Dog Boarding Tips for Dog Owners Planning to Travel

A common challenge for all dog owners is finding a home their dog or dogs can stay with while they’re away on vacation.  Thankfully, there are now companies that offer in-home boarding services for dogs and other pets.  

However, for most dog owners, leaving a dog – even for just a few days or weeks- in the care of strangers is often easier said than done.  This is why it is extremely important to find a trusted dog boarding company that will provide only the best care for your pooch.  

Can’t wait to go on vacation but couldn’t take your dog with you?  Here are some tips for you:

 

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Find out as much info as you can about the in-home dog boarding service provider.

What kind of reputation does it have?  Are there in-house vets to supervise the pets?  Will your dog be taken out on walks on daily basis?  Are there professional groomers working in the facility?  Are the staff trained and experienced in dog care?  Do they have genuine affection for dogs?  What do previous customers have to say about the quality of their service?

Visit the dog boarding facility ahead of time.

It’s very important to see the actual facilities and the dog kennels at least a few weeks before your trip.  This is the only way you can be sure that your dog will be staying in a safe, clean, and comfortable environment.  It’s also a great opportunity to meet the staff of the dog boarding service provider.

Have your dog visit the in-home facility a few times.

To make the whole experience smooth and stress-free, bring your dog to the pet boarding facility at least twice or thrice to meet the staff and get the feel of the place.  Thus, by the time you're ready to go on travel, it won’t be difficult for your dog to make adjustments.

Bring your dog’s own bed, blanket, or favorite toy.

It’s always good to have something familiar when you are away from home.  This is true for people and it’s as true for dogs too.  Your dog might feel a little awkward especially on the first day of boarding but having a familiar item along can help lessen the stress.

Give as much information as possible about your dog.

Make sure the staff of the dog boarding facility is well-aware of your dog’s habits and needs, particularly if your dog has allergies or has recently undergone treatment, etc.  What time do you usually feed your dog and what time do you take it out for walks?  Sticking to the old routine will certainly make your dog feel more comfortable while staying in a different home.

Make sure that someone can easily be reached in case of an emergency.

Asking for the dog owner’s contact information is a standard procedure in most dog boarding facilities.  However, if you will be vacationing out of the country or a distant place, it is a good idea to have someone you can trust with your pet,  a friend or a relative who lives in the area who can be readily contacted if needed.

Keep goodbyes casual and short.

Your dog can definitely sense it if you are feeling anxious, worried, or sad.  As you drop off your dog to the boarding facility, keep the mood light and talk to your dog in a calm, normal tone, as if it’s just an everyday thing and get it over with quickly.  If you make a big fuss out of your goodbyes, you will only be making it worse for your dog.

Pugs - Wrinkly, Pudgy Bundles of Joy!

Mention the name pug and people who knows a lot about dog breeds are bound to describe it with the phrase “multum in parvo” which means “much in little”. True enough, there is so much more to the small package than what meets the eye. Despite its compactness, the pug has a big personality.

What Meets the Eye  

How would you describe a pug physically? It is easy to recognize a pug with its dark, short-muzzled face; glossy, wrinkly skin; soft, flapped ears; and a curled tail. It has a large head and a square, stocky body carried by four, pudgy but sturdy legs.

The average weight can range from 14 to 18 pounds.  Males are generally larger than the females in terms of height.  They can grow anywhere from 10 to 14 inches tall.  On the other hand, females typically grow from 10 to 12 inches tall.

Fawn and black are the most common coat coloring for pugs, but some pugs may have apricot fawn or silver fawn coats. A pug with a fawn-colored coat would have a black mask on the face and dark ears.

The breed originated in China, but was introduced in Europe by the 16th century. They are a favored breed in the House of Orange of the Netherlands, and the House of Stuart. It was officially recognized by the AKC in 1885, and listed under the Toy Group. Today, they are one of the most popular breeds in many countries across the globe.

Multum in Parvo 

Pugs generally have a fun, friendly, loving temperament which makes them ideal as companion or family dogs. They are very smart dogs, and are also great with children. However, as mentioned at the onset of this article, pugs have a strong personality and can be stubborn if not trained. This is why it is so important for the human to clearly show the dog who’s the boss. Calm, loving, and consistent training is important when you’re caring for a pug – or any dog on that matter.

