If you have a dog and are planning on taking a vacation, chances are you will have to find a kennel that will take care of your four-legged friend while you are away. You want to choose a good kennel that will take the best care possible of your dog and there are a few things to consider when selecting a dog kennel.

Ask family and friend what kennel they use. This can be the best way to choose a kennel but if that is not possible you can begin by calling local dog kennels and asking them a few questions. Even better, go to the kennel yourself and ask for a tour. You want to know what kind of environment your dog will be living in and know if it is clean and provides your dog with ample room to move about.

You need to ask about how much exercise the kennel provides. Do they walk the dogs and if so, how often? You should ask where the dogs are able to relieve themselves and find out if there is a big fenced yard available for your dog to roam in. You certainly do not want to leave your dog at a kennel that never walks the dogs or lets the dogs go outdoors to play.

Be sure to find out what the kennel does in the case of illness? Do they contact you or do they seek treatment for sick dogs. Many dogs become very stressed when taken from home and placed in a kennel, so illness is a real concern.

Ask the facility about costs and be sure there are no hidden fees when getting a price. Most kennels ask the owners to bring their own dog food to the kennel, so you do not want to be paying for food when you are providing it yourself.