Are you planning to board your dog in the near future? Do you find yourself worrying a lot about how this will go? Whether your dog has separation anxiety or you’re just nervous about the experience of boarding your dog, we’ve got you covered.
Check out the information below to find out more about what to expect and what to do when you’re planning to board your dog in White Bear Lake, MN.
1. Practice Short Trips Apart if Possible
Dogs often become nervous when they’re separated from their families. You can help cut down on the risk of this happening by practicing short trips apart from your dog. Start with half-day trips and work up from there to see how well your dog does when you’re not together all the time.
If you have a friend or family member who is willing, you can try leaving your dog with them for a night or two to see how your dog behaves. You may also want to try hiring an in-home pet sitter for an overnight stay that can help you judge your dog’s experiences being left without you.
2. Bring All the Vet Information You Need
The dog boarding facility will require a lot of vet information before your pet can stay there. They will need contact information from your vet as well as your dog’s vaccination records. You will also need to bring any information you have about your dog’s health, any illnesses he may have, and any problems the dog boarding facility should be on the lookout for.
Don’t bring originals of any of this information; make copies you can leave with the boarding facility. This way, you won’t have to worry about finding the paperwork if you need it later on for a different purpose.
3. Bring Your Dog’s Favorite Toy or Blanket
Your dog will enjoy his time away from home more if he has some of his favorite items along with him. Bring his favorite toy or blanket and let the dog boarding facility know they can leave these items with him all or most of the time. Just make sure you don’t bring a toy that’s unsafe for your dog to use without observation.
Also make sure to clearly write your dog’s name or your family’s last name (or both) on any items you bring. This can help clear up any confusion and make sure your dog keeps his items when he returns home, too.
4. Bring Items That Smell Like Home
Your dog will miss you and your family, so bring along items for him to have in the kennel that smell like home. Ideally, bring an old sheet, blanket, or shirt belonging to you or another member of your family so your dog will be able to smell the people he is familiar with while he’s sleeping at night.
Make sure you write your dog’s name on these items as well. The dog boarding facility should have no trouble getting these items back to you at the end of your dog’s stay.
5. Bring Your Dog’s Usual Food and Treats
Dog boarding is not a good time to try changing your dog to a new type of food or weaning him off of treats. Make sure to bring food and treats he is familiar with so he’ll be more likely to eat well for the boarding facility while you’re away.
Let them know how much food your dog eats in a day as well as how many treats he is allowed to have at a time. This information will be crucial to making sure your dog has a good stay at the facility. Bring extra food just in case, too.
6. Don’t Act Upset or Nervous
When you leave your dog at the boarding facility before your trip, you’re likely to feel nervous and more than a little upset yourself. But try to remain confident and calm, at least until you’re not longer within sight of your dog.
If you show signs of being nervous or upset yourself, your dog is going to notice this, and he will likely become more agitated as well. The best thing you can do for your dog in this situation is to stay calm and keep your goodbyes short so he doesn’t have time to panic.
7. Tour the Dog Boarding Facility Ahead of Time
Most quality dog boarding facilities will have no trouble letting you see the inside of their locations before you book a stay for your dog. If a facility won’t let you take a tour, this may be a red flag that it isn’t a good place to work with.
If you have any questions, be sure to ask them before your dog’s stay as well. It’s important to gain all the information you need to ensure you’re confident enough to board your dog. A good dog boarding facility will be glad to help you every step of the way.
8. Talk to Your Veterinarian
Finally, talk to your vet if you have any questions or concerns. For example, if your dog has a health condition or concern, you should speak with your vet before boarding to find out more information about the specifics for your pet. Your vet can tell you more about what to expect when boarding a dog with any special needs.
Additionally, your veterinarian will let you know if your pet is potentially not a good candidate for dog boarding in White Bear Lake, MN. Your vet can also make sure your dog has all the shots he needs before being boarded and you have all the paperwork required beforehand as well.
Plan Ahead
The most important thing to keep in mind when you’ll be boarding your dog is to plan ahead. You don’t want to be scrambling at the last minute to find a place that works for you and your pet, and you don’t want to end up working with a dog boarding facility that doesn’t live up to your expectations. Additionally, you should give yourself and your dog plenty of time to get ready for the boarding experience before you go on your trip for best results.
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The staff at Birch Lake Animal Hospital seeks to provide the best possible medical care for our highly-valued patients and clients.