I don't much care for pet-boarding facilities.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, especially in reaction to this article in yesterday's Post. For most dogs, having their owner(s) go away can be a traumatic experience if not handled carefully. This means - in most cases - maintaining as much as possible the routine they are accustomed to. Routine really is a source of comfort to a dog; they depend on predictability and can develop mental and physical health problems if not provided with a sound structure in their lives. This goes triply for rescued dogs or others who have had traumatic formative experiences.

Kennels often sell themselves on the luxury factor, but the facts often tell a much different story. I've known dogs to come back from area establishments with kennel cough in the past, as well as prolific diarrhea. At the Brooklyn Dog House (mentioned in the article) they do not get walked or go outside at all, (for safety's sake, apparently). The indoor playgrounds are only used by your dog for only part of the time during the day, and the rest of the time (as well as for 9 or 10 hours overnight) the dogs are crated, whether or not this is part of their training and routine at home. Overnight, all the dogs are placed in individual crates and, according to several of my colleagues and other pet owners, there is no staff to supervise them. I wish I could believe that conditions such as this are the exception rather than the rule, but it doesn't seem like any of this disqualifies a kennel from membership in the American Boarding Kennels Association.

So why do people board their dogs rather than finding a petsitter? I really wish I knew, but can only make a few informed guesses based on talking to folks who've made that decision in the past. It is somewhat less expensive, but this doesn't seem to be the driving factor. Many cite the ability to have their dog spend more time with other dogs. And some also cite privacy or security concerns about having someone stay in their home.

As a service to all dogs out there, let me attempt to address some of those issues. Most dogwalkers and petsitters, myself included, have a steady clientele within a relatively small geographic area. Therefore we can (and do, as a matter of course) schedule time for your dog to socialize with other dogs with whom they are familiar. This is done on walks, in dog runs, and sometimes in familiar indoor areas. While this canine socialization is not constant (unless you have more than 1 dog!) it is part of an integrated whole; and there's also a lot more individualized human attention for your dog. If you use your regular dogwalker as your petsitter, then it's also someone your dog already has a relationship with, which is incredibly valuable to him or her. Plus, your dog will never be left alone overnight!

If or when people have security concerns about having someone (even someone they trust) stay at home with their dog for an extended period, I think those are pretty easy to address. Beyond the typical insurance of fantastic references, if you're already trusting someone with your dog, it's pretty unthinkable that anything else in your home could be more valuable. In addition, having a constant presence there has been shown to deter crime. But privacy issues are different, more touchy, and undoubtedly more varied. I can't hope to, nor do I wish to, fully understand them, probably because I was raised in and live my life in a very communal fashion. Whether or not I'm in my home, someone else that I trust is always there! That being said, however, I can say that I (and my Park Slope dogwalking colleagues) abide by the time honored code of household staff everywhere, and realize that it is in the interest of both client and professional to respect the privacy of the home and its occupants. Never mind that it's highly unlikely I'll see anything weirder than what I'm prone to run into on the streets of Brooklyn any given day or night!

I still don't understand why some dog owners view boarding facilities favorably, although I'd like to think a large part of it is simply a lack of understanding about what these places are really like. However, I'm also aware that sometimes the logistics of a situation make it impossible to find a trusted petsitter. In fact I was recently faced with that situation with Bella, and as a result I am, for the first time, boarding a dog in my own home. She will have all the advantages of a petsitter outlined above, with the exception of her familiar environment. Since I've walked her since she was a puppy, and stayed in her home several times, (and also because if she suffers from anything it's an excess of confidence!) I expect smooth sailing, and I'll let you all know how it goes!

Bella rules the roost