When you have selected your boarding facility, keep in mind that successful boarding is the result of the partnership between you and the staff, working together for the best interest of your dog. Here's some information to help you and your fur baby make the transition from home to boarding facility to home again with as little stress as possible.


Preparing Your Dog

If your four-legged friend has never been boarded before, you might consider short overnight stays at the boarding facility prior to an extended stay to help him or her get used to the environment and staff, and to reassure you that your dog will be safe and healthy at the facility you’ve chosen. After just a few visits your dog accepts a pet care facility as a normal way of life. The psychological preparation of a dog for boarding— and also for helping to develop a healthy personality— includes getting your dog used to new people and experiences (socialization).

As a responsible pet owner there are a few things you must attend to before bringing your fur baby in to board. Make certain all immunizations are current and that your dog is free of internal and external parasites and has not been exposed to any contagious diseases.

Don’t overfeed your fur baby before departing for the boarding facility. Extra food may result in an upset stomach under the stress and excitement of arriving at the kennel. Be sure to inform the boarding facility of any special idiosyncrasies or medical problems your dog may have (history of epilepsy or fear of thunder, etc.) that may assist in keeping your canine companion healthy and happy.




Checking-in your dog

Some pets get anxious at the first sign you're going away. If preparing for a trip is stressful for your pet, consider bringing your pet to us before you start to pack - even before the suitcases come out. The less stress your pet feels before leaving home, the faster he'll adjust. You know your pet best, so consider this when booking your pet's time with us.



Arrive as early in the day as possible - preferably by 2:00 p.m. The more active your dog's first day with us, the quicker he'll settle in to our routine before "lights out." Remember that pets often sense and reflect our feelings. Don’t allow any family member to stage an emotional farewell at the kennel; it may make your pet anxious.


Your dog’s boarding experience

Most dogs will adjust beautifully to boarding after a day or so. Sometimes temporary behavior changes can occur as a result of unfamiliar surroundings. Eating habits change under stress, and a dog assimilates food differently. Some will eat like canaries at home and like vultures at a boarding facility. They may put on a few pounds. Others can lose weight though eating well or lose weight by not eating enough. Life in a boarding facility can be very exciting, and some dogs lose weight because they run the weight off as they charge around barking at other dogs and having a wonderful time. These dogs often leave the facility exhausted but happy, and sleep a lot the first couple of days they are home. All of the preparation by the pet owner merely points out that successful boarding depends not only upon the pet care facility, but also upon how well the owner prepares the dog for the experience.


Going home


When your dog is picked up, he or she will be very excited to see you. Do not feed your dog (though he or she will act hungry after getting back to familiar turf) for at least three hours, and then be very careful not to overfeed. Also, excitement might cause your dog to pant a lot and become thirsty. Give a few ice cubes to hold him or her over until feeding time. Again, in a happy, excited state, excessive food and water consumption can create problems.



Depending on how long your dog was away from home, occasional loose stools from water or dietary changes and a different activity level are perfectly normal. If your dog's after-boarding behavior is puzzling, call us. In rare cases there's a transitional period of adjustment, and we're happy to give you advice to help you both. The vast majority of dogs view their stay at the boarding facility as a vacation. Relax and enjoy your trip.


Boarding checklist:

  • Registration and release forms

  • Proof of vaccinations

  • Other special instructions

  • Leash & collar with proper ID tags

  • Bedding - must be small enough to fit into washing machine in case it gets dirty and we need to wash it

  • Food with specific instructions. For stays shorter than 3 weeks, please package in individual meals. For longer stays, bring the food in bulk with written instructions. Tell us if you have included medications or supplements in the pre-packaged food.

  • Toothbrush/toothpaste - if you want us to brush your dog's teeth.

  • Something that smells of home - but remember, dogs chew. Even dogs beyond the chewing stage, may chew when they're away from home. So we can't guarantee you'll get things back in the same condition as they came in.

  • Medications, supplements, etc. - Any items listed on the Medication form. Please bring medications in their original, labeled container.