Preparing your dog for their first boarding stay

A little preparation makes a huge difference to how your dog settles in. Here's a simple checklist used by experienced carers.

Before the stay

Arrange a short meet-and-greet first. Keep vaccinations up to date. Pack their own food, bed and a couple of unwashed items that smell of home.

Share the details

Write down feeding times, medication, vet details, recall words and quirks. Give a copy to your carer before the first visit.

At drop-off

Keep goodbyes short and upbeat — dogs read our anxiety. A calm handover sets the tone for the whole stay.