To prepare your dog for boarding, pack the food they normally eat, any medications in their original containers, and a familiar bed or blanket from home. Make sure Rabies, DHPP, and Bordetella are current, with Bordetella given at least 7 days ahead. In the weeks before, keep their routine normal, and on drop-off day keep the goodbye short and calm. Leave anything you'd be heartbroken to lose at home.
What to pack
Their regular food, pre-portioned
Bring the food your dog actually eats day to day. A sudden diet change on top of a new environment is the fastest way to an upset stomach. Pre-bagging each meal makes feedings exact and removes any guesswork.
Medications in the original container
Pack any medications or supplements in their original prescription container with clear instructions. We administer oral and topical medications as part of the stay. Tell us the schedule and how your dog usually takes them (in food, by hand) so dosing goes smoothly.
A familiar bed or blanket
A bed, blanket, or worn t-shirt that smells like home helps a dog settle faster, especially a first-timer. Familiar scent is genuinely calming. Pick something washable that you won't be upset to see get a little dirty.
One comfort item, not the whole toy box
A favorite toy is fine. Skip anything irreplaceable or anything that breaks into pieces a dog could swallow. We have plenty of safe enrichment here, so your dog won't go without.
What to do before the stay
1Confirm vaccinations early
We require Rabies, DHPP, and Bordetella for every dog, with Bordetella given at least 7 days before the first stay so it has time to work. Check your records now, not the night before, in case a booster needs scheduling. See our full vaccination requirements.
2Keep the routine normal beforehand
Dogs notice a suitcase and a change in your energy. In the days before a stay, keep walks, meals, and bedtime as normal as possible. The less you signal that something big is happening, the calmer your dog stays.
3Tour or do an orientation first
If this is the first stay, a quick tour or orientation visit lets your dog meet the place and our team before the real thing. Familiarity on day one takes a lot of the edge off. We have an open-door policy, so you can walk in during business hours.
4Make drop-off quick and upbeat
Long, emotional goodbyes make dogs anxious because they read your worry. Hand off the food and meds, share anything we should know, and head out with a confident goodbye. It feels harsh and it is genuinely the kindest approach.
What to leave at home
Skip irreplaceable bedding or toys, anything that breaks into pieces a dog could swallow, and rawhide or treats we haven't talked about. If your dog has a medical or dietary need, tell us directly rather than relying on a note in a bag. When in doubt, ask us before drop-off.
Prep questions, answered
What should I pack for dog boarding?
Your dog's regular food (ideally pre-portioned), any medications in their original containers, a familiar bed or blanket, and one comfort toy. Leave irreplaceable items and anything a dog could chew into swallowable pieces at home.
Should I bring my dog's own food to boarding?
Yes. Bring the food they normally eat. Switching foods during a stay, on top of a new environment, often causes stomach upset. Pre-bagging meals also keeps feedings exact.
How do I keep my dog calm before boarding?
Keep their routine normal in the days before, avoid making a big production of packing, tour the facility ahead of time if it's the first stay, and keep the drop-off goodbye short and calm so your dog takes the cue from you.
What vaccinations does my dog need before boarding?
Rabies, DHPP (distemper combo), and Bordetella, with Bordetella administered at least 7 days before the stay so it is effective. The same requirements apply to boarding, daycare, grooming, and training.
Can you give my dog medication while boarding?
Yes. We administer oral and topical medications at no extra cost. Bring them in the original container and tell us the schedule and how your dog normally takes them.