Camp Lisa Dog Boarding - Cage Free Boarding (2024)

FAQs

What does kennel Free mean for dogs? ›

Cage-Free Dog Boarding means that dogs are NOT Required to sleep in cages at night like in traditional dog kennels. Some of those places remind me of terrible prison movies gone bad and most weren't good to begin with. The majority of our canine guests sleep on comfortable cots, with clean, fleece, blankets.

The dog kennels will provide soft, warm sleeping mats to every dog boarding with them, but if you want your dog to have the same level of comfort and familiarity as home, bring along his bedding, blanket, sweaters, or anything that makes your dog feel at home.

Being left in an unfamiliar place with strangers and other dogs is very stressful for your dog. They don't know why they are there or what will happen to them. He or she may become withdrawn or depressed, refuse to eat, or self-mutilate as a coping mechanism to help them deal with the situation.

It may be hard leaving your dog at a boarding kennel, but most dogs are excited about their stay and see it as a rewarding experience. Many dogs settle into boarding kennels quickly and come home after their adventure happy and tired from plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.

A crate is used indoors and should only be a little bigger than the dog's size, providing a sense of safety and security. A kennel, much bigger than a crate, is a semi-permanent outdoor structure with an attached outdoor run and is often used to house dogs in backyards anywhere from a few hours to all year.

Studies have shown that long-term confinement is detrimental to the physical and psychological well-being of animals. Animals caged for extended periods can develop many different disorders, including the following: Aggression.

Many pets suffer from mild separation anxiety when they are temporarily out of contact with their owner. As a result, clingy behavior when you are first reunited is normal and to be expected.

I have experienced this too when boarding dogs. Some dogs adjust just fine, some are really stressed out and will bark all night until you give in and take them to your bedroom with you.

A boarding stay can be a stressful experience for any pet, even one who has been to stay in a boarding facility in the past. This also remains true if you use the same provider that you have previously as your pet is unlikely to remember the facility, and the people and certainly the animals are likely to be different.

What did they find? That dog's can tell when we've been gone for a while! The study noted marked differences in the way dogs behaved (i.e. increased tail wagging, more face licking) when an owner had been gone for two hours relative to when they'd only been gone for 30 minutes.

How long do dogs miss their owners? ›

Dogs can actually start missing their owners from the moment they part ways, and keep missing them more up until two hours. Beyond two hours, the melancholy stays about the same until they're reunited with us.

But does your dog miss you back? Studies show that dogs form positive associations with their favorite people, and they don't like being separated from you for long. Dogs can handle alone time, but they do miss you when you're gone.

Your furry friend might be thinking about their past and future, as studies suggest that they have their daily schedules on their mind all the time, so they might be looking forward to future events and reminiscing about a place or experience.

Some dogs act a little differently for a few days after their owners collect them from pet boarding. It is usually not a cause for much concern—if your dog has not boarded before, they could just be readjusting to their surroundings, especially if they were with the boarding centre for a while.

That said, dogs often treat us as like we're part of one big happy pack. They can be incredibly loyal and loving to their family members. They rely on their human alphas to take care of them. If your dog doesn't see you as their alpha and ignores your commands, some professional training may be in order.

If you plan to take your dog on trips with you often, a crate is definitely necessary. Also, if your dog will live inside then a crate is best because kennels are too large to be inside your house. However, if your dog will be an outdoor dog, a kennel is definitely preferable as it is more spacious.

Adult dogs shouldn't be left in crates for more than 6-8 hours. Puppies of 17 weeks and older can handle up to 4 or 5 hours in a crate at a time. Leaving a dog home alone in a crate longer than this can hurt their mental and physical health.

Kennel class – is the volume of dogs/puppies within the establishment throughout a calendar year. Commercial kennel: A kennel that breeds or whelps dogs and: (1) sells or transfers any dog to a dealer or pet shop kennel; or (2) sells or transfers more than 60 dogs per calendar year.

“Ignoring the whining is your best option,” says Dr. Coates. “Any type of attention will just reinforce the behavior.” Campbell says that pet parents should avoid giving attention or taking a puppy out of the crate until he is quiet.

