Frequently Asked Questions

This page is divided in three main sections. Please select your topic of interest.

General Questions

Boarding Questions

Training Questions

General Questions:

1. Do you offer regular boarding, or is your kennel only for dogs being trained?
2. Where exactly is “K” Avenue?
3. How long have you been in business -- what are your qualifications?

Boarding Questions:

1 : What type of food do you feed, or should I bring my dog’s food?
2 : What if my dog won't eat or drink while being boarded?
3 : How much exercise will my dog get?
4 : How much people contact will my dog get?
5 : What is the difference between exercise and playtime?
6 : What are drop-off and pick-up times? Are they different from your posted business hours?
7: Can I make arrangements to pick my dog up outside of your normal business hours?
8 : What is a kennel run? How big are your kennels?
9 : Are your outside runs covered?
10 : Is there a door that my dog has to push open?
11 : Is your kennel heated and air-conditioned?
12 : Can I bring a bed or toys?
13 : Will you administer medications for my dog? Do you charge extra for administering medication?
14 : How do most dogs react to their first time being boarded?
15 : Can I have a friend, neighbor, or relative visit my dog while being boarded?
16 : Will my dog pick up an odor at your kennel?
17 : How do your prices compare to other boarding kennels in the area?
18 : How can we make reservations for your kennel?

Training Questions:

1 :Can I have my dog trained when he is being boarded while I am on vacation?
2: What methods do you use?
3 : What is clicker training?
4 : What if my dog is aggressive?

General Questions:

1. Do you offer regular boarding, or is your kennel only for dogs being trained?

Yes, we offer regular boarding. Although we began training dogs over 10 years ago, and have been in the obedience-training business much longer than the boarding business, our boarding kennel is certainly available for the “untrained”dog and open to the general public.

2. Where exactly is “K” Avenue?

“K” Avenue is located in Comstock Township between 30th and 33rd streets. It is just off from, and runs parallel to, M-96 (East Michigan). Our property is actually sandwiched between M-96 and “K” Avenue. For complete directions and a map please see our Directions Page.

3. How long have you been in business -- what are your qualifications?

Kirk L. Gillette formally began professionally training dogs in January of 1992 when he developed and opened Gillette Obedience Training. The boarding kennel was added to the business in early 1998. Mr. Gillette’s qualifications are unsurpassed in the Kalamazoo, Portage, and Battle Creek area. In addition to holding a Master’s Degree in Behavioral Psychology from Western Michigan University, Mr. Gillette also obtained a diploma from West Virginia Canine College that certified him in professional dog training and kennel management.

Boarding Questions:

1 :What type of food do you feed, or should I bring my dog’s food?

We feed Iam’s and Iam’s Eukanuba products. You can provide us with food if you feed a different brand. Please review our Food Policy.

2 :What if my dog won't eat or drink while being boarded?

When a dog doesn't eat or eat well we cannot force him to do so. We will however entice him by making his food tastier. For example, we may pour some beef broth on his food. It is extremely rare to encounter a dog that doesn't drink water while being boarded. Clients who are concerned about this should board their dog for a half day prior to any extended stay.

3 : How much exercise will my dog get?

Many dogs actually get more exercise while being boarded than they do at home. Because the doggy doors that separates the inside and outside runs are usually open, dogs have the choice to run back and forth in their outside runs, or to relax in their individual inside runs. Clients who wish their dogs to receive additional exercise can purchase individual “exercise” sessions. Please see our Special Services page.

4 : How much people contact will my dog get?

Boarding dogs see and interact with staff throughout the workday. We also offer “Playtime,” to clients who wish for us to give their dogs extra special attention and individual play sessions. Please see our Special Services page.

5 : What is the difference between exercise and playtime?

During an exercise session a dog runs freely in a large fenced in area. Playtime entails individual human/dog attention and interaction.

6 : What are drop-off and pick-up times? Are they different from your posted business hours?

