I regularly use another kennel near Trigger Ave but this time, I figured it would be best to try out somewhere with exercise included in the cost which happens to be the best price in town (17/day) As I pulled up to the kennel, it was pitch black, I wasn't sure I was in the right spot until I heard the various dogs barking (common for all kennels). A strong smell of pee hit me as I waited for the staff to walk over to the door. The owners seem to live next door to the kennel. You ring the door bell which buzzes over to their house next door and wait for them to walk over. The staff had no record of my reservation, even though I had called a week prior and even called and left a message 2 hours prior to dropping my dog off. Good thing they had room and it wasn't a problem. I wanted to go into the area to see where my dog would be staying but they didn't let me come in. As I followed the staff, she shut the door behind her and as she came back out she said, "we ask people to stay up front", "we don't let customers back here". Those comments did not put my mind at ease. She also chuckled when she said that the heater wasn't working too well up front. I peaked inside the kennel and saw that the dogs were kept in areas separated by chain linked fence. I couldn't see how the indoor/outdoor separation was structured. I wanted to turn back around and take my dog elsewhere, but it was too late to find somewhere last minute so I settled. Recommendations to staff: 1- Take better notes of reservations 2- Try to clean up the strong odor of urine near the entrance 3- Allow pet owners to see where their pets would be staying I have to give the benefit of the doubt and trust that their "50+ years of experience" means that it is a great place to leave my pet. However, I must say, customer service is crucial. I will write follow up/edit review when I pick up my dog. Follow up: When we picked up our dog, he smelled awful. His bedding, blanket reeked of urine. My dog's behind had yellow stains on it leading us to believe that he was sitting on urine. He was fine however. He did not have any fleas or cuts. He was well fed. The customer service was par to subpar. Lesson learned: visit where you're going to keep your pet first and don't wait till the last minute. This is fine place if all you're looking for is a place for your pet to be kept safe and to be fed. I wouldn't have any more expectations than that. read more

At the suggestion of a fellow islander, I took my bichon frise to be groomed at Viking Kennels last week, and the groomer did a fabulous job. My dog was groomed, happy and calm. There were no barking dogs, just a few wagging happy ones, there was a slight pee smell and everything we saw looked clean and neat. The owner lives on the same property as the kennel, as does the groomer. The door was open, the staff was friendly, but then again, we were not arriving in a last-minute dramatic manner, either. It was mid-morning on a weekday. We made our appointment previous to our arrival. This is not Seattle, and this is not an expensive "dog lounge" that caters to the neuroses and personality disorders of the dog owner. This is a small, bare-bones family business in the country within the Poulsbo city limits. They do a very good job for a very reasonable price. read more

I...am just shocked how wonderful Viking Kennels is. I (honestly) was a little worried because it is not the most visually modern site. But, just talking with Carmen I could see that this was just good, old-school dog boarding. So, I was completely comfortable leaving my dog and cat with them. But here's what amazed me: when I picked them up, they were both healthy AND happy. I had used another more "modern" looking kennel before, and my dog always comes home raging sick and despondent. Here, he ran up to us happy and he doesn't even have a little cough! I am absolutely using Viking Kennels in the future. The health and well-being of my pets is more important than a shiny building, period. read more

I recently kenneled my two dogs with Viking Kennels. I read the various reviews and was a bit nervous. The review that said it wasn't a spa for pampered Seattle dogs made me laugh so I tried it. Completely satisfied with Viking Kennels. My dogs left happy and content. Both of them were well fed, as clean if not cleaner than I picked them up. The key for me was how the dogs responded to the woman when I left. They were friendly, cheerful and them selves.The woman I worked with was very friendly, knew a great deal about dogs, and was a pleasure to work with. I also appreciate the receptionist, Kiwi. He is a delightful Sengalese Parrot. read more

Not sure why this didn't post when I originally wrote it (I just noticed it in my drafts). My dog stayed here for about 4 days and when I went to pick her up she smelt disgusting and was soooo hungry! She also seemed to have some sort of infection that the vet gave us a cream for. The place also looks dirty, a bit shady and if I didn't absolutely need somewhere to leave my dog I would've taken her home. The business is run out of a small building and trailer home at the end of a long, winding road in Poulsbo. The young lady that helped me was nice enough I guess but I will NEVER EVER EVER be back. I'd rather drive an hour to my friends house and have her watch my dog instead. read more

Lucy worked with on a scheduling issue I had and even went the extra mile to help my little boys. I really appreciate it. They are dog lovers and it shows. read more

If I could give this place a negative star rating I would! They lost my brother & sister in-laws 2 dogs. My brother shows up (on a Sunday) to pick up his 2 dogs after being away for a week, and he's told the dogs ran away....LAST MONDAY.....that was 6 days prior and they never even called my brother or sister-in-law to let them know. They said "they didnt want to bother them". Can you believe that!!! DO NOT USE THIS PLACE. THEY WILL LOSE YOUR DOG(S) TOO!!!!! read more

I was a little nervous after reading the other reviews, but it was the summer season in a popular place and everyone was full or not returning phone calls. Smokey's stay was fine, he was happy and groomed well, and the cost was reasonable. Yes, the entrance had an odour and it was certainly not a frou-frou place, but they seemed to care about the animals and he was well-taken care of. read more

