The Importance of Dog Daycare and Boarding

Your dog is an important part of your life, but it’s not always possible or practical to spend time with him. Whether you have to leave your dog alone while you work or leave your dog home while you travel, there are options to consider that will keep him safe and happy. Dog daycare and boarding offer solutions for owners who can’t have their dog with them at certain times.

Daycare for Dogs

Since most workplaces don’t allow dogs, it’s common for pet owners to leave them at home while they work. If you’re in this situation and want to prevent your dog from being bored or lonely, consider dog daycare. These facilities give dogs a chance to stay active several hours per day while their owners are at work or busy outside the house. You can sign your dog up for daycare a certain number of hours per week or just on specific days when you know you won’t be around.

Keep in mind that you might also want to look into dog daycare if you work from home. Daycare offers a number of benefits for dogs, such as encouraging socialization with other dogs and helping them stay physically and mentally stimulated. Dog daycare also helps reduce the risk of your dog behaving inappropriately or destructively at home when you’re gone due to boredom.

Boarding for Dogs

If you’ll be away from home for a few days or longer, consider dog boarding as an option. Instead of having to arrange for a pet sitter to come to your home while you’re gone, you can have your dog stay at a quality boarding facility that offers a safe environment and opportunities to play with other dogs. When your dog boards, he’ll have round-the-clock care, plenty of chances to eliminate when needed and the company of other dogs.

Dog daycare and boarding can provide you with peace of mind when you can’t be with your dog due to work or travel. Just make sure you choose a high-quality facility with a caring staff and a clean environment.

What Happens When I Board My Dog?

Knowing what to expect when you bring your dog into DoGone Fun for boarding can help you feel more comfortable about it. Your dog will enjoy plenty of playtime, get a good night’s rest every night and be given attention so she won’t feel lonely. The following provides you with a look at how your dog’s day will go when you bring her in for dog boarding.

Morning Routine

Drop off times for dogs are between 7 and 9 a.m. After you drop your dog off, she’ll have a chance to meet some of the other dogs at our facility. We’ll give her breakfast at 8 a.m., then let her play outdoors with her new friends. If you signed your dog up for obedience training during dog boarding, we’ll have these sessions in the morning and in the early afternoon.

Afternoon Routine

Dogs at our facility get a break from playing around mid-day. Your dog will have lunch at 12 p.m. if you requested a meal at this time. If not, your dog will have a chance to relax and take a nap for an hour or so before heading back outside for more playtime. If your dog will be getting a bath or having any grooming done, this usually happens during the afternoon. Afterwards, your dog can play outside again. Keep in mind that our facility has an indoor play area in addition to an outdoor play area, so your dog can have plenty of playtime even when the weather’s bad. You can also check on your dog during playtime by viewing our webcam.

Evening Routine

When your dog stays with us for dog boarding, she’ll have dinner between 5 and 6 p.m. The evening hours at our facility are more relaxed, so that dogs can calm down and sleep well at night. Since they get more than eight hours of playtime, they need this time to rest. If you’re unable to pick up your dog by late afternoon or early evening, we have later pickup times available during the week from 7 to 10 p.m.

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.

Important Tips on Preventing Dog Flu

Canine influenza virus, more commonly known as dog flu, can cause unpleasant symptoms that make dogs miserable. In rare cases, dogs can develop life-threatening complications from this contagious illness. Keep the following tips on preventing dog flu in mind to reduce your dog’s risk of becoming ill.

Avoid Other Dogs

Your dog can easily get canine influenza from other dogs when they bark, cough or sneeze. Touching contaminated surfaces that infected dogs have been in contact with also puts your dog at risk. To reduce the risk of dog flu, keep your dog away from other dogs if there’s been a flu outbreak in your area. Keep in mind that your dog’s risk of getting sick is higher in dog daycare and boarding facilities and other places that a lot of dogs go to.

Vaccinate Your Dog

One of the most effective ways of preventing dog flu is having your dog vaccinated against it. Just remember that your dog is at risk of getting sick when you go to the vet’s office if there’s an outbreak in your area. If you have more than one dog or if your dog will be going to a boarding kennel or similar place that has a lot of dogs, being vaccinated might be worth this risk.

Wash Your Hands

You can do your part in preventing dog flu by washing your hands after you’ve been petting or touching other dogs. Since you might not know if those dogs are infected, it’s important to take this precaution to lower your dog’s risk of becoming ill. You should also change your clothes to reduce this risk even more.

Clean Surfaces

Canine influenza lives on surfaces for a couple of days, which puts your dog at risk of getting sick. You can lower the risk of dog flu by disinfecting hard surfaces throughout your home, especially ones that your dog uses, such as dog toys and food dishes.

If your dog ends up showing signs of dog flu, even when you’ve taken precautions, make sure you see your vet. This lowers the risk of complications and ensures proper treatment.

Dog Flu Symptoms to Watch For

The flu doesn’t just affect people. Dogs can also get what’s known as the canine influenza virus. Although it’s usually not serious, some dogs can get very ill when they get this virus. Learn more about what symptoms to watch for, so you can make sure your pup gets prompt veterinary care.

What Is the Canine Influenza Virus?

This is a contagious virus that affects the respiratory system. The U.S. has two strains of it, which are H3N8 and H3N2. Dogs spread this illness when they cough, sneeze or bark, since these actions cause germs to enter the air. Dogs can also get this virus by coming into contact with contaminated surfaces and objects. Dogs are more likely to get dog flu in crowded places, such as boarding kennels. Dogs can be contagious from 10 to 26 days, depending on which strain they have.

Dog Flu Symptoms

Your dog can be infected without showing any signs of symptoms of this illness. When dog flu symptoms do appear, they are typically the following:

• Dry or phlegmy cough
• Sneezing
• Watery eyes
• Runny nose
• Fever
• Lack of energy
• Trouble breathing

When to Seek Veterinary Care

Dog flu symptoms can be mild ones that don’t cause your dog too much trouble, but it’s also possible for dog flu to cause serious symptoms that need immediate care. If your dog is lethargic, has severe breathing problems or runs a high fever, seek emergency care at the nearest animal hospital. Dogs can develop pneumonia when they have dog flu, which can be fatal in some cases. If your dog has mild symptoms, you should still make an appointment with your vet for treatment.

Keep in mind that treatment for dog flu usually involves making sure your dog is comfortable and has plenty of fluids while the virus runs its course. Your dog might also need antibiotics if any secondary infections have developed. Your vet will let you know what kinds of treatment are best for your dog, depending on the severity of flu symptoms and your dog’s age.