When you drop your dog off for boarding for a night, a weekend, a holiday, or an extended stay, you should feel comfortable and confident that they’re in good hands. Here at Lucky Dog, we take caring for our four-legged guests seriously—they all get five-star treatment, whether they’re with us for a night or a week.
Before we get into what your dog’s schedule will look like while you’re away, let’s go over why choosing Lucky Dog should be a simple choice:
- All of our dogs get indoor and outdoor playtime in groups of similar sizes and temperaments so no one gets lost in the crowd or feels overwhelmed.
- Everyone gets plenty of attention—from their furry pals and their human pals, too!
- Playtime is broken up with plenty of rest periods.
- We use high-quality, dog-safe equipment for all beds, kennels, and play areas.
- All of our handlers have completed intensive training on how to safely handle dogs of all sizes, breeds, and temperaments, so they’re always in good hands.
As you can see, we take the safety and comfort of our dogs seriously—so you don’t have to worry while you’re away.
The Typical Dog Boarding Schedule
(Spoiler: Playtime Is Everyone’s Favorite)
Schedules are as important for dogs as they are for humans. Everyone appreciates consistency—it takes some uncertainty and anxiety out of the equation and can drastically improve comfort and mindset. That’s why we stick to a strict schedule for all of our boarding guests. Unlike some other facilities, we allow our boarded dogs to rotate into daycare groups, so everyone gets plenty of socialization and playtime.
6:00 a.m.
Everyone wakes up and goes out for their first potty break before settling in for breakfast. We will feed the food you provided, or we can supply our own high-quality food for a small fee.
7:00 a.m.
Our dogs start the day-long rotation of playtime and rest periods, always supervised by our experienced handlers.
5:30 p.m.
After a fun-filled day of running and playing with their friends and handlers, boarded dogs are taken back to their quarters for a brief nap before dinner.
9:00 p.m.
All of our boarded dogs are let out one more time for a 45-minute potty break and final playtime before getting tucked in for the night.
How to Prepare Your Dog for Boarding
No matter if your dog is a first-timer or a frequent flyer, it’s always beneficial to prepare them for boarding before you drop them off. Here are our top tips for making sure your dog has a smooth stay:
Start With a Trial Run
If your dog is prone to separation anxiety or is easily stressed in new situations, a trial run could be helpful. A 24-hour stay at our boarding facility can ease them into the situation and give them time to adjust and learn what to expect before a longer stay.
Leave Something Familiar
If your dog has a favorite blanket, rug, or toy, send it along so he has something familiar to comfort him. If your dog gets separation anxiety, consider leaving behind a scarf or shirt that smells like you so it feels like you’re near.
Get Them Used to Sleeping Alone
It’s always helpful to make sure your dog is used to having his own sleeping space. If he usually sleeps in the bed with you, start transitioning him to his own bed before his boarding stay.
Check With Your Dog’s Vet
We require that all dogs be up-to-date on their vaccinations and flea and worm preventatives before they stay with us. Check with your vet to make sure your dog is good to go.
Drop Your Dog Off Early
If you drop your dog off late in the day, they might be too anxious to settle down and sleep. Dropping him off early is a great way to let him tire himself out and adjust to his new environment before settling down for the night.
Contact Lucky Dog for Boarding
Now that you know what to expect for your dog during his boarding stay, let us know if you’re interested in our dog boarding services. Whether your pup will be staying for a night or several nights, we always love to welcome more four-legged guests into the Lucky Dog family!
