What can you expect when boarding your dog?

What can you expect when boarding your dog? If this is a new experience for you, the following tips can come in handy.

1. Make sure shots are up-to-date.

Your dogs will need to have a current rabies vaccine, along with other shots. Bring proof of these vaccines with you to a dog boarding facility.

2. You’ll need to see the place in person.

Don’t set up boarding at a place without visiting it first. Walk around the place to see if it’s clean and well-maintained.

3. Your dogs might need a behavioral assessment.

Dog boarding places do these for safety reasons. Dogs must pass these assessments and not show any signs of aggression in order to participate in playtime.

4. Book dog boarding as early as you can.

These places tend to fill up quickly at certain times, such as during the holiday season. Make your reservations early, so you won’t miss out.

5. Find a place with around-the-clock staff.

Some boarding places aren’t staffed at all times, which can be unsafe for dogs. Choose a place that has staff on the premises on a 24/7 basis.

6. Find out about emergency care.

Ask how emergencies are handled. Dog boarding places typically take dogs to the nearest clinic, but it’s best to make sure beforehand.

7. Sign up for playtime.

If you don’t want your dogs in kennels all day long, sign them up for play sessions. They’ll have fun, stay active and be around other dogs.

8. Ask about bringing dog food from home.

In most cases, it’s fine to bring your own dog food from home. Just let the staff know about it, so they’ll give your dogs the right food.

9. Check out the perks.

Find out if the facility has perks available, such as one-on-one time with staff members or special treats.

10. Put special care instructions in writing.

Most places are willing to accommodate special requests, such as administering medication, but make sure you put it in writing. This helps ensure that your dogs receive any special care they need during their stay.

Puppy Boarding Requirements

Boarding is a convenient option for most dogs when their owners have to be away from home, but what about puppies? Since puppies are generally more vulnerable and more at risk of certain illnesses, boarding facilities usually have requirements about age. Find out more about puppy boarding, so you can properly plan ahead for an upcoming trip.

Age Requirements

You won’t be able to board a newborn puppy or one that’s only a few weeks old, but you should be able to find a place for boarding when your puppy is around a few months old. Puppy boarding facilities maintain these requirements in an effort to prevent puppies from becoming sick from kennel cough and other contagious illnesses. Younger dogs have a higher risk of complications from some of these diseases. In general, you’ll find that boarding places require puppies to have at least one round of vaccines before being allowed to stay there. This typically means that puppies around three months old or older can board. If you’re concerned about health risks that your puppy might face while being around other dogs, consider waiting until after her second round of vaccines to board her. Puppies usually get this second round when they’re about four months old.

Vaccine Requirements

For the safety of all dogs that board, dog boarding facilities require up-to-date vaccinations. Your puppy won’t be able to board if she hasn’t had any, but she should be allowed to if she’s had her rabies vaccine and any other required vaccinations. It’s best to check with the dog boarding facility to learn more about vaccine requirements.

Parasite Concerns

Puppies with parasites, such as worms, won’t be able to board. Most boarding places won’t allow dogs to board unless you can prove that your puppy is free of worms and other parasites. This is also done in order to keep all dogs in the facility safe and reduce the risk of parasite infestations. When boarding, you can expect to be asked to prove that your puppy has gone through the deworming process and doesn’t have fleas or other parasites.

Benefits of Dog Boarding

Although you love your pets, you can’t always bring them with you when you travel. If you’ll be going on a business trip or vacation, dog boarding provides a good solution for pet care while you’re away. Boarding facilities offer a number of important benefits for dog owners who need to travel without their pets.

Safe and Secure Environment

As long as you find a high-quality boarding facility for your dogs, you can count on them being cared for in a safe and secure environment. Look for facilities that have secure fencing around outdoor play areas, so your dogs won’t run off and get lost or injured. The inside of the place should be clean and have fresh water available for your dogs.

Skilled and Caring Staff

Dog boarding facilities that offer exceptional care have staff members who know how to handle dogs of all sizes and temperaments. These staff members have the right training and skills, as well as good rapport with dogs, to ensure that your pets will be happy and safe. This can provide you with peace of mind when your dogs are under someone else’s care.

