How to Prepare for Dog Boarding
by Robert Hudson
As much as we’d all love to take our furry friends with us everywhere, there are times when traveling with pets is simply too difficult. Take for instance, long flights or lengthy road trips – these can be very stressful for dogs. Or if you’re heading somewhere that’s not so pet-friendly, your dog won’t even be allowed inside the establishment.
Fortunately, there exists a ton of excellent dog boarding kennels near me with professional staff that will look after your dogs while you’re away. For as long as you need them to, they will take care of your pet’s eating schedules, walk routines, and even cuddle time! This way, you can enjoy your trip without having to worry about how your little dog buddy is doing.
But of course, there’s a lot more to it than just dropping off your dog and picking them up after. Here are a few things you should do to prepare ahead for your dog boarding appointment.
1. Book your dog boarding reservations early
Last-minute bookings are simply not acceptable at dog boarding places. Most of these facilities are usually busy and tend to fill up quickly, so if you don’t book ahead, you might not be able to secure a spot anywhere.
Plus, making your reservations early gives you the chance to take a look around the grounds first, as well as get to know the staff. You can even request a personal guided tour from the owners, that is if they have the free time to do so. This is all so you can have complete confidence in the setting that you’re going to leave your dog in.
If everything’s looking good to you, schedule your reservation and make it official immediately.
2. Take your dog’s preferences into consideration
Much like us humans, canines have different personalities. Some dogs enjoy running around and playing outside, while others may prefer to just stay at home. If you have a dog with an active personality, then you might want to find a dog kennel that sets aside a few hours for playtime with other friendly dogs.
Every facility has its own unique amenities, so you best do some research and find out which one matches your dog’s preferences best. If your dog is a picky sleeper, then you might want to find a place that offers special sleeping beds. There are a few places that even have television just to keep the dogs entertained, so if your dog is the type to get bored easily, then that’s the perfect place for him.
Leaving behind your loyal companion is hard enough for you; imagine what it must feel for them! Naturally, you’ll want to find a boarding place where they will feel completely safe and comfortable.
3. Ensure that your dog’s jabs are up to date
Most, if not all dog boarding facilities require proof of your dog’s immunization. For the safety of the business, your pet must have legitimate proof of having received vaccination against rabies, distemper, and Bordetella – all of which are highly contagious and dangerous diseases. As you would expect, the last thing anyone wants is an outbreak in the facility.
So if your dog’s jabs aren’t up to date, then you must schedule him for his shots ahead of your appointment. This is not only to meet the facility’s requirements, it’s also for the protection of your own pet.
Furthermore, make sure to ask ahead about any other testing or preventive requirements that you might need to show. You’re going to need ample time to take care of all of these before you go on your trip.
4. Prepare emergency food or snacks
If your pet has special dietary restrictions, or if they’re simply a nit-picky eater, then make sure to bring their favorite food along for their little staycation at the dog boarding place. It’s very common for dogs to refuse to eat any food that they’re not familiar with.
Also, make sure to keep the staff informed of any food that upsets your dog’s tummy. This is to prevent your dog from experiencing any digestive problems while you’re away.
5. Bring something familiar
Food isn’t the only thing that dogs tend to be choosy with. Dogs are creatures of habit, so when they have to stay in a new environment, they can easily become anxious or hostile. To alleviate this, bring something familiar to help calm them, such as their favorite chew toy or a blanket.
Anything that smells like home is sure to do the job. What you want to do is make your dog feel as close to home as possible. That way, when the time comes to actually take him home, he won’t be too distressed or agitated.
Choosing the right place for your dog can be daunting. Here is an example- pet kennels Bundaberg. You might just find exactly what you’re looking for!
