If you are a dog owner planning a trip away from home, leaving your dog in safe hands with a pet sitter or at a dog boarding facility is essential. Finding the right place should be done after a lot of consideration to ensure that your dog will be well taken care of.
To enjoy your vacation with peace of mind, the place where you decide to leave your dog must be something they like.
If you have made up your mind to leave your dog at a boarding facility while you are away, you must check out a few things.
Tips To Help Your Dog Settle in When You Are Away
Leaving your dog at a boarding can be stressful for you and your dog. You may have to train dogs to reduce their stress for a dog who has never been boarded before.
You would also need to ensure your dog has some basic obedience training so that they can stay calm and well-behaved at the dog boarding.
Preparing ahead will help your dog adapt to the temporary home while you are away. If your dog is happy, so are you at the end of the day.
What do you need to know before boarding your dog as a pet owner? Here’s a step-by-step guide to making your vacation a stress-free one:
A Boarding Trial
Another method of helping your dog who has never been boarded before to settle in a dog boarding would be to run a trial.
An evening daycare time at the dog boarding facility or a short one-night stay will let the hosts understand your dog’s needs and make it easier for your dog to adapt to the place.
Your dog will feel less nervous as it adjusts to the new place and routine, making it feel no stress and well prepared for the longer stay.
Change Sleeping Habits
If your dog is used to sleeping with you each night in your bed, you should start changing your sleeping habits before your vacation.
Try your best to let your dog sleep alone. This will help your dog adjust quickly when you leave it at the boarding.
Try to Drop Off Your Dog Early in the Morning
Dropping off your dog early in the morning at the dog boarding facility will give them plenty of time to adjust to the new surroundings until bedtime.
Check for Online Reviews
Before booking trial visits, check online to see other dog owners’ experiences with the dog boarding facility’s service.
Checking for online reviews will help you understand the services of the various locations giving you an added advantage in making the right decision.
Has Good Social Skills
Your dog will need to have good social skills if staying at a dog boarding where they would be enjoying the company of other dogs. If in case your dog dislikes being around other dogs, then you must find a facility that keeps the dogs separately.
Prepared to Deal with Separation Anxiety
Extra preparation will be needed if your dog has separation anxiety. Trial visits to the dog boarding facility and interacting with the staff will help your dog get used to the place and the people.
Look for a facility that allows trial visits to make things easier for your dog.
Your Dog Must be Up-to-date on Their Vaccinations
There is a higher chance of an outbreak at places where dogs are close to each other. Vaccinations are the safest method to prevent diseases from spreading.
Check with your veterinarian or go through the vaccination records to ensure your dog is up to date on their vaccinations.
Reputed boarding facilities will check for the following vaccinations that the dogs should take at the time of admission :
- DAPP Vaccine (also known as DHPP)
- Rabies Vaccine
- Leptospirosis Vaccine
- Bordetella Vaccine
- Canine Influenza Virus Vaccine
Your Dog is on Parasite Prevention Medicine
You wouldn’t want your dog to bring home ticks, fleas, or any disease transmitted through these parasites.
So make sure your dog is on a parasite prevention program that covers external and internal parasites. Most facilities require all dogs under their care to be on parasite prevention.
Things to Look Out For in a Dog Boarding Facility
The best way to screen the dog boarding facility is to tour it. Talk to them and ask about the requirements.
What should boarding facilities have:
- Prevention and emergency measurements
- Emergency veterinary care
- Require up-to-date vaccinations
- Parasite prevention
- Standard operating procedures to reduce the risk of illness outbreaks.
- Disaster plan for natural disasters and fires.
Safety is the key; ensure safety and sanitation before you board your dog.
- Staff must be qualified and well trained to handle dogs with care
- Kennels should be designed in a way to prevent injury
- Effective cleaning products must be used
- Pet waste must be cleaned on time
- Dogs under the care must be provided with physical exercise, social interaction, and mental enhancement.
- Spaces must be secure, clean, and temperature controlled.
- Areas must be comfortable with non-slip surfaces.
- Securely fenced areas
- Free of harmful chemicals
The Cost
The main thing to look out for is quality, yet the cost must also be considered.
Find out the daily/nightly rates and if medications, bathing, and walks are included. Also, how much do they charge for late pickups and cancellation policies?
Conclusion
Once you return home after your vacation, picking up your dog from the boarding facility will be the moment you longed for throughout your drive. When you pick up your dog, don’t forget to ask the staff at the facility how it went and how your dog behaved.
Usually, most professional dog boardings are required to record such information. Again, this information helps both the host and the pet owner.
If you leave your dog again at the same place, this information will help them to host better, and if your dog has behavioural problems, you know how to train it the next time.