Plenty of Playtime

Some boarding facilities offer playtime sessions for dogs, which gives them a great way to stay busy, burn off energy and meet other pups. If your dogs stay at one of these facilities, you can count on them having plenty of playtime while you’re gone. This will keep them stimulated and happy while also preventing boredom or anxiety.

Luxury Amenities

Some dog boarding places also offer luxury amenities, such as spa services. Check into the amenities offered at the facility you’re planning on having your dogs stay at. You might find that the facility offers special shampoos, manicures and similar services. Your dogs might also be able to get one-on-one playtime or snuggle time at night, as well as gourmet treats or meals at certain times.

Chicago Boarding Requirements for Dogs

When you plan on boarding your dog, it’s important to make sure you can meet all of the requirements for it. Before making your arrangements, learn more about Chicago boarding requirements so you can be prepared.

State and City Law Requirements

State and city laws require you to show proof that your dog has all of the following:

• Current vaccines for rabies, bordetella (kennel cough), distemper and parvovirus
• Fecal exam that shows no proof of parasites within the past year
• Microchip number
• Valid dog license for the city of Chicago if you live there

You’ll need to provide paperwork with all of this information to prove that you’ve met these requirements. Keep in mind that these legal requirements help protect your dog during boarding. Vaccine requirements reduce the risk of having your dog become ill at a boarding facility, while the fecal exam helps prevent your dog from getting a parasitic infestation from other dogs. Microchip numbers offer a convenient way to make sure that dogs who are lost can get back to their owners, while the license requirement ensures that your dog has the necessary dog license that all Chicago dogs must have.

Boarding Facility Requirements

Each facility has its own Chicago boarding requirements, so you’ll need to check these before making arrangements for your dog. These requirements generally cover spaying and neutering, as well as behavior. For example, your dog might need to be a certain age in order to board and you might have to show proof of spaying or neutering. Some facilities also have dogs undergo a temperament assessment before they’re allowed to board. This helps prevent aggressive dogs or dogs with other behavioral problems from potentially harming other dogs.

Make sure you give yourself time to gather any paperwork or proof you’ll need in order to meet legal and boarding facility requirements before arranging your dog’s stay. This helps make the entire process easier and less stressful for you and prevents last minute problems.

What You Should Know About Dog Boarding Over the Holidays

If you’ll be away for the holidays and have dogs, putting them in a boarding facility helps you make sure they’re cared for. However, dog boarding over the holidays requires a bit more planning than at other times throughout the year. Keep the following tips in mind, so you can have a stress-free experience preparing for holiday boarding.

Book Early

Boarding facilities tend to fill up quickly during the holiday season in Chicago. To make sure that you’re able to book the facility you want for your dogs, make your arrangements as early as possible. This helps prevent you from having to scramble at the last minute to find a good dog boarding facility, and you won’t feel as though you need to put your dogs in just any facility that still has room. It’s important to make sure that your dogs are boarding in a high-quality place that will keep them safe and happy while you’re gone.

Meet the Requirements

You’ll need to provide proof that your dogs are up-to-date on rabies vaccines and certain other vaccinations in order to board them. If your dogs need current vaccines, make sure you get them ahead of time, so you’ll be able to show this proof to the boarding facility. Your dogs will also need to have valid licenses if you live in Chicago, and they’ll need microchip numbers. They’ll also need fecal exams showing that they haven’t had parasites in the past year. Keep in mind that dog boarding facilities also have their own rules and requirements. Check on these, and gather any proof you need before making reservations.

Ask Questions

You can make your dog boarding over the holidays go more smoothly during the holidays by asking the facility any questions you have. If your dogs eat certain food, ask if you’re allowed to bring their own food. If your dogs have special needs, make sure the facility has staff available to handle these. Also, leave your contact information with the boarding facility, so they’ll be able to reach you in case of an emergency.

Comparing Costs for Pet Boarding, Pet Sitting and On-site Daycare

When you need to travel without your pets, you have a few options to consider for pet care. You can have your pets stay at a boarding facility, hire a pet sitter, or sign them up for pet daycare. These different options vary in price based on certain factors. Here’s what to expect when you compare pet boarding cost, pet sitting cost and daycare cost.

