Preparing Your Dog For a Luxury Hotel Stay or Kennel
When you’re planning a trip away from home, it’s important to know that your dog will be well cared for, safe, and happy. Whether your dog will be staying with a boarding facility or luxury dog hotel, finding a place that has your dog’s best interest at heart will give you peace of mind while you enjoy your own vacation.
Before You Board Your Dog
Consider whether your dog has the right temperament for staying at a boarding facility. If the dogs are in daycare during the day at the facility, your dog will need to have good social skills. If your dog doesn’t enjoy the company of other dogs, look for a boarding facility or specialty dog hotel that offers unique ways of housing your dog in a healthy manner.
Each dog is unique, so matching a boarding facility’s amenities with your dog’s needs will help to set them up for a successful stay. Dogs with separation anxiety need extra preparation before being boarded. Spending time at the new facility to acclimate and get to know the staff can be very helpful.
Make Sure Your Dog Is up-to-Date On Their Vaccinations
Vaccinations are the most cost-effective and safest way to prevent diseases from spreading. Check your dog’s vaccination records or contact your veterinarian to make sure they are up-to-date on their vaccinations.
A reputable boarding facility will require all of their dogs to be current on vaccines. In Canada, all dogs over six months of age must be fully vaccinated for distemper, rabies, and parvo. The bordatella (kennel cough) vaccine is highly recommended, but due to controversial administration methods and effectiveness the choice is often left between you and your veterinarian.
What to Look For in a Boarding Facility or Dog Hotel
The best way to screen a boarding facility is to take a tour and ask about their dog boarding requirements. A boarding kennel or dog hotel should have prevention and emergency measures in place.
This includes requiring up-to-date vaccinations and continuous parasite prevention. It’s also essential to a dog hotel or boarding kennel to have emergency veterinary care readily available or a plan in place to get emergency care for any pets that should need care. A disaster plan (e.g., fires, natural disasters, etc.) is a crucial safety feature that should be in place whever you decide to board your dog.
Any reputable kennel or dog hotel will follow standard operating procedures to minimize risk of illness. It’s impairative that the boarding place or dog hotel ensure sanitation, safety, and comfort by using appropriate and effective cleaning products and by designing proper kennels to prevent injury and decrease stress. Making sure there is enough space for dogs to eliminate away from their food, water, and bedding is necessary as is promptly cleaning up any pet waste.
Any trust worthy boarding place or specialty dog hotel will provide positive social interaction, mental enrichment, and enough physical exercise for the dogs in their care and have qualified staff trained in proper animal care and handling. It’s important to know that your dog will be well cared for, safe, and happy in order for you to fully enjoy that family vacation you have planned.
Bring your dog into your local Pawsh Dog location, and we’ll be happy to show them around so they get comfortable. We also offer private training and daycamp socialization to prepare your dog for his stay. Our professional staff will gladly answer any questions you may have so that your dog’s stay with us will be the best yet!
