Sonya,

I don't want to hijack your thread but what is your floor made of and who manufactured your kennels? Are they glass or stainless steel? We are considering Mason.

Are you a member of ABKA? How important is that to members on the forum who board their dogs?

The only time I kenneled a dog, it was the kennel connected with my vet's office. That's the only reason I chose it. We've always found people to take care of our dogs when we were away, or taken the dogs with us. There was one time when we flew to Bolivia for a week and obvious couldn't take the dogs. We also couldn't find anyone to watch the dogs, because everyone we trusted was going on the same vacation. That time I called in a pet sitter.

I think my main question would be how would you handle a dog that is dog aggressive. That is the number one reason I got the pet sitter instead of boarding.

Floor is poured concrete , over the heating pipes, at a tiny grade to drain with troughs running into what used to be the old 'drop' of the barn- relined and set to drain into a septic...With the heat running through in winter it dries as fast as we squeegy. Runs are likewise, poured. The walls inside are SSteel and the front of the runs and outside are wire....heavier than what you can buy a dog kennel at Lowes but similar. I don't know the company that made the wire....put up in 1995 I am starting to look at replacing parts due to fence chewing and rusty spots..nothing severe. Gotta talk to the building owner, who built it and would I think be responsible for it as I rent. New gates, some wire that sort of thing.


The kennel was constructed in the bottom of a retired dairy barn. The whole downstairs of the barn was finished off and looks nice, flourescent lighting, radio (no TV) . I also have a bunch of room (which sucks to heat but is nice to have). Room for a grooming room, cat room, store room, bird/reptile room, 10X12 office/retail, laundry/junk/store room with enough room for all the furnace, hot water, conditioner, big front load washer and huge laundry dryer, garbage, hardware shelves....you name it. And the 24 indoor outdoor runs with storage space in front of them, run yard at the other end of the runs. Run yard is pea graveled, disinfected daily, 12ftX100ft.
The place was originally ABKA associated but the original owner (building owner)and I saw no advantage to it.
I DO have all the legal licensing(actually pay the taxes which seems to have been a trial for the last two owners), am zoned to allow the dogs out all day, vs at times in the city. And I do have a contract for each client. I do accept titers. I require only the bare minimum for vaccines as I only have to meet health department requirements for Rabies and I do ask for the first run of puppy shots OR a vets okay. I warn about disease and kennel cough but try to realistically tell them that it has several forms and the vacs isn't gonna save them necessarily. If they are phobic I refer them to one of the local vets that boards and requires all vaccines (and some I have NEVER heard of) all updated every 6 months.....I can only say HOLY COW! At $25/run they should do a lot more for me, not the reverse!
I am probably forgetting something. As refering to other posts got me with the page break.

I have dog aggressive and people aggressive dogs in fairly often. I think I am one of the few that will work with the dogs and accept them. None of the dogs contact each other and if the dog is that strung out by seeing others I do what I can to isolate them. Usually all I have to do is put them at the end or near a non reactive dog and they settle down. Nothing like a natural source of dog appeasing pheromone.

People aggressives I have a pulley system to open guillotines and am pretty quick with opening and shutting run yard gates. I have had a couple dogs test me but usually if you are calm and simple they learn to deal with the routine. By the second visit they are civil and by the third they know I carry treats. I am personally the ONLY person to deal with such dogs. The only 'employees' I might have are my teenagers and they basically do not really contact the dogs. I do the yard runs so I can note stools and behavior anyway. Most of my clients seem to think I am good with dogs and I finally found a paying use for that.

Sonya-

I'm in a different part of the country. Denver, CO. The kennel I am intimately involved with, starts at $26/day or so for a dog. The average kennels are $30/day, nice size (about 4ft by 22 ft). VERY clean. GREAT staff. They charge extra for exercise sessions and grooming. So here is the thing: Marketing. The place calls itself a pet resort and spa. They have webcams.

However, my previous vet kenneled dogs. It was not nearly as nice, clean, and no exercise yards. And more expensive. The dogs were in small crate-like accommodations. Yuk.

You get what you pay for. Maggie has had some special circumstances and has spent a large amount of time at the kennel. I am lucky to have found a place that has an exceptional staff that cares about animals! I take her back just to visit (and this facility is owned by the vet I now use).

I feel that if your fee is fair and you offer a quality accommodation you will do well.

Sonya,

You seem to have covered most things. However, I would want to know if you have fire and intrusion alarms. My utmost concern is safety.

Yup, the doctor that owns the building is a privacy and security freak. Alarms in a system that includes smoke detectors and alarms and sprinkler system. He just updated his home and is gonna shift his "old" stuff to the kennel system...so even nicer.

Marcia, WOW, I live in a more rural area and while I am less expensive I am making more money than I ever have before in my life. I HATE the idea of asking it just 'cause, even though the next kennel I have priced was a buck more a day and extra for everything, it also was a new construct. And I know the last owner charged the doctors, pro golfer and lawyers more for grooming- "'cause they have it". I refuse to do that. I would not sleep at night. Sides....those are some of the nicest and most regular clients. Recession-proof I guess.

Right now is the busiest 10-14 days of the year for me and a welcome boon after the slowness of winter. I have a steady 30 dogs from last week to next. Then we move into the steady flow of summer and NO PROPANE bills. (YEAH!!) During this time I want to improve, make the old regulars notice and keep up the word of mouth. I think the biggest single thing that keeps customers is the condition of their dogs going home. Not necessarily how clean as to how HAPPY. Some dogs will never be happy but most I can convince. Funny how so many folks will not return if their dog went home "unhappy". Thankfully the weather has been glorious and I have had a steady run of dogs playing in the yard.

Everyone, thank you for the input. I would not have thought of security being so important. Glad I have the system to brag on.

Security for me is pretty paramount but the most important thing that I look at is who is handling the dogs. With my breed in general, and my dogs particular, I need to have a dog saavy person who can handle dominant dogs that will take advantage if given the chance as well as follow my directions to a "T" and not just blow them off as unecessary neurosis.

I probably missed it but is your kennel situated on your personal home property so that there is someone present at night? I like that as well :-)

No one is there at night though the building owner is right next door and watches the place. She'll call and ask who the Saint was that just knocked my on my butt or why the sheriff is there (I board their meth dog) .

I do board a ACD often. She comes with her sibs....a beagle and a bassett. Her name is Bug....'cause she bugs you. True. She nips a little...as a form of communication. Nothing traumatic. Not like the Chessie 1 year old that was leaving me with bruises all Spring Break. Nice dog....if he would STOP biting for attention!

Add on question for this thread...

If I made out a comment card would you fill it out? Is it a waste or too needy or would you view it as helpful. Anonymous even. I am thinking of sending it out with the Policys sheet that every client should have but I am finding many of the older clients don't have or never got from past owners. Along with a card thanking them for their business. Maybe a coupon too. I did that the first year and was amazed how many people want to save $5.