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Whether you’re going on vacation or have to deal with an emergency, many owners turn to a dog boarding facility to take care of their pets while they’re occupied. If your furry friend has never been away from you, however, it could be a challenging experience. Here are some tips to help them prepare for a new environment.

How to Ease Your Dog Into Their First Boarding Stay

1. Vaccinate in Advance

All dog boarding facilities have several universal vaccination requirements, including rabies, kennel cough, and distemper. You’ll need to produce written proof of these shots, so request all pertinent documentation from your veterinarian.

Try to vaccinate your pet well in advance of your visit, as vaccines aren’t designed to create immunity immediately after they’re administered. The body needs to recognize the antigens first, which takes several days.

2. Crate Train Regularly

Highland Village, TX dog boardingGenerally, dogs are crated at night while they’re in boarding facilities. You can help them grow accustomed to this change by training them at home.

Make it a more habitable space by feeding them meals inside and gradually increasing the amount of time they spend in the crate. Issue high praise when your dog goes inside on their own to rest. Eventually, many pets learn to think of this area as their safe place—where they can go to relax.

You can also look for a boarding facility that offers dog day care, like Dogotpia of Highland Village. That way, you’ll know your pet is spending their days romping and playing with new canine friends. When they do go back to the crate in the evening, they will likely be soothed if you provide an old shirt of yours that they can smell.

3. Help Them Socialize

Your dog will be surrounded by fellow canines during boarding. Help them adjust to being around others by taking them to day care before or the park to play with friends’ dogs. Go on regular walks in areas that are heavily populated with fellow dog walkers.

If your fur baby gets scared, approach the situation calmly; it takes time for pets to get used to being around people other than their owners. Remember to praise and treat your dog after a meeting with a new person. They’ll quickly learn that it’s a positive experience.
 

The friendly staff at Dogtopia of Highland Village takes a personalized approach to dog day care. Based in Denton County, TX, the facility specializes in luxurious dog boarding that includes comfortable accommodations and regular playtime. They even provide you with webcam access so you can monitor your pet while you’re away, and take pride in creating a safe, open, and welcoming environment where all dogs feel right at home. Visit the website to learn more about this and other solutions for your pets, including puppy kindergarten and grooming services, or call them at (972) 264-1178 to speak with a team member today.

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