06/11/2025
Good morning everyone!
I just wanted to speak on something because I saw it on a thread that some of my clients were recommending me on! (Thank y’all so much!) 😭
Someone was recommending a business that I’m not gonna name because I want them all to thrive! This is in no way a jab at the business.
I saw someone say “I use so and so because they don’t kennel.”
First of all, I doubt it 😂 unless they keep ONE pup at a time and it’s a flawless perfect dog, I can guarantee you, your pup is kenneled AT LEAST for a little while. I feel like theres a huge negative air surrounding kenneling and yall need to be educated a little! I like to consider myself a “non kennel” girlie and for the most part that is true. But let me explain to y’all the importance of kenneling with multiple dogs who don’t live together and the difference between kenneling when necessary and kenneling 24/7 like your vets office does.
💥 FEEDING!
If you are boarding your dogs somewhere that doesn’t kennel for feeding times, your dog is in danger. Point blank period. Any sitter who would allow multiple dogs to eat without being separated is walking a dangerous line. Dogs should ALWAYS be separated during feeding times. 9/10 fights that I’ve ever seen occur during my 10 year long career with animals is over food. I’ve seen animals fight almost to the death and it CAN happen to you. Please understand how important kennels are during feeding times. If your sitter isn’t doing it, that’s a red flag.
💥 POTTY TRAINING, DESTRUCTIVE OR AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR
If your sitter IS keeping multiple dogs and saying they don’t kennel, I don’t know if I would 1000000% believe that, like I said, unless it’s just flawless and perfect all the time OR they’re new to the pet sitting game 😂 If your pup isn’t potty trained or is destructive in ANY way, they will be kenneled at night. Period. Is it because I (or other pet sitters) are mean or don’t love your dog? Heck no! Kenneling at night protects both our property AND your doggies. I’ve also seen dogs who counter surf or get into trash and that can be EXTREMELY dangerous to them. Sure, areas should be dog proof but pet sitters are human and accidents happen ESPECIALLY in settings where pet sitters are working out of their own homes, like me. Thankfully I now own a house with a separate play room and dog room where the pups have their own space with nothing they can get into (other than the trash) so that helps a lot. But I know not a lot of people have that set up! The trash is SO dangerous y’all. If your pup is a trash pup or a counter surfer, kenneling at night is what is best for them, I promise you. We want your babies to be safe! And sometimes a kennel is for that exact reason.
💥 DROP OFF AND PICK UP/ CLIENT PROTECTION
When y’all are coming to pick up during my hours 7-9 am or 4-6 pm and you see certain dogs kenneled. That’s for a reason! It’s either because they jump, growl or get over stimulated when unknown people enter. Some dogs don’t have to be kenneled and some dogs do. It has nothing to do with how much we love them! Just like people, all dogs are different with different personalities and triggers. We have to learn them and treat them accordingly to keep everyone safe and happy. There was an incident at Camp Paws when I worked there, where my boss was showing a new client around the facility and all of our campers were out playing. They should have been kenneled and here’s why:
The client came to the back and although there were signs all over the fence to NOT reach over and pet the dogs, what happened? She reached over the fence to pet them 🙃 as soon as she did and before my boss could say “HEY WAIT!” .. one of the pups nipped the client and the pup happened to be my bosses dog who was the SWEETEST, but she was nervous and over stimulated. The client said “no big deal” but then left our facility and called animal control on us and we had them knocking on our door telling us we had to quarantine my bosses sweet girl for TEN DAYS! It was so unfair. So we learned the hard way.
All of the rules I have in place, all of the RARE kenneling, the hours, all of it, is to make sure your pets have an easy and safe stay with me. If I don’t let you come in and pet them all, if I kennel your dog at feeding or pick up times or overnight, it’s not because I’m being mean. It’s because I love them and I love you and I’m trying to keep them safe and comfortable during their stay!
Please remember to find pet sitters who are INSURED, LEGAL AND BONDED! Not just your neighbor or your best friends teenager. Especially those who have dogs who need to be medicated or special attention. PLEASE hire a professional. Professionals know pet CPR, have insurance for emergencies and have lawyers. It’s so important, yall. Just like finding care for your child. And remember, KENNELS DO NOT = BAD! They CAN BE, yes. There is no reason for a dog to just be thrown in a kennel and forgotten about. That is abuse and neglect and I do NOT support that. With that said, most responsible and professional pet sitters, use kennels. If you ever have any questions about that, please message me or your pet care provider or groomer! I promise you, most of us love your pups like you do and everything we do has a reason.
If you read all that, thank you! I just want yall to be educated and shed a little light on why we do things we do as pet care professionals. I’m an open book, I welcome all questions, comments and concerns!
I love yall! 🐾 🩷
