Tailwaggers Country Inn prides itself as “your pet’s vacation destination.” We offer a low-cost, straight-forward dog resort where your dog enjoys plenty of amenities all included in the price, so you don’t have to worry about any extra charges, like most other dog boarding establishments do, indeed, charge. So that begs the question… what are some key questions to ask a dog boarding establishment before dropping your dog off?
Company Information
First, you’ll want to know some basic information. How long has the place been in business? Does it get good reviews, both word-of-mouth and online? What are the associated costs with leaving your dog there? Is it affordable for your budget, or not?
What’s Provided?
Next, you’ll want to ask about what the place offers in terms of dog beds, toys, and food(s). Will you need to supply your own stuff for your dog, or will they take care of some/all of that? Maybe you’d need to bring your own dog crate, or not. Find out what they have and what they don’t have. Find out what you need to bring with you so your dog will be happy and healthy.
Health Emergency Protocols
Also, ask how the dog boarding establishment would handle a health emergency. Do they have access to a vet nearby or is one on staff? What if it’s late at night and your dog is crying? How would they handle that? Do they ask for your dog’s medical records and emergency contact info, or not? Obviously, you want to be assured that they’re prepared for any “issues” that could occur, and that your dog would be safe and/or well cared for should a problem arise.
Living Quarters
Meanwhile, one of the main questions to ask a dog boarding establishment is where your dog would specifically stay while there. Oftentimes, dog owners like to see the actual space/room so they can judge whether it’s worthy or not. Do they have cages? Crates? Open rooms with beds? Is the space clean or dirty?
Exercise Plan
Another question to ask is this: “How often a day would my dog be walked or exercised?” Ideally they should answer, “At least three times a day.” Is their yard fenced in so the dog can’t accidentally run away?
Menu
Besides exercise, you’d also want to ask, “What would my dog eat?” Most places allow dog owners to bring the food their dog usually eats, so as not to interrupt their routine diet. However, what if a place says, “No, it’s our food or nothing.” Maybe that’s not the place for you and your dog to deal with…
In general, you want to have a good overall feeling about the place where your dog stays overnight. If anything a worker on the phone or in person says/does that makes you uncomfortable, then it’s probably not the right place for your dog.
