You are going on a business trip or taking a vacation. Because of circumstances, you cannot take your pet with you. You have to find some way to care for him or her while you are away. You could call on a friend or relative to help out, or you could hire a dog sitter.
But if those options don’t really appeal to you, there is only one other thing to do – board your dog in a kennel.
There are a few things you can do to get your dog ready for his stay away from home. Here are a few tips:
Take him for a visit.
After you have decided where you want to board your dog, and you have talked with the kennel staff, you should take your dog to the kennel for a get-acquainted session. Many kennels have daycare, and this is important for your dog. Having your pet stay at the kennel for a day or two before your trip will help him to get used to his new environment, to new people and to a new daily schedule.
This helps not just the dog, but the kennel as well. Staff at the kennel also get to know the dog, what his personality is like, how he responds to boarding, how best to handle him.
Make him feel secure.
When you take your dog for boarding, make sure to include some toys that he likes, as well as an article of clothing of your own to help him feel more comfortable by having your scent around. If your pet is on medication, it is always a good idea to pack more than is needed in case unforeseen circumstances arise and you are delayed in returning.
Don’t be a nuisance.
Many kennels these days have cameras that allow owners to watch their pets online. It’s fine to spend a few minutes each day to check on your pet to see how he is getting on. But avoid spending extended periods of time watching the dog and calling routinely to report on everything you see. You will only create unneeded stress for yourself and the kennel staff. If anything is amiss with your pet, the kennel staff will call.
If you’d like your dog to stay with us during the day acclimate him to Barney’s Ranch, we’d love to entertain your pet for a few hours. Drop us an email message at info@BarneysRanch.com or give us a call at 469-450-7040.