They love to eat and would definitely eat more than they should when more food is available. Hence, pug owners must avoid overfeeding their pets to prevent obesity and other health risks. They also need regular exercise – daily walks and playtime in order to be healthy and happy. The pug is playful when it has someone to play with, but it doesn’t mind being lazy and enjoying some quiet time in a corner. It likes to follow its owner wherever he or she goes around the house, and are thus called “shadows”.

Grooming Your Pug 

Grooming is a very important role when you have a pug.  The face, especially the corners of the eye needs to be wiped with a clean, wash cloth daily since they are prone to weeping, eye infections, and cherry eye.

Although they have short, smooth coats, pug are actually heavy shredders so you may find pug hair stuck in your clothes, furniture, curtains, and everywhere.  The coat should be brushed after each bath, and everyday to remove loose hairs.  The creases on the face and the folds between the skin must be regularly cleaned as well. A pet hair removal tool is definitely recommended when you have a pug!

Should You Get a Pug? 

The pug is a remarkable breed but it is not for everyone.  Before you decide that you want a pug in your life, get to know as much as you can about the breed – what they need, what kind of temperament they have, how to best care for them.  If you feel that your personality and lifestyle jives, then why not welcome a pug to your home?  And don’t forget to consider adoption as your first option.

What’s it like to  be living with a pug?  When you have a pug, it will surely grow on you! Without a doubt, these wrinkly, bundles of joy were born to make their people happy!

If you’re thinking about getting a Pug, seriously consider if this dog breed is right for you. Don’t support puppy mills or buy from pet stores. Adopt a dog from a shelter or animal rescue center. 

The Dachshund - the Long and Short of It

The Dachshund is a small, hound-type dog with a muscular, elongated body, and short legs.  Like the Corgi, the Dachshund can be funny looking because its legs are remarkably short compared to its brawny body.

The “Badger” Dog

The name Dachshund is a combination of two German words – Dachs which means “badger”, and Hund which means “dog”.  Back in the 1600s, Dachshunds were first bred in Germany, where they were used for hunting small animals like rabbits and badgers. Their keen sense of smell and swiftness make them the ideal dogs for digging burrows and chasing badgers.

Because of their appearance, they are also often referred to as the sausage dog or wiener dog. The breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1895, listed under the Hound Group.

The Different Types of Dachshunds

There are three types of Dachshunds, classified based on their coats – the short or smooth-haired, the long-haired, and the wire-haired. The coat can either be of a solid color, bi-color, brindle, or piebald. The colors range from tan, chocolate, fawn, or a combination of black and tan, or black and chocolate.

Dachshunds can also be classified based on their size and weight. The standard Dachshund can weigh anywhere from 16 to 32 pounds). There is also the smaller kind – the miniature Dachshund which weights only 11 pounds or less.

Dachshund Temperament

Dachshunds are smart, alert, and playful dogs. Because they’re small, they make great pets even for people who live in apartments. However, like all dog breeds, they need to be socialized and trained from a young age. In Stanley Coren’s Intelligence of Dogs, Dachshunds are ranked 49th, making them an average breed in terms of obedience.

Do you own a Dachshund or would you like to have one? If you’re thinking about getting a Dachshund, seriously consider if this dog breed is right for you. Don’t support puppy mills or buy from pet stores. Adopt a dog from a shelter or animal rescue center. 

6 Giant Dog Breeds You've Probably Never Heard Of

Many popular dog breeds are considered giants because of their immense size and weight.  Perhaps you might be familiar with the St. Bernard, the Great Dane, the Irish Wolfhound, the Newfoundland, the Bullmastiff, or the Black Russian Terrier?

There are numerous breeds of very large dogs from different parts of the world and some of them,  you have probably never heard of.  Here are six amazing, large dog breeds that may not be as famous as their giant cousins, but are definitely worth knowing.

Šarplaninac

The Sarplaninac is a large dog breed that lives in the Šar mountains, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Albania. It is also known as the Illyrian Sheepdog or the Yugoslov Shepherd. These giant breeds can grow from a height of 28 inches to 32 inches, and weigh anywhere from 38 kilograms to 55 kilograms when full grown.

