10 most important special needs

I nd e x 1)

Medication

2) Escape artists 3) Dog aggressive 4) Fear aggressive 5) Dietary issues 6) Noise & Storm phobic 7) Heat sensitive 8) Cold sensitive 9) Young dogs - Puppies & teenagers 10) Old dogs - senior citizens

1· MEDI CAT I O N Many dogs are now on daily medication for health problems as diverse as skin sensitivity, incontinence, arthritis, ear infections and anxiety. This means that a pet resort needs to have good systems in place for labelling, storing and dispensing medication, not dissimilar to a hospital or nursing home.

Is your dog on a daily medication? If so, make sure you look into the following... It is important to have AM and PM medication schedules that are signed when given and checked by a manager. Professional Pet Resorts will have tablets pill boxed so there is no mistake on how much medicating is due to be administered and on what day. However, to avoid confusion you should provide a written guide on what medications are due on what dates and the condition being treated. Always advise your vet’s contact details in case replacement medication needs to be organised. This could happen by a bottle being spilt or smashed or a tablet accidentally being dropped into a water bowl. Always send along extra/spare medication just in case it’s needed. You never know - your holiday may be unexpectedly extended due to a delayed plane, broken down car, etc. Ask a Pet Resort about their medication systems and if possible to see a daily medication schedule sheet. If it is good and clear it will give you peace of mind that your pet’s medication needs will be well attended to.

Not many Pet Resorts will accept a needle dependant diabetic dog so check this with the resort you are considering using.

2· ESCAPE ARTISTS Surprisingly not many Pet Resort/Kennels are escape proof. If you own an escape artist “Houdini” dog that has tunnelled, dug or climbed its way out of your yard then this is a really important thing for you to check.

Here is a quick check list Are the yards and outdoor areas concrete edged? – otherwise digging under and out is possible. Is the outdoor fenced area covered by wire over the top or have curved in fencing on the perimeter? – to prevent climbing out. Is the fencing weldmesh? Chain wire fencing can be bitten through by a medium sized dog, given how strong their jaws are. Does the Pet Resort/Kennel have double fencing? For security it is important that there is a main perimeter fence around the entire complex not just the one fence around your dog’s individual kennel. For Pet Resorts/Kennels that offer a pick-up and delivery service check that they unload their guests within a fenced area so that if your dog jumps out before being leashed up it doesn’t have the opportunity to take off.

If your dog is “Storm Phobic” you will need to advise the resort so they can house your dog in a secure accommodation space if a storm hits. Storm phobic dogs are mostly settled and happy but get super strong “anxiety strength” during a storm which can easily result in an escaped dog.

3 · DOG AG G RESS I V E 95% of Pet Resorts/Kennels will not accept a dog aggressive dog for holiday care as they would rather have multiple dogs in the one accommodation area for increased income.

A holidaying dog aggressive dog needs A Resort/Kennel that individually boards its dogs. So no “dog staking” or “companion boarding”. Secure accommodation where no dog-to-dog contact can take place. Options and systems that allow your dog to be individually played, walked and loved. Provide accommodation where your dog cannot see other dogs. Secure, solid walling is ideal, as is a panelled outdoor area meaning no line of sight to neighbouring dogs. Well trained staff that understand the increased risk of dog-to-dog injury, when a dog aggressive dog is receiving holiday care.

If your furry one is dog unfriendly you will need to do some thorough research before your dog’s holiday comes around.

4 · FEAR AG G RESSI V E Most Pet Resorts/Kennels will not accept a fear aggressive dog for holiday care, due to the risk of a staff member getting bitten, particularly if the dog is large in size. There are a few Pet Resorts that will consider providing this type of specialised care, but it will depend largely on your dog’s particular issues.

