When traveling, you want to know your dog will be secure, happy, and well-cared for. Finding a pet sitter or boarding facility that cares about your dog will give you peace of mind while you travel. 

You should consider several factors when choosing a boarding facility. To reduce stress, prepare your dog for boarding, especially if it’s their first time. These dog boarding tips can help you locate the ideal place and make your dog feel at home.

How to Prepare for Boarding Your Dog

Think about whether your dog is comfortable staying at a boarding center. Good social skills are needed for your dog if it goes to creche during the day. It’s best to find a boarding center that keeps dogs separate from each other, or you can hire a pet sitter to stay at your house.

Picking a boarding facility whose amenities match your dog’s wants will help them have a good stay. Boarding a dog with separation anxiety requires extra care. A lot of people find it helpful to spend time at the new site getting used to it and getting to know the staff. 

Pick an animal shelter that lets you bring your dog for a trial visit and is ready to take the extra time to make your dog feel more at ease.

Update Your Dog’s Vaccinations

Getting the pet vaccinations is the best and most cost-effective way to stop diseases from spreading. An outbreak is more likely to happen in places where dogs are close to each other, like a boarding center. To make sure your dog is up-to-date on their shots, look at their vaccination papers or call their vet. 

A good boarding center will make sure that all of their dogs have the following vaccines up to date:

DAPP

This vaccination prevents Distemper, Hepatitis, Respiratory, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus in dogs. Your vet will select the frequency of boosters after the initial series based on your dog’s age, lifestyle, and risk factors. Boosters should be given at least 3 weeks before boarding to provide your dog with the best immunity.

Leptospirosis Vaccine

Dogs can avoid getting leptospirosis with the lepto vaccine. The kidneys and/or liver can get sick from this bacterial illness. Sometimes it’s given with the DAPP vaccine, but it can also be given by itself. After that, boosters should be done once a year to ensure the best amount of protection.

Bordetella

If you board your dog or take it to a pet daycare, the Bordetella vaccine is very important. Before they go to the boarding facility, they must get the vaccine at least one week in advance. Because Bordetella is so common, some facilities require that the vaccine be given at least once a year.

Canine Influenza Virus

It is very important to protect dogs against canine influenza (CIV) when they are around other dogs a lot, like at boarding houses, dog shows, or daycare. When dogs are introduced to the virus, they are more likely to get sick, and CIV can make dogs very sick. 

Your dog should get this vaccine every year after the first series, and it should ideally be done at least two weeks before going to a boarding facility.