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Choosing Good Kennels

Help & advice choosing
good boarding kennels

We make it QUICK & EASY
for you to find the BEST kennels for YOUR dog

The below pointers are shown for all kennels. Just flip through for advice as you go...

Key to Dog Welfare Icons

Key to Symbols/ Icons

Less than 20 kennels in any one building
(yes/ no/ unknown)

Fewer kennels/dogs means less noise which means less stress. Caring dog owners will want to leave their pets in quieter kennels.

Also look at the total number of kennels: e.g, an exclusive business with up to 20 kennels will be much quieter than 100 kennels. (But 100 kennels in buildings of 20 kennels each will be quieter than one huge building of 100 kennels.

Comfort Items from home
(yes/ no/ unknown)

The provision of dog's own bedding, toys and chews from home, and something that smells of you will help your dogs to relax. Being from home, they will be familiar and smell of home, you and themselves, helping the dog to settle more quickly. We recommend you seek caring, well-staffed kennels who DO allow this - as the benefits to your dog's welfare are enormous.

Be aware that larger or busier businesses won't have time to manage this, lose items, or just not give them, and some dogs will chew or destroy items while away.

DAP Therapy: soothing/calming
(yes/ no/ unknown)

Promotes the feeling of safety and reassurance for dogs via a simple spray or plug-in diffuser.
This ground-breaking therapy can be used wherever dog anxiety is caused (a real and debilitating condition for dogs. Check it's really being used - ask to see the plug-in or spray.

What is DAP Therapy?

A caring and knowledgeable kennel owner or dog owner will use DAP (Dog Appeasing Pheromone). It calms & reassures dogs & puppies in stressful situations such as leaving the owner, being alone at home, travel, going to the vets & kennels. DAP synthetically mimics natural pheromones that female dogs provide for their puppies, giving them a sense of well-being and reassurance.

Dogs are taken out of Kennels
(yes/ no/ unknown)

The most basic, simple and free way of improving the wellbeing of boarded dogs is to simply get dogs out of the kennels. Confining dogs to kennels denies their right to 'be dogs' and express natural behaviours. Think how your dog would react to being confined at home for 2 weeks, never leaving the house - it causes a build up excess energy and pent-up frustration.

Why getting out of the kennels is SO important

It is important that dogs get out of kennels for play, exercise & walks with company whenever possible to reduce depression & stress. Away from the kennels dogs can be themselves, play with friends, have a chance for a run, stretch, sniff and play, and importantly, human company on a one-to-one basis.

Exercise/play/walks with Staff
(yes/ no/ unknown)

There is a world of difference between staff leaving your dog in a small boring exercise area on their own, and interacting with staff.

Dogs are sociable and love having company. Spending time with a member of staff they know (playing, stroking, grooming, walking) will have a big impact on the wellbeing of your dog.

Crown Award

A kennels which has this icon listed has been awarded www.BoardingKennels.org's Crown Award for excellence. Highly commended.

Dog hotel or boarding kennel?

Is it really a 'Luxury Boarding Kennels' or a Dog Hotel - or not?

The use of words like ‘hotel’, ‘luxury’, ‘deluxe’ and even ’state-of-the-art’ are used by all kennels, even by appalling ones.

This makes life very confusing for dog owners looking for better kennels on the web. Not only do you have to look through a lot more websites - but just finding something that meets the highest standards can be time-consuming.

We make it easy for you to tell the difference for yourself - Dog Hotel or Boarding Kennels - how to tell the Difference.. FAST!.

Fees

Kennel Fees

Cheap fees come at a cost to your dog's wellbeing.

Cheap fees are always low for a reason.

It could be down to old buildings, no heating/ ventilation (causing extremes of hot and cold), not insulated (dripping with condensation, too hot or cold) cheap dog food, and most likely high numbers of dogs and not enough staff or time to care for them or walk them.

There will probably be a lack of interest by the kennel owner in the appearance of their business... after all, if they charge low fees they won't earn enough to pay for improvements and may 'bodge' kennel maintenance and safety issues. They may well be running the business into the ground until they come to sell.

Find out why you shouldn't just choose the cheapest or nearest kennels...

What to Look For

The Importance of Good Staff

Staff should be welcoming, interested in, and like animals! Dogs are social animals and fare best when kind, empathetic & professional staff care for them. Find kennels where staff are friendly, polite and interact easily with dogs & customers, and where there is sufficient staff to give individual care.

