Many of you will know that whenever possible the team members at Travall want their dogs to travel with them. We like nothing better than installing the Travall Guard and hitting the road with our dogs in search of fun and adventure. Sometimes this just isn’t possible and we need to find the right place for our precious pups to stay. The dog care options available are now greater than they used to be. However, some can get fairly expensive, so it’s best to see what is available within your budget. So we thought we’d feature the top 3 dog care options available to dog owners, so you can best decide what could be the right care for your furry friend.
Traditional dog kennels
Taking your dog to stay at a kennel is the option that many dog owners immediately think of. However, there are a very wide range of kennel types and options with this that may sway your decision on where to go. The size of the kennels (in terms of the number of dogs they can accept) can vary widely and so can the amenities on offer. When visiting a kennel prior to the stay, figure out what kind of daily schedule your dog would enjoy. If exercise time is limited to a short walk outside a couple of times a day, that may not be ideal for your energetic border collie. Conversely, if the kennel has the dogs running around in country fields for most of the day, that can be the perfect option for some dogs, but may not be as good for a lap dog or those getting on in age.
For some dogs it may be better to use a kennel that is part of your veterinarian’s practice – there are more and more of these opening up across the country. They’re naturally popular as dog owners know that if there are any medical issues with their dog in their absence, their dog will receive quick and appropriate treatment.
Dog care in someone’s home
There are several franchises where your dog goes through an initial assessment with the franchise owner and is then assigned to stay in a team member’s home depending on the dog’s needs. This type of scenario works well for dogs who don’t do well in a more formal kennel situation or if you feel your dog needs more focussed attention while you are away.
Hiring a house sitter
For those whose dogs are real home bodies hiring a house sitter may be one of your preferred dog care options. This works well for people who don’t like their home to be left vacant and ensures that Fido gets to sleep in his own bed while you’re away. This situation can be arranged using a family friend or relative but there are also businesses that offer this service.
With the broader range of dog care options now available to dog owners, it’s worth doing some investigating in your area to see what is available for your dog.