What do the dogs do all day?

We are happy to offer your dog supervised outdoor community play 4-5 times per day to socialize with other dogs. We find that it enhances the enjoyment of your dog's stay, helps alleviate stress and gives the dogs something fun to look forward to. If your dog is more the solitary type, he still gets to enjoy the great outdoors only without the company of other dogs. All dogs receive personalized attention throughout the day and our staff loves to cuddle, pet, and interact with your dogs all day long. When they are not out in the yard, they are in their own private pen resting up for another adventure. There is fresh water available to them at all times and raised, comfortable Kuranda beds to sleep on.

What should I bring to the kennel for my dog?

We have nearly everything we need to make your dog comfortable during their stay. Raised Kuranda beds are offered to all dogs for sleeping and a blanket or mat will be added to the bed for those who like to cuddle up with something soft. We do not accept foam beds, quilts or dog beds. Please bring enough of their own food to cover their stay, plus a bit extra in case you are delayed. We accept raw food but it must be pre-portioned in individual bags or containers. If you'd like to bring some treats or a toy you may, but please no rawhides or raw bones. Don't forget to bring your pets vaccination records- we cannot accept anyone without proof of vaccines administered by a veterinarian. If you'd prefer, you can email them to contact@barkerspetmotel.ca ahead of time. We do not require our guests to wear a collar (it is actually safest if they play naked) but if you'd prefer them to wear one it must be a flat, quick release collar. We will remove any martingale, chain or buckle collars for safety reasons.

Can I come see the facility?

Definitely! We offer drop in tours Monday to Saturday between 10 am and 4 pm. Some of our guests tend to get loud and excited when new people go back so we do not take dogs back on tours with us as it creates unnecessary stress. If your dog is with you, we will have them wait in the lobby with a staff member while you are on the tour.

What happens if my dog does not eat while he is boarding?

It is not uncommon for some dogs to not want to eat as they are adjusting to their new environment. We will do everything possible to stimulate your dog's appetite to ensure he gets the nutrition he needs, whether it be hand feeding, adding mix ins or treats or just some extra attention to make them more comfortable. If you suspect that your dog may be a picky eater, feel free to bring something special that they enjoy, we have a fridge and freezer to accomodate perishables and/or canned food. If your dog has allergies to any foods other than their own, this will be respected and we will find alternate methods to coax your dog to eat, even if it means sitting on the floor cheering them on!

What happens if my dog gets sick or injured?

In the case of an illness or injury, we will make every attempt to contact you or your emergency contact. In the event that no contact can be made, Barkers will assume the role and seek veterinary attention. Barkers reserves the right to choose the veterinary clinic of our choice. In this case, all veterinary costs incurred will be the responsibility of the owner and a nominal veterinary transport fee will also be applied.

What is the role of the emergency contact?

Your emergency contact should be someone you can trust with the most difficult of decisions should we not be able to contact you. In a life or death situation, they should be familiar with your wishes, especially if you have a senior pet. If the owner is unable to be contacted, we may need to call the emergency contact for non-emergency questions as well, therefore, he/she should be familiar with your pet. Please ensure that your contact knows you will be leaving their name and number so it is not a surprise should they receive a call.

What should we expect when we pick up?

Your pet will undoubtedly be happy to see you after your trip. Please follow these few simple guidelines in order to ensure the transition from Barkers back to home life goes smooth. Don’t feed or water your dog for at least two hours after returning home. Dogs are often very excited when you return and when excited they tend to gulp food and water. Unfortunately, owners who allow their dog unlimited access to food or water immediately after returning home can frequently trigger vomiting and/or diarrhea. If your dog is thirsty, provide a few ice cubes rather than water. Let your dog calm down before offering food. A stay at Barkers can be very exciting and most dogs leave the facility tired but happy. It is not uncommon for your dog to sleep more than usual the first couple of days they are home.

What is kennel cough?

