Sturgeon County Kennels – Guide for First-time Visitors

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 Bring

Sturgeon County Kennels recommends bringing the following:

• Bed
  A 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.
• Food
  Changes 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 items

The following items can be brought at your discretion:

• Treats
  Bringing treats is up to you. Treats are a great way to give your dog a little happiness boost throughout their day.
• Chew Toys
  Keep 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.
• Bowls
  Sturgeon 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 items
  Feel free to bring additional items that will remind your dog of home. Sometimes this includes a familiar piece of clothing or a favorite toy.

Vaccinations

Sturgeon County Kennels requires the following proof of vaccination:

• DHPP
  DHPP 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.
• Bordetella
  Also 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.
• Rabies
  Rabies 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 tips

We 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!