Preparing Your Dog for Boarding — Everything You Need To Know

Boarding your dog, especially for the first time, can feel like a major and overwhelming event for both dog and owner.

We often assure ourselves (and our dogs) that we'll always be there and won't leave them behind. However, we all know that life usually has its own plans. Whether due to travel or an emergency, there will likely come a time when we need someone else to take care of our furry companion.

Opting for a reputable, professional, and compassionate boarding facility can be an excellent way to ensure peace of mind. Such facilities, like Kip Happy Stays, typically have skilled and trained staff, daily routines, emergency protocols, and legal public liability insurance, all of which contribute to keeping your dog well-cared-for and safe.

The secret to a smooth transition for everyone involved is preparation! This means researching, familiarising your dog with the environment, ensuring vaccinations are up to date, providing relevant information, and packing appropriately for their stay.

Proper preparation can ease our worries and calm our nerves, which benefits our dogs in the process. We ultimately want the entire experience to be as enjoyable and stress-free as possible.

What is Dog Boarding?

Dog Boarding offers temporary accommodation at a designated facility where the dog is safe and well-cared for in the owner's absence.

There are many benefits to boarding your dog, provided you choose a

reputable establishment that can provide the level of care your dog requires. This is important for your dog's well-being and safety, as not all facilities adhere to the high standards that they should.

A highly-regarded boarding facility will employ qualified staff, provide regular training, implement emergency procedures, be licensed, enforce stringent standards of care, and comply with legal requirements for public liability insurance. These measures are implemented to ensure your dog receives the high-quality care they deserve.

In Australia, there are no national laws governing animal welfare. Instead, each state and territory regulates animal welfare within their jurisdiction*. As a result, the quality, standards, and service levels can vary significantly depending on the type of boarding facility.

Boarding Kennels typically provide basic care, including essential services like feeding (standard dog food), exercise (in communal areas), and shelter (often concrete).
Pet Hotels/Resorts offer higher-end accommodations, focusing on luxury and recreation in addition to the essential services. They feature amenities such as luxury suites with furniture and TVs, enrichment activities, and premium products like food, bedding, or equipment.
Specialty Boarding Facilities cater to dogs with specific needs like behavioural issues or medical conditions and require handling and care from more advanced and experienced staff. They offer specialised dog training (board and train) programs and on-site cater to dogs with specific needs like behavioural issues or medical conditions and require handling and care from more advanced and experienced staff. They offer specialised dog training (board and train) programs and on-site
In-Home Boarding provides the essential services in the caregiver's home, offering a personalised environment. However, there are some potential drawbacks to consider:
The quality of care can vary based on the caregiver's experience and commitment.
They may not have the experience or capacity to handle emergencies, whether medical, physical, or behavioural.
They may not have the appropriate level of insurance coverage or liability protections or may lack them altogether compared to those found in professional boarding facilities.

It's worth noting that many boarding establishments combine features from different categories, offering both luxury accommodation and specialised services such as board and train programs. Don't be misled by the business name! Some places may have 'kennel' in their name but actually offer high-quality amenities.

The key takeaway is not to judge a facility by its name alone — do your research to find the best fit for your dog's needs and ensure they receive the level of care they deserve.

Preparing Your Dog for Boarding

Boarding your dog for the first time is a big step!

Being proactive with your preparation can turn what seems like an overwhelming process into a smooth and stress-free experience.

Our Pre-Boarding Checklist for a First-Time Boarder is your go-to guide, covering all the important aspects you need to consider to ensure your dog’s first stay is as enjoyable as it can possibly be!

Doing your research is essential to choosing a boarding facility that meets the high standards of care and safety you'd expect for your dog. Read online reviews, seek recommendations from those you trust, and contact the facility with any questions.
Touring the facility allows you to meet the staff, ask further questions, and inspect things like cleanliness, bedding, safety and security measures, staff interaction with the animals, temperature control, and the quality of environment and exercise areas,
Daily Routines are in place to ensure your dog's essential needs are accommodated. Ask about feeding times, exercise routines, medication administration (if relevant) and how individual needs are managed, e.g., a dog on medication may need to be fed at a specific time of day.
Emergency Protocols must be in place to accommodate any unforeseen situation, ensuring the health and safety of all the pets and staff in the facility, e.g., medical issues, physical injuries, or natural disasters such as bushfires or floods.
Arrival and Pickup Times can vary depending on the day of the week, so make sure you check the operating hours for the dates you intend to book. This helps you plan your schedule accordingly and avoid any last-minute inconveniences.
Additional Services are generally available at most boarding locations and can enhance your dog's boarding experience, so remember to ask! Extra services may include training/coaching, adventure walks, dog grooming, or gourmet meals.
Daily Updates can really help ease your mind and keep you informed about your dog’s stay. Some facilities may not offer this at all or only provide it at an additional fee, whereas others (like Kip) send out daily 'Pupdates' for all our clients for no extra cost.
Comfort Items are generally allowed on a case-by-case basis; it's up to the discretion of each facility. Confirm in advance if you can bring these items and inform the facility of any specific needs. Take note of any items allowed for your dog and ensure they are all returned upon departure.
Arranging a short-term trial stay (1-3 days) before a long-term stay (1 week +) helps your dog adjust to the new environment, become friendly with the staff, and familiarise themselves with the daily routines. Staff can also provide you with insights and suggestions to make a future, long-term stay as fun as possible for your dog.
C5 Vaccinations must be up-to-date to protect your dog against potential illnesses and ensure the well-being of other dogs in the facility. This requirement adheres to state regulations and codes of practice. You must provide proof of your dog's C5 vaccination status before boarding.

