One of the most common questions on this topic is how soon you can board a puppy, and at what age puppies can go into boarding kennels. There are some general rules of thumb which are based on common sense, but some more practical guidance on when puppies can go to boarding kennels based on science.

Here’s my personal opinion followed my reasons, and then some examples of what professional boarding kennel facilities will tell you.

What age can you board a puppy? Most boarding kennels won’t accept puppies aged younger than 4 months after they have had vaccinations. However, 6 months of age is preferable as the puppy will have matured more at this point.

If someone was to ask me what age puppies can go into boarding kennels, I would always say 6 months old, and even then, there are some caveats on how early you can board puppies.

All boarding facilities are different, and all puppies are different. Read on to find out why I believe 6 months is the lowest age you should put a puppy in kennels, and how you can make a decision that’s hopefully the right one.

Can you board a 6-month-old puppy?

You can put a puppy in kennels once they reach 6 months of age (24 weeks), providing they know how to behave, have been socialized with other dogs, are toilet trained, and have stopped their biting and teething behavior.

At this age, they will hopefully have a little more independence. But if your puppy suffers with separation anxiety, I would not place them in boarding kennels even at 6 months of age, it still could be too soon – the alternative would be a pet sitter who can give them constant attention and reassurance.

In my view, puppies younger than that age will struggle in boarding kennels and are more likely to suffer with boarding kennel stress and come back home afterwards behaving differently.

Is it ok to board a 4-month-old puppy?

Theoretically you can board a 4 month old puppy this young, as most will have had their first and second round of vaccination injections. Most puppies will have their first injections as late as 10 weeks of age, with the second round two to four weeks later. That means puppy of 3 and a half months old should be fully vaccinated and ready to socialize with other dogs.

The reason this is so important is because boarding kennels will not allow any dog to stay until they have been vaccinated fully. If they aren’t, they not only run the risk of getting ill, or can pass on sickness and disease to other dogs.

According to the PDSA, the illnesses that vaccinations typically cover include parvovirus, canine distemper, leptospirosis, and infectious canine hepatitis.

However, even if your dog is fully vaccinated at this age, they can still pick up bugs, fleas, and ticks in boarding kennels, or even kennel cough. Their immune systems are weaker when this young, meaning it’s not an age a puppy should be boarded (in my opinion).

Handy Hint: Here’s a list of all the things that dogs can catch when they stay in kennels, despite having had their vaccinations.

Can you board a 12-week-old puppy?

You will find some boarding kennels that will be happy to board a 12-week-old puppy. All boarding kennels require visiting dogs to be fully vaccinated. If your puppy had his first and second injections early in life, then 12 weeks, or 3 months, is the absolute minimum age you can board a puppy.

Would I board a puppy as young as 3 months old?

Personally, no. I remember how dependent my own dog was on me and my wife at that age. I often compare having a puppy that young as having to look after a baby or toddler.

Dogs are still learning their way in life, look on their owners as substitute parents. In fact, a piece of research I read stated that:

“Dogs and children seem to share what is known as the secure base effect. This effect is seen in parent-child bonding as well as the bond between humans and dogs. This refers to the idea that when human infants interact with the environment, they use their caregivers as a secure base.”

Given what we know, and how dogs probably look on us as their parents, can you imagine leaving a baby in a nursery for 7 days whilst you went away?

Of course not, so I think we need to consider puppies as young as 12 weeks of age in a similar way to how we do babies. In fact, there’s evidence to suggest that dogs miss their owners when placed in kennels, and puppies even more so.

Staying in kennels could potentially have an effect on a young puppy which could take a while to resolve once you return from vacation.

Handy Hint: I’ve wrote an article earlier this year which explains why I think dogs think of us as their parentswhich is another reason not to board a puppy too young.

Reasons to not put puppies in boarding kennels too young

To recap on what I’ve already explained, here’s a checklist of reasons why you should not put a puppy in kennels until they are at least 6 months old.

Even then, based on the personality and character of your dog, boarding could be bad for your puppy and it could be too young even when older than 6 months.

