Leaving your dog at a dog boarding kennel can be a traumatic experience for any dog owner. However, remembering to pack all the necessary equipment and information for your dog’s stay can help make the experience much less of an ordeal.

Food

The first thing you should ensure you pack for your dog’s stay at the dog boarding kennel is their food. Most kennels do not supply dog food, therefore it is important to ensure that the correct amount of food is packed and will last the duration of the dog’s stay. It is also important to bring a measuring device with instructions detailing the times that your dog should be fed and the quantity of food to be given.

Comfort Items

As your dog is likely to be feeling a bit nervous about being away from home packing a few of their favorite toys is always a good idea. This will help your dog feel more at home at the dog boarding kennel as well as keeping them occupied. If you have any concern regarding your pet’s sleeping arrangements you can always bring their bed or blanket. If your dog suffers from a nervous disposition bringing their bed and blanket along can help make them feel more comfortable in their new surroundings. Boarding kennels are full of strange new scents that can be intimidating for your pet, but having a toy or bed that smells familiar will often make them feel much more at ease.

Medication

If your dog suffers from any medical conditions that require the attention of the kennel staff, make sure that they are aware of the situation before you bring your pet. If your pet requires medication during its stay ensure that all medicines are properly labelled with your pet’s name and the correct dosage information. Medication should be accompanied by the relevant paperwork from your vet, as well as the contact details for the veterinary practice where the medication was prescribed. As a safety precaution ensure that all medications and supplements are in their original containers. This will ensure that in the unlikely event of an emergency the staff will be able to quickly find the correct medication and administer it effectively.

Crate

Safe transportation of your pet is a key factor that should be considered when taking your pet to the dog boarding kennel. Often a leash is the simplest option as this allows you to keep control of your pet, however, if you feel that your pet may be uncomfortable with the transition a crate can be used. Bringing your dog in a crate is a great way to keep you and your pet calm. The crate keeps the dog secure and allows you to think about any information you need to tell the kennel staff, something that can be difficult if your dog is jumping about on a leash.

Paperwork

When you are preparing to take your dog to the dog boarding kennel ensure that you have all your pet’s paperwork in a file that keeps all their documentation secure. Your pet’s paperwork will also give the boarding kennel staff any information on medical or behavioral issues that your pet suffers from. If your pet’s paperwork is out of date now is the time to update it. This allows the kennel staff to see what vaccinations your pet has had or any other important details that could impact on their stay.

If you take all the above steps when checking your pet into a dog boarding kennel you will find the experience much less stressful for you and your pet. Most accidents or emergencies occur through poor preparation so prepare early! It is often the case that on the morning of your pet’s departure you will not be able to find their favorite toy or their medical records. This often causes the dog owner to become stressed which often influences the behaviour of your pet. I f you are properly prepared for your dog’s stay at the boarding kennel and remain calm throughout the transition you will find that your dog remains much calmer. Leaving your dog in a strange place will always be a stressful experience, but minimizing the stress for your pet is something that every dog owner should take responsibility for.