Initially, it may be a good idea to put the crate in your bedroom or nearby in a hallway, especially if you have a puppy. Puppies often need to go outside to eliminate during the night and you'll want to be able to hear your puppy when they whine to be let outside.

Can I crate my dog for 12 hours at night? ›

If you have a family emergency and need to leave your dog in a crate for 12 hours, he will be just fine. However, if you plan to do this as a general management every weekday as you are at work, this is too long! The same applies for car rides. In a car your dog is safest if he rides in a crate.

Although not all dogs experience kennel stress, for many of them, it is a very unpleasant experience that may be pretty stressful for owners as well. Several variables, such as your dog's personality, the kennel environment, and events during their stay, will determine whether or not boarding is stressful for your dog.

Many people worry that as well as missing them when they're in kennels, their dog will even forget them eventually. Whilst this is a natural concern if you'll be gone for weeks, it's not something you need to fear. The truth is that your dog will almost always remember you, however long you've been apart.

Adjust their schedule.

If your pet is constantly waking you up at 3 am because they are hungry, then adjusting their feeding schedule can help them sleep throughout the night. Or your dog may be waking you up because they have to go outside to use the bathroom.

Dogs can get tired of barking, especially when it's excessive. And while both your pup and you may be exhausted by their barking, you shouldn't let it continue with no explanation until they call it quits. It's important to figure out what triggered the barking in case an underlying condition is a cause.

It all depends on how much time you spent together and whether they could form long-term memories of you. An adult dog will not forget you within three months and will remember you for years to come.

Being in unfamiliar surroundings without their most trusted humans coupled with disruptions to their routine are major triggers for dogs with separation anxiety, so jumping right into boarding isn't a great idea if it can be avoided.

Sarah Wooten, DVM and veterinary expert for Pumpkin Pet Insurance, says generally, most dogs can tolerate two to four weeks of boarding. “It really depends on the individual dog. Some dogs start to react negatively after two weeks, others can stay for months and not be fazed,” says Dr. Wooten.

What do dogs think about all day? ›

Overall, dogs are complex creatures that think about a wide range of things, including social relationships, their physical environment, daily routine, physical needs, and health and well-being.

Licking is a natural and instinctive behaviour to dogs. For them it's a way of grooming, bonding, and expressing themselves. Your dog may lick you to say they love you, to get your attention, to help soothe themselves if they're stressed, to show empathy or because you taste good to them!

Separation anxiety is triggered when dogs become upset because of separation from their guardians, the people they're attached to. Escape attempts by dogs with separation anxiety are often extreme and can result in self-injury and household destruction, especially around exit points like windows and doors.

Dog separation anxiety, more aptly termed as separation distress or panic is real. It can happen not only when you go on vacation but also when you need to leave them in general. It is a relatively common behavioural disorder, and it is a lot more than just “getting bored”.

The American Kennel Club says changing owners can be traumatic for dogs. Losing their owners can make dogs stop eating, lose weight, lose interest in physical activity, and exhibit symptoms of canine depression. That's why you must take any decision to re-home dogs seriously.

One of the best things about living with dogs is the unbridled joy with which they greet you when you come home — no matter how long you've been away. It has long been thought, and oftentimes documented, that dogs have a sixth sense that allows them to “know” your ETA in advance.

Yes, your dog knows how much you love him! Dogs and humans have a very special relationship, where dogs have hijacked the human oxytocin bonding pathway normally reserved for our babies. When you stare at your dog, both your oxytocin levels go up, the same as when you pet them and play with them.

Separation anxiety is a common problem in dogs and is likely to become more common due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dogs with separation anxiety tend to follow their owners around the house and become more anxious just before their owner leaves and especially once they've left, often showing the following signs: Barking.

Just as humans stare into the eyes of someone they adore, dogs will stare at their owners to express affection. In fact, mutual staring between humans and dogs releases oxytocin, known as the love hormone. This chemical plays an important role in bonding and boosts feelings of love and trust.

So, yes, a puppy can definitely think of you as his “mother” — that is, his provider and protector — and develop as strong an emotional bond with you as if you were blood-related. Your puppy will also quickly learn to pick you out among strangers, both by sight and through his powerful sense of smell.

