Tips For Boarding Puppies
Posted on: 2 November 2016
Going out of town or on vacation can be made more difficult if you have a puppy at home. Compared to older dogs, puppies are more likely to become destructive, suffer anxiety, or get bored when left alone for long hours. A pet sitter in the home isn't always a good option. Instead, you may want to consider boarding for your younger pup. The following guide can help you board a puppy successfully.
Know the minimum boarding age
Most boarding facilities have a minimum age. Four months is a common age requirement, but some kennels may have higher or lower age requirements. The reason for four months is that by this time most puppies have completed their major rounds of vaccinations, so they will be protected from most contagious diseases, plus by this point they should have a stronger immune system. Dogs at this age are also usually house broken and have begun basic behavioral training, which makes their stay at the kennel both easier and more pleasant.
Check the play rules
Puppies need lots of play time, both alone and with other people or dogs. Otherwise, the puppy is going to have a lot of pent-up energy that will translate into anxiety and behavioral problems later. Choose a kennel that provides plenty of supervised outside play time, especially for the younger dogs. Walks aren't usually enough for puppies—they will need to play. Also, if multiple dogs are allowed in a play yard at one time, make sure that there is separate puppy and adult-dog time in the yard. Puppies can annoy some adult dogs, and they are more likely to be injured by an adult dog.
Consider crate training
Even the best-run facility will need to keep your younger dog kenneled for part of the day or for the night. If you begin crate training your dog from the time you bring them home, the kennel won't be a place of anxiety but will instead be considered a safe place. Bring in your puppy's blanket or dog bed from their crate at home so that the kennel will be familiar to them. This can work wonders at relieving anxiety.
Do a practice run
Much of a young dog's anxiety will stem from the fact that this may be their first prolonged separation from you. You can ease the anxiety by having a practice run a few days before you actually depart. This means leaving your puppy in the kennel overnight and then picking them up the first day. This way, when you are gone for a longer period of time, they will be expecting you to retrieve them eventually, thus minimizing the anxiety they feel during the longer separation.
For more help, contact a boarding facility like Canine Country Quarters in your area.
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