Frequently Asked Questions 

Most of the time, dogs that live together may kennel together. If your dogs have a history of fights over toys or food, it is best to kennel them separately because the confined space of a kennel run and the presence of multiple other dogs may increase this possessive behavior. We reserve the right to separate dogs if behavior is required. Separate kennels are necessary for two non-neutered males, two non-spayed females, or a non-neutered male and a non-spayed female, even if they live together. We do not require that all dogs be spayed or neutered. If you have a non-spayed female, please let us know her last heat cycle so we can place her appropriately. We do have the capability to house females in heat away from non-neutered males.

We do not board dogs together that do not live together.

First-time boarders do not play with others. We do not do large group play as we feel it is dangerous. Dogs that are social and used to being at the kennel can play with another dog 1 on 1 if there are suitable playmates. Some owners prefer that their dogs not interact with others due to health issues, age, or size.

For safety, dogs known to be fence climbers will be hand-walked on flexi leads in the exercise yards.

All dogs get to go out in the exercise yards at least four times a day. Younger dogs generally get plenty of exercise between yard time and running back and forth in their 17-foot-long kennel runs. Senior residents, who may be reluctant to use the exercise yards, will be leash-walked.

All new clients must pay a one-night boarding fee deposit, which will be applied to the end cost of boarding. New clients that NO CALL/ NO SHOW for their scheduled boarding will forfeit this deposit.

All clients must pay a $40 deposit for holiday boarding times. Holiday boarding times are Memorial Day weekend, July 4, Labor Day weekend, Thanksgiving, Christmas/New Year’s, and the local school systems Spring Break. This deposit must be paid when the reservation is made and will be applied to the cost of boarding. A deposit refund will be issued if the reservation is canceled at least seven days before the scheduled arrival date. Otherwise, the deposit will be forfeited.

All the above-listed holidays require a minimum of 3-day stay.

Example: (Thanksgiving stay) drop off Wednesday, pick up Friday.

There are no pick-ups or drop-offs on Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day. This allows our staff to enjoy part of the Holiday with their own families while caring for the animals.

Dogs cannot be boarded or attend daycare until they have completed their full schedule of puppy vaccinations, including the Rabies vaccination.

Dogs must be current on Rabies, Distemper, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, and Canine Influenza. Vaccines should be given at least ten days in advance of boarding to allow the immune system to mount a response.

The nasal or oral route is the preferred method to administer Bordetella. Bordetella is required every six months at Samarkand Kennels, not yearly. Intra nasal or oral Bordetella must be given at least three days prior to arrival at the kennel as some dogs may shed the Bordetella after administration and infect others.

The initial canine influenza series is two injections approximately three weeks apart, then yearly after that. We will allow boarding after a dog has received the first injection, and a waiver can be signed for the second dose yet to be completed. The second dose in the initial series must be completed before the next scheduled boarding/ daycare.

The owners reside on the property. The house is only about 500 feet from the kennel. If the owners are gone, the kennel manager is on site.

You will need to provide an emergency contact cell phone # at which we can reach you while your animal is here. Please ensure your voicemail is not full and that you can accept messages. We can also contact you via text or email if you provide your email address. Most veterinarians are reluctant to treat without the owner’s permission. If there is an emergency, we will contact you first and ask you to notify your veterinarian that we will be bringing in the dog. We ask that you provide your veterinary clinic with a credit card for billing. We will take your animal to your veterinary clinic if possible. After-hour emergencies will go to MSU or one of the other emergency clinics available.

If your dog has not boarded with us previously, we offer two trial daycare days at no charge. This helps your dog become familiar with the kennel environment, the staff, and the daily routine before leaving him/her for a longer stay. Your dog also learns that you will be coming back for them at the end of these trial daycare stays. This is important, especially for dogs adopted from shelters or rescue organizations.

The best place to say goodbye is in the lobby. When your pet sees you leave confidently, they will be more at ease with us. If you are overly emotional when dropping off your dog, they will be more anxious because they will pick up on your emotions. Dogs are intelligent, sensitive beings and key into body language very quickly.

You can bring beds and toys, but we cannot guarantee they will return in the same shape they arrived. Dogs often will shred bedding and toys. All beds should have a zippered cover that can be removed for cleaning if necessary.

Please bring your dog's food. Each feeding should be measured out and packaged in individual zip-lock baggies. This ensures you have provided the correct food for your dog's stay. Providing several extra food baggies should your travel plans be delayed is a good idea. Please do not bring food or water bowls. If your dog uses a slow-feed bowl, please bring the bowl.

We do not have the grooming staff or the equipment to bathe all dogs before going home. We have 61 kennel runs and usually send home 40 dogs each Sunday, so you can see how this is not possible. Just as people who work in restaurants absorb the smells of the kitchen, dogs will absorb the smells of the kennel. Some dogs are very clean in their habits at the kennel, and others not so much. We make every attempt possible to clean up dogs that have been dirty in their kennels prior to their being picked up, but dogs prescheduled for grooming take priority. We do offer a $25 clean-up bath. This is a bath from the neck down. Brushing, ear cleaning, toenail trims, de-matting, etc., are not included in clean-up baths.

We keep many tempting items in our kitchen just for that purpose. We have chicken and rice made on-site, yogurt, cheese, tuna, assorted canned dog food, boiled chicken, eggs, and cottage cheese.

There is always a possibility that your dog will not eat well at the kennel, but we will make every effort to get your dog to eat. Please inform us of any food allergies at drop off.