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More Information
While much of this information focuses on dogs, many of the recommendations apply to cats too.
Preparation Means a Happy Pet
At Kozy Kennels our focus is on your pet’s mental and physical well-being. With many years experience as dog caretakers and even more as pet lovers and owners, our staff wants your dog’s stay away from home to be as easy as possible for both you and your pet.
We will cover topics from choosing a kennel to preparing for your dog’s vacation, taking leave of your dog, what to expect while your dog is boarding, and your reunion. Our goal is to make this experience as easy and stress-free as possible.
Before You Board Your Dog
There are two aspects to your dog’s vacation preparation – mental and physical.
Mental – Your Attitude
Lots of people feel guilty when they leave their dog at a kennel. If this is you, take our word for it, your dog doesn’t feel nearly as bad being left as you do about leaving. Honest! Not that your dog won’t miss being with you – but if he has boarded before, he knows you’ll be back. (If he/she hasn’t boarded before, consider boarding your dog overnight to start your dog off right with a positive boarding experience.) Your dog won’t feel abandoned, promise!
At Kozy Kennels your dog has a staff of caring professionals watching out for his/her needs and desires. While your dog won’t have your companionship, he/she will have ours. So rest assured that we will do everything in our power to make sure your dog’s stay with us is enjoyable. We hope knowing this will help make your dog’s boarding experience less stressful….for you.
Physical – What to Pack for Your Dog
What most owners bring:
Leash and collar
Medications, vitamins, etc. (and written instructions)
Veterinary information (inoculations, etc.)
Information about your dog. For example: Is your dog aggressive? Does he/she climb?
Does he/she chew? Etc.
Emergency numbers
Some optional things you may want to pack:
Special diets & treats – If your dog is on a special diet or if you would like to keep your pet on his/her own food, please bring enough for the time that your dog will be boarding. Please do not bring a 40 pound bag for a week. You do not need to bring bowls or measuring cups.
Bed – Washable and portable bedding. We move the bed in and out when we clean. Nothing too big, please.
Toys – Feel free to bring a few of your dog’s toys. Something that reminds them of home.
Please note dogs will chew. Even dogs beyond the chewing stage may chew when they’re away from home. We can’t guarantee you’ll get things back in the same condition as they came in.
Leaving Your Dog
Even before you get in the car to leave home, you’re affecting your dog’s transition to the kennel. Here are some things to keep in mind.
Leaving Home With Your Dog
Some dogs get anxious at the first sign you’re going away. To make leaving home stress-free, avoid a chaotic departure. If preparing for a trip is stressful
for your dog, consider bringing your dog to us before you start to pack – even before the suitcases come out. The less stress your dog feels before leaving home, the better he/she will feel and the faster they adjust. You know your dog best, so consider this when booking your dog’s time with us.
Your Dogs Arrival
Arrive at Kozy Kennels as early in the day as possible – preferably by 2:00 pm. The earlier you arrive for your dogs first day with us, the quicker he’ll settle into our routine.
Leave-taking
We know departing from your dog can be hard, but for his/her sake, avoid an emotional goodbye. Your emotions may make your dog anxious. So just hand us the leash with a smile and a happy word to your dog. Your dog will be fine. You will be too.
While You’re Away
A Typical Day at Kozy Kennels
Your dog’s day begins at 7:00 am. Your dog will be let outside first thing. 
During this time we are busy inside cleaning and sanitizing your dog’s quarters. After cleaning and refreshing your dog’s living area, he/she will come back inside for breakfast, followed by some one-on-one time and then a rest period.
When the outside temperature is between 60 and 80 degrees the doors are left open during the day, so that your dog may enjoy the outside air while still having the comfort of the inside. If the temperature is under 60 or over 80 degrees the kennel is fully heated and air-conditioned for your dogs comfort. We have regular exercise periods throughout the day. In the late afternoon we feed a second meal or snack.
Making the Transition
Most dogs will adjust beautifully to our kennel. Some dogs, however, are more sensitive to dietary changes or the heightened activity level. Our staff is trained to watch for signs of stress, and know what to do to lessen the impact.
Just in Case
If your dog needs veterinary attention, we have a veterinarian on site. We are also close by two Veterinary Emergency Clinics. So rest easy.
Homecoming
Welcome Home
We keep your dog (and his quarters) as clean as possible, but we recommend having your dog bathed or groomed, on the day of departure, by our outstanding staff of professional groomers. You’ll arrive home to a happy, healthy and beautifully groomed dog that will be thrilled to see you too.
Arriving Home
It is not unusual for dogs to try to drink great quantities of water when they get home. It’s not that your dog didn’t have enough water to drink at the kennel, but dogs often react to excitement by guzzling water. However, uncontrolled drinking is not good for your dog. So, supervise your dog’s water consumption when he first arrives home. Let him drink for 15 or 20 seconds, then take the bowl away. After 20 minutes or so, give him another drink. Do this several times for an hour or two and then he should be fine.
Getting Back to Normal
Depending on how long your dog was away from home, occasional loose stools from water or dietary changes, resting more, or a higher activity level are all perfectly normal If your dog’s after-boarding behavior is at all puzzling, please give us a call. In some rare cases there’s a transitional period of adjustment and we’re happy to give you advice to help you both. If you feel your dog needs to be seen by a veterinarian, please contact us immediately and we will arrange for our veterinarian to examine your pet.
Sharing Information
If you have any questions about your dog’s boarding experience, please ask us. And we welcome your feedback too. We are continuously striving to make our services the best they can be. Your input and feedback is critical to our success.