Should I Feel Bad About Boarding My Dog?
Should I Feel Bad About Boarding My Dog?
Leaving your dog in a boarding facility is an overwhelming and worrisome experience for you and your dog. A good dog boarding service will ensure the safety of your dog. You shouldn’t feel bad about boarding your dog because he will stay perfectly fine and joyful there.
Sometimes, the thoughts about your dog feeling left alone might prevail over your brain. As a dog parent myself, I feel bad whenever I see the sad eyes of my pooch upon leaving the boarding center.
You may want to board your dog when you need to plan a business or vocational tour. This article will emphasize why dog boarding is a safe place for your furry friend. At the same time, following simple but effective measures helps to reduce the anxiety of dog boarding.
Is It a Good Decision to Board My Dog?
People around the world put their dogs in boarding due to multiple reasons. You may need to go out for work or to a dog-restricted place. Dog boarding offers countless benefits and keeps your dog in the safe hands of professional pet sitters.
Some people prefer to keep their dogs at home unsupervised. However, your dog is at a greater risk of getting an accidental injury while at home. Additionally, the feeding and medication schedule cannot be performed without supervision.
If you want to avail dog boarding service, I recommend you choose a boarding service with all of the boarding amenities. You will be at peace knowing your dog has been taken care of. Therefore, it is always a good decision to leave your dog in a boarding service rather than keep him at home.
Overcoming the Guilt of Dog Boarding
If you are feeling guilty and worried about leaving your dog at boarding, you’re not alone. Pets, especially dogs, have a deep connection with their owners. The attachment is always two-sided and you probably felt the same when you leave your pooch for a few days.
Dog boarding is a recommended and safe option to choose for your dog in any circumstances. If your dog is facing a certain illness and needs to be medicated, no one can do that except the professional dog setters in a dog boarding facility.
Some dogs require regular attention and cannot stay alone at home. On the other hand, some dogs are reluctant to interact with strangers. Dog boarding offers the service based on the nature of your dog whether the dog is shy or of a hyperactive nature.
A good dog boarding facility is a full-fledged setup where your pooch can interact with other dogs. This will reduce the separation anxiety for your dog and allow him to stay engaged in the playing and joyful activities.
Will My Dog’s Behavior Change After Boarding?
Your dog might exhibit several changes in his behavior upon arriving back home. These can be linked to personality, appetite, and sleeping patterns. In terms of personality, your dog may show excessive affection or ignore you altogether for a limited time.
Returning home after a long stay at boarding and meeting the owner back can elicit excitement in dogs. In doing so, you might notice a change in your dog’s eating habits including eating quickly or avoiding food. This behavior can stay for a limited period so make sure to give ample time for your dog to adjust.
The dog boarding facility is filled with new dogs and noises all around. Therefore, your dog may exhibit a change in his sleep cycle. To sum this up, I can assure you all of these behaviors are normal and your furry friend will return to his normal routine after some time at home.
Important Considerations Before Boarding Your Dog
There are certain measures you can take to relieve your stress and feeling bad about your dog. The process starts with searching for a boarding facility that meets all the demands of you and your dog.
Choosing an Ideal Dog Boarding Facility
Nowadays, there is a significant improvement in the dog boarding setups. That includes better facilities and an understanding of the dog's emotions and behavior. Finding a good dog boarding facility is cumbersome when you don’t know where to look for.
A good way is to do some research and read about the policies of different renowned dog boarding services in your area. Read the reviews to get a better idea about the services they are offering and how dog owners feel about them.
Most of the dog boarding services listed their services online on their websites. You can search for them and check the activities they’re providing their dogs. That includes playtime, exercising, feeding, and medication routines.
The choice of a perfect dog boarding for your dog also depends on the nature of your fur buddy. You can choose multiple types of dog boarding services such as in-home, pet sitting at home, or kennel boarding.
Inquire about Complete Boarding Details on Visit
A good way to make yourself comfortable regarding dog boarding is to visit the facility before initiating boarding. You can visually observe how the facility works and how much dogs are satisfied there.
The stress of a new location is tremendous for some dogs and they may face immediate fear in such cases. I advised you to not take your dog to the boarding service on your first visit. First, observe and then make sure it is ideal to go for the given boarding service for your dog.
Complete the Boarding Requirements
Upon getting complete satisfaction from the boarding service, the next step is to prepare your dog to stay there for a given period. All the boarding facilities across the US require an updated record of vaccination and other health protocols.
If your dog is unvaccinated, the boarding facility will be a risky place for him. This is because an unvaccinated dog can get exposure to several deadly diseases. To ensure your pooch’s safety, consult your veterinarian and complete the vaccination record.
Visiting the Boarding Facility with Your Dog
Now it is time to take your dog to the chosen dog boarding service. Take a tour of the boarding facility with your dog on a leash to make him acclimatize to his surroundings. Upon admission, submit the authentic vaccination and medical record of the dog.
You might be asked about the behavior of your dog at home or with other dogs. I recommend you stay honest and humble in this regard. Thoroughly informing the boarding facility about these questions can help the dog sitters in understanding your dog’s emotions and nature.
Similarly, if your dog is ill and has been on medication, tell the concerned staff about his condition and medical history. Promptly show the veterinary prescription regarding the medications to be given so that it will be followed timely.
It is also important to leave your primary and secondary contact number at the boarding facility. This is a highly recommended step as it can save you time in knowing how well your dog is doing while you are away.
Final Words
Staying in a dog boarding facility is a new but fruitful experience for your dog. You can avoid the feeling of sadness and guilt by inquiring about everything about the chosen boarding facility. The professional dog boarding staff will keep you updated about your dog's condition during the stay. You will feel comfortable about your dog when you know he is doing great and making some new friends there.
