The first time you have to board your dog can seem like an overwhelming experience. Whether it’s a puppy’s first time apart, a grown dog’s new experience, or even just the first time for a rescued pet with a new owner, leaving your beloved pet in someone else’s care can be a difficult thing.
Knowing what to expect before your first boarding experience will help tremendously with reducing stress and anxiety. When both you and your dog are prepared for their overnight stay, the experience transforms from something anxious to something relaxing - and oftentimes, fun!
Before boarding for the first time, here’s what you need to know to prepare.
Book as Early as Possible
You want to book at least one or two months in advance - possibly more if you’re looking for a high-volume holiday like Thanksgiving. This is your best shot at securing a spot for your dog. It also gives you plenty of time to research the facility, get everything you need in place, and feel comfortable when it’s time to drop off your dog.
Before booking, be sure to review the requirements of each facility. This will help you gather any documents you might need to reference before your call. You can find our requirements on our FAQ page.
Make Sure Vaccinations are Up to Date
Any reputable boarding facility will want to make sure your pup is up to date on all their vaccinations so that they can minimize the chance of your dog or any others getting sick. The easiest way to get the information you need is to reach out to your vet and have them send you a record of your dog’s current vaccinations, as well as when they expire. If any vaccinations are valid now but will expire and be re-done before your dog’s stay, request the records again.
Prep for the Temperament Test
Before your dog’s first stay at a boarding facility, they will first need to take a temperament test. This test is like a “trial run” to assess your dog’s comfort around new humans, other dogs, and a new environment. It’s important for staff to see how your dog reacts to these potential stressors. It ensures that staff knows a dog’s temperament so they can help facilitate group play, human interactions, and daily activity.
Many first time boarders worry about their dog “failing” the temperament test. However, just because a dog shows signs of distress doesn’t mean they will necessarily be turned away. For example - if a dog isn’t ready to play with other dogs, they may still be able to board overnight. Staff will know that this pooch needs to be solo.
Each facility has different requirements. For example - our Energy Corridor location accepts dogs who prefer more relaxing than playing and do not enjoy daycare, while our Maxie and Shepard locations require group play. Likewise, some facilities do not offer temperament testing and boarding on the same day - you need to do the temperament test at least a few days prior. It’s important to ask when you call to book an appointment what options are available, and what to expect after the temperament test.
Bring Your Dog to Daycare First
It’s a great idea to introduce your pup to the place they’ll be spending time before you leave them overnight. This helps them feel more at ease during their boarding stay because it’s somewhere they’re familiar with instead of a brand new place.
If your pup also hasn’t been overnight without you before, daycare is a great way to give you both the experience of being apart so it’s less overwhelming when it comes time for their first overnight visit. Book at least one daycare visit before your boarding date and let your pup get to know the staff and environment.
Some facilities may even require your dog to attend daycare before they can stay overnight - especially if group play is a part of their services. When booking your boarding appointment, you should inquire about the possibility of daycare at the same time.
Pack and Overnight Bag
When the time comes for your dog to stay overnight, send them off right with a pack of essentials to make the stay even better. Your bag should include:
Something that smells like home - A familiar scent can help your dog feel more at ease. This could be a blanket they like to cuddle with, a pillow they sleep on, or even one of your dirty shirts that smells like you. Depending on the facility location, size of the room, and size of your dog, you may also be able to bring a bed from home. Ask before drop-off day. Most facilities will provide raised bedding for your dog’s stay, but a bed from home can provide extra comfort.
Their own food - While we do have kibble and wet food available for purchase during your dog’s stay, a change of food and environment at the same time is a common recipe for an upset tummy, even with iron-stomached dogs. Bring what you need for the length of their stay + extra, to make sure they’re covered. As a note - many facilities (including Houston Bark Park) will ask you to pre-bag meals. This ensures that portions are correct and that food can be more easily stored.
Medications - If your pup is on any ongoing medication, you’ll want to discuss this ahead of time with the facility when booking the appointment. On drop-off day, pack medications separately from meals.
These are just the essentials, but you should always ask when booking your appointment: what should I bring? Each facility will have different services, preferences, and requirements. They’ll be able to let you know to pack.
Choose the Right Place
Picking the right boarding facility is key to a stress-free stay for both dog and owner. When comparing options, ask yourself the following questions:
Is boarding a core service offering at this location, or is it an add-on? Veterinary clinics and large pet franchises often have a boarding service, but it may not be ideal because it’s not a core focus of their offerings. Oftentimes, these boarding services are bare bones - your dog will be kenneled in a carrier or small cage, and receive limited attention from staff. A facility where boarding is a core offering will be designed around dogs’ comfort and typically offer more room and individual attention from trained staff.
Do they offer different types of accommodations? - You should look for a boarding facility that has different room options for your pooch. Some dogs do just fine in more open lodgings where they can hear and see other dogs - and other dogs need extra privacy. You’ll want the option of different types of accommodations if your dog needs the extra privacy.
Do they also have daycare services? - If you’re leaving your dog overnight for more than a few days, you’ll want to consider what they’ll be doing during the day, as well. A boarding service that also offers daycare will give you the option to choose daycare services for your dog in addition to a boarding room. This means that your dog will be able to group play and use other daycare services during the day, before returning to their room for the night.
What do the reviews say? - Reviews are crucial to help you decide if a place is the right fit. Positive reviews are important of course, but also look at the negative reviews. Do they have a common complaint? And how does the owner respond to these concerns? Also look at the dates of reviews - is this place receiving consistent reviews over time, or are all of the reviews from years ago?
Boarding your dog for the first time can be a nerve-wracking experience. You can make the process stress-free by preparing in advance. By doing so, both you and your dog will be happy during their overnight stay. While you’ll miss each other while apart, your dog will be safe and have fun in the right boarding environment, and with plenty of prep.
Houston Bark Park and Daycare is a family-owned doggy daycare and boarding kennel that offers lodging, grooming, obedience training, and enrichment for pups in the Houston area. We have three locations:
Address: 4905 Maxie Street, Houston, TX 77007
Phone: 713. 864. 2771
Address: 710 W 27th Street Houston, TX 77008
Phone: 281. 888. 1428
Address: 3663 S Dairy Ashford Road Houston, TX 77082
Phone: 832. 328. 5844
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