Heading Out For The Holidays? 3 Steps To Help Your Dog Adjust To Its New Boarding Facility

Now that the holidays are here, it's time to start planning for your winter travels. If you have a family dog, it can be difficult to make plans, especially if you can't take your pet with you on your travels. If you'll be placing your dog in a boarding facility for the first time this year, you'll need to take some extra measures. It can be traumatic to be left behind for the first time. Here are three steps you should take to help make it easier on your pet to be left behind.

Choose the Facility Carefully

When it comes to leaving your dog in a boarding facility, it's important that you choose the right one. While all boarding facilities may treat your pet with love and kindness, not all of them will be a good fit. Before you choose a facility, make sure it accommodates your dog's specific needs. For instance, if your dog does best when allowed to get outside and romp around each day, make sure you choose a facility with a large play area. If your dog has special health needs, be sure you choose a facility that has an on-site veterinarian. Choosing a boarding facility that suits your doggy's needs will help ensure a happy stay.

Take a Practice Run

If your dog has never been away from you for more than a few hours at a time, you might want to try a practice run before you leave it for an extended period of time. Try arranging an overnight stay for the first time. Once it's used to being left for 24 hours, extend that time to a weekend stay. Once you're ready to head out on a holiday vacation, your dog will be a pro at boarding stays.

Send Something from Home

If you're afraid your dog is going to be sad and lonely without you, send something along from home. Sending a favorite toy, or your old shirt will help alleviate your dog's loneliness, or unhappiness while you're away. If you have a favorite cologne, give your old shirt a light spritz with it. Your dog will smell the familiar odor and remain calm while you're away. It's also a good idea to send along some of your dog's favorite treats. Boarding staff can reward good behavior with a familiar treat while you're away.

If you're going away for the holidays, make sure your dog has an enjoyable time in boarding. Use the simple tips provided here to help your dog adjust to its first stay in a boarding facility at a veternarian, like Marquette Animal Hospital.