Like many mountain dogs has a large, strong body. They have a slightly long coat (4 inches), and can either be rough or smooth. The coat coloring can range from white, black, fawn, gray, or sable. They are originally bred as a livestock guardian dog. They can live up to 11 or 13 years.

When it comes to temperament, the Sarplaninac is known to be an intelligent, reliable, calm, and loyal breed. As a livestock guardian, it is independent and instinctively protective of the flock and its human family. It can be suspicious of strangers and if it senses impending danger, it will be very protective.

Kangal

The Kangal is a mastiff-type breed originally from the Sivas Province of the Central Anatolia Region, Turkey. It is a livestock guardian dog well-favored for its gentle temperament as well as its protectiveness and loyalty.

Kangals can reach a height of 26 inches to 31 inches.  Males are often larger and heavier than the females, weighing about 50 to 63 kilograms.  Females on the other hand can weigh from 41 to 59 kilograms.  The Kangal has a short, dense outer coat.  The color can be solid tan or sable while some may have a brindled coat. It is also noted for its black mask on its face.

Compared with other mastiff breeds, the Kangal is not as heavy-built and thus, are more agile.  They can run up to 30 miles per hour. These dogs will do everything in their power to protect their sheep, and will not back out of a confrontation if the predator stands its ground. The Kennel Club of the UK officially recognized the breed in October 2012, listing it under the Pastoral Group.

Akbash

Here’s another livestock guardian dog that’s a native of Turkey – the Akbash or the Akbas Coban Kopegi.

This giant dog breed can grow from 27 inches to 34 inches tall, and reach a weight ranging from 34 to 64 kilograms. Its smooth, double coat in solid white color is its most prominent characteristic.  They are leaner and taller than other Turkish livestock guardian breeds.

The Akbash is calm, independent, and intelligent.  They are instinctively protective of their flock.  An Akbash dog would stay with its flock for many hours, “sleeping with one eye open”, and reserve its energy in case a predator attacks.  Like many large breeds, it has an average lifespan of 10 to 11 years.

 Estrela Mountain Dog

The Serra da Estrela or Estrela dog is a native and ancient breed of Portugal.  These dogs can reach the height of over 24 inches to 27 inches for females, and over 25 inches to over 28 inches for males.  The weight can range anywhere from 66 to 88 pounds for females, and from 88 to 110 pounds for males.

The coat can either be short or long, yet both resemble that of a goat’s  – thick, close to the body, and coarse – except for the hair on the head and the base of the legs which is smooth. The color can range from fawn, yellow, gray, and brindle. The face is dark which makes the dog look as if it’s wearing a black mask.

Like most giant breeds, the Estrela Mountain dog is intelligent, calm, loyal, and affectionate by nature.  They were traditionally bred as guardian dogs because of their instinctive protectiveness and strength.

Bully Kutta

The Bully Kuta or the Bully originated in Pakistan, where (sadly) it is commonly bred for dog fighting.  Its name is derived from the English term “bull” in reference to its resemblance to the Bulldog, and “kutta” which means dog in South-Asian languages. It is also referred to as the Pakistani Mastiff or the Sindhi Mastiff in reference to its place of origin.

The Bully can grow from 28 to 35 inches tall and reach a weight of 64 kilograms to 95 kilograms.  The coat is short and smooth, often white while some may have brown, black, fawn, or brindled coat.  It has a loose skin, a large head, and well-defined bone structure.

The Bully Kutta has a calm temperament.  It is a smart and loyal breed, but it can be very protective of its master and family.

Pyrenean Mastiff

This mountain dog is originally from Spain, also known by its Spanish name, Mastin del Pirineo.  It is not the same breed as the Great Pyrenees or the Pyrenean Mountain Dog, although both breeds are native of Spain.

The Pyrenean Mastiff has an average height of 28 inches for females and 30 inches for males.  They can weigh from over 80 kilograms to 100 kilograms.  It has a slightly long coat which is usually white with black, fawn, or brown patches.

Like most livestock guardian dog breeds, it is independent, docile, and gentle to the people as well as the animal it knows.  However, it is a protector and will not hesitate to act on its instinct to protect when it feels threatened.

Which of these giant dog breeds did you know?  Do you know of other giant dogs?  Or do you own a giant dog?