1st time boarding

[Cynthia Shoe]

We are going to a wedding and need to board our pup for a few nights. I did a ton of research, visited several places, and settled on a facility that is staffed 24 hours and recommended by a trainer we used. I am still super worried about how he is going to react in the boarding facility. He will be doing 1/2 day of day care each day, and he is in a little room with a bed and not a crate, but does anyone have any suggestions on what we can do to try and to make him more comfortable? Of course we will bring toys and his blanket and his normal food. 

[Danna]

I don't have advice but have the dame issue.  My 4 1/2 month old is boarding for 5 days next week.  He will be in daycare during the day and then in a run like you describe.  He has already done daycare at this facility a few times in order to get him used to it.  Will bring blanket, food...anything else?

[Cynthia Shoe]

I was wondering about bringing things like his Elk antlers or a nylabone, which are his favorite things to chew on, but I worry about him having those things unattended. So in the end, I probably won't bring them. I will bring a few toys. 

[Laura and Angus]

We never leave our antlers with our pup at daycare. Only leave ones you know your pup can safely have unattended - we liked our nylabones or any hard plastic that our pup can't break.

[Laura and Angus]

Does the facility allow you to have him go in for a few daycare visits beforehand, so he can become familiar with the placE? That's what we did with our place. Our place required a trial visit, so we did a one-night stay beforehand and he did fine. I was so worried about him, but aside from being a very sleepy puppy after that first stay he was good! He stayed for 5 days for the first time over the winter holidays and I was very worried about him, but the people said he acted like it was an extended daycare stay...I just had to remind myself that he was fine and would be safe, fed, and have playtime each day, so I think that's what helped me the most. Good luck! I'm sure your pup'll do great!

[Cynthia Shoe]

We have gone to daycare there are few times (it is not his normal place though) and did a puppy class, so he does know the facility and the people. We brought him there on Sunday to play and he freaked out. It was very weird. He ran away from the daycare people and back to my arms. He has never done that. He is always dragging me through the daycare door. Now I am totally paranoid that he got doggy bullied or something. I did watch him on the camera and he played and slept, so he seemed ok once inside. They do put the dogs in small crates at the end of daycare until pick up and according to the staff he hates going in them. So maybe that was the bad association. :( 

[Laura and Angus]

Aww that's strange...maybe you can bring him there a few more times just to get him used to going?

[Hannah Love]

The first time we boarded Higgins, we asked if we could bring his crate and the facility was more than happy to set up his crate inside his little room for him. I think that made him feel a LOT more comfortable. If the room that your pup will be in is big enough, I bet they will let you bring the crate! 

He is going to be so tired from the daycare, I bet he'll just pass out at night!

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Hi Cynthia ~ It is so difficult when we have to leave are doodles behind.  I get it, and am not very good at it.  I have a lady that stays at our house 24/7 when we have to leave them behind.  If this arrangement does not work out -this is just a suggestion, you could go the members page and put in a search for "fort collins co".  there are quite a few members and usually most of us are willing to watch another doodle for several days.  In every member's bio, they state whether they would consider watching another member's doodle.  If you were in my area I would be more than happy to keep your little guy for a week. Just thought I would throw that idea out there.  Good luck,