Boarding our dog next week. Talk me down.

[Anonymous]

We're going on vacation next week and are boarding our year old dog, who we've had for five months. She's a terrific, personable dog but I'm afraid she'll miss us and will be miserable the entire week.

I know the place we're taking her has a good reputation and isn't so large that she'll be too neglected. I guess this is our first long-term boarding situation and I don't want her coming back sad and depressed.

Please tell me the people who work there will interact with her and at least try to keep her happy.

[Anonymous]

I get it -- I always feel sad and a little guilty when we board our dog. But he's always fine and happy when we come home and hasn't had any bad effects. Also, dogs don't really have any sense of time and don't know the difference between being left for a short time vs a week. Will your boarding place send updates or pics? We use Rover and ask the sitter for daily updates and photos which helps us feel more at ease knowing that our dog is fine. If your place has good reviews it should be fine. A week isn't that long.

[Anonymous]

I feel the same way so I always add an extra "cuddle session" or two. He always comes back completely fine.

[Anonymous]

I had a dog with serious separation anxiety. And her attachment was pretty specifically directed towards me. I worried endlessly when I boarded her the first time, and you know what? She was FINE.

As long as you have taken due care in finding a good place for your dog, she will be okay. Yes, she will miss you. But, not so much that she is going to be miserable.

[Anonymous]

Where are you boarding the dog?

[Anonymous]

I have a dog that follows me around all day at home and constantly wants to be snuggled, and he loves being boarded. He doesn't even look back when they lead him away. IME, the people who work at dog boarding facilities love dogs and they get plenty of attention, if the dogs are receptive to it. We also have another small dog that loves people, and several different boarding facilities that he's been at have let him out of the cage to follow them around when they're doing laundry, or whatever.

I think the only dogs that really don't like being boarded are "one person" dogs who don't warm up to strangers easily (the opposite of my dogs).

[Anonymous]

I felt this way too. Dog is fine. Doesn’t live it, but does just fine. I do think it’s good to get them used to it when they’re young. Then always use the same place. If they get super upset when you drop them off, not a great sign.

[Anonymous]

Next time you could try to find someone on Rover. I’ve had great luck. I don’t pick people who will have more than one dog, and my dog gets lots of attention. But your dog will be totally fine if you’ve picked a good place. Don’t worry!

[Anonymous]

Additional thought, is there a way to do a day of doggie daycare so you’ll be more comfortable with the setup and your dog will be used to the setting? We are in a similar situation, will be boarding our puppy later in the summer but we’ll do a few days of daycare before to see if she’s happy and to get her used to being away from us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Additional thought, is there a way to do a day of doggie daycare so you’ll be more comfortable with the setup and your dog will be used to the setting? We are in a similar situation, will be boarding our puppy later in the summer but we’ll do a few days of daycare before to see if she’s happy and to get her used to being away from us.

OP here, and we did try a daycare for about half a day, and she did great. We tried her at another place earlier in the summer, which was much larger and had a lot more dogs, and she was overwhelmed, scared and being very defensive. They said she would not be allowed to socialize with the other dogs.

This second, smaller place seems to suit her much better and I fell a bit better knowing she'll be able to play with other dogs.

Thanks for the feedback.

[Anonymous]

Our old dog LOVED getting boarded! I think they gave her more treats or something. But all you had to do was say "Kelsey, do you want to go to the kennel?" and she would flip out with joy. She was only probably boarded twice a year. It was like doggy vacation.

[Anonymous]

I know that you said that you already have a place to board, but Dr Boyds Pet Resort on Rockville Pike, has 24/7 livestream.

That makes all of the difference in the world when I'm trying to relax.
The place is INCREDIBLE, they have 2 huge indoor play parks, and 2 lovely outside oasis play areas that have beds, pools, toys, etc.

I've watched my big oaf play, flirt, run & jump around all day like a total lunatic.
He spent all morning outside in the outdoor Oasis 2 cam, and right now, I'm watching him (and his girlfriend) lounge about happily in Yard 1.

He looks so happy, and exhausted from a super fun day today... which makes my vacation all the better!

You can also read about their boarding here.
It's too beautiful & plush, each doggo gets their own bedroom and the facility is incredible.
I wish I could stay there, lol.

A real plus though, is having 24/7 drop off & pick up... all day, all night, no matter what time or day of the week (and no more silly late fees if your flight gets canceled or you're late).

You can see your pup under livestream on their site.

You can see the boarding under
Services ---> Dog Boarding

[Anonymous]

I do not have a dog, but I recently adopted a cat and then had to go out of town for five days unexpectedly. I had a sitter come twice a day. So this is not super similar to your situation but my point is, I was SO worried for my kitty. She's a very sweet, affectionate lil baby and I was nervous that she would be lonely or scared or god forbid hurt herself while no one was around and then the sitter wouldn't get to her until that night...she was totally fine. We got home and she was her happy, snuggly, sweet little self.

Sorry I don't know more about boarding but this is all to say that pets are resilient little things and your pup will be a-ok. As long as you've done your due diligence and she's staying in a reputable place, which it sounds like he is, she'll be fine. Do they send you updates from the kennel? My sitter would send me pics and write-ups whenever she stopped by to feed the cat and that really helped alleviate some of my anxiety. The whole drive out of town I was super anxious but once I got those first couple updates from the sitter, I relaxed.

[Anonymous]

Pls recommend some kennels in Silver Sprung Bethesda Olney area

[Anonymous]

My dog hated the kennel but loves Rover because he is boarded at a family’s home. They treat him like family even allowing him to sleep on their lap while they watch TV. He has attention from the kids and adults. At the kennel, he was lucky to get 4 short walks to a gravel walkway to potty. The rest of the time he was confined to a small kennel. He came back so stressed and unhappy.