Why boarding kennels can be bad for young puppies

1. Puppies should not go into kennels unless they are fully vaccinated.
2. Puppies should not go into kennels if they suffer with separation anxiety.
3. Puppies have weak immune systems and can still get sick even when vaccinated.
4. Puppies are more at risk from boarding kennel stress.
5. Puppies should not go into kennels unless they have been exposed to other dogs.
6. Puppies should not go into kennels until their eating and sleeping routines have been established.

Minimum age requirements will differ between facilities

When you start to check out local boarding facilities you will notice they will probably have different policies on what age puppies can board with them. Reasons to walk away would be if;

1. The boarding kennel has no minimum age limit policy.
2. The boarding kennel has an age of lower than 12 weeks.

Either of those points would be red flags to me… and ideally, I would be looking for 6 months the youngest age they are willing to accept puppies into their care.

Other things to look for to make sure you are making the right decision about boarding your puppy with a kennel are:

• What to look for in boarding facilities before booking.
• Questions you need to ask kennels before boarding your puppy.

Related questions

Whilst putting this guide together on how soon you can board a puppy, I found a number of specific questions people were asking on dog owner forums. They were frequent enough for me to want to answer them explicitly.

Can you board a 9-week-old puppy?

You cannot send a 9-week-old puppy to boarding kennels. They will only have been away from their own mother for a week, and in their new home for a matter of days. To uproot them into a kennels this small with other dogs, sights, sounds, and smells it cruel and unnecessary.

They will also not have been vaccinated yet, as the youngest age puppies have their first injections is 8 weeks, with the second round 2 weeks later.

To put a 9-week-old puppy is very irresponsible as they will be at high risk of illness including fatal diseases such as parvo.

Can you board a 10-week-old puppy?

You should not board a puppy at 10 weeks of age. It is unlikely that they will have had all of their final vaccinations, won’t be socially adjusted to other dogs, will have a weak immune system, and are likely to suffer with anxiety if placed into a boarding kennel environment.

How early can you board puppies then?

I refer back to my initial advice where some boarding kennels will accept 12-week-old puppies, with most facilities starting boarding from 4 months of age.

What’s the alternative then?

If you simply cannot get away with having to get your puppy looked after at an age younger than 4 or 6 months of age, I would recommend a dog sitter who can come and stay in your house.

The benefits to this are:

• Your puppy will be in familiar surroundings.
• Your puppy can continue to be toilet and sleep trained without an interruption to the routine.
• Your puppy will not be at risk of getting sick from contact with older dogs.
• Your puppy will be less inclined to suffer with separation anxiety.
• The sitter can give the puppy the attention required that kennels might not be able to offer.

Conclusion

Boarding kennels have minimum age policies to protect your puppy. When they are young, then are more prone to contracting airborne viruses, which they can catch even without face to face contact with other dogs.

The bottom line is that if you are getting a puppy it’s a huge responsibility. If you are planning on going away in the first 3 to 4 months of owning them, please do think again.

You might also like…

If you want to best prepare your puppy for their first ever boarding stay, here are some essential guides you need to read.

• Checklist of things to pack and think about before kennels
• How to prepare your puppy for boarding kennels

The post What Age Can You Board a Puppy into Kennels? appeared first on DoggySaurus.

The quality and reputation of boarding kennels can be quite a mixed bag, but thankfully government and state legislation mean it’s increasingly difficult to run a bad facility. But that doesn’t mean it’s not impossible.

There’s also the consideration of disease and stress, which all factor into why you might be worried about putting your dog in kennels.

I am worried about boarding my dog

In this guide, I will explain what you should worry about most with boarding, and what things you might be worrying too much about. Let’s start off with the care your dog will hopefully have – in most cases your dog will be ok!

1. Should I worry about unlicensed boarding kennels?

The first issue is legislation, which will differ depending on where you are. For example, in the UK, all dog boarding facilities need to be registered and licensed with the local council. Boarding kennels need to adhere to rules such as:

• Dogs are kept in suitable accommodation.
• Dogs are provided with adequate food, drink and bedding.
• Dogs are regularly exercised.
• Dogs are safeguarded in an emergency.
• Dogs are protected from infectious disease.

