From afternoon walks to sloppy kisses, nothing quite beats the life of a dog parent. But while you’d probably love to spend all day with your furry friends, there are still jobs to be done. Luckily, kennels and doggy daycares provide a safe space for your pooch while you’re at work. Our West Auckland kennels feature 10 acres of farmland, daily pack runs, nutritious food, and highly experienced staff to ensure that your doggo feels at home.
Before you put your fur-ever friend into a kennel, it’s important to find the right fit. In this guide, we have put together the most important things to look out for when choosing a dog kennel in Auckland.
The Space
Before dropping your pooch off to a dog kennel, it’s important to get a feel for the place first. Big or small, we all know that dogs need a lot of space. If you’re looking for an Auckland doggy daycare, you’ll want to make sure that your dog has plenty of room.
If you have the opportunity to visit the site, take a good look at the premises. What is the indoor area like? Is there enough space for your pooch to play? At home, your doggo can take a nap whenever they like so be sure to check whether the same rule applies.
Dogs like the freedom to explore and get close to nature. Sniffing, rolling, and interacting with other dogs is great for their overall wellbeing. Ensure that the kennel has plenty of outdoor space. At our West Auckland kennels, your furry friends will have over 10 acres of farmyard to sniff out. With daily pack runs and sensory enrichment, they will never be short of things to do.
Food
It may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but food is an important one. If you fuel your doggo up on delicious, nutritious food then you’ll want to ensure that they’re getting the same level of nutrients at the kennel – especially if they’re spending the majority of their week there.
Food is usually included with the price so find out what you’re getting for your buck. For example, the staff at K9 Heaven serve up nutrient dense dishes including a plate of fresh chicken and rice everyday.
Health & Safety
Saying goodbye to your pup is tough. If you’re leaving them under the care of someone else then you want to be able to trust them. When it comes to your little bundle of fluff, safety always comes first. Take a look at the kennels’ policies online and feel free to ask questions.
On your visit, check to see if these policies have been put into practice. Look around to see how clean the place is. Check the kennels, toilet areas, and other facilities. Ask about their emergency procedures and find out what training they have. How do they handle sickness? Do they accept dogs without vaccinations?
At the end of the day, you want the best for your pooch. It may seem thorough but if it leaves you feeling reassured, then it’s totally worth it.
Exercise & Activities
Another thing about doggos is that they like to keep busy. Exercise keeps your dogs fit and healthy and can even combat behavioral issues like barking, chewing, and anxiety. Just like humans, it can also lower blood pressure, increase bone health, and build muscle.
When looking for dog kennels in Auckland, find out just how much activity they receive. Our four legged friends enjoy farm runs every single day. Come rain, come shine, your pooch will have a fun-filled time doing what dogs do best. And, after rolling home in all that mud, they’ll come home looking fresh and clean. What more could you want?
At K9 Heaven, our doggos also benefit from sensory enrichment activities, free daily pack runs, and human company all day long. Even if you have a lazy dog, it’s good to know that’s there’s opportunities for them to stretch their paws.
The Staff
A pup is like family. You raise them from young and dedicate a lot of your time towards them. So it’s no surprise that you want them to be looked after by the right people.
If you’re feeling unsure about dropping them off to a kennel, ensure that you get to know the staff, ask about their experience, and watch how they interact with your dog. If you have any doubts or concerns, address them. See what they say and if you don’t get the response you wanted, move on to the next kennel.
Our staff are all highly experienced and come with a wealth of knowledge and expertise, including pet and human first aid as well as our in-house dog behaviour training. They take time to get to know your doggo and will treat them just like their own. You see, the more confident you feel about the team, the easier it will be to wave goodbye.
Once you know what to look out for, you will find the right doggy daycare in no time. Contact the centre and don’t be afraid to ask questions. When you’re happy, book a trial to ensure that your dog has a pawsome day.
K9 Heaven Auckland’s dog kennels
At K9 Heaven, we offer our dogs-to-be a trial day before they join the pack. The trial day is for anyone considering our doggy daycare. You can pick a specific time slot on a day that works for you, by clicking “book assessment” on our trial day page. The trial day gives us the chance to see if your dog fits in with the pack. Most importantly, it gives you the opportunity to see how well your doggo copes.
After the trial, be sure to watch your pooch and see how they’re feeling. While they are probably exhausted from all the excitement, your dog will tell you if it’s not the right fit. Trust those doggy instincts!
