Dog boarding, also called dog daycare, refers to temporary daycare for puppies. It fills in a gap between the long-stay pet sitting and short-stay kennel boarding, where the sitter comes to the dog's house to interact with the puppy. Daycares can be fun for you and the puppy. However, they also pose specific challenges and issues that dog owners should consider. Most importantly, a daycare has limited supervision and little or no leeway in terms of schedule. Here are some things to look for if you're thinking about enrolling your puppy in a daycare:
- Find a center that lets dogs board all day. In other words, if you ask if they allowed dogs to board all day, the answer should be an instantaneous, "No, the board during the morning." If the daycare is only open during the evening hours, ask if they have a full-day program. If not, inquire about a possibility of full-day boarding at other times. Some dog boarding facilities do offer a full-day program; ask about it if it's available. Be wary, however, if a center does not offer full-day boarding.
- Find out the dog-boarding requirements of the facility. If a center only requires that you bring your puppy in the morning, be aware that these requirements will likely change from center to center. Some facilities need you to get your puppy in the evening, while others prefer to make this same request when you bring your pup home. If a center has requirements based on breed, it's crucial to determine what those requirements are. Allowing a large breed dog into a center that only accepts smaller breeds wouldn't be very healthy for the animal in the long run.
- Ask about doggie daycare services. Many dog boarding facilities are aware that doggy daycares exist and extend this service to pet owners. Most centers do charge a fee for this service. Some dog boarding kennels provide this service free of charge. It should be noted, however, that many kennels require overnight stays.
- Find out about grooming programs. Some dog boarding kennels provide weekly grooming as part of your overnight stay. Other options may be that you visit the facility before and after your dog's stay. A staff member may be able to take your pup outside on a leash and walk him around to ensure that he's clean before bringing him back inside. This is always a good idea, especially if your pet is already dirty inside his crate.
To make sure you have a pleasant experience, choose a dog kennel that makes you feel comfortable. Ask yourself if you want to see your dog in his current condition. Do you want to be able to play with him? Would you feel comfortable cuddling up to your dog? If you find the answer to these questions to be "yes," then your furry companion is ready for a dog boarding!
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