Going on a vacation is a very exciting time. However, boarding your dog can make the experience nerve wracking. There are luckily some things that you can do to make the experience less stressful for both you and your pet.

Looking for a boarding facility that is clean and well-staffed can help ensure that your pet will be safe during their stay. It is also a good idea to visit a facility before leaving your dog there as well. This way you can see that the facility is clean and observe how the staff treats the animals in their care.

In this article we will be explaining everything that dog owners need to know about boarding dogs. This includes what you should look for in a good boarding facility as well as some other tips that can help make the process less stressful for you and your dog. Let’s jump right into it!

What to Look Out for In a Dog Boarding Facility

There are several different things that can be a sign of a good dog boarding facility. Visiting a facility to see that it is clean and secure is a good idea. Additionally, observing their staff to make sure that they treat animals well is a great idea as well. You may also want to take this time to ask questions about vaccination requirements, facility certifications, and emergency plans. Here are some things to look for in a dog boarding facility.

Make Sure They Require Vaccinations

Every good dog boarding facility will require that your dog be up to date on at least their core vaccines before staying with them. Remember, if a facility is not ensuring that your dog is fully vaccinated they are not doing so for anyone else either, and diseases can quickly spread when that is the case.

Make Sure The Facility Is Clean and That They Use Safe Cleaning Products

When looking into a dog boarding facility it is a good idea to take a tour and take a note of cleanliness. It is also a good idea to ask staff about the cleaning products and procedures that are used in the facility. A clean environment will not only ensure your pet’s safety, but it will also make you feel a bit better about leaving your pet there as well.

Make Sure They Have a Plan In Place for Emergencies

Every good dog boarding facility will have a plan in case of all emergencies such as a fire. Asking a staff member about these plans is a good idea, because they are crucial for the safety of the animals in their care.

Make Sure They Are Well Staffed

Staffing issues are one of the top reasons why dogs in boarding facilities are not provided with proper care. There should be full staffing at dog boarding facilities, and this should cover all 24 hours of the day. Your dog should never be left completely unattended.

Make Sure They Take Proper Care of Their Animals

Of course, all staffing at a dog boarding facility should treat all animals with love, care, and respect. If you ever see a boarding facility staff member treating an animal in a way that you do not like or makes you feel uncomfortable then this is a sign that you should look for a different boarding facility for your pet. Taking a visit to the boarding facility that you are interested in can give you a good idea as to how the staff there treat the animals in their care.

Many Pet Owners Want to Look for a Boarding Facility With Cameras and Live Feeds

Modern technology is amazing, and it has allowed many boarding facilities to provide dog owners with a live feed of their dog’s boarding facility. This is great because it allows pet owners to check up on their pet throughout their boarding stay. Plus, it allows you to ensure that your dog is being well taken care of.

It is Always Good to Meet the People That Are Going to be Taking Care of Your Dog

Of course, it is also always a good idea to specifically meet the people that will be responsible for taking care of your dog. This means meeting staff members and not just managers or owners of the facility.

Meeting the people that are going to be taking care of your dog during their stay can help put your mind at ease. You can also take this as an opportunity to ask these people any questions that you may have and address any concerns as well.

Allowing Your Dog to Stay Overnight Can Help You Prepare for Longer Trips

Allowing your dog to stay at a boarding facility overnight before going on a longer trip can help both you and your dog prepare. The first benefit to doing this is that it allows you to get a feel for the boarding facilities routine and how they are going to be taking care of your dog when you are actually out of town. As you can probably imagine, allowing your dog to stay somewhere else while you are close by tends to be less nerve wracking than just dropping your dog off and traveling miles away.

Letting your dog have an overnight at the boarding facility can do wonders for your dog as well. This is because this process will allow your dog to be familiar with the environment and people working at the boarding facility before they are left there for a longer amount of time. This can greatly help to reduce your dog’s anxiety when you are away and allow them to have more fun.