So you’re boarding your dog for the first time and it seems like a daunting task. Trust me, we’ve all been there and experienced it.
After all, there are times when you’ve to say bye to your best buddy for a few days or weeks. And this is especially true if you’re leaving town for work, vacation, wedding, or more.
You see, no matter how much you want to keep our dog along, sometimes it’s simply not possible. As such, boarding your dog offers the perfect way to make sure they feel at home and are well cared for in your absence.
But let’s face it: First time dog boarding can make you feel both apprehensive and guilty. More so since you’re placing them in the care of someone you don’t know.
Nevertheless, there are ways you can make dog boarding a stress-free and comfortable experience for both yourself and your furry buddy.
Read on, as I’ve explained how you can go about boarding a dog without hassle along with my own luxury dog boarding tips and tricks.
What is dog boarding in the first place?
Before I get into the specifics, it is essential you fully understand what is boarding for dogs.
For starters, dog boarding is a specialized service where you leave your dog at a pet facility for care. And you’ll usually do so while you’re away for work, leisure, or other commitments.
Now, when I talk about boarding your dog, it is important to differentiate it from dog sitting. That’s because, unlike dog sitting, where a caregiver either visits your home daily or stays put, your dog stays overnight or more at a boarding facility.
Also called dog hotels, boarding facilities offer secure suites or kennels for your pet, along with caregivers, common play areas, on-site vet support, and more.
But that’s not it.
While boarding facilities in general provide feeding, exercise, and socialization, some ‘dog resorts’ go over and beyond to offer grooming, obedience training, or dog spa treatments.
Simply put, a dog boarding offers everything from safety to comfort and mental well-being for your beloved pet.
What should you know before boarding your dog for the first time?
Now that you know what is dog boarding exactly and what you can expect from it, let me shift focus on things that you should know before boarding a dog.
You see, all pet boardings try to sell you one thing: A home away from home for your dog.
But do they all practice what they preach?
Certainly not!
Take this news from Haddam, Connecticut, for instance, where two women were arrested after a bulldog died and four other dogs sustained “psychological and/or physical illnesses” as per police.
Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case of negligence and cruelty by dog boarding businesses acting with impunity.
And this puts the onus on dog owners like yourself to find a trustworthy pet boarding where you can leave your dog without worries of their well-being.
Now, when boarding your dog for the first time this can be particularly challenging. However, with prior knowledge of a few essentials, you can do so like an expert.
All in all, here’s what you should know before boarding your dog:
Does the boarding facility meet your dog’s needs?
The most important thing that I evaluate before I board my dog is whether or not the facility meets my dog’s basic day-to-day necessities and habits. And to that end, I always prefer facilities that focus on individualized care over those that offer a standard institutionalized treatment.
Once satisfied with their overall caretaking criteria, I research further by reading reviews, seeking recommendations, and visiting the facility yourself.
Now, I suggest you do these due-diligence exercises too. But above all, there are three things you should definitely check do to make sure the facility is in line with your requirements, namely:
1. What is the facility’s environment like
What’s the first thing you check when you book a hotel or airbnb for your stay?
Most likely, you look at the cleanliness and safety of the property, along with the basic amenities it offers.
It isn’t much different for dog boarding either since the overall environment of the facility has a significant impact on your dog’s well-being. So, I suggest you assess the cleanliness, maintenance, and safety of the facility before boarding your dog there.
You can, for instance, see whether or not are kennels or rooms comfortable and secure. Similarly, you should also check if there’s enough space for your dog to exercise and socialize.
2. Is there adequate and qualified staff
Unlike dog sitting where your pet’s nanny visits them for a few hours during the day, dog boarding requires 24×7 care and attention. As such, it is important that the boarding facility is adequately staffed for both day and night shifts.
But it isn’t all about staffing the facility since the staff should also be well trained in pet care.
Meaning it is essential you check the qualifications of the staff and see if they can provide the required care plus basic first aid if needed. More so if your dog has some special medical and behavioral needs.
3. What is the day-to-day activity schedule like
Nobody likes to get bored, especially your four legged buddy. And you want to make sure they’re happy and in good spirits while you’re away.
This is exactly why I suggest pet parents go for facilities that offer sufficient playtime, socialization, and training to name a few.
Apart from that, when you’re boarding your dog for the first time, opting for a facility that provides individualized care options can be really helpful. That’s because personalized caretaking ensures your dog eases in and feels comfortable at the boarding.
Does your dog have any special requirements?
When it comes to boarding a dog for the first time, considering the facility its staff alone might not be all.
Why?
You see, your dog has its own personality traits along with individual health and wellness concerns. And considering these is equally important for choosing the right dog boarding.
For instance, if your pet is extroverted or has high energy levels, boarding facilities with a large play area, more activities, and more socialization can be perfect for them.
Similarly, if your pet is shy or anxious, it makes sense to go for a more intimate and personalized setting.
Overall, I suggest you especially focus on two things in particular:
1. What are your dog’s special medical and dietary needs
Your dog might have indivital medical needs and dietary restrictions. And this will require the facility staff to provide individualized care.
So, it is essential you openly communicate these needs with your dog’s caregivers beforehand in order to avoid potential problems down the line.
2. What are your dog’s behavioral concerns
Behavioral concerns like anxiety or reactivity common with pets, more so when you’re boarding a dog for the first time.
For instance, let’s say you’re boarding a puppy for the first time. Now, it is highly likely that your little friend will feel super anxious being separated from you.
But you can rest assured, as staff at boarding facilities are trained to handle these behavioral needs with empathy and care. All you’ve got to do is discuss your pet’s behavioral traits openly at the time of boarding.
