Boarding Your Dog

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

Hi - We're going to Florida with our dog, and would like to be able to stay just one night at WDW so we can visit one park for one day.

I'm very nervous about finding a good place to board our 12 lb shih Tzu for one day and one night. I've read some reviews about Disney's kennel and those reviews aren't shining, to say the least.

Anyone have any experience boarding your dog in the Orlando area? I want him to be happy, and we'll take him anywhere in the area that is really good. He is likely to sleep most of the time, and is a very easy dog to manage, but I definitely don't want him to be scared or stressed, beyond just the fact that we won't be there.

Thanks for any information you all have!

 

[Jennasis]

The reviews I've read around here for Best Friends Pet Care (that's the kennel on property) have been very positive. There is also another place just a little bit north of property, closer to USO called the preppy pet. It's a bit cheaper than Best Friends.

 

[OKW Lover]

We know three different people who have used Best Friends to board their dogs in the past year. All have reported positive experiences. We've accompanied them to drop off or pick up their pets on a couple of occasions and have been impressed with the professionalism and caring attitude of the people who work there.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I haven't used the Best Friends at Disney, but I've used them at multiple locations in our state and have always found them to be reliable. I would definitely trust the one at Disney if I needed one.

Your dog will get a bit stressed being at the kennel, no matter how great the kennel is. So if you see a little bit of stressed or nervous behavior when you pick him up, just get him back in his routine and give him lots of love and it will pass.

Have you thought about finding an offsite hotel that takes dogs so you can stay together? Many hotels allow dogs now and a 12 lb Shih Tzu would be very easy to keep in a hotel room.

Here is a website I found about pets and hotels where you can search:

http://pet-friendly-hotels.pethotelsofamerica.com/

 

[Sleepy425]

I haven't used the Best Friends at Disney, but I've used them at multiple locations in our state and have always found them to be reliable. I would definitely trust the one at Disney if I needed one. Your dog will get a bit stressed being at the kennel, no matter how great the kennel is. So if you see a little bit of stressed or nervous behavior when you pick him up, just get him back in his routine and give him lots of love and it will pass. Have you thought about finding an offsite hotel that takes dogs so you can stay together? Many hotels allow dogs now and a 12 lb Shih Tzu would be very easy to keep in a hotel room. Here is a website I found about pets and hotels where you can search: http://pet-friendly-hotels.pethotelsofamerica.com/

Most hotels won't let you leave the dog alone, from what I have found (although I have mostly checked out and used Bed and Breakfasts). So most likely they would still need to board the dog for the day.

My concern with BF is the size. I have worked at and managed a dog kennel. We had computer systems to help with feeding schedules, but I would also walk around and check on all feedings. There were times I discovered a dog hadn't been entered correctly and hadn't been marked for ANY feedings. In a place as large as the Disney Best Friends kennel I would be worried of oversights like computer errors not being realized. That said I have no personal experience with this kennel, that is just a concern I have based on many years of working in that setting. Too many dogs = too easy for a meal/med/something to be forgotten.

 

[nessz79]

Is your dog crate trained? I'm sure you can find a pet friendly hotel (like a La Quinta) and you could keep your dog in a crate in your room while you were gone.

 

[btr2trvl]

Another option you can stay at the Four Seasons with him and put the do not disturb sign out.

 

[goofydisney2015]

If there is a PetsMart with the Pets Hotel in it, we have use them in to board locally and have used them in another state . We have been very pleased !!!

 

[SmithSmith]

We know three different people who have used Best Friends to board their dogs in the past year. All have reported positive experiences. We've accompanied them to drop off or pick up their pets on a couple of occasions and have been impressed with the professionalism and caring attitude of the people who work there.

This^ I have had one experience with Best Friends this past Sept and it was great, my puggle already has reservations to go back this year. I agree, the staff was excellent! It was easy to see that they genuinely cared for my pup. If you want your pup to be "comfortable" I'd recommend their VIP luxury suites or vacation villas because you can bring as many things from home (blankets, bedding, toys) for them to enjoy. That wouldn't be possible in the basic runs. Also for their VIP suites I believe you get a "pet concierge" that will be responsible for your pup, so it'd be highly unlikely there would be missed feedings.

I do not have any experience with any other orlando kennel.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Most hotels won't let you leave the dog alone, from what I have found (although I have mostly checked out and used Bed and Breakfasts). So most likely they would still need to board the dog for the day.

My concern with BF is the size. I have worked at and managed a dog kennel. We had computer systems to help with feeding schedules, but I would also walk around and check on all feedings. There were times I discovered a dog hadn't been entered correctly and hadn't been marked for ANY feedings. In a place as large as the Disney Best Friends kennel I would be worried of oversights like computer errors not being realized. That said I have no personal experience with this kennel, that is just a concern I have based on many years of working in that setting. Too many dogs = too easy for a meal/med/something to be forgotten.

I'd expect a facility such as Best Friends, with its many locations and years of experience, would have at least the fail/safe plan of having someone walk around to confirm all feedings.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Hi - We're going to Florida with our dog, and would like to be able to stay just one night at WDW so we can visit one park for one day. I'm very nervous about finding a good place to board our 12 lb shih Tzu for one day and one night. I've read some reviews about Disney's kennel and those reviews aren't shining, to say the least. Anyone have any experience boarding your dog in the Orlando area? I want him to be happy, and we'll take him anywhere in the area that is really good. He is likely to sleep most of the time, and is a very easy dog to manage, but I definitely don't want him to be scared or stressed, beyond just the fact that we won't be there. Thanks for any information you all have!

