How to Prepare a Dog For Boarding

You’re going away for a week and sure wish you can take your baby along—but they don’t allow pooches on a cruise to the Caymans. So, you did your research and found a boarding kennel you can live with. Now all you have to do is convince Brutus that he can live with it too. Here are some ways to get him ready.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Your dog's leash and collar with ID tags
• Your dog's bedding
• Your dog's favorite toys
• Your dog's food (optional)
• Your dog's medication (if necessary)

1. Board your dog for a night or two to get him used to the kennel and ease separation anxiety when it's time for a longer stay. This will also let you know if boarding is right for your dog as opposed to a pet sitter in your home.
2. Make sure your dog’s immunizations are current, including a vaccination for kennel cough. A kennel cough vaccine should be administered a few weeks prior to boarding to build up full immunity. Bring a record of shots in case the facility requires it.
3. Don’t overfeed your dog right before boarding. A full stomach may become an upset stomach.
4. Bring your dog’s favorite toy or toys and bedding when you board him. Familiar scents will make him more comfortable. Also, you may prefer to bring your dog's own food instead of the boarding facility feeding him their food.
5. Bring any necessary medication clearly marked with the proper dosage, prescription number, and a phone number and address for the veterinarian or pharmacy in case your trip is delayed and it has to be refilled.
6. Leave the staff with the best phone number to reach you while you’re away, as well as your veterinarian’s phone number. It’s also a good idea to leave them the phone number of a local friend or relative to call in case of emergency.
7. Walk with your dog back to the area where he will be boarded. Dogs usually feel more secure in strange surroundings if their guardian has been there. If the kennel doesn’t normally allow this, tell them your reason. If they still refuse, they could be hiding something, and it may be time to find another kennel.

Tips & Warnings

• There are licensed boarding kennels in private homes for more hands-on care and attention
• Older dogs tend to have a harder time adjusting to boarding for the first time.