Food is generally supplied by the facility and included in the cost. If the food provided does not meet your dog's dietary requirements, then you will need to supply your own. Make sure you inform staff of any allergies or special diet requirements your dog may have. Pack extra food to accommodate extra energy exertion or if their stay needs to be extended.
Medications must be supplied in their original packaging with your dog's name on the label with clear instructions to ensure medication can be administered safely e.g., hide the pill in peanut butter. Medications without a label or packaged in a zip lock bag/pill container are ambiguous and can lead to dangerous situations. Where possible, supply extra medication in case their stay needs to be extended.

Add in storage instructions as well as vet details.

Your Emergency Contact must be contactable throughout your dog's stay, especially if you (the owner) are travelling overseas or can't be reached over the phone. This person should be prepared to make decisions, if necessary, and be able to collect the dog in case of an emergency.
Read the contract carefully so you know all policies related to your dog's stay and prevent any unnecessary surprises. Review the terms and conditions, pricing, and cancellation policies.

Easing Separation Anxiety

Separation Anxiety is a complex emotional condition where a dog becomes significantly distressed when left alone or separated from their owner. This condition exists on a spectrum and can manifest in various ways, ranging from mild discomfort to more severe agitation and potentially destructive behaviours.

Dogs experiencing separation anxiety often exhibit hyperactivity, an inability to settle and difficulty listening or engaging. They are in a heightened state of overwhelm and stress, showcased by:

Excessive barking, howling, or whining
Frantic movements, pacing, or trembling
Destructive behaviours such as digging, scratching, or chewing furniture.
Urinating or defecating indoors (if already housetrained)
Increased heart rate or rapid breathing
Attempting to escape the home or yard

Tips for easing Separation Anxiety before boarding your dog Establish a Daily Routine

Dogs thrive on routine. That’s just how they’re built!
Consistency and predictability can significantly reduce anxiety by helping your dog understand what to expect.
In the lead-up to a Boarding stay, make small adjustments to your daily routine to closely mirror the routines of the boarding facility.

Short and Sweet Separations

Teach your dog that nothing bad will happen to them in our absence by practising brief periods of separation and progressively increasing the duration.
Keep it simple to start! Leave them alone in another room or in the yard for a brief period and return only when they are calm. This is good practice to reinforce a relaxed mindset.
Avoid returning if your dog is in a heightened emotional state, as this will only reinforce that the mindset they are in at the time is what gets them what they want, i.e., access to you!

Short Trial Stay at Boarding Facility

As mentioned, a trial stay can help your dog adjust and become desensitised to the goings-on within the boarding facility.
You gain valuable insights into how your dog's stay went and suggestions that can enhance future stays, e.g., providing their own food versus eating food supplied by the facility or adding calming supplements to their meals.

Additional Extras: More Enrichment!

Boarding Facilities generally offer ‘extras’ such as training or coaching sessions, physical and mentally stimulating activities, or adventure walks in areas where dogs can explore and sniff to their heart's content!
A well-exercised, instinctually fulfilled, and mentally stimulated dog is far less likely to experience anxiety.
Providing ample enrichment helps dogs to decompress and develop a calmer mindset.

Comfort Items

For some dogs, familiar items such as toys and blankets can help soothe them, reduce stress, and offer a sense of security.
However, other dogs may strongly associate the item with their owner, which can increase their stress levels.
Pre-Boarding: Always confirm in advance if you can bring comfort items for your dog and specify the need.
Post-Boarding: Ask for feedback from the staff about whether these items are necessary for future stays.

Dog Food and Mood

What we consume as part of a regular diet not only affects our physical health but also impacts our mood and mental well-being by either positively or negatively influencing our hormones and neurotransmitters. The same principle applies to our dogs.