Things to ask and be on the lookout for - Do they… Have a “Special Needs” program in place that accommodates fear aggressive dogs? Have well trained staff that understand your dog’s needs Offer individual private accommodation, playtime and walks so your dog will not be intimidated by other unfriendly dogs or overwhelmed by a huge new environment. Require detailed forms on your dog’s particular aggressive issues and how they are currently being managed Be able to confidently handle & dispense any medications your dog may be on. Allow you to send along favourite toys/s and bedding from home to provide comfort and alleviate anxiety. Have a “keep in touch” Pet Parent program that sends you regular reports on how your dog is adjusting to their new environment.

Make an appointment with any “Pet Resort/Kennel” you are considering so you can discuss in detail your dog’s specific fears and triggers and the various types of management systems you utilise at home.

All dogs are special All dogs are special - but

but

ome have ‘special needs’ too. some have ‘special needs’ too.

5 · DIETARY I S SUES So many dogs these days are on a specific diet relative to allergies, food sensitivities or personal preference. This “special need” is relatively easy to manage in your own environment but can pose some difficulties in a Pet Resort/Kennel.

If your dog is going to be on its own diet you will need to be aware of the following…. .

Do they board dogs individually? If not and they have dogs from different homes sleeping together (dog staking/companion boarding) ask how they make sure your dog will get ONLY its own food and not have access to another dog’s food. If the answer is that they stay with the dogs whilst eating, you will need to ask what they do if your dog is a graze eater – i.e. eats slowly throughout the day. Do they have a system that advises staff on what portion size of food is meant to be fed? It’s best you bag up each individual portion and write your dog’s name on it in permanent marker. Advise the Pet Resort/Kennel what sort of food enhancers are okay to use if your furry one is not eating all their food. E.g. liver, gravy, chicken, sardines, etc. You may wish to provide your own food enhancers. If your dog is a graze eater you will need to advise the Pet Resort/Kennel that their food needs to be left with them all day.

Always send along more food than is needed in case your holiday dates are unexpectedly extended or if your dog is losing weight from expending more energy than usual.

6· NOISE AND STO R M PH O BI C If you are the pet parent of a noise or storm phobic dog you will already understand how upset a dog can be when exposed to loud and unexpected noises or thunder. Having this “special need” means it’s important to find a .

safe, calm and peaceful holiday spot for your furry one.

Some suggestions on what to look for Security – The accommodation area must be super secure to resist your dog’s desire to run away from the noise. Remember - a noise/storm phobic dog is super strong when experiencing high levels of anxiety. Look for a Pet Resort/Kennel designed in such a way that the dogs can’t all see each other. This will reduce the noise level of dogs barking. Look for a Resort/Kennel with insulated indoor rooms to minimise exposure to noise – like thunder and excessive barking. Do a viewing of the facility you are considering using during school holidays and listen out for how loud it seems. Often, a Pet Resort/Kennel can be so loud that the staff are required to wear headphones! Ask the Resort/Kennel what they do for their noise and storm phobic guests if they are showing distress.

Check if the Pet Resort/Kennel is able to administer any calming medication you may wish to provide.

7 · HEAT S ENSI T I VE This is a really important “Special Need” to consider as heat stress can easily and quickly kill a dog. If you have an older dog or a breed that is particularly sensitive to heat you need to be really aware of the following issues.

Make sure you check up on the following things: Pet Resort/Kennels are generally not very well insulated with older facilities being the worst as they were built when most dogs lived outdoors. Ask the resort how hot it gets in summer and how they deal with dogs suffering heat stress. Do they have an emergency plan and a vet on call for if heat stress does occur? Do a viewing and imagine what it would be like on a hot day. Tip – if the kennels are made from tin it will radiate heat and become like an oven in summer. Look for a Resort/Kennel that offers the option of air conditioned accommodation. This will usually be an optional extra. Make a big deal about your dog’s heat sensitivity when booking holiday dates.

Keep an eye on the weather whilst you’re away and contact the Resort/Kennel if it is going to be an extremely hot day to remind them of your dogs “special needs”.

8 · CO LD S ENSITI V E Seniors citizens and short coated dogs will feel the cold more than their younger, furrier friends so make sure you look into the following.

