Dog boarding involves constant supervision by specialists trained in canine behaviors and body language. Trusted facilities that offer canine boarding provide secure, supervised, and spacious environments, allowing them to stay in playrooms separated by temperament and body size. Here are a few key tips for preparing your dog for boarding:
Visit the Facility First
Visiting the boarding facility first allows you to assess how well your dog will adjust to the new environment. Bringing your canine along allows it to explore the new sleeping spaces and play areas. Visiting the facility also allows your dog to familiarize itself with the boarding staff and build trust. Some key elements to scrutinize during your visit to the dog boarding facility include:
- Sleeping arrangements
- Cleanliness and sanitation
- Exercise or play spaces
- Safety features like non-slip flooring
Pack Familiar Comfort Items
Bringing your dog’s familiar toys, blanket, and regular food can help it adjust more quickly to boarding, as the scents and routines mimic home and provide comfort in a new environment. Familiar toys and scents help your dog feel calmer. Packing comfort items allows your dog to settle faster, and familiar toys can encourage play and socialization with other dogs, making the boarding experience more enjoyable and less stressful.
Adjust Daily Routines Gradually
Gradually adjusting your dog’s daily routine to match the boarding facility’s schedule helps it settle in more comfortably. Checking the facility’s feeding, playtime, and sleeping hours makes it easier to plan your dog’s routine. Introducing structured exercise periods, like fixed play sessions, helps your dog interact with others, and allowing some solo playtime teaches it to tolerate short separations. Gradually shifting your dog’s bedtime may help prevent nighttime restlessness during the first few days in the new environment.
Verify Your Dog’s Vaccination
Verifying your canine’s vaccination status beforehand confirms that it has adequate immune protection before it interacts with other dogs. This proactive step helps mitigate outbreaks of kennel cough and other contagious diseases in the high-traffic boarding environment. Early review of your dog’s vaccination may help give you enough time to schedule boosters before boarding. Boosters help dogs cope with tiredness, soreness, or mild stress after staying in a new environment.
Providing clearly documented, verified vaccinations demonstrates that you prioritize the health and safety of all dogs at the boarding facility. This transparency can help build trust with the staff, often leading to smoother communication and more flexibility during your dog’s stay. To make the boarding process easier and faster, your dog’s vaccination records should include detailed information. Share the exact vaccines administered, your dog’s full name, your own contact details, the veterinarian and clinic that provided the vaccinations, the dates the vaccines were given, along with any expiration or due dates, and your dog’s sex. Having all of this information organized and readily available makes sure the facility can quickly verify your dog’s health status and provide the best possible care.
Contact a Dog Boarding Facility Today
Preparing your pet adequately for boarding enables it to remain calm in a new environment. A well-prepared dog also adapts quickly to the boarding facility’s environment, which enables easier interactions with others. Call a reliable dog boarding facility today to make a reservation.
