Kids can catch colds at school or from other kids. Dogs are the same in that they can get sick from other animals boarded at the same kennel.  Kennel cough is an infectious, respiratory disease that is caused by a combination of several viruses and bacteria. This disease affects a dogs upper airway causing laryngitis and a bad cough. Pet medication such as antibiotics will help but it will not cure this infection. It must run it’s course which is about three or four weeks.  Puppies usually get vaccinated against kennel cough but it doesn’t always protect them against new versions of the disease.  So if you’re going away and need to board your dog, choose a kennel carefully. Make sure that it has lots of ventilation and low moisture in the air. If you spend a little more time, you can prevent your dog from getting this disease.