The Dog and Bone News

Many dog owners have asked what day-to-day life is like for their dogs at Sturgeon County Kennels. What do they do all day long? When do you walk them? How long do you socialize them for? Are they always barking?Sturgeon County Kennels tries to structure daily life to look more or less the same for dogs to provide a sense of calm and familiarity. By giving dogs a routine that they can anticipate, we believe that they are given a much happier and rewarding kennel experience. That being said, here is what everyday life usually looks like at the kennel:MorningThe kennel opens at 8:00am and we quickly open up all the dog doors to give outside access to the dogs. After the kennel doors are open, we start feeding the dogs (according to their owner's feeding instructions) and administer any medications. Once done, Sturgeon County Kennel staff pick up poop and start cleaning and disinfecting the kennel. We vacuum the entire kennel everyday and mop it out to sanitize and disinfect. We frequently pressure wash the kennels to clean any areas that mopping and vacuuming might miss.As we clean the kennel, we let out groups of dogs in one of our four play areas to socialize in. This makes it easier to clean the kennels and gives the dogs a chance to play.During the winter months, we start a fire in our wood-burning stove, which keeps the office warm and cozy for all incoming and outgoing visitors.After cleaning is done, all the dogs are given fresh water and brought back inside for the next part of the day.Early AfternoonOnce the kennel is clean and smelling fresh, we move into the early afternoon. This is play time for the dogs. We let the dogs back into play areas to socialize in, take them on walks around the acreage, and sometimes even take pictures of the dogs posing on our walks. Check out our Instagram and Facebook pages for a couple pictures of some very photogenic dogs!Another important piece of the day is spending time with the dogs in the kennel. We want all the dogs to feel welcome and at home at Sturgeon County Kennels, so we always spend individual time with the dogs in their kennel. If your dog is shy or nervous, we try and spend even more time with them to calm them down and make them feel extra comfortable during their stay.After spending some good quality time in with the dogs in the early afternoon, we soon get into the late afternoon.Late AfternoonAfter all the excitement of the morning, we want to give the dogs a chance to relax and enjoy some quiet time. We finish socializing the dogs and turn on some calm music. If allowed, dogs are given their treats and have a chance to rest and chew on a toy or bone.Around 5:30pm, we feed the dogs their evening meals (if required). Any additional medications are also administered at this time. We are still around in the kennel throughout the day and are often found tinkering with one repair or another, or we may be in the office and hanging out with a furry pal.Throughout the dayThroughout the day, we keep busy with a number of other things such as washing dishes, making repairs, keeping things tidy, taking phone calls, and just spending time playing and petting your dog. Poop runs are frequently done to keep everything looking and smelling good. We hang out in the kennel all day long so we are never far away from your dog!NighttimeOnce everybody has had a chance to digest their supper and wind down for the day, we go in at night to shut the kennel down. For an added level of security during the night, we shut the outside access doors at around 8:30pm. We give everybody a good night pet, turn the lights off, and wish everybody a goodnight!This is typically what a standard day at Sturgeon County Kennels is structured like. If you have any additional questions or concerns, feel free to give us a call at (780) 921-3336!

Dog owners are consistently faced with the question of what to do with their dogs when travel, illness, or other emergencies disrupt normal care. Fortunately, the services of professional boarding kennels with knowledgeable and passionate kennel operators can provide safe and secure solutions.Sturgeon County Kennels is one such solution. In order to make sure that the kennel experience is rewarding for both you and your dog, we have prepared a guide for your first visit. This guide will help you understand what to bring, what is optional, and refresh you on the required vaccinations.After reading, you can spend your time away knowing your dog is comfortable and receiving the best care possible. The Gear to BringSturgeon County Kennels recommends bringing the following:  BedA bed is a great way to remind your dog of home and to keep them comfortable during their visit. Including a small blanket that smells like home is another great addition. We strongly recommend beds with removable linings to help us wash the bed as they tend to get dirty from time to time from normal use. FoodChanges in a dog’s diet can cause their stomachs to become upset, which can take away from play time and cleanliness. Keeping to the same diet provides a sense of familiarity and will help ensure they are feeling 100% during their time at the kennel.  Optional itemsThe following items can be brought at your discretion:  TreatsBringing treats is up to you. Treats are a great way to give your dog a little happiness boost throughout their day. Chew ToysKeep your dog occupied throughout the slow times of the kennel by giving them something to chew on. Make sure chew toys are sturdy to minimize choking hazard when small bits get broken off. BowlsSturgeon County Kennels has standard bowls that we use that help prevent tipping and are easy to wash. Unless you have a slow-feed bowl, it is generally easier to use one of our bowls, which also helps us avoid any unwanted mix ups. Personal itemsFeel free to bring additional items that will remind your dog of home. Sometimes this includes a familiar piece of clothing or a favorite toy.  VaccinationsSturgeon County Kennels requires the following proof of vaccination:  DHPPDHPP stands for Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvo, Parainfluenza. This is a standard shot that generally lasts for 3 years after the 1-year booster is first received. Some combinations include DHLPP, DHLPPC, DA2LPPC, which are a 5-in-1, 6-in-1, or 7-in-1 vaccination, respectively. All these vaccinations are accepted, but only DHPP is required. BordetellaAlso known as kennel cough, Bordetella is a contagious flu-like syndrome that causes dogs to cough. Symptoms last for approximately 2 weeks. Similar to the flu-shot that humans receive in October, a Bordetella vaccination greatly reduces the risk of infection but does not guarantee it. Vaccines are effective for one year. RabiesRabies is a fatal viral disease that affects dogs and many other mammals. Vaccination is required before bringing your dog to the kennel and lasts for either 1 or 3 years, depending on the vaccination.  Additional tipsWe have additional tips to make sure your dog has the best kennel experience possible:  Label everything! This helps keep your dog’s stuff together and keeps everything organized. Special needs We have a fridge and a microwave to prepare special diets, so please don’t hesitate to ask about any special needs. Book a tour! We are proud of our kennel and are more than happy to walk you through our facility and explain what life is like everyday at the kennel. Try us out! We welcome first time dogs to stay with us for a day or two to come socialize with other dogs and familiarize themselves with the kennel. This can help ease their stress on a long visit as they better understand the day-to-day life at the kennel.  We are always looking to find ways to make our visitor’s experience better and better. By bringing the above items to the kennel, you will help us give your dog a great experience. Take a look at our frequently asked questions section for additional information about staying at Sturgeon County Kennels, and give us a call if you have any additional questions or concerns!