Picking Up Your Pet

(Information provided by ABKA and our experiences)

www.abka.com

When you return from your trip, here are some things that can help you and your pet to have a happy homecoming:

1.  Pick up your pet during the kennel's normal business hours:

Attempting to conduct business after hours is not only an imposition of the kennel operator and a possible disruption of sleep for the boarding animals, but can also result in a wasted trip to the kennel (because all personnel may be working in the kennel area and are unable to hear the doorbell or have gone home for the day.)  For these reasons, many kennels assess an additional charge for after-hours pickup, to discourage the practice.

2.  Ask about your pet's stay at the kennel: 

Did your pet adapt well to kennel food, routine and environment?  Did he or she display any unusual behavior or require any special handling?  This information will be entered on the kennel's records, to assist kennel personnel in caring for your pet during the next stay, but you should also be aware of it in the event that you move and need to take the information with you.

3.  Do not feed or water your dog for at least four hours after returning    home:

Most cats adapt to their return home with the same easy acceptance with which they adapt to boarding, but dogs can become very excited when you return.  And when dogs become excited, they tend to gulp food and water.  Unfortunately, owners who allow their dogs unlimited access to either food or water immediately after returning home, frequently trigger vomiting and/or diarrhea.  If your dog appears to be thirsty, provide a few ice cubes, rather than water.  Let him or her calm down (about four hours) before offering food.

4.  Pet's possible behavior after returning home:

Sometimes pet owners become unnecessarily concerned about behavior, which is completely normal.  Your kennel operator wants you to understand the boarding process and your pet's reaction to it, and will be happy to discuss any questions you might have.  Keep in mind that most of these examples have only happened to a few dogs.  The majority of dogs being boarded adapted quickly to their home.  We just want to give you examples of what we have exrpienced so you will not be concered when your dog behaves this way. 

 Examples of pet's behavior after returning home:

A.  Your dog will be over active and VERY excited to see you, just like when you  return home from being gone during the day.  This may last all day or just for a few minutes when they first see you.

B.  Your dog may act very thirsty or hungry because of excitement - see above.

C.  Your dog may sleep almost continuously for two days after returning home.  (This is usually a result of being back in a relatively calm environment after the excitement of the kennel). 

D.  Some dogs may act mad at their owners for being gone and perform unusual acts of behavior for a few days because they want to punish you, for example:  Ignoring you,  going to the bathroom in places where they shouldn't and if they get out to play and don't listen to you to come back in.  One first time boarder said his dog expressed behavior of being punished when they returned home.  Because the dog felt he was put in time out and had to go to the kennel. But since then all of the other times their dog came to the kennel and went home they said the behavior has been normal.  

E.  We do get chronic barkers.  They will bark continuously until they are hoarse.  When the owner picks them up they think their dog has kennel cough, but they don't and the dogs voice will return shortly.
(Kennel  cough or Bordetella is a highly contagious air borne bacteria and causes a whooping like cough.  If affected, the animal can be treated with antibiotics or the cough may just run its course which will take about a week.  In rare instances (in very young, old or animals with week immune systems)  the cough will go into pneumonia and may cause death.  That is why we require your dog to have the vaccine).  

F.  Extremely hyper or active dogs will wear down their nails or pads on the floor continuously running around or jumping up and down in the run.  This may cause very slight redness or blood on the nails or pads.  Other active dogs are so excited to see and/or play with new dogs that they move around so much more at the kennel then at home which causes their muscles to be sore when they return home for a few days.  Just like when you do strenuous exercises.  During check in please tell the kennel operator if your dog gets overly excited or has hyperactivity.

G.  Some dogs do need to be separated from other dogs beside them who like to 'fight' through the fence.  If we notice this behavior, they will be separated immediately.  If they are not separated quickly they may have redness on top of the nose or mouth from pressing against the panels in the run.

H.  Some dogs may not be hungry during the first few days of their stay, but always seem to eat on the 3rd day of boarding.  Dogs in a boarding situation also use up more energy and burn more calories then at home.   We provide special food to regulate calories and reduce stress diarrhea.  The kennel operator should notice and inform you if your dog has diarrhea upon pickup. During the check in evaluation we will weigh your dog and again on departure.

I.  Most dogs adjust quickly to the return home and act excited then tired.  Just like when you return home from a long vacation.  They will be back to normal in a day or two.   The majority of dogs in a boarding situation adapt easily after the first few minutes during the first time being boarded and they are very excited to return to the kennel.