Infectious trachea-bronchitis is a highly contagious, upper-respiratory disease spread by an air­borne virus. An infected dog can remain symptom free for up to 7 days before starting to cough; this is known as the incubation period. During this time your dog is highly infectious. The main symptom is a gagging cough, sometimes accompanied by sneezing and nasal discharge. It can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks. Although this coughing is very annoying, it does not usually develop into anything more serious. However, just as with common cold, it can lower the dog's resistance to other disease making him susceptible to secondary infections so he must be observed closely to avoid complications.

Just as in the case of the common cold, tracheobronchitis is not "cured" but must run its course. Many times antibiotics will be prescribed to prevent secondary infection. Sometimes cough suppressants will be prescribed to reduce excessive coughing however medications do not attack the disease itself. Since these viruses can be present anywhere and travel for considerable distances through the air, they can affect any dog, even one which never leaves its own back yard. Tracheo-bronchitis however, is more likely to occur when the concentration of dogs is greater such as at a dog show, kennel, vet clinics as well as pet shops. Often, the chances of catching canine cough are increased while boarding. In a kennel, a dog encounters two conditions that do not exist at home- proximity to a number of potentially contagious dogs and the potential stress and excitement of a less familiar environment. Both conditions can result in lowered resistance to disease (these same factors explain why children are more likely to catch the flu in school, rather than at home). The more frequently a dog boards at a kennel, the greater the chances that he will acquire immunity to the disease.

Unfortunately, no amount of supervision, sanitation, or personalised care can prevent a dog from "catching" an airborne virus. Because the Bordetella vaccine does not offer full protection from canine cough, we have installed a Sanuvox Ultraviolet Air Purifier system to further protect your dog from airborne viruses. Barkers Pet Motel & Grooming is one of first kennels in North America to adopt this technology and it has proven to be an invaluable tool in the fight against airborne viruses. This system is capable of destroying bio-chemical contaminants including such things as air-borne viruses, molds and bacteria providing your dog with sanitized air 24 hours a day.

My dog has never been in boarding kennels before. Will he/she be alright?

My dog has never been in boarding kennels before. Will he/she be alright?

Perhaps surprisingly, new boarders adjust quickly to the daily routine of the kennel. During the first few days, we monitor all newcomers to ensure they are eating and are comfortable. Most dogs adapt to the new schedule within a day or two and indoor “accidents” are usually avoided. It is best to start getting your dog used to the kennel environment while it is young, but the majority of older dogs adjust just fine as well. Dogs that enjoy the company of other dogs have a ton of fun while staying at Barkers, and are often very tired when they get home! It seems hard to imagine sometimes, but by lights-out the dogs are quiet and content back in their rooms. If you are worried how your dog will adapt to boarding, we suggest a trial stay.

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How do I book my pet in?

You can make a booking either online through our Booking Form or in person/over the phone. We require a $20 reservation deposit for all bookings ($50 over the Christmas holidays). Please ensure that your pet is up to date with their vaccinations when you book, as we cannot accept anyone without proof of immunization or if they are overdue, and we'd hate to turn them away as you're trying to head out of town!

What are the pick up/drop off hours for boarding pets?

Monday-Sunday: 9:00-11:00 am and 3:00-5:00 pm
Holiday Mondays: 3:00-5:00 pm

We know you are eager to see your pet again, but please respect our pick up times. If you are delayed or unable to pick up your pet on the arranged date, please let us know. Please be aware that although we will try our best to be accomodating, we may not be able to extend bookings during busy times.

Are there any dogs you won't take?

Dogs of all sizes, breeds & personalities are welcome at Barkers! We do our best to accomodate nervous, anxious or less than social dogs, and can usually win over even the shyest of pups. However, for the safety of our staff we reserve the right to turn down any current or potential boarders who we feel may be a danger to our staff and/or themselves. This includes outward aggression towards people or causing damage to our kennels or facility. If you have concerns about your dog ahead of time, we recommend a trial day while you are still in town to ensure that it will be a good fit.

How far in advance should I book my pet in?

We always suggest booking your pet in as soon as possible to avoid dissapointment. We generally fill up for long weekends 2 months in advance. Summer time we start filling up as early as May long weekend. Christmas and New years fills up around August long weekend.