Pet Boarding Cost

The cost for pet boarding is usually higher than costs for a pet sitter. This is mainly due to the fact that your pets will be staying in a facility that provides cozy kennels, play areas and staff members to keep an eye on them. You don’t have to worry about arranging for a sitter to come by each day or stay at your home, which means you don’t have to worry that they won’t show up. Boarding provides you with peace of mind while you’re away from your pets. Keep in mind that pet boarding facilities also offer grooming, training and other services, which also accounts for higher costs.

Pet Sitting Cost

The cost of a pet sitter is typically lower than pet boarding or daycare. The least expensive option is having a pet sitter stop by your home a couple times a day to walk your pets, feed them and play with them. If you want someone there at all times, you’ll usually have to pay more for an overnight pet sitter.

On-site Daycare

If you only need someone to watch your pets during the day, on-site daycare is a great option. This usually costs about as much as pet boarding, although you can typically find discounts to take advantage of, such as signing your pets up for more days or weeks at a reduced rate. On-site daycare provides pets with a safe and exciting place to spend the day, and you can also arrange for grooming services or training for additional costs.

How to Find the Best Boarding Facility for Your Pet

Boarding facilities offer a place for your pets to stay when you won’t be home, but how do you know which one to pick? When you’re comparing different facilities, keep the following tips in mind. This will help ensure that you find the best boarding facility for your pets.

Check Vaccination Requirements

When you find pet boarding facilities in your area, one of the first things to check is the vaccination requirements. Facilities should require all pets to have certain vaccinations in order to stay there. This helps lower your pets’ chances of getting sick while they’re boarding. Without strict vaccination requirements, pets are at risk of getting kennel cough and other contagious diseases.

Look for a Clean Facility

Any boarding facility you consider for your pets should be kept clean on a regular basis. You should visit the facility to take a tour of it, so you can see what kind of condition it’s in. Any messes from pets should be picked up right away instead of being left on the floor. Pets should also have bowls of clean water available. If the facility you visit seems dirty, don’t board your pets there. They’re more at risk of getting sick if they stay in an unclean boarding facility.

Talk to the Staff

Before choosing a boarding place, talk to staff members. This lets you find out how knowledgeable they are about pets and pet care. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions you have about the place and how certain situations are handled, such as how staff members deal with emergencies. Talking to staff also helps you to determine if they’re friendly, courteous and good with animals.

Ask About Supervised Play

If your pets will be taking part in play groups, make sure these are supervised by staff members. Find pet boarding facilities that require pets to go through assessments. This ensures that they don’t have behavioral problems that could make them a danger to other pets. Supervised play also reduces the risk of having pets get loose and run off.

What to Expect from Overnight Pet Boarding

When your pets stay overnight at DoGone Fun, you can rest assured that they’ll have a great time. If you’re wondering what to expect from overnight pet boarding, this is what pets typically go through during their stay.

Check-In

When you bring your pets in for boarding, we’ll give you time to say goodbye before taking them back to the kennels or play area. Please have your check-in form filled out for us, so we’ll have all of the information we need for your pets’ stay.

Playtime

If you drop your pets off in the morning or afternoon, they can play with other dogs in the play area. We provide pets with time to rest during the day, so they don’t get overexcited.

Training

We offer training for pets that are boarding. If your pets could use some obedience training or if they need to learn specific commands, we can work with them while they’re at our boarding facility. We offer training classes and one-on-one instruction.

Meals

Our overnight pet boarding facility serves meals at regular times each day. We’ll feed your pets their regular food, or you can indicate that you want them to eat the food we provide at our facility. If your pets have special diets, please let us know, so we can accommodate them.

Elimination

Your pets will have plenty of opportunities to eliminate during their overnight stay. They can do so while playing outside or going for a walk. Our staff members clean up after your pets right away in order to keep our facility clean.

