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.

What to Expect From a Puppy Hotel

When you’re traveling and staying in a hotel, but can’t bring your pets with you, they can stay in their own hotel. Puppy hotels provide a great place for pets to stay while their owners are away. What can you expect from one of these facilities? These are some of the benefits your pets will enjoy while staying at a puppy hotel.

Comfortable Place to Curl Up

Places that offer basic boarding services generally just have dogs sleep in plain kennels that don’t provide much in the way of comfort. Puppy hotels usually offer sleeping environments that are much more comfortable. Some places even give pups their own plush beds and private rooms to stay in. Others offer cozy blankets or pillows to make sure pets are able to get a good night’s sleep.

Perks for Pampered Pups

When your pets stay at a puppy hotel, there are usually perks available. In some cases, these perks are included when you book your stay. Other places offer these perks for additional fees. Some of the perks that puppy hotels offer include spa services, where pets can get facials, baths with special shampoos and conditioners to keep their coat and skin in great condition, and have their nails trimmed and even painted if requested. Some places also offer puppy massages, extra special treats and one-on-one playtime with a staff member, so pups won’t feel lonely or bored.

Peace of Mind for Pet Owners

Puppy hotels typically have a camera set up that allows pet owners to check on their pups. Some hotels have these cameras installed in play areas, which gives owners a chance to watch their pets play. Puppy hotels will usually provide pet owners with regular updates to let them know how their pets are doing. Owners can find out if their pets are eating ok, if they’re adjusting well to being away from home, and if any special requests they’ve made are being honored.

A Chance to Make Friends

Some puppy hotels have play areas set up where dogs are allowed to spend time together. This gives them a chance to meet new friends, burn off energy and work on their social skills. This is especially important for puppies as they learn how to play nice with other dogs and how to adapt to new surroundings and encounters with other pets and people.

Local Dog Kennels

Arranging for your dog to stay in a kennel is sometimes necessary when you need to travel without your pet. One of the most difficult parts of doing this is choosing a facility. When you compare local dog kennels for your pet, it’s important to keep certain factors in mind. This can help you decide which kennel to choose and provide you with peace of mind that your pet is in good hands.

Is It Clean?

Dogs should stay in kennels that are kept clean on a routine basis. While accidents can occur, they should be cleaned up promptly by staff members. Leaving messes around, or not wiping down surfaces on a regular basis, makes it easier for germs to spread, and infect dogs with illnesses such as kennel cough. Look for local dog kennels that have a clean appearance when you visit the different facilities.

Is It Safe?

Choose a kennel where you’ll feel safe leaving your dog. If your pet is a jumper or escape artist, make sure the place has sturdy fences and enclosures to prevent dogs from getting out. If your dog will be participating in playtime, check the facility’s policies. For example, do they screen dogs for temperament? The safest kennels perform these assessments in order to ensure that no aggressive dogs are around during playtime. If you’re concerned about emergencies, look for a facility that has staff on site at all times. Whether there’s a fire, flood or medical emergency, you can be assured someone will be around to make sure that your pet gets to safety or receives prompt veterinary care.

Are Staff Members Knowledgeable and Friendly?

Staff members should have enough experience to be able to provide high quality care. They should also make you feel comfortable about leaving your pet in their care. Talk to staff members at local dog kennels to find out more about their experience and skills. They should be able to answer any questions you have about dog boarding or your dog’s upcoming stay.

Is It Available?

Some dog kennels can fill up quickly, especially around the holidays. Although you might have found the ideal place for your dog to stay, you’ll need to make sure that they'll have space available. Try to find and book a dog kennel as early as possible, so you won’t miss out on being able to have your pet stay there while you’re away.

What You Should Know About Pet Boarding Costs

Boarding your pets help ensure that they’re taken care of while you’re away from home. If you’re traveling and need to look into boarding facilities, you’re probably wondering what to expect in terms of cost. Keep the following pet boarding cost information in mind, so you can stick to your budget while making sure your pets are being cared for at a quality boarding kennel.

Boarding Rates

Boarding rates vary depending on how many pets will be staying and how long they’ll be there. Charges are typically on a per night basis for dog boarding facilities. These prices will also vary based on location. For example, DoGone Fun charges $50 per night per pet. Additional dogs staying in the same kennel are $30 per night each, while additional dogs staying in separate kennels are $50 per night. Afternoon checkout after 12 p.m. is also available for $20 per pet if you need to pick up your pets later in the day.

Perks and Amenities

Some dog boarding facilities offer certain perks and other amenities for an additional cost. These can range from treats to cuddle time and upgraded bedding. DoGone Fun offers several added luxuries for an additional fee. Biscuits at bedtime are available, as well as frozen yogurt treats, which are great treats for helping dogs stay cool in summer. Other amenities that are available include a home cooked Sunday brunch or a home cooked holiday dinner if you’ll be away during the holidays. Your pets can also have extra comfortable beds, one-on-one cuddle time with a staff member, a 15 minute walk outside and a Kong filled with treats. Freshen up services with dry shampoo are also available.

Cost vs. Quality

When you’re searching for boarding facilities and comparing rates, keep in mind that going with the lowest rate isn’t necessarily the best or safest option. Some boarding facilities have very low prices, but that doesn’t guarantee quality. It’s important to look into each facility to make sure they have well trained staff, clean kennels and play areas, and secure enclosures. At DoGone Fun, your pets stay in a clean and safe environment and are cared for by highly trained and skilled staff members. While our pet boarding cost might be higher than others in the area, we offer the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your pets are staying in a high quality boarding facility.