Local council are allowed to inspect dog boarding companies at any time.

In the United States, the legislation and certification will differ from state to state. As with the UK though, the facilities will be inspected to make sure they pass the rules on animal welfare and health.

If you are still worried about putting your dog in kennels, make sure you visit the facilities before you book. I’ve developed a guide which explains what to look for in a good boarding facility, and the questions you should ask before you sign on the dotted line.

2. Should I worry about dogs not being vaccinated

Concerns over your dog catching a disease and becoming ill are valid ones. The close proximity of dogs, playing together, and the overall environment can be a breeding ground of for some sickness bugs.

However, all dogs will need to be vaccinated before they enter the kennels meaning the risk of certain sicknesses are dramatically reduced. Dog owners need to provide proof in documentation that their dog is up to date with their boosters.

Most boarding kennels will also ask that visiting dogs have flea and tick treatment before they stay overnight.

Overall, disease is now rare in boarding kennels, but it still something you should worry about, particularly if your dog comes back from boarding and is acting differently.

It’s so rare, that I wasn’t able to find any cases of a large kennel cough outbreak in UK boarding facilities. But that doesn’t mean it can’t happen… kennel cough can be picked up anywhere and 65,000 dogs in the UK had it last year alone.

Handy Hint: Boarding kennels should not let dogs stay until they have vaccinations. This means a kennel taking dogs younger than at the very least 12 weeks of age should avoided at all costs. Here’s the age puppies should ideally be placed on boarding for the first time.

3. Should you worry about kennel cough then?

Boarding kennels cannot completely protect your dog against getting the condition. No matter how much they clean and sanitise the facilities, there is still a chance that your dog could catch this airborne virus.

But, due to the vaccination policies kennels have, it is reasonably unlikely your dog will catch it when boarding, but it is still a risk.

“In a kennel environment, a dog encounters two conditions which do not exist at home…proximity to a number of potentially contagious dogs, and the stress and excitement of a less familiar environment, which can result in lowered resistance to disease. But the more frequently a dog boards at a kennel, the greater are the chances that he will acquire immunity to the disease. Even during a widespread outbreak, only a fairly small percentage of exposed dogs are affected.” 

Hopefully that last quote I found online will put your mind at ease a little bit.

4. Should I worry about my dog missing me?

This is a different one altogether; of course, you should worry about your dog in boarding and him missing you. I mean, you will miss him, won’t you? And you’d like to think it will be the same for your dog too.

But, he might, he might not.

Research suggests that some dogs do miss their owners when boarded. There have been multiple studies to see how dogs react when their owners leave, and all point to subtle changes in the dog’s behavior. I’ve written at length about this if you want to find out what the studies say.

However, don’t let that put you off putting your dog into boarding kennels. Not all dogs get sad when boarded, and most of the time it will be a positive experience for them.

If it’s a reputable boarding kennels they will get spoiled, lots of play with other dogs, and loads of attention.

5. Should I worry about boarding kennel stress?

This is one aspect that all owners should worry about when putting their dog into boarding. Kennel stress is very common, and can affects dogs of all sizes, temperaments, and characters, even if they have no previous form for anxiety.

Whether boarding is stressful for your dog or not will depend on many different factors including your dog’s character, the kennel environment, and events that take place during their stay.

Your dog will have to contend with possible changes to their diet, routine, aggression from other dogs, new smells, sounds, and being handled by new people. All of these can result in anxiety.

Many dog owners will often report a change in the dog’s behavior when the pet comes home. This can often be a sign of kennel stress, with symptoms being:

• Pacing or shaking.
• Whining or barking.
• Yawning, drooling, or licking.
• Body language changes.
• Hair loss.
• Panting.
• Diarrhea or pooping in the house.
• Avoiding or ignoring you.
• Hiding or trying to escape.
• Sleeping more or lethargy.

In most cases the stress levels will reduce once the dog is home, and it’s usually disappeared after 24 hours. If your dog still appears to be depressed after boarding, or is still acting oddly after a whole day, it’s probably best seen by a vet.

