Summer is the time for vacations, trips, and travels. For dog owners, especially those with large breeds like Belgian Shepherds, the question of whether to take the dog along or leave them at a kennel constantly arises. Let’s consider both options.
You decided to take your dog with you on a car trip. What are the benefits of this journey:
- The whole family is together. You don’t have the guilt of your four-legged friend feeling lonely while you enjoy your time.
- If active walks are planned, you can give your energetic companion a good workout.
However, challenges await you:
- Not all hotels allow pets in the room.
- If city walks are part of the plan, you need to bring water for the dog and ensure there are frequent shaded stops. Also, it’s unlikely you can visit all the planned attractions and museums with your dog.
- If you plan to leave the dog in the hotel during your excursions, you need to plan carefully so that the pet doesn’t stay alone for too long. In an unfamiliar place, the dog may get anxious and misbehave or, worse, relieve itself, leading to penalties from the hotel and an unpleasant experience.
- Constant care for the dog’s food and water is necessary, especially if they are on a raw diet. Regular stops are needed to let them stretch and relieve themselves.
- If you take the dog on a trip involving air travel, the challenges are even greater. Large dogs are not allowed in the cabin and will travel in the cargo hold, experiencing stress from separation and the unfamiliar sensations, pressure, and temperature changes, as well as proximity to other animals and people.
Moreover, the dog needs to be accustomed to a travel crate in advance (this also applies to car trips). Hotels are more willing to allow guests to bring a dog into the room if it stays in a crate. Traveling in a car is much safer when the dog is secured in a crate. In case of sudden stops or door openings, your dog will remain safe.
Frequently, dogs not accustomed to staying in a crate may behave restlessly during a flight, potentially causing damage to the crate. The dog might end up outside during boarding, run onto the airport grounds, and pose a danger to itself.
These and many other challenges await dog owners who decide to take their dog on a journey. However, having a dog is not a reason to give up on family trips. A dog can always be left at a pet hotel, where professionals will take care of them, and if necessary, engage in training.
We address some common concerns of dog owners before deciding to leave their dog in a kennel:
Will the dog be sad?
It depends on the dog and their life experience. Some dogs may experience stress due to changes in their living conditions. They may refuse food and water for a few days and avoid going to the bathroom. This often happens with dogs not accustomed to being alone at home, not crate-trained, or not used to different environments. These dogs don’t miss their owners but are adapting to new living conditions. To prevent this, dogs need to be trained for independence from an early age—being alone, staying in a crate, being in different places. On the contrary, some dogs behave at ease from the first day, communicate well, and play. For them, kennel stay is an excellent time for development and learning.
Where will the dog live?
Dogs that live in an apartment and are crate-trained at our kennel stay in a room or house, depending on the season, in a crate. They walk outside on a fenced-in area depending on the weather, for 1 to 3 hours, 2-3 times a day. If a dog is undergoing training while at our facility, they are transported to the training ground in a specially equipped vehicle.
What will the dog eat?
The dog should be accustomed to eating dry food. The owner can bring their food or pay for it to be purchased from us. If the dog only eats natural food, the owner needs to prepare and freeze portions for their pet in advance. We do not have the capability to individually cook for each dog.
Vaccinations and Treatments:
Naturally, the dog should be healthy upon arrival, vaccinated, and treated for ticks and worms. If the next treatment falls during the kennel stay, the owner should either bring the necessary medication or pay for its purchase in advance. We will administer it as needed. If the regular vaccinations are due before the dog comes to us, they should be done in advance.
What if the dog gets sick?
Unfortunately, this can happen. In case of any suspicion, we immediately inform the owner and promptly seek veterinary assistance.
Chronic Diseases, Allergies, etc.:
If the dog has chronic diseases, allergies, etc., this information must be communicated. If necessary, leave the medications that may be needed.
Will we miss the dog?
We are always in touch with the owner, sending photos and videos of their pet. In the future, we plan to
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Weigh all the pros and cons when deciding whether to take your dog with you or leave them at a kennel