Make sure you furry one has a warm holiday stay Is the accommodation area well insulated? Check the flooring – if it is unsealed concrete it will stay wet, damp and cold all throughout the winter months. Vinyl flooring is best due to it being touch dry moments after cleaning. Do a viewing in the middle of winter and check that they have a draft free sleeping area for night time. Is there bedding provided? If so, is it warm & comfortable and up off the floor? If not, ask if you can send along your own snuggly bedding from home. Look for a Resort/Kennel that offers the option of heated accommodation. This will usually be an optional extra. Do they allow you to provide your own “warm doggy coat” to be put on at night time?

Is there an outdoor section for daytime sunbaking? This is fantastic for a cold sensitive dog’s health and soooooooo enjoyable too.

9· YOUN G D O G S puppies and teenagers

Puppies are used to getting lots of human attention so check how much one-to-one human time your puppy will get during their holiday stay. This can vary quite a bit from place to place. Ignore comments like “lots of love”, “heaps of cuddles” “plenty of playtime“ - instead ask for specific amounts of time.

What sort of “Special Care” will your puppy receive? Young puppies will need more energy-expending fun activities such as walks and playtimes. Brain busting toys such as food treat balls & peanut butter kongs are ideal too. With such a big desire to chew and destroy young puppies benefit from treats such as pigs ears, rawhide twists and chicken wings. Some places will offer these treats but if not, ask if you can send some from home. Puppies LOVE toys so make sure these are provided by the Pet Resort/Kennel, both in the play yards and also in your puppy’s own sleeping area. If not, ask if you can send along some favourite toys from home. If you use a Pet Resort/Kennel that “joint plays” dogs from different homes ask if they do a “puppy playtime” just for puppies? If instead they do “all in” mixed plays do they do play groups of different sizes e.g. small, medium, large? Young puppies require a diet designed with their growth & energy requirements in mind, so check what food the Resort/Kennel is using. If it is not suitable make sure you can provide your own.

Growing puppies and canine teenagers will require twice daily feeding, so check with the Resort/Kennel that they are happy to provide this service.

1 0· OLDE R D O G S senior citizens

Furry senior citizens will need quite a bit of “special care” during a Pet Resort/Kennel holiday stay, so be aware of the following requirements.

Make sure your elderly furry one is comfortable A well-insulated sleeping area is essential. That way your furry one will not be stiff and sore in the morning. Older dogs are much more sensitive to heat stress which can be a killer. So check that the Resort/Kennel you choose has systems in place for this, particularly in summer. Comfortable bedding that is raised off the floor, but not too high as older dogs can find it difficult to jump or step up. The less steps the better as an older dogs find even a few steps quite challenging. You can see the disappointed look on their face when they have to navigate them! Playtimes that are either individual or with other senior dogs, otherwise they could be run into and injured by younger more boisterous dogs. Many senior dogs have trouble with eating due to worn out or missing teeth. Make sure the food being provided by the Resort/Kennel is suitable to your dog’s needs. Alternately check if you can provide your own food.

Senior dogs are often on medication for a variety of health problems, so you will need to choose a Pet Resort/Kennel that has good medication systems in place.

Choosing a pet resort for your furry one can be a challenging experience particularly if you are new to Pet Parenting, a first time Pet Resort user or have a special needs dog. There are many good Pet Resorts offering high quality care but there are also many shonky operators whose primary focus is profit. Unfortunately, telling these two apart can be quite difficult as dodgy pet resorts often look great from the outside. Plus, Resort owners and their staff can be quite skilled at telling you what you want to hear even though it may not be true.

B ut don ’t wo r r y ! This booklet has been designed to help you tell the good from the bad and teaches you: 1 · What to look for. 2 · What questions to ask. 3 · What quality of accommodation and care to expect. With this booklet in hand you will confidently be able to find the perfect holiday destination for your furry one, no matter what special needs they may have.

If you would like more copies of this booklet go to

www.akunapetsresorts.com.au & look for the 10 Most Important Special Needs Downloadable PDF.

Authors Ariel Endean & Marcus Nicholls Owners of Akuna Pet Resort Hunter Valley