Boarding!

[Dante's Dad]

Dante will be boarded for the first time in his life next week.
Any suggestions out there to make him more comfortable?
He is going to a really good place. It is a pet hotel and I know he will be taken care of.

[Sansano]

Honestly, I wouldn't do anything different at all. Try to make it look like 'businessas usual'. Your dog feeds off of you and if you are nervous, he will be also. One thing I would consider is bringing his favorite toy or blanket or something like that.

[Dante's Dad]

Good point

We will also be bringing his toys with him.

[Rottlva]

And.... bring your own food too!

[frontierrots]

Bring his own food

Don't bringany toy or blanket you ever want to see again. They are very hard to keep track of, especially if they have to get washed. Absolutely do not bring a stuffed bed (too hard to wash at the kennel and subject to destruction) or toys he can chew up and swallow parts of

Most dogs we board never pick up a single toy they bring. They are so busy watching the goings on

When he comes home ration his water the first 24 hours to a few sips at a time dogs often get so excited about goinghome that they overdrink and puke

Also feed him about a 1/2 ration the 2 meals following coming home or feed hamburger/rice for those meals. same thing about all the excitement causing diarrhea

And above all don't act like you are leaving him in jail. Just say goodbye have fun and walk away. That gets them much less overwrought than a sad and prolonged parting

[chivas]

The very few times that I boarded Chivas (i prefer home pet sitters - they were much easier on Chivas), I would bring her food, her toys and her bed and a teeshirt of mine to comfort her. Now, mind you, Chivas wasnt your average happy camper at a kennel - why i went to in- home pet sitting, she actually hated the kennels. Be aware if they feed different food then your dog is used too, he may get upset tummy.
Kim

[Sansano]

Originally Posted by frontierrots

Bring his own food

Don't bringany toy or blanket you ever want to see again. They are very hard to keep track of, especially if they have to get washed.

Guess I got lucky going to a small kennel. I have never lost anything. You bring up a good point though.

[roscoe]

Originally Posted by Sansano

Guess I got lucky going to a small kennel.

Who really cares about YOUR luck! Please offer advice to the poster.

[Bucky's Mom]

Originally Posted by Dante's Dad

Dante will be boarded for the first time in his life next week.
Any suggestions out there to make him more comfortable?
He is going to a really good place. It is a pet hotel and I know he will be taken care of.

Can you take him there to meet the staff and see the place ahead of time? - When Bucky is boarded it is at the same location as his classes were.

Also - If the staff meets him ahead of time - and meets YOU as the owner they can see how YOU interact with him and adjust accordingly to meet his needs better.

I have always only brought HIS food - and asked the kennel to provide extra attention by paying extra for more walks per day. Does your kennel have different choices available like that?

[JoJo]

I know how you feel. I felt the same the first time I had to board my 2 dogs. I went unannounced to over 15 kennels in my area. Did you check the facility out and ask questions? Make sure YOU are comfortable with the arrangements for truthfully your dog won't know any different. We seem to attach human emotions to this seperation. So I say, YOU have to feel good. :D This is what I did to make things better for me, the employees and my dogs.

1) brought their own food (supplied instructions on how much to feed and attached it to their kibble along with their own scoop so measurements were normal) Name of dogs on kibble bag
2) brought their own beds (wrote their names on them)
3) brought a treat bag (ziplock) with their names and amount to feed and when
4) brought their favorite bone to chew

Took them to the kennel, walked them to their new "home" for those few days and gave them a pat and walked away. They were happy campers the whole time and we have had no problems. We did pay for that extra time for them to romp and play (together, not in a group)

JoJo