No matter what breed of dog you own, you want to make sure that your pet is well taken care of when you have to leave them behind and go out of town. But if you own a Mastiff, your concerns are even more specific. You want to be sure that those who run the kennel you choose know how to handle Mastiff dogs. You want to know what to look for in finding the right Mastiff kennels for your baby!
Undoubtedly, any dog boarding kennel will have its own unique personality. So does every dog owner. So, you can't just assume that a kennel will be right for you. You have to find the one that suits your own personality and concerns. And as a Mastiff dog owner, you know that Mastiffs are unique, and that you may need to search more than the average dog owner to find the right dog kennel for you and your pet.
You want to find a kennel where your dog will feel at ease and comfortable. The Mastiff's natural instinct to guard may be heightened in a place that is strange to him, where unfamiliar people come and go, and cause him increased stress. Finding the right Mastiff kennels, where the attendants understand the breed's unique characteristics, can help to ease this problem.
Mastiff dogs also experience separation anxiety, which can be exaggerated by kennel attendants who ignore this trait, so you'll want to investigate each kennel's experience with the Mastiff dog breed. You will be the one to decide, so choose carefully.
When you find a dog kennel with Mastiff experience, you will want to make arrangements to visit. The kennel should be physically clean, and should smell clean too. The dog bedding should be clean and look comfortable. The sleeping areas should be in a place that is dry, and somewhat sheltered.
Your Mastiff should have access to an outside area where he can exercise during the day. The dog kennel should have a regular feeding, and you can check to see if it is similar to your own dog's feeding schedule. Your Mastiff should have access to water at all times, too.
You can ask the kennel how much they know about other boarders. They should have good general knowledge about dogs, and at least some knowledge about Mastiffs, if not first-hand experience. They don't necessarily have to be experts, but they should at least be aware of the Mastiff's unique personality traits.
You will, no doubt, be able to tell if they have a love for dogs by the conversations you have with them, and how willing they are to answer your questions and put you at ease.
Your Mastiff dog should adjust just fine to the atmosphere at the dog kennel, especially if you start boarding him when he is young. Once you've had success in finding the right Mastiff kennels, you'll want to use the same one or two every time. The familiarity your Mastiff feels with the place will help to make him more comfortable, and less "on guard" when you're away.
One final thing you might consider, for your Mastiff kennel search, is to do a "trial boarding." You can have your Mastiff spend the day at the kennel you are considering to try it out. You'll know when you pick him up how he will respond to spending time there, and neither of you will feel stressed when you do have to go out of town.
Mastiffs need a bit of extra attention, but you probably already know that, and it is likely one of the things that endear you to your pup! Finding the right Mastiff kennels may be some work, but it will be worth it to care for your in the way he needs.