We all know that dogs need some sort of regular exercise but how can this best be provided in a busy boarding environment? Sheila Atter looks at the options.

Just like their owners, the dogs that arrive at boarding kennels come in all shapes and sizes. Some are finely honed athletes; others are couch potatoes, and the rest fall somewhere in between. Some are very old, others are still young. All these dogs need exercise of some sort, but their needs are as varied as they are and in an ideal world the thoughtful kennel owner will establish an exercise regime for each individual according to their needs.

Let us first consider the various different dogs and then we can see how we can best accommodate their requirements. Probably the majority of dogs coming into a boarding environment are there for a relatively short period whilst their owners are away on holiday. They are family pets, hopefully relatively well socialised with other dogs, and probably accustomed to a regular walk which may be anything from once round the block to free-running in the local park. Social they may be, but obedient they are probably not! It has to be admitted that the majority of family pets have opportunities to exercise their bodies, but not too much stimulation for their minds. A regular outing is the highlight of their day, and they will miss it if they are confined to kennels. Missing out on exercise leads to boredom, and boredom, as we all know, is often expressed in noisy or destructive behaviour. Such behaviour is far better prevented than cured.

Some boarders will be old and not accustomed to much in the way of exercise at all. There will also be relatively young puppies, maybe away from home for the first time. Both these groups may present a problem with regard to exercise. The oldies are often not used to anything much in the way of stimulation at all. The youngsters can easily get over-excited at the new experiences. (In passing, how do we convince their owners that this is a great adventure not a prison sentence for their precious babies?) Both these groups need to have their exercise carefully regulated. A few visitors will have health problems. They may be under veterinary supervision for an ongoing problem. More likely they will just be clinically obese. Extra special care will have to be taken that these dogs do not become overstressed.

Once upon a time, when we were all far less concerned with legislation, health and safety, and the compensation culture, it was common for youngsters to be employed to come to the kennels after school and walk groups of dogs around the nearby lanes. Other kennels had (indeed some still do) a large exercise compound where groups of dogs could be turned out for a period to play together and exercise themselves. I wonder how many kennel owners are happy to do that today? If a group of dogs are carefully matched it is an ideal way of introducing a change of routine, and thereby minimising the opportunities for destructive behaviour and excessive barking. This in turn leads to a happier and more restful environment for everyone, canines and humans alike.

But such a group has to be very carefully selected and well supervised. The person doing this supervision must be experienced and very aware of canine body language and behaviour. Even then, very occasionally mistakes are made, and the worst case scenario can be a fight between two, or worse still, several dogs. It¹s not surprising therefore that few kennel owners are nowadays prepared to take such a risk.

Older boarding kennels often consisted of a central kennel block with surrounding exercise areas. This is really an ideal solution, especially if there is space to offer different environments. Even walking to and from the exercise area provides a valuable opportunity for inter-action with kennel staff, and helps to build a good relationship with the dog. A well-fenced paddock, even a small one, will have far more to offer a dog than will a sterile concreted area, even though the latter may be more easily cleaned and thus far more acceptable to the local environmental health department! Modern businesses are much more likely to be built simply with kennels and attached runs. These are admittedly hygienic and easily disinfected, but they offer little in the way of stimulation to their occupants. However the average short-term resident will come to no harm, even in solitary confinement, for a couple of weeks, as long as they are offered some means of relieving their boredom - other than chewing and barking. Toys, human contact, even interesting and busy surroundings, will all offer stimulation to the dog, and, as the saying goes, a change is as good as a rest. Just as their owners perceive their holiday as a time to recharge their batteries, for many dogs a couple of weeks in the local boarding kennel is in itself sufficiently different from their normal life that the daily walk is not missed.

There are always, however, the problem dogs. Some will just be hyper-active and will always find it difficult to settle. There are things that can be tried to lessen the impact of their stay on the other boarders, and on the staff. Simply changing the dog to a different kennel may have a marked effect. Giving such dogs a stable routine is often very beneficial. Indeed, they may well be easier to handle in the ordered surroundings of a kennel environment than they are in a chaotic home. However difficult it is to organise, it is well worth the effort of trying to establish a regular exercise regime for such dogs. Even if it is just a case of putting on a lead, and walking the dog around the kennel block, or devoting ten minutes to playing games in the kennel run, such time will be well spent.

Long-term boarders are a different case, and if at all possible it is in the animal’s interest to try and arrange for the dog to have the opportunity for a change in surroundings from time to time. Just like people, dogs too can become institutionalised. There are nowadays far fewer dogs spending an obligatory six months in quarantine, but any such individuals are of necessity confined to their kennel and run. However, there are others who for whatever reason do find themselves boarding for an extended period. It is worth discussing with the owners when the dog is first booked in how the stay can be made as painless as possible. Such dogs do, of course, often become firm favourites with staff and they should be encouraged to build up such a relationship as it can only be of benefit to the dog.

Exercise is vital to the well-being of all dogs, and to deprive them of it is tantamount to cruelty. In an ideal world, each and every dog in boarding kennels would be offered the opportunity for appropriate exercise every day. Kennel owners know that this is often difficult if not impossible. However, by careful planning of the daily regime, dogs can be stimulated both mentally and physically. This will ensure that your boarders will have a happy holiday, and they too will return home as refreshed as their owners.