I boarded my dog at this kennel over the Fourth of July and will never go back ! . The environment & conditions of the place were horrible. When we came in to pick up our dog the front desk area had a foul urine smell, but assumed it was a kennel until my dog came home smelling like urine. I don't think they took the dogs out during the day for bathroom breaks !! This kennel also lost two dogs last week and didn't even call the owners ! Don't take your animals to this kennel !!!! read more

You don't have negative rating numbers, but I'm going to say this. I have never, nor would I ever leave my pets here. Two dogs were able to escape and these people did little to nothing to find them, no craigslist ad, they only contacted to report the loss to two vets, they did NOT contact the humane society or the OWNERS...yes, you heard me right...the dogs had been loose for a week at least when the owner came to pick up their dogs and that was the first time they were informed. This kennel's street butts up to a major thoroughfare road and these people did NOTHING. If that's how it operates, it would get my business nor anyone's business who knows me. The owners received an email stating it was the dogs fault they got out, but that their facility was secure. read more

We have been boarding our dogs at Viking Kennels for several years and have always found the dogs to be clean and happy when we arrived to pick them up from either short or long term boarding. We are always pleased to note that the dog and cat areas always have a nice clean smell. Carmen and Lucy take time to give all the pets special attention and make sure they are doing well on the food they are fed. Good advice is given on proper diet, grooming and training tips provided if necessary. We have seen that the dogs are provided with clean blankets and the dogs are warm and dry. We can certainly recommend Viking Kennels as a place to board where the pets are safe and well cared for and we are made to feel welcome anytime. read more

I have only good things to say about Lucy and Carmen at Viking Kennels in Poulsbo. My dog is well cared for and treated with kindness and compassion. The kennels are older and simple indoor/outdoor kennels which are kept very clean and comfortable. Dogs like the access to the outdoors. What other kennel owners board their own dogs in their own kennel when necessary? I depend on Lucy and Carmen for grooming and bathing. My dogs have benefited greatly from their experience, great grooming, and advice. Carmen's advice about feeding and food, health issues, as well as behavior and training, comes from her many(!) years of experience with all breeds of dogs. I can leave my dog confidently and with peace of mind - my dog is safe, treated kindly, well groomed, fed with care, and he is watched for continued good health while he is there. He is comfortable and happy -he always sings as we drive up. I depend on Carmen for her experience and opinion on all aspects of caring for my dog . When anything comes up, my dog is considered like one of her own..with skill, kindness, and compassion. She is so knowledgable, and makes sensible and yet sensitive suggestions and decisions about dogs. I take my dog to Viking because I am sure that my dog is happy there and not stressed nor neglected. Peace of mind is worth alot. I know that Carmen and Lucy are more dependable, and more skilled than most people boarding dogs. read more

Trust your first impression. I kick myself for not! I left my 100 lb. GSD there for the weekend, advised that I'd be there to pickup Monday around 1:00 p.m. I left his fave blanket with them, one that he has NEVER soiled when in a crate. I returned at 1 on Monday to a ruined blanket and my dog smelled horrible. I pointed this out to the worker, and she said that he must have had an "accident" I was very disappointed. Further, she told me I owed an extra day because I did not pick up by ten. I pointed out that she quoted me a price when I dropped off, and that she knew what time I planned on picking up. Her response was "pick up times are posted" and pointed to an index card with sharpie written text. This was mixed among a family of index cards with various scribble. Like I said before, my bad in that I should have trusted my first impression. It's too bad, because with a few days worth of clean up and touch up paint, and if the trailer next to the kennel was well kept AND they would take care of the animals, they could command a higher price and would have a lot of return customers. The money I saved on kennel fees was for not as I had to get my dog a bath & a new blanket. read more

I know some people that left their dogs there while they went on Vacation the dogs got out because they were put in a kennel that had no latch and they were lose for 5 + days without the owners of the dogs even knowing, the owners came back to pick up their babies and were told they got out and NO one had even called them to tell them they had got out and nothing was done in that time to find them, both dogs were found but from no help from them 1 dog was found after 11 days and the other was lost for more then 20 days. I would not leave these people in the care of anything much less a family pet (member) they are careless read more

at first i was pleased with taking my dog there due to price and it was heated. but...where everything went awry was when i went to pick up the pooch. i showed up, and they live right next door btw, and rang the buzzer located on the shut office door as requested. after 10 min and yes timed ten minutes still no response so i entered the office thinking maybe th eloudness of the animals were the cause of no one arriving. no one was inside. so i called the number i was given to check in on my dog and to no avail, no one answered. after about 5 minutes of waiting inside due to it snowing out, i reattempted to call the number again and finally got an answer, thank god lol. she said she was right next door and would be right over. interesting because not only did i ring the buzzer but i also did yell hello outside. anywho i was just excited to get my dog back and the total came to $76 cash or check only. i paid her $80 in cahs and behold she did not have enough change to give me back and insisted that she would just make anote to take it off my next visit. i dont think so. and i will definitely not return and i took the money she had and left as soon as i could. horrible and my dog smelled like pee. read more