is 100yards away (since I live two miles away) If someone pulls in the drive Cathy calls me if I am not there. She HAS finally learned not to panic about the Sheriff coming....I board the county meth dog.

All dogs have any oddities noted on their run sheet and poos and appetite noted daily along with meds. Even though I am the only worker 95% and my daughter helps during school holidays it is good to note. Though usually I can remember things, even when we are full. I can save brain power.

I disinfect it all inside and out every morning. If the place smells like a kennel I start to go nuts. My daughter laughs. The place is generally cleaner then our home. Course I can't hose down the livingroom!

Right now there are 31 dogs in 24 runs. Cat room too.

Trying to figure what to note in ads. Trying to find out what to work on to offer or improve. Put girly flowers out front and improving the ramp rail after a mastiff took it apart chasing a cat. I am not good at cutsy but appreciate that it is a first impression.

Question....would it be something of interest to offer leash walks? As it is the dogs that are high drive get play time with fetch inside the fence. My issue with walks is obedience and escapes.

My rates haven't changed in ten years.(I have been there for two as the owner) I debate it since too cheap seems desperate to some. But I am making money too. I am on top of a hill and for grooming especially rarely draw 'city' folks. The climb up the hill in the winter is not for the faint of heart. In winter I have been known to meet folks down the hill....4 miles down, generally for free but I do have pick up and delivery for $10 which some use to save their heathen monsters messing up their sports cars.

Gotta go meet a client.

I'll keep thinking, I know some of the kennels are getting into the web cams, pools, plush quarters, massage.... Your place sounds great and it appears like you are ontop of it.


As far as leash walks, there is a local kennel here that leash walked a nervous nelly GSP dog and she backed out of the collar, leash was dropped or whatever happened and she bolted. Apparently their practice was not to leash walk and like you, they do have a large grass portion fenced, the kennel help just decided to do this for whatever reason. This dog belonged to a friend, so of course we went searching as the owner was 10 hours away. The dog was found after 6 hours and all turned out ok for the dog. Pet sitters leash walk dogs all the time though and oddly I have never heard any horror stories.

PS nice mug shot.

For my boarding I do not charge extra for administering medicine or playtime.The dogs go outside approx. 4 times per day,more often if they need to, all in a supervised, fenced area where they can play for 5-15 minutes for each visit outside. Each dog is let out individually unless I have permission from the owner to do otherwise. I do not accept dog or people aggressive dogs.My boarding agreement states that if the dog turns aggressive during his stay I have the right to take him to their Vet for boarding at cost to the client, however that has never happened. I charge extra for walks around the lake.I live on a private lake. The walk is approx. 1-2 miles long, depending on the dog. I offer board and trains and introduction to agility equipment, which is also extra cost. Grooming clients get a discounted rate.

I do free bathing if the dog is staying for 7 days. If it is a preferred client I will do one additional spa treatment at no cost such as a hot oil treatment, mud bath,teeth brushing,facial scrub,body massage, deshedding, hot spot baths and paw soak with paw balm. I also wash bedding on the day they pick their dog up. If they do not supply bedding I supply it for them. The dog must be flea/tick free. If they are not they are immediately flea bathed or dipped depending on the severity of the infestation.There is an additional $10.00 charge for fleas or ticks.

I currently charge $10.00 per day for all dogs ,however when my new kennel opens in the next couple of months I will charge $12.00 for small dogs, $15.00 for medium and $18.00 for large.

I allow pick up/drop off 7 days a week at no extra cost. On the days I am closed, Sunday-Monday, they have to call and make arrangements for a pick up time.

They have to be up to date on all their shots, including bordatella and I require proof of vaccinations. I get alot of Vet referrrals so shots are a must!

The retail I sell is shampoo, conditioners, toothpaste, oral hygiene solution, body wipes, medicated sprays, Sojourner Farms dog food, dog odor candles, 6-8 foot leather leads and prong collars.

I offer a spa meal plan which consists of a raw food diet. They have their choice of meal plan and that is an additonal $5.00 per day. Some clients just purchase 1 meal since their dogs do not eat raw. I will spread it out over their visit.I measure out the food according to body weight. I fill out a card for the client to take home letting the client know what was fed if they do not choose from the meal plan themselves. They also get a handout regarding info on the BARF diet.

They are required to fill out a boarding agreement and I do charge for damage to the property. My new place will have 10 5x9 kennels, 2 larger ones totaling 12, haven't yet determined the size and 3 outdoor pens, 12 x 12, and 2 10 x 10's. The outside pens each have igloos and a cover over the pen. (I board mostly smaller dogs.)Unfortunately they are not indoor outdoor runs due to the cost. We have paid cash for the entire kennel.

I will have camera surveillence set up inside each kennel and around the outside area for security.I do not have a website at this time.It is planned for the future where the client will have internet access to watch their dog.

I just ordered and received two CD's for pet stress and seperation anxiety to play throughout the day to relax the dogs. I thought about TV's in one or two of the kennels but have not decided yet. I think it would be a wasted expense.

Hey Sonya,

Stuff that sells exceptionally well at the boarding kennel I work at are the higher grade specialty dog toys like Hucks, tug a jug, and treat cubes. We also do pretty well selling smaller sizes of the shampoos I use for grooming. Brushes, combs, etc for sale have been a waste of money, we have found that training collars sell well in conjunction with training classes.

I would encourage you to not go by dog size for charging. We go by room size and it has saved some major hassles and upset clients. Little dogs go in smaller runs than the big guys or multi pet stays. Basically if they're in the large rooms there is a certain rate, and if they are in the smaller rooms there is a certain rate. The problem with going by size is you end up having to define it for owners which can get to be a royal PITA especially if fluffy has put on 20lbs or is barely into the next size range.

Radio is a must for creating a less reactive dog environment. Tvs although we have them at work in the larger runs I agree... waste of money and very stupid. Spend the money on the cameras instead although I would encourage you to only have the cameras operating during certain hours because as sad as it is some owners can't stand the sight of seeing their dog as stressed as boarding can make them on camera or in person.

As far as what I look for in a kennel. I want the property secure without a ton of in and out traffic all day long. I want the inside of the kennel to smell nice and obviously well cleaned and clutter free. I want to know who will be handling (employees, owners, owners kids?) my dogs and if my instructions will be followed. I want to know what kind of exercise my dogs will be allowed and how frequently.

Finally and this is a big one for me I want to make sure the business is licensed, zoned correctly, that if they have employees they're following the law. Businesses that skirt the law often use employees who are not well taken care of. If these businesses can't bother to take decent care of the people in their lives how can I expect them to take care of my dog?

good luck with the new kennel!

Melissa