Check what food options the Boarding Facility supplies and compare them to your dog’s diet at home. Consider providing ‘own food’.
Before changing your dog's diet, consult your vet and seek advice from trusted canine nutrition experts.
Adding supplements can enhance your dog's overall health and improve sleep quality.
Foods rich in L-tryptophan can boost serotonin levels, benefiting dogs with high-stress levels.
High-GI foods can negatively impact mood by causing blood sugar to spike, leading to sudden bursts of energy followed by the inevitable sugar crash.

Drop-Off Day! Final Checks and Saying Goodbye

It's drop-off day, an emotional time whether it's your dog's first stay or they're a seasoned boarder.

Like us, dogs have unique personalities and react differently to their owner's departure. Observing how your dog acts in these moments is important to avoid inadvertently reinforcing any anxious behaviours by being overly affectionate or showing signs of worry.

Dogs are quite attuned to their owner's emotions and can easily pick up on our stress. Maintaining a calm and confident demeanour during drop-off goes a long way to ensuring your dog feels safe and secure in the situation.

Adopting a calm mindset for 'drop-off' day is easier with the right preparation!

Following our Drop-Off Day Guide and Pre-Boarding Checklists helps to remind you that everything is in order and your dog is boarding-ready, providing peace of mind in what can feel like an overwhelming situation.

What to Expect During Your Dog’s Stay

When boarding your dog with Kip, you can expect them to have a tailored, enriching experience. Each day, your pup will enjoy spacious indoor and outdoor areas, nutritious meals, and plenty of social playtime with other dogs or quality one-on-one time with our caring and playful staff. Our staff will also conduct 'daily health checks' to ensure your dog's health and well-being throughout their stay.

One of the highlights of boarding your dog with Kip is our daily photo and video 'Pupdates', allowing you to see how much your dog is enjoying their time with us and giving you peace of mind while apart.

Maintaining communication with the boarding facility before, during, and after your dog's stay ensures our staff can provide the best care tailored to your dog's needs. This includes informing us of any changes in their behaviour or health requirements before an upcoming stay (or after coming home from a stay), any adjustments to their departure date, whether you're extending or shortening their stay, and asking questions regarding your dog’s Vaccinations, Medications or Dietary needs.

To further enhance and enrich your pup's stay, Kip offers extra activities such as:

Bushwalks: Your dog can explore nearby trails, satisfying their curiosity and love for adventure.
Swimming:Your dog can burn off energy and enjoy fun in the water in our custom-built doggy water park (Brisbane and Hunter Valley).
Canine Coaching:Canine Coaching:
Food Enrichment: Your dog can enjoy tasty treats, meal toppers, and special dinners like pig ears, roo-sticks, Prime SPD, or Kongs stuffed with peanut butter, providing further enrichment

These additions can be tailored to your dog's preferences and energy levels, ensuring they receive a fun and fulfilling boarding experience. Each location offers different activities, so make sure to check out what your chosen Kip boarding location has to offer.

What to Expect After Your Dog’s Stay

Picking up your dog after a stay (no matter how long) can again be an emotional time for you and them. Just as it is important to adopt a calm mindset and demeanour for 'drop-off' day, the same goes for 'pick-up' day. This will make all future boarding stays much easier for everyone as your dog learns to feel safe and secure in these moments.

Expect your dog to be overwhelmed upon your reunion and display excessive energy or seem subdued—both are normal reactions.

Potential temporary changes in behaviour to look out for:

Fatigue: Your dog may sleep more than usual for a day or two.
Appetite changes: Eating habits might fluctuate as they readjust to home.
Behavioural shifts: You may notice increased clinginess, independence, or slight anxiety.

These changes typically resolve within a few days of coming home.

Readjusting to Home Life

Provide a quiet space for them to relax and decompress, and limit exciting activities for the first day or two.
Return to regular feeding and exercise schedules.
If you have multiple pets, supervise their initial interactions, as they may need time to readjust to each other.
Watch for persistent signs of illness, e.g. decreased appetite, digestive issues, lethargy, coughing etc.
Have fun together! Provide plenty of affection and fun to help ease your dog back into normal life.

Most dogs return to their usual selves within a couple of days.

Ensuring a Smooth Boarding Experience for Your Dog

Ensuring a smooth boarding experience for your dog requires research and proper preparation.

The facility you choose should be equipped with skilled and trained staff, daily routines, emergency protocols, and legal public liability insurance to keep your dog well-cared-for, happy and safe.

Tour the facility, meet the staff, and familiarise your dog with the new environment by starting with a short trial stay (2-3 days) before boarding them for longer periods. Ensure their vaccinations are kept up to date, and any dietary or medical needs are communicated thoroughly with the staff.

Proper preparation alleviates stress for both you and your dog, leading to a positive and fulfilling boarding experience.

With spacious facilities, caring staff, additional extras and activities, and daily 'Pupdates', Kip Happy Stays offers a tailored, enriching environment for your dog. Ready to ensure your dog's next stay is enjoyable and stress-free? Explore Kip's dog boarding services today!