How To Prepare Your Dog For Boarding

Published July 12, 2023 | By hovsepian

Comprehending the steps necessary to get your pup ready for boarding is an essential element of being a conscientious pet owner. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the evolution of dog boarding facilities and provide you with key insights on what to look out for when researching prospective facilities.

We’ll also offer crucial tips on preparing your furry friend for their stay at a kennel, including important health preparations such as de-fleaing, de-worming, and updating vaccinations. Additionally, we discuss common concerns like kennel cough and preventive measures that can be taken prior to admission into a kennel environment.

You’ll gain knowledge about special services offered by good boarding kennels and why it’s not recommended to authorize training during your dog’s stay unless you have thoroughly screened the trainer beforehand. Lastly, we explore fear-free certified professionals and the benefits of utilizing dog daycare services in conjunction with or as an alternative to traditional boarding.

This detailed guide will arm you with everything needed when considering how best to prepare your dog for boarding while ensuring their comfort throughout their stay.

Table of Contents:

The Evolution of Dog Boarding Facilities

Let us take a journey to the past.

Once upon a time, dog boarding facilities were more like prison cells than cozy retreats.

But fear not, things have changed.

Nowadays, boarding facilities, like those offered by Fine Dog Kennels, are all about comfort and enrichment for our furry friends.

A Focus on Canine Comfort and Enrichment

Gone are the days of cold, bare enclosures.

Modern boarding facilities prioritize creating a safe and comfortable environment for every dog.

Because let’s face it, no one wants their pup feeling like they’re doing time.

Educated Handlers Make All The Difference

When choosing a boarding facility, finding one with well-educated handlers is key.

These handlers not only understand canine behavior, but they also know how to keep your fur-baby calm and stress-free.

Because nobody wants their dog to have a ruff time during their stay.

This evolution has transformed boarding facilities from boring holding spaces to engaging environments filled with love and care.

When looking for a place to board your pup, take the time to inspect potential facilities and determine if they meet your expectations.

Researching Prospective Dog Boarding Facilities

Choosing a dog boarding facility is serious business. We want the best for our furry friends.

To ensure our beloved pet is provided with the highest quality of care and comfort, let’s pick a first-rate dog boarding facility.

What to Look For During Your Tour

When you visit potential boarding facilities, keep an eye out for these important things:

  • Cleanliness: No one wants a dirty kennel. It’s a breeding ground for germs and “kennel cough”. Yikes.
  • Attentive Staff: Well-educated dog handlers are a must. No slackers allowed.
  • Noise Levels: Excessive barking? That’s either stressed-out dogs or lazy staff. Neither is good.

Some places might not allow tours, but ask for photos or videos instead. We don’t want our pups in prison cells.

Also, check if there’s enough space between enclosures. We don’t want any unnecessary tension between unfamiliar dogs.

Remember, ask yourself, “Would I want to stay here?” Trust your gut.

Preparing Your Dog for Their Stay at the Boarding Facility

The journey to a dog boarding facility doesn’t start on drop-off day. No, it starts much earlier.

To guarantee your pooch’s remain is as tranquil and worry-free as could be expected under the circumstances, there are things you can do in advance.

Sleep Adjustments

Your dog has a specific sleep routine. If they’re used to sleeping with you or lounging around all day, suddenly being thrust into an active kennel environment might be jarring.

A few weeks before their stay, try adjusting your pet’s sleep schedule to match the boarding facilities. It’ll help them acclimate more easily.

Trial Boarding Stay

If your pup has never been boarded before or tends to get anxious when separated from you, a trial boarding stay could be beneficial. Allow your pup to spend a short period of time in the care of experienced dog sitters who recognize how essential it is to make every canine feel secure and at ease.

Familiar Items From Home

Dogs rely heavily on scent for comfort. Pack familiar items like blankets, toys, and even clothing worn by family members. It’ll make the enclosures feel less like prison cells and more like home sweet home. Plus, it helps your dog feel more at ease among other unfamiliar dogs.

And this simple act alone goes a long way toward making any good boarding kennels seem great. But hold onto those leashes – up next, we’ll discuss health preparations needed before heading off board.

The Day Of – Dropping Off Your Dog at The Kennel

It’s finally here, the day of your dog’s stay at a boarding facility.

It’s time to relinquish your pooch for their stay at the kennel; you’ve done all that is necessary in advance.

I recommend dropping them off in the morning. This gives dogs ample time to adjust before bedtime.

Making Goodbyes Short & Sweet

Saying goodbye is never easy, but remember: long goodbyes can make things worse for both you and your pet.

Packing Comfort Items from Home

  • A blanket that smells like home can provide comfort in an unfamiliar kennel environment.

Dog Food Matters.

  • If possible, bring along some of their usual dog food; sudden diet changes may upset their stomachs during an already stressful transition period.

Understanding Special Services Offered by Good Boarding Kennels

If you’re looking for dog boarding facilities, it’s important to know about the extra perks they might offer.

This can range from accommodating special diets to providing additional exercise options.

Can The Kennel Accommodate Special Diets?