Affordable AND great service for puppy daycare

Daycare gives puppies a great opportunity to socialize while also burning off extra energy. However, that doesn’t mean taking your puppy to just any daycare facility. It’s important to find puppy daycare that offers a safe environment for young pups to play in, especially if they haven’t fully completed their vaccinations. If cost is a concern, you should also look for affordable daycare facilities that fit your budget. These are some of the top factors to consider when choosing daycare for puppies.

Safety First

Puppy daycare facilities should understand and take precautions to guard against potential dangers to younger dogs. These precautions include having a separate play area for puppies, so that they won’t be stepped on or hurt by larger dogs. This play area should be enclosed to prevent puppies from getting out and running off, especially if they haven’t gone through obedience training and learned to obey commands such as “stay.”

Daycare for puppies should also minimize the risk of spreading infectious diseases. Puppies are particularly vulnerable to parvovirus and other diseases that they haven’t received complete vaccinations for. Providing these young dogs with a clean environment helps lower this risk. This can be done by requiring older puppies and adult dogs in the facility to be up-to-date on their vaccinations.

Training

Obedience training is essential for puppies in order for them to learn proper behavior. Some puppy daycare places offer training classes or one-on-one training that owners can sign up for. Taking these classes means puppies can learn to obey commands from a trained professional who understands how to use positive reinforcement for obedience training. This can be beneficial for puppy owners who aren’t sure how to train or for those who don’t have enough time to devote to training.

Budget-Friendly

The cost of puppy daycare can add up for those who have their puppies go every day or even a few times a week. Those who are worried about these costs can find affordable daycare, such as places that offer discounts for regular customers or places that offer discounts for owners who have more than one dog. Finding a place that has discounts available or places that offer more budget-friendly rates can help owners save a considerable amount of money on the cost of puppy daycare.

The lessons learned by sending your dog to day care

Dog daycare can offer a number of advantages for dogs and their owners, although you should keep in mind that it’s not for everyone. Some dogs thrive in daycare settings, while others end up being stressed by this experience. If you decide to use daycare for dogs, keep the following lessons in mind.

Daycare Is Perfect for Some Dogs

Dogs who enjoy being around other dogs and have high energy levels benefit the most from daycare. These dogs have plenty of opportunities to play and socialize with others while also burning off a lot of energy. Even just going for a couple of days a week can be enough to prevent dogs from getting restless at home and acting up as a result. Daycare is even more important for these dogs if their owners aren’t able to take them for long walks or let them run around the yard when they’re home.

Daycare Might Help Curb Bad Behavior

Dogs who are left alone for long periods of time day after day can end up engaging in bad behavior out of frustration, a lack of stimulation or boredom. This might include having accidents indoors even when they’re house trained, barking a lot or chewing on doors or objects around the home. Daycare for dogs often benefits these pups by giving them an outlet to release feelings of boredom or frustration. This can be enough to stop bad behaviors from occurring in the home. Keep in mind that dogs who act up due to severe separation anxiety usually don’t do well in daycare settings. In fact, these settings can make them more anxious.

Trained Staff Members Are Essential

Dog daycare facilities should have staff members who are trained to handle all kinds of canine temperaments and any issues that might come up. Knowing that you can rely on staff to intervene if a fight breaks out or separate dogs from the main group if they’re showing signs of being overwhelmed provides you with reassurance that your dog will be left in good hands. Staff should also be kind and compassionate when dealing with dogs.

If your dog ends up being a good fit for daycare, you’ll most likely learn more lessons along the way. You’ll also have a tired yet happy dog waiting to greet you at the daycare facility.

Why dog training benefits you as an owner

Training your dog is an important part of making sure that your pet is well-behaved around you and other people and pets. It also boosts your pet’s quality of life overall. Dog training helps your pet learn how to behave, but it also offers a few important benefits for you as a dog owner.

Less Stress

Living with a dog who has not been trained can be incredibly stressful for pet owners. Dogs who have not been through obedience training are more likely to engage in troublesome behaviors, such as chewing on your belongings or jumping up on you and other people. Training helps you set boundaries on what is appropriate or inappropriate, so your dog can learn proper behavior. This makes your dog easier to live with and more pleasant to have around when you have guests over. If you live in an apartment, having a well-behaved dog also means you won’t have to worry about neighbors complaining to the landlord about your pet.

Strong Bond

Working on obedience training provides you with an opportunity to create a strong bond with your dog. You can make this bond even stronger by focusing on positive reinforcement while training, so your dog associates obedience training with something good. Making training fun for your dog can also strengthen the bond between you and make it seem like less of a chore for both of you. Building this relationship with your dog through training is a rewarding experience that can improve your quality of life, as well as your dog’s quality of life.

Safety

Having a dog who is properly trained can keep you and other family members safe by lowering the risk of aggressive behavior. Dog training helps your dog understand that you are in charge, which makes your pet more likely to listen to you when you issue commands instead of being bossy or pushy. Training also means you can worry less about your dog getting into fights with other dogs or other animals. Keep in mind that obeying commands such as “stay” also prevents your dog from getting into potentially dangerous situations, such as running into the street or approaching a harmful object.

Just remember that dog training takes patience and persistence. Take your time, focus on positive reinforcement and your dog will eventually learn to listen to your commands.