Bedtime

When it’s time for bed, your pets will stay in a comfortable kennel with a polar fleece blanket. For an extra fee, you can arrange one-on-one cuddle time for them, a biscuit, or a Kong filled with goodies. You can also arrange for an extra comfortable bed for them for an extra fee.

Grooming

Our staff members can give your pets a bath, trim their nails and provide other grooming services if you want. Just let us know which grooming services you would like for your pets.

Tips for Preparing for Long Term Pet Boarding

When you have to go away for an extended period of time, long term pet boarding provides a solution for where to leave your pets. Being gone for weeks at a time can make you feel anxious about the care your pets receive while you’re away, so it’s important to find a great boarding facility for them. This means finding one that offers a safe and clean environment with a play area and highly skilled staff. Once you’ve found a place, you’ll need to prepare for this long stay. Keep the following tips for long term pet boarding in mind while getting ready.

Pack Familiar Items

As long as the boarding facility allows it, pack up your pets’ favorite things, such as toys and a blanket. These objects can provide them with comfort when they’re staying in an unfamiliar place. You can also add a t-shirt of yours for them to snuggle with, since this will leave them with something that has your scent on it. Having this kind of item around can also make your pets feel more at home in their boarding facility.

Schedule a Vet Appointment

If your pets are due for a vet visit, get it out of the way before you leave. This ensures that your pets are free of illnesses or other conditions that could affect their ability to board. It also means that your pets will be up-to-date on all of the vaccinations required by the boarding facility.

Have Enough Food and Medication Available

If you plan on having your dogs eat their own food while you’re gone, make sure you have plenty of it. Their food should last for the entire time you’re gone. If any of your pets need medication, you’ll need to ensure that you have enough to last them during their stay.

Ask About Veterinary Care

If your pets get sick or injured, find out how the boarding facility handles it. Make sure you know where your pets will go for care, and leave contact information with the boarding facility so they can keep you updated.

How to Find the Best Dog Kennel

If you’re not comfortable hiring a pet sitter to stop by or stay at your home while you’re gone, a dog boarding kennel is a great alternative. How do you know which one is the best dog kennel? There are different things to consider when you’re choosing a kennel for your pets. Keep the following in mind in order to find the top kennel in your area.

Cleanliness

You know that living with pets comes with a certain amount of mess, but the best dog kennels provide a clean environment. Look for a place that cleans up accidents and other messes as quickly as possible to prevent the spread of germs. This helps lower the risk of your pets becoming ill during their stay.

Fresh Water

When you take a tour of dog boarding facilities, look for bowls of fresh water. The best facilities ensure that dogs have access to fresh, clean water on a regular basis. If you don’t see water or if you see bowls that look dirty, keep looking for a boarding facility that is better and safer for your pets.

Exercise and Play

Some boarding facilities offer minimal services. Dogs in these places usually stay in their kennels most of the day and only leave for a couple of short walks. The best dog kennel will provide dogs with opportunities to run around and play, which helps them burn off energy and stimulates their minds. This helps keep dogs happy and prevents boredom during their stay.

Friendly, Knowledgeable Staff

The environment and available activities are important factors when choosing a dog kennel, but it’s also crucial to find a place with staff members who are great with dogs. Keep in mind that the top dog kennels have staff members who are friendly, patient and knowledgeable about dogs. They should be able to deal with any issues that occur and help keep dogs happy while they are there.

When you find the best dog kennel, make sure that the dates you need are open. The top kennels tend to get booked fast, so make your reservations early.

4 Factors to Consider When Comparing Local Dog Kennels

When you have to travel while leaving your pets behind, dog boarding kennels offer a place for them to stay. However, you shouldn’t just go with any local kennel. Instead, it’s important to compare local dog kennels to make sure that your pets will be staying in a safe environment while you’re away. When you go over your options, keep the following factors in mind before making your decision.

Options for In-Person Visits

Dog kennels should be willing to let pet owners walk through the facility to see where their pets will be staying. Kennels that don’t allow this might do so in order to hide safety flaws or prevent pet owners from seeing a messy environment. Make sure you’re able to tour the dog kennel you’re considering having your pets stay in. This lets you see how clean and safe the place is before you decide whether or not to have your pets board there.

