Ways to Find the Best Dog Boarding Services

Dog boarding facilities are a boon for dog owners, especially if you are always on the go and are away for meetings to faraway destinations. So, I would like someone to attend to your pet. As a responsible pet parent, you must ensure the comfort and safety of your pet dog while you are away.

A stressful experience is finding a dog boarding facility for your baby to take care of them while you are away. After all, your dog has faith in you to give them the best care ever, which applies even when you are not with them.

Initially, you might think of leaving them with your other family members or friends, but in most cases, they may not be able to provide them with proper care, or they may not be well-equipped to deal with emergencies when you have a dog at home.

Shortlisting the correct boarding place for your dog

You can start the process by speaking to fellow pet parents or canine experts and get recommendations from them for dog boarding facilities in your vicinity.

These days, you would find plenty of options with fantastic reviews on platforms such as Facebook and Google, but in reality, not all of them might be as good as reviewed to be.

So, it is always ideal for you to get information from people who have had first-hand experience boarding their dog at the facility they recommend.

You can ask them about their experiences and get real-time videos and photos of those facilities. After you have explored all the options, could you talk to your behaviorist or trainer to determine the suitable alternative for your dog, depending on their temperament?

 

There are several options that you have in these cases, such as the following:

• cage-free
• kennel systems
• single dog home boarding
• multiple dog home boarding

Once you have found the right place for your dog, could you call it up and ask the people working there about the onboarding process? There are certain things you need to look out for.

Choosing the best-possible boarding facility for your dog

As soon as you have narrowed down your choices, you need to contact the owner or manager of the pet boarding facility so that you can get more information about it.

There are questions that you’ll need to ask at this stage. You can begin by asking about the kind of boarding facility it is. For example, what types of dogs do they keep together if it is a cage-free setup?

I would like to ask you about the quality of the facilities on offer. It means asking about things like the size of the kennels or the kind of space on request if it is a cage-free facility.

It would be best to ask them about the boarding process followed there. Who is supposed to take care of the dogs? Could you ask them about the booking process followed over there? Then you can ask how they would update you about your dog’s stay.

If you have received a recommendation from someone who never boarded their dog, it would be better to get a couple of client recommendations from the service provider.

What should you watch out for during your first visit to the boarding?

It is always better to visit the boarding at least once before you board your dog. So, when you visit the facility for the first time, watch for a few things. First, check the gates – remember it is the most significant thing. There should ideally be a couple of gates between the main entrance and where your dog is kept. Make sure that there are fewer issues with the security over there.

Make sure you scrutinize the onboarding process thoroughly. Find out if they would check your dog’s vaccination records or not. Check out the level to which the place has been maintained – hygiene is a significant factor.

Read Also: A Comprehensive Guide On Senior Dog Care

Are you able to smell any dog poop or pee? Could you find out if the kennel area or ground over there looks damp? To see how well the dogs are being kept over there.

If the facility permits you, do visit the kitchen and find out if the service providers are maintaining proper levels of hygiene over there or not.

I’d like you to please try the boarding once before you make a final decision.

If this is the first time your dog is staying at a boarding, it is natural that they would be a bit anxious and stressed. If possible, you must board them for at least half a day.

This way, they would get used to the experience. They want you to try it in these boarding facilities before you let your dog stay over there. However, it is unnecessary; you can ask that they allow you to do so.

Please don’t hesitate to contact them to book a slot you can use for the trial run. It is always better to choose a day when you are not working so you can rush over there in an emergency.

It would help you understand how they would keep your dog when they finally stay over there. You can determine if they are adhering to their stated onboarding process. When you pick them up, check for any worrisome signs, such as expressions of fear.

What do you need to remember while your dog is boarded over there?

If your dog had a reasonably good boarding experience, you have every reason to believe they would enjoy their stay. There are some essential things that you would do well in this context.

Could you make sure to keep checking for updates from the facility? Do contact them in case they need to provide you with any. Please provide them with the contact of the local vet who treats your dog and an emergency contact.

This would help them if they cannot reach you, which might happen if you travel to a remote destination. Could you ensure that at least one family member or friend is kept in the loop regarding the entire process?

That way, if there is any emergency, they can step in. If your dog is highly stressed and is not settling in, you can ask the emergency contact person to take them back at any stage during the boarding – these situations are rare. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, you must pack meals for them.

Conclusion

The best tip pet parents can be given is to be as watchful and careful as possible. However, they must not be stressed or anxious if there is no reason to feel that way. We ask you to check the facility before you board your dog to ensure that all is as good as you would want for your furball.

If you get stressed about your dog, you cannot do what you are doing in their absence. Whether heading for a weekend meeting, extended vacation, or getaway, you can bring your dog to the facility to keep your pet in good condition.

Read Also: Essential Care Guide for Aging Dogs

FAQs

Que: Do dogs do well when boarded?

It differs from one dog to the next. While some dogs cope well with being boarded, others face difficulties. However, there are specific steps that you can always take to make sure that your dog is less stressed while boarded elsewhere.

You must evaluate the facility before you board over there. Could you make sure that your dog is vaccinated?

Que: How stressful is it for a dog to be boarded?

There are so many ways in which a dog can manifest their stress when boarded, such as the following:

• aggression
• fear
• anxiety
• shaking
• whining

Any noticeable change in their behavior could signal that they are stressed when boarding.

Que: Why do dogs cry after boarding?

Many dogs tend to suffer certain levels of separation anxiety when they are out of contact with their human parents for the time being. Hence, you should expect them to cling to you when reuniting.

It is usual for a dog to behave thus in such situations. The best way to deal with this is to return to the routine as soon as possible.