Best friends at disney, directly across from port Orleans french qtr. they are amazing, caring, kind, Pet People. You can visit ur pup if u so choose. My dog did not want to leave... He's an older cockapoo n has health issues n they were wonderful. I'd use them again, recommend them and have. it was soooo nice not worrying about my pet. It was a simple easy process. They have several boarding type options n great hours too. I don't like these corral type places where the dogs are all together free for alls...especially with a pup with issues/anxiety/ etcetera Good luck!!


I've been to a hotel that says ok to dogs....it's gross,,,, they have no requirements...fleas, ticks or otherwise..avoid like the plague if it were me.
We left and I wouldn't let me dog stay never mind us..

 

[rajak73]

We boarded our yorkie at Best Friends 4 times in Dec while we were there, never had any problems or complaints. Matter of fact, we boarded him there in Feb 2012 when we were there and when we checked in, a picture of him come up on the tv screen. He walked right down the hall with the help the fourth day after we checked him in so we figured he wasn't treated to bad.

 

[ahoward123]

We are bringing our dog with us for our trip at the end of May. We have never boarded him before so we are considering dogvacay.com for him. I like the idea of more individual attention and each person does have reviews.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Most hotels won't let you leave the dog alone, from what I have found (although I have mostly checked out and used Bed and Breakfasts). So most likely they would still need to board the dog for the day.

Really? That's interesting. I guess it's still better than boarding overnight.

This is the Loews policy for their hotels at Universal. I can't imagine people who stay there with pets are boarding during the day. Maybe they are.

Loews Loves Pets
Pets are permitted with a $50 fee per night.
No more than two pets may occupy any one guestroom
Guests with pets must be booked into a pet friendly room category (upon arrival if guest is reserved in a non-pet room they will be re-assigned to one)
Arrangements must be made with housekeeping for daily room cleaning
Dogs may be walked in designated areas only
If the dog’s behavior results in complaints by other guests, the owner may be asked to board the dog in an outside shelter
Pets are not allowed in the pool/lounge or restaurant areas
Pet friendly rooms include:
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel: Garden View & Bay View rooms only.
Hard Rock Hotel: Garden View rooms only.
Loews Royal Pacific Resort: Standard rooms only.
Club rooms do not participate in the program
Your pet(s) should have all recommended vaccinations currently up-to-date, and you agree to obtain and provide current records from a licensed veterinarian regarding your pet(s) should Loews Hotels request this information from you at any time

 

[kbelle8995]

We boarded our cat at Best Friends. We were pleased with the facility.

We also visited him throughout our stay.

 

[SmithSmith]

Really? That's interesting. I guess it's still better than boarding overnight.

This is the Loews policy for their hotels at Universal. I can't imagine people who stay there with pets are boarding during the day. Maybe they are.

Loews Loves Pets
Pets are permitted with a $50 fee per night.
No more than two pets may occupy any one guestroom
Guests with pets must be booked into a pet friendly room category (upon arrival if guest is reserved in a non-pet room they will be re-assigned to one)
Arrangements must be made with housekeeping for daily room cleaning
Dogs may be walked in designated areas only
If the dog’s behavior results in complaints by other guests, the owner may be asked to board the dog in an outside shelter
Pets are not allowed in the pool/lounge or restaurant areas
Pet friendly rooms include:
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel: Garden View & Bay View rooms only.
Hard Rock Hotel: Garden View rooms only.
Loews Royal Pacific Resort: Standard rooms only.
Club rooms do not participate in the program
Your pet(s) should have all recommended vaccinations currently up-to-date, and you agree to obtain and provide current records from a licensed veterinarian regarding your pet(s) should Loews Hotels request this information from you at any time

I thought I read there was a pet boarding facility IN the Uni parking garage. Does that still exist? I remember thinking that was neat. To be able to have your pup in your room then drop them off at the kennel on your way into the park then pick them up on your way back.

 

[cocoachip]

Hi - We're going to Florida with our dog, and would like to be able to stay just one night at WDW so we can visit one park for one day.

I'm very nervous about finding a good place to board our 12 lb shih Tzu for one day and one night. I've read some reviews about Disney's kennel and those reviews aren't shining, to say the least.

Anyone have any experience boarding your dog in the Orlando area? I want him to be happy, and we'll take him anywhere in the area that is really good. He is likely to sleep most of the time, and is a very easy dog to manage, but I definitely don't want him to be scared or stressed, beyond just the fact that we won't be there.

Thanks for any information you all have!

I have boarded my 6 pound dog at the Best Friends kennel twice - both times were during Christmas week for 2 or 3 nights. Before her first stay, I read the mixed reviews as well, but ultimately decided to give it a try.

The inside and outside common areas were clean and well maintained, the employees were very friendly and patient, and I love the location. I like the option to visit, even though I didn't take advantage of it. I would board her again at BF.

BTW, my family has also stayed in pet friendly hotels - La Quinta and Holiday Inn Express - during our road trip to Florida and neither allowed pets to be alone in the room.

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

Thanks for all your advice, everyone! I think I may try the dog-vacay option.