How long should a dog be tired after boarding? ›

If your dog seems a little more tired than usual the first few days after boarding, don't worry too much about it. The thrill of seeing you again and the extra flurry of activity surrounding homecoming may mean your dog needs more shut-eye than usual.

But before you panic, keep in mind that it's not unusual for dogs to nap or sleep a lot after coming home from boarding. You're not the only pet parent that notices this. Many dog owners notice that their dog seems a bit lethargic after boarding. And that's because dogs are busy in boarding.

“My dog will still have his personality, right?” This is one of the most commonly asked questions from dog owners considering a board & train. The answer is an unequivocal YES!

However, canines can figure out the gist of what we want and gather a lot of information from our body language, tone of voice, the rhythm of our voice and intonation of speech. What your dog hears when you talk to him is his favorite melody – your voice.

Like their human counterparts, dogs develop favorite people over time based on positive experiences and positive associations with that person. Some people use tasty treats and other rewards to create strong bonds with pets, but the best way to build a healthy relationship with your dog is through play.

They have the same feeling as a child towards their parents and so they are not just an animal but a child to us and for them we are family. If ever you wonder whether your pooch is just like your child or not, think again. For them you are their parents.

Kennels Keep Your Dog Safe and Comfortable

A dog kennel provides safe shelter and a comfortable place for dogs. Kennels are enclosed with well-ventilated fencing so that your dog can get enough light and fresh air.

A kennel is a structure or shelter for dogs. Used in the plural, the kennels, the term means any building, collection of buildings or a property in which dogs are housed, maintained, and (though not in all cases) bred.

The crate is a place for the dog to be when no one is around to supervise him. It is the dog's bed and sanctuary. Its purpose is to provide confinement for reasons of safety, security for the dog, house training, prevention of destructive behavior, and/or travel.

What age do dogs stop using crates? ›

You can usually stop closing your dog into your crate when they are around two years of age. Before then, they are usually more likely to get into trouble. It isn't until they mature fully that they are able to behave properly when not supervised. This is especially true for larger dogs, who tend to mature later.

When its time, some dogs can wean off the crate fairly early and easily adjust to following household rules. Most dogs are ready for this around the 6-9 month mark. While others are naturally more curious or simply not ready to be left uncrated until they are a bit older (2-3 years).

Most puppies are OK out of the crate at around 7-8 months of age in our experience, while some due to their chewing needs require confinement for longer.

A crate cover, like a blanket or crate-specific covering, can be beneficial to many dogs and can help reduce anxiety and soothe dogs by limiting visual stimuli, which in turn can prevent excitement and barking.

If you plan to take your dog on trips with you often, a crate is definitely necessary. Also, if your dog will live inside then a crate is best because kennels are too large to be inside your house. However, if your dog will be an outdoor dog, a kennel is definitely preferable as it is more spacious.

"They may feel they are covering up their scent or tracks from predators or unwanted visitors; this is the same reason why they bury things," he explained. Dr. Burch added that pulling bedding items out of their crate also helps dogs ensure there are no threats of insects or pests, on an instinctual level.

Crate training is necessary for when your canine is a puppy—sleeping in a crate at night teaches puppies how to control their bladder and bowels since they don't like to relieve themselves in the same space that they sleep. Kennels are also excellent for the times that no one can be home to supervise your new puppy.

Cons of a Kennel or Boarding Facility

Some dogs don't get the play and attention they desire. Extra walks and play time can be optional “add-on” to your base fee. Consider those features. Many dogs are more stressed at kennels than they are by staying in their own environment.

Dogs, too, can get lonely and depressed. With today's options there is no reason to cause your dog undue stress. This is one reason you want to start visiting places in advance. Trust your nose when you are visiting a potential dog daycare or boarding facility.

Dogs who are crate trained feel comfortable and relaxed having a secure den-like space of their own. Some people feel that a dog would be sad in a crate, or think it's like prison. But the truth is that most dogs who are left out of the crate are far more anxious and stressed out.

How often should you kennel your dog? ›

Continue to crate your dog for short periods from time to time when you're home so he doesn't associate crating with being left alone. Your dog should not be left alone in the crate for more than four to five hours at a time during the day. Put your dog in the crate using your regular command and a treat.