When you leave town for the night, you need to have a place where your dog can be kept in a safe, clean, and caring environment. Creating a detailed information sheet of your dog’s temperaments and likes and dislikes will help a boarding facility know your dog’s needs. Here are tips for choosing the right dog overnight boarding facility for your dog:
Check Staff Qualifications
A dog overnight boarding facility employs staff with certifications in animal behavior and dog handling techniques. Inquire about the specific training programs the caretakers have completed. Staff-to-dog ratios should provide adequate supervision during all activities and rest periods.
Emergency response training teaches staff how to respond to medical emergencies or natural disasters. Some facilities have specialized staff to give medications or care for pets with special needs. Staff should be able to understand unique behavioral traits, such as herding tendencies, when working with different breeds.
Review the Daily Schedule
The facilities should have a daily routine that is similar to your home routine. There should be multiple outdoor play sessions with human and dog interaction. Active breeds benefit from exercise in rooms dedicated to large dogs. The schedule should accommodate your dog’s normal eating and elimination schedules. Inquire whether they have specific activities such as nature walks or reinforcement of training.
Assess Accommodation Quality
The sleeping areas should be large enough for your dog to stand and stretch. Memory foam or raised cots are bedding materials that increase comfort during overnight stays. Suitable ventilation systems must ventilate all indoor kennel areas. Climate control features will prevent your pet from having extreme temperature fluctuations. Windows or skylights provide natural light and improve the kennel environment.
Your dog’s food should be kept separate from other boarders’ supplies. Your dog should be monitored to make sure they are eating their supplied meals regularly. Cross-contamination problems should be prevented by sanitizing feeding areas between meals. Dogs with mobility impairments may require special flooring, such as rubber mats, for better traction. Specific room placements or routines may be needed to address behavioral needs such as separation anxiety.
Verify Vaccination Requirements
All dogs need core vaccinations such as rabies, distemper, and parvovirus. Bordetella vaccination protects against kennel cough, a common disease in boarding facilities. Your dog is protected from fleas, ticks, and intestinal worms by parasite prevention protocols. Your dog’s vaccination records should be submitted before their first stay. Every dog in residence should have detailed health records at the facility. If a dog develops any symptoms, their policy should include immediate notification of the owner.
Ask About Medical Protocols
Staff should be able to administer a variety of medications, such as pills, injections, and eye drops. They should know the common emergency symptoms such as bloating or heat stroke. The facility should have clear protocols for how they will contact you in case of medical concerns. Find out how they deal with minor injuries such as small cuts or paw irritations. Dogs on chronic medications may need special boarding or monitoring systems.
Get the Perfect Dog Overnight Boarding
Look for a boarding facility that has sufficient space for your dog to rest and play, whether alone or with other pets. Some facilities will have trial runs to see how well your dog does. Contact a dog daycare facility to get overnight boarding.
