Many people wonder how boarding affects their dog's future behavior. Today, our Orlando vets offer tips on boarding for dogs and how to make the experience easier for both of you.
Should I Board My Dog?
If you have to be away from your dog for a few days, you may be considering a few options for pet care. Whether you’re traveling for vacation or business or have an upcoming surgery you’ll need to be hospitalized for, our overnight Pet Lodge in Orlando is a great choice.
That said, if it will be your first time boarding your pet with us you’re likely feeling worried — will your dog be comfortable here? Will he feel stressed due to meeting new people, new dogs, and staying in an unfamiliar place?
This experience can be compared to leaving your dog with a babysitter for the first time. In this post, we share some tips to make your dog’s days with us go as smoothly as possible, with a minimum of stress and fuss for both of you.
Boarding for Dogs at East Orlando Animal Hospital
We love all pets, and take our commitment to pamper dogs seriously! To keep them happy and healthy, we offer four different luxury dog boarding suites, with a theme to suit every dog. Each of our luxury suites includes extra playtime and a treat at bedtime.
Tips for Reducing Stress While Boarding
While some dogs cope well with a stay at a boarding facility, others have difficulty. There are some steps you can take to reduce the stress your pet may feel during their stay.
1. Evaluate the facility before booking.
Talk to the staff at the facility — are they warm, qualified, and experienced in animal care? Does the facility appear clean and organized? Are the kennels large enough, and are there comfortable places for your dog to lie? Are staff willing to address questions and concerns?
2. Ensure your dog is up to date on all required vaccinations.
To protect your dog from serious diseases during its stay with us, we require certain vaccinations. Find a list of these on our Boarding page.
3. Be honest about behavior issues and medications.
Similar to people, every dog is an individual. Some have quirks or behavioral issues, or medications to take (we also offer medical boarding for pets). This is why we have a detailed intake process, during which we ask about these topics.
4. Leave your contact number and clear instructions for emergencies.
For your peace of mind and ours, we will keep your contact number and specific instructions when it comes to emergencies on file.
5. Ask for a tour.
While you can see photos of our boarding facility on our Boarding page, we also offer tours to owners considering boarding their pets with us. We’d love to schedule one with you.
6. Book your pet a soothing bath or spa visit to end their stay with us.
For an additional fee, we can treat your pet to a soothing bath with our trained kennel staff, or a trip to our luxurious pet spa for a day of indulgence courtesy of one of our highly qualified pet spa associates.
Normal Dog Behavior After Boarding
After you bring your dog home, you may notice a few of these behaviors, all of which are normal:
Shift in Personality
While some dogs are extra clingy, others ignore their owners upon returning home. Each of these behaviors is normal.
Change in Appetite
Some dogs may be over-excited upon arriving home, causing a change in normal behavior such as eating quickly. Do not feed them right away; allow them to settle for a few hours instead.
Change in Sleep
With so many new experiences, new friends, and new smells in an unfamiliar place, your dog is likely tired when they return home, and will therefore sleep quite a lot for one or two days.
Abnormal Dog Behavior After Boarding
Dogs are rarely traumatized as a result of spending time at a boarding facility. If proper preparations are made and research is done before choosing a boarding facility, nothing bad should happen to your dog during its stay.
Changes in behavior or abnormal behavior can indicate mental trauma. If you notice your dog seems to be depressed or scared, is having accidents, or is shaking after returning home, book an appointment with the vet to eliminate a potential medical cause.
Help Your Pet With Stress Relief After Boarding
Allow your dog a few days to get used to being home again and to get back to his usual routine and behaviors after staying at a boarding facility. If you notice changes in behavior that are dramatic and do not seem to resolve, book an appointment with your veterinarian, who may be able to suggest advice to help.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.
