I have to put my two dogs into a kennel for 3 weeks this summer. I've never done this before and I could use some advice for chosing the right kennel for them. I don't want them getting kennel cough or worse.

1) have your dogs protected against kennel cough. This is a very simple procedure at the vet's. The vaccine is administered by inhalation: the vet puts drops of the vaccine in the dog's nose or sprays it up the nostrils. As with all protection, make sure it is done with enough time in hand for it to be fully effective.

2) make sure that the kennel is one that insists on proof of vaccination against kennel cough. Some don't.That's a good sign of the level of care that you may expect. It's not much of an answer to say that the disease is not life-threatening or that that kennel has never had a case, as one told me once : Once it arrives it spreads very quickly though a kennel and can leave a lot of distressed dogs (and unhappy owners).

3)A) All kennels should also demand proof of protection against the other significant diseases, such as parvovirus, that your vet should have protected your dogs against.

3)B)Obviously you should have the protection up to date. If any is needed it is very important that it be provided in full and in good time, so that the protection has taken full effect before the dog goes into kennel.

4) Ask to see the facilities. First impressions count for a lot.You can tell very quickly whether the inmates seem happy and the place seems very clean .

5) A good kennel will always ask what food the dog is used to. Whilst dogs eat almost anything eventually it remains true that they are not keen on a sudden or radical chance of food on arrival. It is usually just a question of the dog only eating dry food at home or only having tinned meatloaf or morsels there, as its main food.Suddenly give it the other stuff and it'll refuse to eat for a while.So it needs to be introduced gradually, if at all, to the other stuff.The ideal kennel will only give it the type of food it is used to and not try to change its habits.

Fred gave some outstanding advice but I had one more item for the list... get recomendations from your vet both about what kennels are good and which should be avoided.

thanks guys! That helps a lot. I'm so nervous to leave my dogs with strangers in a kennel for such a long time!!

beccaj: Glad to be of help. Welcome to AnswerPool !

One thing is sure. The dogs will be all over you with glee when you collect them.Don't hold that against the kennel: it really wasn't that bad in there Mind you, the kennel which I use for mine is so good that two of my mob, in particular, actually brighten up and get really excited when they find that they are arriving there. How insulting is that ?