Vaccination Requirements

Local dog kennels should require certain types of vaccination to be up-to-date. This helps reduce the risk of having dogs become sick during or after their stay. Ask about vaccination requirements, and choose a facility that requires rabies, distemper, bordetella and other vaccines to be current. Places that are strict about their vaccination requirements have your pets’ best interests in mind.

Qualified Staff

Dog kennels should have staff members who are skilled, experienced and qualified to care for dogs of all breeds, sizes and temperaments. Knowing that your pets will be watched by staff members who are good with dogs and have the skills needed to handle certain problems provides you with peace of mind. Keep in mind that some places also have dog trainers available for classes.

Special Requirements

If your pets have special needs, such as a specific diet or medications, it’s important to find a place that can accommodate them. Ask how special requirements are handled by staff members at any local dog kennels you look into. These places should keep a record of when and how these requirements are met and whether or not there were any problems.

3 Important Benefits of Dog Boarding and Daycare

Whether you need a place for your dog to stay during the day when you’re at work, or someone to care for your pet while you’re traveling, dog boarding and daycare offer great options. Dog boarding provides your pet with a comfortable place to stay and interact with other dogs when you’re away. Dog daycare offers a safe environment for your dog to play with other pups for a few hours a day or several hours per day. Both of these options provide important benefits for dogs.

Close Supervision

When your dog stays overnight at a high quality boarding facility or joins a dog daycare group, you can rest assured that trained staff are keeping an eye on your pet. Boarding facilities that offer play groups and around-the-clock supervision provide close supervision, so you don’t have to worry that no one is making sure your dog is safe while you’re gone. Dog daycare facilities also have trained staff members on hand to ensure that all dogs behave while playing with others.

Physical Activity

Dog boarding and daycare provide dogs with ample opportunity to stay physically active during the day. Just keep in mind that not all boarding facilities offer play groups. When you choose a facility that does offer this, your dog can spend several hours per day interacting with other dogs, which helps burn off excess energy. Getting physical activity is an important part of making sure that dogs are in good condition and lowering their risk of obesity, which is associated with diabetes and other health conditions.

Socialization

Dogs who stay at boarding facilities with play groups and dogs who participate in daycare have a chance to socialize with other dogs. This is an effective way for dogs to work on their social skills while also having fun with other pups. These environments also give dogs a chance to get used to being in different surroundings, which can help them become calmer and less stressed when they’re in new places or situations or when they encounter other dogs or people that they aren’t familiar with.

Practical Tips on Preparing for Pet Boarding

When you hire a pet boarding service to watch and care for your dog while you’re away, it’s important to make sure that your pet is prepared. In addition to meeting the boarding facility’s requirements, you’ll also need to take steps to keep your pet from getting lost as a precaution. Whether you’ve used this type of service before or not, these practical tips can help ensure that your dog is ready.

Get a Copy of Your Dog’s Medical Records

Make sure that your dog is up-to-date on all shots that the boarding facility requires, which typically includes rabies, distemper, bordetella and parvovirus. You’ll have to show proof that your dog is current on required vaccines. This requirement helps lower the risk of dogs getting each other sick while boarding. You might also have to show proof that a fecal exam tested negative for parasites within the last year.

Update Your Dog’s License

If your dog’s license is expiring soon, make sure you update it before you plan on boarding your pet. Dog boarding facilities require dogs to have a valid license. You’ll need to show the facility that your dog’s license is up-to-date, so bring proof with you, such as a license tag.

Check Microchip Information

While many pet boarding facilities take steps to stop dogs from being able to run off, such as having sturdy fencing, it’s still important to check your pet’s microchip information beforehand. Make sure the contact information linked to your pet's microchip is up-to-date, and bring a copy of the microchip number to give staff members at the boarding facility.

Get a Sturdy Collar

If your dog’s collar is looking a bit worn, get a new one before using a pet boarding service. Look for a collar that is sturdy and won’t slip off your dog’s neck. Attach your dog’s license tag and any other ID tags you have to it. These tags can make it easier for dogs to be returned to their owners or to the boarding facility they’re staying at while their owners are away.