Making The Most Of Your Dog's Reunion With You After Its Time Away at Harmony Farm Dog Kennel
We at Harmony Farm Kennel & Lamb near Kamloops, BC understand that when you leave your dog in the care of others, you need to trust that your loyal companion is in good, caring and knowledgeable hands. Put your mind at ease, as we have applied our 40+ years of professional animal care to creating an ideal setting that both you, as well as your dog, will call their “home away from home”. Our canine guests love returning to ‘custom care’ including luxurious heated kennels, big view windows, private covered play areas, quiet natural country surroundings, soft music, a nightlight and even a bedtime treat.
Dog Vacation
At Harmony Farm Kennel your dog will receive his or her very own food, personal toys and treats as well as enjoy the comfort of your personal items (as provided); any medications required (as directed); 24/7 access to clean drinking water; plenty of daily customized exercise and play time; and above all, tons of hugs and praise for doing what all dogs strive to do - enjoy life and be happy! Your dog's enthusiasm and unconditional love will be matched by ours, as if they were our own, so worry not and enjoy your time away. All dog breeds of all shapes, sizes, ages and activity levels are all welcome here!
We make it our goal to do everything we can to create a great dog vacation for your pet, and… we all get excited anticipating that your dog will be over the moon ecstatic to be reunited with their family! As most of you have heard, our policy here at Harmony Farm Kennel is always “short good-byes and long hellos” so, upon your return to reunite with your loyal friend, we strongly encourage you to receive and validate your dog's enthusiastic response to seeing you again! (After all, who else in the world greets you this way?!)
We can help you with ways to receive them with a full, open heart that doesn't mean either throwing all discipline out the window or being completely trampled! As we all know, it can be overwhelming to have a large dog running at you expressing the full gamut of mixed emotions including relief, excitement, joy and absolute exuberance after a period of separation from you (sometimes even after a single day!)
Tips to keep in mind for greeting your happy bundle of dog joy:
• let’s visit and have any conversations to get updated first, before entering the kennel area.
• let’s take care of payment at this time please (arranging your e-transfer, gathering cash or writing out a check) so that you are fully present without distraction, when you greet your dog.
• we always suggest that you simply focus on collecting your dog and allow us to gather their bed, toys, and belongings, brush off their bed and organize their food etc.
• prepare and calm yourself ahead of time with a few centered deep breaths, to be ready for the anticipated greeting.
• be prepared to give and receive lots of love! Take advantage of this short opportunity to be all the things your dog thinks you are! Validate your dog's mixed emotions upon reuniting -- don’t make them wrong for being so happy allowing the few short minutes of exuberance! Please do not insist on manners or discipline your dog for this brief time! Enjoy their love knowing that very soon, the moment will pass.
• while fully appreciating the first few reuniting minutes with your dog, be careful to subtly and safely, protect your personal space from any launching at your face, eyes, head, scratching, climbing or from your dog getting physically disrespectful in any way. By using a quick raised knee, arm block to protect your face, taking a firm yet gentle hold of their collar or by using hand signals you and your dog have previously established, you will keep yourself safe, while not making your dog wrong.
• careful not to get loud, impatient or angry, which of course, will turn loving boundaries into punishment, and neither you nor your dog wins from that.
We want to ensure your moment of re-acquaintance with your dog is the very best it can be. To help us help you, set up a wonderful and positive doggy reunion, please be sure to let us know (and updated of any changes) of your ETA (estimated time of arrival) so your dog has been well exercised before your meet and greet.
If you are concerned about your dog directing too much physical exuberance toward you or either of you are physically compromised for any reason, we will be happy to return your dog to you on leash, just outside the kennel or even greet you in the parking area. We will do whatever we can to create a positively wonderful (and safe) reunion between you and your dog.
Check out what happy dog owners are saying about Harmony Farm Kennel and Contact Us to reserve your dog's Kennel Vacation!