Clients can drop-off and pick-up anytime during posted business hours. Our business hours are from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM Monday through Friday. We are closed on Saturday and Holidays.

7 : Can I make arrangements to pick my dog up outside of your normal business hours?

Yes, however special arrangements must be made and there is a charge for this service. Please review our after hours service policy.

Each “kennel run” is separated into inside and outside runs by a “guillotine” type door that is operated on a pulley system. We have large runs and small runs. The large run is 16 square feet on the inside and 60 square feet on the outside. The small run is 12 square feet on the inside and 45 square feet on the outside. Click here if you would like to see Pictures of our boarding kennel.

Yes. The outside runs are covered.

10 : Is there a door that my dog has to push open?

No. The inside and outside “runs” are separated by a door that is operated by a human using a pulley system. The doggy doors are opened between 7:00 and 8:00 AM each morning and remain open throughout the day. The doggy doors are closed during inclement weather and when the kennel runs are being cleaned and disinfected.

11 : Is your kennel heated and air-conditioned?

Absolutely! We keep the kennel environment at approximately 68° F. When it is extremely hot in the summer or cold in the winter the doggy doors are kept closed to keep the room temperature comfortable. During inclement weather are guests are given access to their outside runs every two to three hours.

12 : Can I bring a bed or toys?

Yes. You can bring your dogs toys and bed. Please limit the number of toys to three and label them with your dog’s name. It is best that toys are large enough not to slide under kennel fencing. Small toys that present a choking hazard will not be permitted. If your dog destroys or soils his toys or bedding they will be removed from the run. If you plan to provide us with bedding please be sure to read our Bedding Policy. You can also now rent quality bedding from us.

13: Will you administer medications for my dog? Do you charge extra for administering medication?

We will not charge extra for the administration of simple medications (e.g., passing a pill). However, should your dog require more extensive medical care (e.g., ear drops, eye drops, etc.), you will be charged .50 cents for each administration.

14 : How do most dogs react to their first time being boarded?

Most dogs do well. We feel that it is a good idea to socialize your dog to the kennel prior to any extended stay. This can be accomplished by bringing your dog in for a “overnight” trial visit. For more detailed suggestions please see our Before Boarding page.

15 : Can I have a friend, neighbor, or relative visit my dog while being boarded?

We do not recommend visitations. Many dogs initially experience some stress after being dropped off but quickly adapt to the kennel environment. A visitor will only disrupt the kennel environment and cause the dog to stress each time the visitor leaves.

16 : Will my dog pick up an odor at your kennel?

Our kennel is kept clean and disinfected. It is unlikely that your dog will pick up an odor unless you have a dirty dog. A dirty dog is a dog who will run through his feces immediately after he defecates. When we are aware that a dog is a "dirty dog" we will do our best to keep him clean; however, should a dirty dog stink up the kennel we will bathe it at the owner's expense. Please review our dirty dog policy.

17 : How do your prices compare to other boarding kennels in the area?

Our prices are very competitive. Our pricing structure differs from most of our competitors in that we charge a daily rate for the space being rented, while most other kennels charge a daily rate based on the weight of the dog. This means that the owners of small breeds may pay a little more at our kennel, while owners of large breeds will pay substantially less at our kennel. We encourage you to tour our kennel and to compare our facility, Rates and staff.

18 : How can we make reservations for your kennel?

You can call us to make reservations or you can make on-line reservations at any time day or night. On-line reservations require an e-mail address and a valid credit card number to secure your dogs kennel run. During Holidays our kennel usually books a month in advance, so be sure to make reservations early. For more information please see our Reservations page and be sure to read our Cancellation Policies.

Training Questions:

1 :Can I have my dog trained when he is being boarded while I am on vacation?

Yes, we call that service boarding school and it is the most effective service that we offer. Please see our Training page for more information.

Thank you for visiting our web site! Please feel free to e-mail us for further inquiries or to offer suggestions on how we can better serve you.
Sincerely,
Kirk L. Gillette, M. A.