Good staff are expensive, especially if they are well trained, so expect to pay more for a better service - the cost won't be much more than the price of a cappuccino or two - but will make a HUGE difference to your dog's wellbeing. If you only see very young, inexperienced staff this indicates employment as cheaply as possible.

Kennel quality

Don't make the mistake of thinking all kennels are the same... we promise you they're not - no two kennels are ever the same!!

GOOD = Relaxed & Calm:

New & maintained
Light & bright
Hygienic (no smell)
Ventilation/heating
BIG sizes - Fewer kennels

BAD = Stressful & Noisy:

Old and unmaintained
Dark and dingy
Unhygienic (smelly)
No windows/ small windows
No heating in the kennel
Small sizes
Lots of kennels

Walks & Exercise

If the kennels claim to walk all able dogs, look at how long, and then do the sums to see if there are enough staff to make this possible. When you visit are dogs being walked/ exercised?

'Ambles' might be more suitable for elderly or special needs dogs - remember to tell them.

For quality walks and time playing with your dog - you really want to find a higher quality service with fewer kennels (20 or less) - and for a little more expense know your dog's wellbeing is important to the kennels. At such caring places, your dog will be out in the fresh air enjoying walks, just as they do at home. Learn more about how to tell the difference in kennel quality

Why comfort items are important

Providing your dog's own bedding, toys and chews, plus something you have worn & smells familiar, can help your dog to relax & settle in much faster.

Good kennels who care deeply about dog welfare will ALWAYS use the comfort items you provide - and will prompt you to bring them!

Kennels that are very busy and have high numbers will not usually allow your dog to bring comfort items. They do not have the staff numbers or time to manage, clean around or remember your dogs items.

Unknowledgeable or just plain uncaring kennels will leave your items unopened and unused - so there is nothing that will give dogs the comfort of their home or owners smell, so they take much longer to settle in, or don't settle well at all.

We all know what an amazing sense of smell dogs have - don't deprive them of such a simple, free comfort factor.

Special Needs & Care

Special care is needed for vulnerable dogs, such as puppies, elderly dogs, disabled dogs, dogs on medication, nervous/fearful dogs, or dogs with a high activity level. These dogs will need special care and will require extra time to ensure that all their needs are met.

You may be surprised to discover that different kennels specialise in different types of dogs.

Larger or very busy kennels may have a policy not to take on dogs with certain characteristics or requirements. This may be because their kennels are too stressful for dogs with special needs, it takes too much time, does not fit in with their core clientelle or policies etc.

It is particularly important to search carefully for the best kennels for your dog if they have special needs.

Why room types matter

Solid walls help provide a quieter, calmer atmosphere which will be more enjoyable to stay in. They make it easier for staff to attend to dogs one-on-one, giving them full attention. The walls should be at least 4ft/1.2m high - but full height walls provide the most privacy and reassurance.

Why kennel height is Important

Full height (6ft/2m) kennels are best because they make dogs feel more secure, more like a room at home AND it's easier for staff to clean the kennels thorougly if they don't have to bend.

Why runs should be attached

Attached exercise runs allow dogs freedom to move between sleep & toiletting/outside areas. Choices and views are much better for dog welfare and stress levels. Being able to look at a garden or wildlife is ideal. Avoid kennels where dogs can see into another run (e.g facing another row of runs in a building opposite). Facing lots of other dogs, or seeing dogs come and go, or get out is frustrating, stressful and therefore very noisy.

NEVER use kennels that force your dog to stay in one area for sleeping, eating and toileting (i.e the sleeping area only if there is no attached run). Being confined to just one area gives dogs no choice about where to be, what to look at, or to hide away if they want to.

Why runs should be covered

Covered runs protect exercise runs & dogs from bad weather (you don't want your dog to be in a constantly open or damp environment)

What to Avoid

The Golden Rule:
Go for no-smell!

Easy-to-clean modern materials that are also well maintained mean hygienic kennels with no smell at all. Go for lovely, easy to clean and well cared for kennels with no smell.

Avoid if it smells!

That's because any absorbent material (eg timber or unsealed concrete) soaks in all the dog wee. Don't subject your dog to the smell or lack of hygiene! If it smells... it's unhygienic!

Exercise/ walks/ time with staff

Many 'old style' kennels sadly don't walk or exercise the dogs with company, but just let them out into a concrete or paddock exercise area and leave them.

This isn't the same as having one-to-one time with humans, is less fun for your dog - but means cheaper kennel fees & not enough staff.