Dog owners often worry if their pet’s unique dietary needs will be met at a dog boarding facility. But fear not, many good boarding kennels can handle special diets.

Extra Charges Involved?

You may wonder if these tailored services come with an added cost. Rest assured, your furry friend’s health and happiness are worth every penny.

Training During Boarding – Yay or Nay?

Considering training during your dog’s stay at the kennel? Well-educated dog handlers don’t recommend this unless you’ve thoroughly screened the trainer beforehand. It’s crucial to select an experienced and knowledgeable trainer.

Now, let’s focus on ensuring our dogs’ comfort during their stay in these facilities. Ready?

Ensuring Your Dog’s Comfort During Their Stay

When it comes to dog boarding, your pet’s comfort is top dog.

The unfamiliar kennel environment can be ruff for some dogs.

A few simple steps can make a pawsitive difference in helping your dog feel more at home during their stay at the boarding facility.

Bring Familiar Items from Home

Familiarity breeds comfort when dealing with strange environments and strange dogs. So, pack some items that smell like home, like blankets or toys.

These familiar scents help reassure them and provide an added layer of security amidst new smells and sounds.

Maintain Regular Feeding Habits

Your pooch will appreciate sticking to its regular diet while away from home. If possible, pack enough of their favorite dog food.

This not only ensures dietary consistency but also helps avoid potential digestive upsets associated with sudden changes in diet.

Ask if the kennel can accommodate special diets if necessary; many good boarding kennels do.

Sleeping Arrangements: A Touch Of Home In The Boarding Facility It’s Important.

If you know where exactly within the house your dog sleeps best – whether on a particular couch or bedspread – let the staff know before check-in time at the chosen facility.

This allows them to recreate these conditions as closely as possible, making it easier for your pup to settle into sleep after an exciting day full of activities.

Choosing Fear-Free Certified Professionals

Your dog’s comfort and safety should be top priority when selecting a boarding facility.

That’s why it’s crucial to opt for fear-free certified professionals.

These well-educated dog handlers don’t just provide basic care, they go the extra mile to ensure your furry friend has a pawsitive experience during their stay at the kennel.

Fear-Free Certification: What Does It Mean?

A Fear Free certification indicates that staff members have undergone extensive training on reducing anxiety and fear in pets.

The Benefits of Choosing Fear-Free Handlers

  • Dogs are handled gently, using techniques designed to minimize stress and discomfort.
  • Pets are less likely to develop behavioral issues associated with traumatic experiences, like being left alone among strange dogs or staying in enclosures that resemble bare prison cells.

Making Use Of Dog Daycare Services

Now, let’s talk about dog daycare services.

This is an alternative or addition to traditional overnight stays at boarding facilities that can help your furry friend feel more comfortable when eventually staying overnight.

Drop off your pup for a day of fun and socialization – not just to be left alone. It’s much more than that.

It’s like child care, but for dogs. A safe haven for your pup while you’re busy with work or other commitments.

The beauty of this service lies not only in its convenience but also in its ability to offer socialization opportunities for our canine companions. This is especially beneficial if you have a single dog who doesn’t get many chances to interact with strange dogs.

Remember though, every dog has unique needs and temperaments. Hence it’s important that these centers provide individualized attention, catering specifically towards making each dog feel loved and cared for.

Finding The Right Dog Daycare For Your Pet

Just like how we toured prospective boarding facilities before deciding on one, similarly choosing the right dog daycare requires research too.

Some factors worth considering include staff training (well-educated dog handlers don’t come easy), cleanliness standards maintained by the facility, and the group play supervision methods employed by them, among others.

A good quality center will be transparent about their policies, allowing clients access into areas where pets spend most of their time, so as to ensure nothing remains hidden from view, including enclosures that should never resemble bare prison cells.

So next time you’re planning an extended trip away from home, consider incorporating some days at such centers before finalizing plans related to a long-term stay within any kennel environment. This will ease the transition process significantly, ensuring overall comfort throughout the entire duration involved – after all, happiness and well-being are always the top priority for us responsible and loving pet owners.

Key Takeaway: Prepare your dog for boarding by considering the option of dog daycare services, which provide a safe and social environment for your furry friend while you’re busy. When choosing a daycare facility, consider factors such as staff training, cleanliness standards, and transparency in policies to ensure your pet receives individualized attention and care.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when it comes to dog boarding, it’s important to choose a facility that doesn’t make your furry friend feel like they’re in a prison cell.

Make sure to tour prospective boarding facilities and check if their enclosures resemble bare prison cells or if they provide a comfortable environment for your dog.

Also, don’t forget to remove your dog’s collar before leaving them at the boarding facility, unless you want them to join a canine fashion show.

Good boarding kennels should have well-educated dog handlers who know how to make your dog feel comfortable during their stay.

And if your dog has any special dietary needs, make sure the kennel can accommodate them, because no one wants a hangry pup.

Lastly, don’t forget to visit the veterinarian beforehand to ensure your dog is in good health and protected against kennel cough and other potential illnesses.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your dog’s boarding experience is a pawsitive one!

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