Pets have become an incredibly important part of people’s lives. They’re family members. Many are treated like children, and they have almost as many comforts and amenities their human housemates do. Some have even more. Quite a few pets even travel with their humans whenever they can. Of course, it’s not always possible to take your furry friend along on a trip. Sometimes, there’s no other option than to leave him behind. Fortunately, you don’t have to leave him all alone to fend for himself, though. Dog boarding facilities are available to take care of your four-legged loved one until you come back home.
That said, you don’t want to leave your dog with just any kennel. It’s important to find one you feel confident in, one that will give your fur baby the love and care he deserves. Taking steps to prepare your pet for dog boarding with doggy daycare is also crucial. Use the following 10 tips to ensure your dog is ready for boarding before you drop him off at his temporary home away from home.
1) Socialization Is Essential
First of all, keep in mind that your pup will come into contact with other dogs and with humans he doesn’t know very well while staying at a kennel. Some facilities give their guests more privacy than others, but contact, to some extent, is inevitable. If your dog is uncomfortable around strangers or it has been a while since he spent time around people or animals he’s not familiar with, it’s best to resolve that before leaving him at a kennel.
Some people ultimately need professional assistance for this, but you may not have to take matters to that level. Consider taking your furry companion for walks around the neighborhood. Pay a few visits to a dog park or pet supply store. Easing your dog into social situations may be all it takes to get him ready for the people and fellow canines he’ll meet while boarding. In the end, he’ll be more comfortable while you’re away. On top of that, he, the other dogs, and the caregivers at the kennel will be safer.
2) Vaccinations
You’ll also need to be sure your dog has had the proper vaccinations before boarding. Kennels generally require proof of vaccinations before allowing guests to stay with them. It’s a safety precaution to protect all the dogs in their care, including yours. Distemper, rabies, and kennel cough are common vaccine requirements, but some kennels have additional prerequisites. Most also want to see negative fecal test results as well to be sure your dog doesn’t have parasites that could transfer to others.
Ask about the kennel’s vaccine requirements well before time for your trip. From there, be sure your fur baby is up to date on his vaccines. If not, get those vaccines at least two weeks prior to your dog’s stay in the kennel because they generally take that long to reach full effectiveness.
3) Do a Trial Run
Another way to get your dog ready for boarding is to visit the kennel with him. Let him see the facility, meet the caregivers, and possibly see some of other dogs that are staying there. This will give you an idea of how he’ll react to the kennel and interact with the workers. It’ll also help him to become familiar with the place before you leave him for an extended stay. If possible, you may even want to book an overnight stay at the kennel while you’re still close enough to pick him up if need be. This trial run will help you determine if the kennel is a good fit for your dog and vice versa.
4) Stick to a Steady Routine
Additionally, try to stick to a steady routine with your dog before leaving for your trip. Any changes in his normal routine could cause unnecessary stress. That, in turn, could cause emotional and physical issues, like anxiety and an upset stomach. Boarding can cause a certain amount of stress in its own right, no matter how well you prepare, so it’s best to minimize that problem as much as possible beforehand.
5) Avoid Dietary Changes
It’s also important to keep your furry friend’s diet the same as usual before boarding. Switching foods can easily cause digestive issues in dogs, and those problems can certainly complicate a stay in a kennel. At the same time, it’s common for people to want to lavish their pets with extra treats in the days leading up to being separated. Some do so out of guilt while others do so to show their pets extra love before going on a trip without them. Either way, it could give your dog an upset stomach and cause added stress when the time comes to leave him at the kennel, so it’s best to avoid it.
6) Get Your Dog Microchipped
Being sure your pup has a microchip before boarding is also recommended. It’s not necessarily common for dogs to escape from boarding kennels. In fact, most have numerous security measures in place to prevent it. Still, it has been known to happen at times. If your fur baby does happen to get away from the kennel, that tiny microchip implanted under his skin could be the key to being reunited.
7) Bring a Few Favorite Belongings From Home
Not all boarding kennels allow their clients to bring personal items due to the risks of damage or loss, but some do. If your dog has a beloved item, like a blanket or stuffed animal, consider bringing it to the kennel if allowed. That may help to reduce stress and make your baby feel more at home while you’re away.
8) Help Caregivers Understand Your Dog
The more caregivers understand your dog, the better they’ll be able to care for him in your absence. As such, being sure they’re aware of any special needs, unusual habits, and personality quirks is essential. Those might include fear of loud noises, separation anxiety, and stress-induced reverse sneezing fits. Maybe your dog has an unusually high tendency to nest before falling asleep or spins in circles when he needs to go outside. Perhaps he won’t eat unless his food and water dishes are specific distances apart. All those are details kennel workers need to be aware of. Special physical and medical needs fall into this category as well.
9) Don’t Be Nervous
You may be nervous about boarding your dog, especially if you’re not accustomed to being separated from him. It’s important that you try to stay calm, though. If you’re anxious, your four-legged companion will sense it, and he’ll be nervous as well.
10) Keep Your Goodbye Short and Sweet
Finally, when the time comes to drop off your beloved pet, don’t stretch out the situation any more than necessary. Keep it short and sweet. Give him a hug and a few scratches, and maybe add a treat to the mix. Say a happy goodbye, and be on your way. If you descend into tears and let your sad voice come through, you’ll cause your pup added stress, and that’ll affect his entire stay at the kennel.
Preparing Your Pup for Boarding
If you need to board your canine family member, it’s important to prepare him for the experience. Doing so will minimize stress and help make his stay at the kennel as pleasant as possible. Keep the tips mentioned here in mind, and be sure to start making preparations well in advance of your trip.
