Choosing a kennels for your dog in Towcester

August 14, 2020

Since 2018, people around Northamptonshire who run dog boarding kennels, home boarding business and even doggy daycare must follow rules that focus on meeting the welfare needs of dogs.

Get the detail of what the law requires by reading our article blow and download our ‘Ten questions’ infographic and run through it with your kennel before you book your dog in for their next stay.

Get the ten questions you should ask every kennel

Dog boarding kennels

Kennels must provide a suitable environment, ensure they monitor behaviour and keep a record of your dog’s stay. Ask to see all of these.

As a minimum your dog must have:

Their own kennel unit and sleeping area, accessible at all times.
Sufficient space in that area for them to sit, stand at full height, lie down fully stretch out, wag their tail, walk and turn around.
One daily, 20 minute walk, outside, ideally more.
If appropriate, room to share with another dog from your household.
Access to enrichment through toys and games.

The better kennels will offer more and longer walks, additional enrichment facilities and more staff interaction.

Home boarding services

Like kennels, home boarding businesses must provide a suitable environment, ensure they monitor behaviour and keep a record of your dog’s stay. Ask to see all of these.

Your dog must be:

Accommodated within the home.
They should have their own room where they can get away from other dogs.
Things that do not count as rooms include… conservatories, garages, cellars, outside building/sheds, balconies or outside structures.
They should get exercise that’s appropriate for their age and health, with the opportunity for at least one 20 minute outdoor walk a day.

As with boarding kennels, the better the home boarding the more exercise, enrichment and interaction will be available.

Doggy daycare

For a dog daycare business to be fully licensed, your dog must be:

Assessed before they can go to the daycare provider to make sure they are not scared, anxious or stressed around other dogs and people.
Able to access an area where they can go to the toilet when they want to.
Able to access an area where they can avoid seeing people or other dogs if they choose to.
Have its behaviour monitored

Daycare providers aspiring to even higher standards will also document the interactions your dog has with people throughout the day.

Get the ten questions you should ask every kennel

Do download our ten questions PDF and use it, along with the information above, to assess your care provider. If you feel these conditions are not being met, then we’d urge you to walk away (taking your dog with you) and look for alternatives.