Although the kennel my wife and I use to board our dog is fairly pricey, the credit card receipt we receive when we pay for boarding includes a line for tipping, just like at a restaurant. The tip line might only be for the grooming services that the kennel offers. But I’m questioning whether I ought to tip the kennel when we board the dog. Anyone know the etiquette on this sort of thing?.
Never heard of that, but perhaps you could donate some dog food? Perhaps the tips are for the staff? Perhaps the machine is a repurposed one from a former restaurant? I’d ask them what the tips are for; if it’s just for the kennel, I’d advise against it because, as you noted, it is already quite pricey. Surely the fees should cover any expenses the kennel may have. Depending on how happy my dog is when I drop it off and pick it up, I might think about leaving a tip if it’s for the staff who look after your dog or a charity; however, if my dog is unhappy, I doubt I’ll use them again, so a tip would be out of the question.
The general staff? No way. If there was one particular kennel technician who took especially good care of your dog, then go ahead. (If I did tip them, I’d do it in cash anyway) The underprivileged child shouldn’t have to share it or pay taxes on it. My son earned one tip during his year as a kennel technician.
Even though I’m not sure if there is kennel etiquette, I believe that anyone who goes above and beyond the call of duty merits a tip. If you feel they did that, then tip. If not, then don’t.
Simply because of the kind of credit card processing they employ, there is a tip line. No gratuity is expected, especially given the current prices.
I work at a daycare facility for dogs. We also provide grooming and bathing. The groomer or bather is supposed to receive the tip. You are not required to leave a tip if you do not receive any of these services.
However, let me just say that as a dog groomer, I always appreciate a tip from my clients, especially when their dog wasn’t too thrilled about the entire grooming process. Some dogs are just harder to work on then others.
The same thing happens at my place, but we also have a dog taxi service, scheduled exercise times, shiatsu and hydro-massage for the puppies, food variety catered to each dog’s preferences, and the whole nine yards. They may only expect a tip for the groomers. But since they look after my dogs on a regular basis (all the staff members know and adore them), I tip them regularly. My pups are worth it… and they get rock-star treatment.
The kennel where I work is against accepting monetary tips. Now, chocolate? That’s a different matter entirely….
Everyone wants a tip nowadays. I saw one at the dry cleaner’s, the DRY CLEANER’S, what the hell are they doing at every bleeding counter?
In any case, feel free to tip generously if you enjoyed their services and believe they were worth more than what you had already paid. I’m a huge overtipper, but only when I think it’s appropriate.
@gailcalled given my current income (receiving free medical care is not a great way to build wealth), I would appreciate a small gratuity from time to time (at least for the next two weeks).
@Dr. C; My family practitioner, who is well-liked here, shut down his practice and abandoned 1600 people at sea, including myself. He became a locum tenens physician at various hospitals in the New England region due to insurance issues, bureaucratic red tape, and a loss of enjoyment in his line of work.
I decided to offer free medical care for a while as a way to give back to the community, @gailcalled. No salary no nothing. The deadline I set for myself and the clinic expires on August 7th.
@Dr_C: Are you going back to a traditional practice? Your work at the clinic will bring you good karma. (What kind of Dr. are you?).
Gail, I’ll try to get a surgical residency so I can practice reconstructive surgery for the time being. i want to work with burn victims. disfigured kids… stuff like that. will take a short break before returning to regular practice and studying for the residency exams.
@Dr_C: I’m hoping you can fortify your heart with some armor. Good luck to you and your compassionate soul.
Should I Tip The Boarding Kennel?
Your boarding experience and financial situation will determine whether you tip your kennel. Although it is not unusual for kennel workers to receive tips, it is not necessary to stay at a kennel.
You won’t be perceived as impolite or ungrateful if you don’t tip your boarding kennel, and sometimes a sincere thank you can mean just as much.
Given this, many pet owners continue to opt to leave a tip at the boarding kennel where their dog spent the night.
Giving tips is a way to express gratitude for a job well done.
You might occasionally want to give them a tip if you frequently board your dog there and they consistently provide excellent care.
For stays during holidays or for instances in which they accommodate special requests outside of the normal boarding care routines, many people will tip their boarding kennel.
Do Dog Boarders Expect To Be Tipped?
Although tipping at boarding kennels is generally commonplace, the staff there view it as completely optional.
Owner tips are not necessary for dog boarders to meet their primary financial needs.
Most large-scale kennel workers are paid an agreed-upon hourly wage.
A private dog sitter who visits your home or operates a small boarding facility by themselves will set rates that enable them to generate the amount of income they desire.
While tips are certainly not expected, research into several popular dog daycare and boarding facilities shows that they can be appreciated and are frequently pooled and distributed equally among kennel staff.
This means that even if you tip one kennel employee, the tip incentives will be shared among all the employees who assisted in caring for your pet.
Dog boarding is a low-paying profession compared to many other professions because it depends on the upfront fees charged for the services.
An occasional tip can help employees with unforeseen costs or during the holidays when personal costs rise while also demonstrating appreciation for their hard work.
Why do dogs act weird after boarding?
If this is the first time you’ve boarded your dog, you might not be aware that she might seem a little different for a few days after you pick her up and bring her home. Frequently, this is completely normal and just a sign that she is readjusting to her environment.
FAQ
Do you tip a dog trainer that comes to your house?
Do you tip dog trainers? No, not usually. Tipping isn’t expected — but it’s always appreciated.
Do you tip cat boarding?
Any gift or tip you can afford to leave for your pet care provider will be greatly appreciated, and it’s a great way to guarantee that both you and your pet will be well taken care of in the future.
How much do you tip your dog sitter for Christmas?
Pet Sitter “Tipping 20% is preferable if it’s a one-time, standalone reservation.” Maldonado suggests between $100 and $500 as a holiday tip for dog-sitting work over the course of an entire year, adding that cash or mobile payments through Venmo or Zelle are preferred.