5 things to do before boarding your dog for the first time
By now you know how dog boarding works and what all you should know before boarding a dog.
But how do you make first time dog boarding as seamless as possible for both you and your pet?
Well, this is something that pet parents find complicated.
However, let me tell you that it can be quite straightforward with a few simple steps to make your dog feel secure and comfortable.
All in all, here are 5 things that I do before first time boarding my dog and so can you:
1. Start with a trail stay
Your dog has never been boarded before and a long-term boarding for the very first time can overwhelm them. So, it makes sense to start small and familiarize them with the facility first by scheduling an overnight or day-long stay.
You see, not only will this ease them into the facility’s environment but also reduce the anxiety of separation significantly.
2. Pack their luggage with familiar items
You might want to pack your dog’s luggage with new toys and clothes in order to make them feel pampered while you’re away. But I suggest you also pack a few familiar items so that they feel more comfortable.
For instance, you can pack an unwashed lightweight dog sweater that smells like you along with other items. That’s because a familiar scent will have a calming effect on your pet.
Similarly, it’s a good idea to put their favorite toy or blanket in the luggage.
3. Make them exercise before drop-off
Getting separated from you can be an overwhelming moment for your buddy, especially since this is the first time you’ll be away from them.
But you can always reduce the sense of separation. And the best way to do so is making them exercise a lot before drop-off.
The idea is simple: Exercising will help reduce stress levels in your dog and make them feel relaxed when they arrive at the boarding.
4. Don’t prolong the drop-off
A quick and calm departure is always better than a prolonged goodbye since you don’t want your pet to pick up on your emotions.
It’s common to feel sad or anxious while leaving your dog. But if you make the goodbye long, your dog might also start feeling the same. And this will only complicate their emotional well-being while at the boarding.
On the other hand, if you keep the goodbye brief and upbeat, it will be a reassuring sign that there’s nothing to worry about.
5. Keep up-to-date with vaccination and health check-ups
Dog boarding facilities require dog owners to keep their pet to keep up-to-date with vaccination and other certificates.
And to that end, you’ll have to ensure that your dog’s vaccinations for rabies, Bordetella (kennel cough), distemper, etc., are all current.
Boarding a puppy for the first time? Here are 3 tips for you:
You’ll agree when I say that first time dog boarding can be particularly complicated for puppies.
After all, they are used to the feeling of parental affection around you. And leaving them at a boarding facility all of a sudden can affect both their physical and mental health.
So what is it that you can do for their wellbeing?
Well, here are my boarding tips for puppy owners:
1. Request a private space and extra attention
First thing first, your dog is not used to being around other dogs. And an outright exposure to other pets can make them feel stressed or overwhelmed.
So, I suggest you request a private space for your puppy away from other boarders.
Also, you can request extra care and attention for your pet. In fact, there are plenty of personalized plans that boarding facilities offer for additional support and care.
2. Bring a calming toy
It is your dog’s first time away from home and you want to make it as normal as possible.
So what can be better than a calming toy that makes them feel at home?
You see, toys like a kong filled with peanut butter provide a soothing effect and also introduce an engaging activity while they’re at the boarding.
3. Inform facility staff about your puppy’s behavioral triggers
There are plenty of behavioral triggers that can stress puppies ranging from loud noises to the presence of other dogs.
And it is important you bring all of these to the attention of facility staff so that they can take measures to prevent such triggers and create a positive experience.
Frequently asked questions
What is a dog boarder?
For instance, caretakers and other staff at the dog boarding are all dog boarders.
Also, it is important you understand that dog borders are different from dog sitters since they provide care to your pet at the boarding facility and not at your home.
What to pack for dog boarding?
But to make it a smooth sail for you, I’ve compiled a standard list of items to pack, which includes:
A. Identification: This includes a collar with property ID tag along with a leash for dog walking.
B. Medical records: Here, you’ll pack documents detailing your dog’s vaccination history and emergency contact information, among others.
C. Medicines: If your dog is on certain medication, pack enough for the duration of their stay plus a few extra days.
D. Food: A lot of facilities provide food for your dog. But it makes sense to pack enough of their favorite food items for their stay.
E. Comfort goodies: This can include everything from custom dog tee shirts to blankets to clothes that smell like you.
How to prepare your dog for boarding?
Overall, here’s how you can prepare your dog for boarding:
1. Take them at the boarding facility for a day or two and familiarize them with the staff and environment.
2. Make them play and exercise throughout the day before drop-off as this will ensure they’re relaxed during drop-off and get a good rest later.
3. Say a short good-bye and maintain your composure so that your dog feels reassured.
Can you call to check on your dog during boarding?
In fact, many boarding facilities encourage you to check-in and some even offer video updates or webcam access so you can monitor your dog’s stay.
This acts as a reassurance, provides peace of mind, and helps you feel more connected to your pet.
Should you bring your dog’s food?
But you should always label your dog’s food clearly and provide detailed feeding instructions.
How young can you board a puppy?
You see, this age is considered ideal for boarding because during this period they’ve completed their initial vaccinations.
How soon before boarding should you update your dog’s vaccinations?
What if your dog gets sick or injured?
And even though this usually doesn’t become a major problem, you should always leave emergency contact information and specific instructions if needed.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a lot of things that you’ve to bear in mind when boarding your dog for the first time, starting with the facility itself.
And rightly so, as it is going to be your pet’s home for the next few days or weeks. And you want it to be a good experience for them.
Looking for a trustworthy pet boarding where your dog is groomed, pampered, and taken care of like at home?
You can get in touch with us!
At Dawg Team Apparel, we are keen pet enthusiasts driven by a simple idea: To create an environment of joy and love for your beloved friend. And we’ve got all your dog boarding requirements covered with personalized care solutions.