Getting out of the kennel

Avoid kennels who don't get dogs out of their kennel at all - they will lead to depression, stress and illness (and most probably a vet's bill, and enormous distress & guilt on your part!

Nose-to-nose contact

If dogs have nose-to-nose contact it puts them at greater risk of stress, damage and disease. You should avoid kennels where dogs can touch each other through open areas (e.g mesh between kennels instead of a solid wall) as this can result in injury & disease.

made your choice?

Trial Visit

We strongly recommend you visit prospective kennels to see if they really do match your expectations. Once you're happy you should try 1 or 2 days boarding before leaving your dog for longer periods. Please explore all the tips and advice we have to offer on this website and LEARN what to look at for yourself. Find out more about how to choose the BEST kennels for YOUR dog

Licensing

Sadly, having a kennels licence is no guarantee of quality. Do not think "it must be OK if it's licensed". We've seen kennels no better than derelict sheds licensed. Some counties may not have agreed to abide by the basic requirements, and some countries (such as Ireland) don't even license kennels.

Not found what you want?

More quality kennels to come

We help people start up new boarding kennels worldwide every day.

Dog owners who have a free account with us will get early notification of new, high standard kennels and dog hotels opening.

But until there are at least 3 good kennels in every county, we will make it easy for you to find the best kennels, even if they are further afield than you had originally planned.

Consider travelling further

Many dog owners are now travelling much greater distances to find the high standard of kennels they want. If you haven't found what you want locally, try looking in surrounding regions for good kennels.

We find this happens mostly with dog hotels and luxury kennels because they are so rare - their customers want the best for their dogs and are prepared to travel a few hundred miles.

Working pet parents

Daycare or dog creches will be suitable for owners who work long hours and don't have suitable pet sitters.

Holidaying pet parents

A new trend is for owners who want to go on holiday and have their dog near them, and to be able to take days together at dog-friendly places, allowing 'pet parents' evenings out and visits to non-doggy places too.
Look at kennels in your favourite {Kennel.Country} holiday hotspots

You searched Boarding Kennels in Devon for:

Gentian Hill Boarding Kennels

Gentian Hill Boarding Kennels
Gentian Hill, Hareston Road, Brixton, Plymouth,
Devon PL8 2DL

Contact Jane Cole
01752 882290

visit our website

Crown Award for Excellence in Boarding Kennels

see 'Key to Dog Welfare Icons (left) or hover over icons

average of 0 reviews:

Welcome
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1 News
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Map
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Introduction

Gentian Hill Boarding Kennels has 18 Kennels

Because we have just 18 Kennels & provide plenty of individual time for each dog in a peaceful rural setting, our kennels are ideal for dogs requiring a more caring service with individual attention and most importantly - because we are friendly, caring and welcoming.

We are on the Devon/Cornwall border just outside of Plymouth.

We have just 18 kennels, luxury & new purpose-built accommodation to the highest standards. We offer caring, individual attention in a peaceful and beautiful rural setting.

We welcome assessment visits by owners - and encourage this as it settles the dogs in more quickly to 'have friends' they know here already.

We highly recommend a 'trial' afternoon here so that your dog can get to know us, their new surroundings & become familiar with being here before staying for a longer time.

We are fully committed to providing the best possible care for any pet boarding with us.

Opening Hours & Visiting

anytime - please phone us for an appointment (our answerphone will pick up when we are out walking the dogs)

Please click here for our VIRTUAL TOURS

Staff & Knowledge

We have 5 full-time staff working in our kennels. Our staff ratio is 1 Staff : 4 Kennels

About our staff, knowledge and experience:

I have worked (and played!) with dogs all my life and absolutely adore them. I have 5 dogs of my own, all ages & varying breeds and love to take care of our boarders.

We have deliberately included an enormous play area and we are lucky enough to have acres of countryside around us to walk dogs according to their needs or your requests, and the weather of course!

We also have dog grooming available from Dionne, our fully qualified groomer, on request.

Kennels

We have 18 Kennels and we are licensed for anything up to 36 dogs (maximum).

