Preparing Your Pup for a Fun and Stress-Free Kennel Stay
Do you have plans for a business or personal trip but you own a pet? Perhaps you have to take your dog to a kennel at some point, and the idea itself causes certain discomfort, but it is possible to make your dog’s stay in the kennel as comfortable and calm as possible with proper…
Do you have plans for a business or personal trip but you own a pet? Perhaps you have to take your dog to a kennel at some point, and the idea itself causes certain discomfort, but it is possible to make your dog’s stay in the kennel as comfortable and calm as possible with proper preparations.
This is how you can prepare them for the kennel stay!
Finding the Paw-fect Kennel for Your Furry Friend
Looking for a proper kennel is similar to picking the right hotel for a holiday: everyone wants the best option. To begin with, kennels nearby should be identified, and online ratings should be checked.
Check the physical appearance of the facility because it should look neat and clean and should have adequate staffing to attend to the needs of the dogs. Ensure that personnel involved in the care of the canines are qualified and that the kennel provides your dog with adequate play or rest depending on the animal’s energy level.
One or two-night trial stay is also advised to evaluate how your dog will be comfortable before taking him/her on a long trip.
Getting Your Pup Cozy with the Kennel Vibes
However, it is crucial to introduce your dog to the kennel before the day of boarding and relocating them. Take them for a short duration so that they can take a look, interact with the staff and ease themselves into the new surroundings.
This takes away the shock experience when it comes to the actual accommodation. Since dogs are creatures of habit and tend to avoid new and unfamiliar situations, it is recommended that the dogs be taken through the kennel several days or at least a day before they will be spending actual time in the kennel.
Tip: When you’re trying to visit your dog, make sure you bring a familiar object, such as your dog’s toy or blanket.
What to Pack in Your Dog’s Doggy Suitcase
Provide your pet with a box or a bag containing everything he or she would need when you are away to ensure that the pet feels at home. Essential items to include are:
🐾 Your dog’s regular food and feeding instructions.
🐾 A favorite toy or blanket that smells like home.
🐾 Any medications with clear instructions for the staff.
🐾 A collar with ID tags and emergency contact information.
These familiar items make your dog feel comfortable when they are on a trip or when you leave them on board.
Health Check! Vaccines and Vet Visits Before Boarding
All boarding centers need documents of immunisations for the wellbeing of all animals in the facility. Always consult the kennel for the thorough requirements but commonly administered vaccines are rabies, distemper, and kennel cough (Bordetella).
It is also wise to schedule a specific vet check up before you board so as to be assured that your dog is healthy.
Keep Calm and Stick to the Routine
Dogs do well when there is a fixed lifestyle, so any sorting and organizing to be done to the pet before boarding should be done strictly to avoid the pet getting agitated. Take them out for their meals at the same time, give them their walks at the same time as you always do and try to spend time with them as much as you usually do.
These comforts make it easier for your dog to adapt during the boarding period since it is associated with normality.
Tip: It is advisable to have your dog stay at the kennel for a few hours or half a day prior to the time when you will be taking them for a longer stay.
Easing Your Pup’s Separation Worries
If your dog has anxiety when it is alone, it is crucial to manage their condition before they go for boarding. To do this, begin by letting them be on their own for just a few minutes and then progress onwards to the longer periods in question.
Take turns leaving them in a safe familiar place with toys and other distractions. You can also talk to the vet or a professional dog trainer for more advice on how to help ease their stress. It’s more about letting them think you the least of their worries when they are somewhere without you.
Sharing Your Doggo’s Secrets with the Kennel Crew
The kennel staff are devoted to ensuring that your dog gets as comfortable as possible while in the facility, but they need your assistance. Discuss anything that might have an impact on your dog, including their personality, schedule, medical conditions, or requirements.
Is your dog a picky eater? Are they aggressive or easily agitated when encountering the other dogs? Inform the staff regarding the proper way of handling your pet so that he/she feels more comfortable during his/her stay at the facility.
Picking Up Your Pup: What to Expect After Their Stay
Whenever you take your dog in your arms, it may show signs of joy or boredom, tiredness or even confusion. Dogs may exhibit new behaviors after being boarded and it is common for them to do so.
Let them have a while to get back to their home environment, but when you visit, be sure to ask the kennel staff about your dog’s behavior at their facility. Would there be any rebellious actions? Did they make new friends? To better prepare for any future boarding experiences that may occur, it is recommended to take this feedback into consideration.
Ready, Set, Wag!
It should, however, be noted that boarding your dog doesn’t necessarily have always to be a stressful affair for your dog or for you, the pet owner. Prevention of any form of disturbance is still very much possible through the right approach in activities such as the selection of the right type of kennel, management of separation anxiety and many more.
By talking to the Kennel staff and ensuring the routine as well as the object’s your pet is used to are brought, your pet will be comfortably left behind as you are.
So, always prepare your dog a little to ensure that his or her boarding experience will be a good one.
