Boarding dogs in small rooms and play time.

A recent trend in boarding is to call small rooms cageless kennels. But they are just small rooms. There are a lot of dogs that experience what is called Barrier Frustration and being placed in small rooms is extremely stessful for these dogs. In fact most dog are not comfortable being locked away in small rooms no matter how many niceties we give them. A small room is different from a crate or a wire kennel because the dog can not see what is going on outside the room. Barrier Frustration is akin to claustrophobia in humans and indeed some dogs do suffer from claustrophobia and can not be crated or kennelled in small spaces at all. Put a dog with Barrier Frustration into a larger indoor outdoor kennel where they can see out and they will do much better with the kennelling experience.

Dogs are pack animals and they enjoy the presence of others of their kind. When we lock them into a small room we increase their anxiety level. A lot of kennels will turn around and sell you a TV/living room package for the dog when all the dog really needs is to be able to see and hear the other dogs that are in the kennel with them.

Many kennels will also insist that your dog goes out with all the other dogs to play. Well that sounds wonderful in theory but truthfully wild out of control play is not always in your dog’s best interest. Your dog would do better playing with dogs that match it’s energy level/temperament or better playing ball with the kennel owner. Your dog could get a nasty bite from another dog or it could rupture a cruciate ligament playing with another dog that is not suitable for your dog.

Chose a smaller kennel that takes the time to let your dog out individually if it is necessary to do so. Yes it is more work for the kennel owner but it is in your dog’s best interest.