Built in 2004, they are of a Solid Construction and are Full Height

Kennels sizes available

Less than 20 kennels per building We're proud to say we have a maximum of 18 kennels in any one building.
(The ideal is a maximum of 20 kennels in a building, as the less dogs, the calmer & quieter it is)

About our Kennels

Boarding Kennels Sleep Accommodation

Kennels Runs

Our Kennels have

Attached runs:

Covered runs:

Dog Exercise Play:

Dogs get out of their Kennels for exercise:

Dogs are taken out of Kennels We're proud to say dogs DO get out of their kennels here.
We know how important it is (mentally and physically) for dogs to play, sniff, run around and stretch their legs - in other words, for dogs to be dogs!

About dog exercise with our Boarding Kennels:

We like to walk or exercise our boarders 3 times a day, and we also let them play off the lead in our secure play areas.

Dog Walks/Exercise/Playtime with Staff:

Dogs exercised with staff:

60 minutes of walks/exercise with staff provided daily

Less than 20 kennels per building We're proud to say we offer walks/ exercise/ playtime WITH staff.
We know how important it is for dogs to have our company one-to-one. It's much more fun!

About dog walks/playtime with staff with our Kennels:

Dog Welfare & Settling In:

Comfort items from home allowed:

We're proud to say we DO allow and encourage comfort items for your dog.
We understand how important it is to help your dog relax and feel settled quickly, more at home with us. This is such an easy way to comfort your dog - we all love our home comforts don't we?!

Our policy on comfort items:

We encourage you to bring favourite items for your dog to help settle them in as quickly as possible. This can be anything from their own bedding & toys and an item from you to comfort them, plus of course your own food from home if you would like

DAP Therapy used:

Boarding Kennels Services:

Collect & Return, or Dog Chauffeur Service

Grooming Service professional option, full bath & cut)

Hydrotherapy

Webcam Service

Care of Easy-going & Steady Dogs

We give lots of attention and introduce dogs slowly to our kennels & surroundings. We provide just the right level of play, attention & exercise to help your dog stay calm & happy - and interested in watching what is going on.

Dogs love to have a routine, so we provide this, with extra interest such as walk as much, and play as much as possible.

We provide fold-down benches to let the dogs sleep or play in different places & levels. Baskets & comfy continental quilts are available to every dog staying with us

Because we have just 12 Kennels, the dogs can see/hear us all the time and have continual company - just the way we like it!

Care of Active Dogs

Plenty of exercise, 3 walks a day and play are available for active dogs.

Off the lead exercise is available in a fully enclosed, secure and ENORMOUS 22 x 42 metre sand play area. I play with the dogs using any favourite toys such as frisbees, balls & ropes

Care of Daycare/creche Dogs

Yes, we provide a caring daycare creche for dogs

Other Services Available

Pet Supplies

Cattery (Cat Boarding)

Small Animals Boarding

Stables

About our other services:

We have dog grooming available from a qualified groomer on request

Dogs with Special Needs

Care of Special Needs Dogs:

Separate, quiet section available:

Tip: a separate section is ideal for dogs with special needs

About our care of special needs dogs:

Because we have just 12 Kennels, the dogs can see/hear us all the time and have continual company - just the way we like it!

Centrally heated throughout. Special attention is given to heating depending on your dog's needs.

The kennels are warm and dry and dogs can access their outside run whenever they want to during the day.

It is important to us to spend quality time on a one-to-one basis with your dog.

We care for dogs with:

Allergies/Allergenic
Arthritis/Arthritic
Blindness
Convulsions
Deafness
Diabetes/Diabetic
DigestiveProblems
Disabilities
Elderly/ Senior
Heart Disease
Kidney Disease
Nervous, shy, separation anxiety
Skin Problems

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Latest News

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1 news articles

23rd Nov 2008

Award-Winning Kennels says BoardingKennels.org

We have won the prestigious crown award from Boardingkennels.org for dog boarding excellence!

Boarding Kennels Fees

Fees are per dog, per day (including any tax)

14.10 for a Small Dog
16.45 for a Medium Dog
18.80 for a Large Dog
18.80 for a Giant Dog

Further Information:

We now also have larger kennels available for �20 per day for those who want that little bit more room, or who have larger dogs or dog families. Due to the demand for our kennels, for confirmed bookings a 50% deposit is required which is non-refundable.

Map & Directions

Jane Cole
Gentian Hill Boarding Kennels
Gentian Hill, Hareston Road, Brixton, Plymouth
Devon PL8 2DL
Phone: 01752 882290

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Bookings, Queries & Appointments

Jane will be happy to discuss your queries about Gentian Hill Boarding Kennels including bookings, availability, and making an appointment to visit.

Jane Cole
01752 882290

www.gentianhillboardingkennels.co.uk

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