Never Left Your Dog at a Boarding Kennel Before? 3 Ways to Help Them Quickly Adjust
Dropping your dog off at a boarding kennel can be an excellent way of making sure that your dog gets proper care when you're going to be away from home. If you're leaving on a trip soon and want to make sure that your dog feels comfortable and doesn't have any excess stress or anxiety about their stay, consider what kinds of things you can do to make them feel more at ease. With the following tips in mind, you can help prepare your dog for staying at a kennel, which can make you feel more comfortable about their stay as well.
Take a Tour That Allows You to Bring Your Dog Along
One of the best ways to get a good idea of whether the kennel is going to be one that you'll trust is through taking a tour. Most kennels allow potential customers to take a tour at the facility but only some allow the owners to bring their dog along for the tour. By bringing your dog, you can get them used to the scents at the kennel and get a clearer picture of how your dog will feel when brought to the kennel for their stay.
Bring Some Items from Home
Making your dog feel comfortable at the kennel has a lot to do with scents. What this means is bringing some items from home that have your smell on them. From toys to blankets and even their dog bed, these items will smell like home and make the kennel less scary for your dog. Considering the different guidelines at boarding kennels is vital since you want to make sure that the kennel will be a welcoming place for your dog. Asking about rules regarding bringing items ahead of time will help you be sure that your dog will be able to be surrounded by items that smell like home.
Consider a Short Visit or Daycare Service First
Before booking your dog's stay at a kennel for a long trip, it's a good idea to arrange a short stay first. What this will do is allow you to see just how your dog does with their trip and help to reduce some of the anxieties they may have. Some kennels even offer daycare during the day, making it a good idea if you don't want to leave your dog overnight and still want them exposed to the kennel before the date of your long trip arrives.
Making plans for your dog when your vacation date is approaching can be much easier when you know what to do to help make their kennel stay an enjoyable one.