6. Should I worry that’s it’s cruel to put a dog in kennels?

Whilst a condition like boarding kennel stress is very real, not all dogs get it, and ones that do are fine as soon as they leave. As for cruel though, well, this depends on your dog and how the stay affects him or her.

Is it cruel to put a dog in kennels? If your dog suffers badly with separation anxiety and is in poor health, then yes, you could argue that boarding kennels are cruel.

But, otherwise, millions of dogs stay in boarding kennels each year will no ill effects.

In fact, one study I read seemed to suggest that rather than being cruel, some dogs actually love staying in boarding kennels.

The first study I found is in stark contrast to many other opinions which say dogs get depressed when staying in boarding kennels.

The research, published on ScienceDirect.com, explained how dogs were more active when in kennels. The results could be interpreted as showing that dogs actually liked to be boarded.

Dr Lisa Collins from the University of Lincoln said:

“This study suggests that although dogs appeared to have a higher level of overall arousal or excitement in kennels compared with their state at home, this arousal is not necessarily due to dogs experiencing kennels as negatively stressful. Findings appear to suggest that the dogs in this study did not perceive admission to boarding kennels as an aversive stressor and perhaps, instead, perceived kennelling as an exciting change of scene, at least in the short-term.”

Yes, you read that right… dogs could like being in kennels, and rather than being sad and depressed are actually excited by the proposition.

“Short-term kennelling did not seem to represent a negative stressor for these dogs. The emotional valence of responses was ambiguous, and no definitive evidence was found to suggest that dogs were negatively stressed by kennelling.”

The bottom line is, you won’t really know whether your dog will be ok in kennels until you try.

Conclusion

Most boarding kennels are run by animal lovers who will take exceptional care of your dog’s every need. He will get play, plenty of friends to hang out with, attention, and love. Possibly even more than you are able to give him at home if you have a busy life.

Whether your dog will be ok in boarding kennels or not is completely unknown until he’s stayed. All you can do is make sure you prepare your dog for the visit, and do your own due diligence on the boarding facility before you book.

You might also like…

• How old your puppy should be before staying in boarding kennels.
• Why dogs often smell bad after a kennel stay
• Dog boarding checklist to complete before you pack

The post Will My Dog Be OK in Kennels (Should I Be Worried)? appeared first on DoggySaurus.

Often the negative dog behavior after a kennel can be quite extreme. Symptoms such as aggression, lethargy, acting distant, ignoring you, shaking, and not eating amongst the more worrying aspects.

But here’s the thing; why your dog is acting different after boarding could have a huge range of reasons. I will try to outline those here today, and then explain when you should talk to your vet.

Common problems with dog behavior after kennels

As well as my own personal experience of boarding our dog, I’ve also canvassed other pet owners on social media. That has resulted in what I believe to be the most common dog behaviours after kennels shown below, with possibilities to what it could all mean.

There are all things that can happen when a dog comes home from boarding, resulting from a possible negative experience when away.

1. My dog is ignoring me after boarding

If your dog is ignoring you after boarding or acting distant after your vacation, you can probably forgive him for doing so. This behavior after a kennel stay is classic but can often mean one of two things; either it’s stress-related or your dog is sulking.

The sulking behavior is kind of funny. Your dog has probably taken offence you left him at the boarding kennels and went off probably having loads of fun without him.

You will probably see some initial excitement when you pick him, followed by a teenage tantrum or where he appears to ignore you. He will shun your hugs, play, and attention possibly as way of punishing you for leaving him in kennels.

Scientists agree too, with 2019 research suggesting that dogs have the cognitive and emotional capacity to hold a grudge.

An alternative reason for your dog ignoring you after boarding can be to do with stress. Boarding kennel stress afflicts many dogs in the short-term, with them being anxious due to their stay.

That can then manifest itself in many ways; for example, dogs can avoid eye contact when they are stressed. They can also sniff about the ground and act distant or distracted. It’s one of their ways of dealing with the emotion.

Handy Hint: I’ve written in detail about what to expect with dog boarding kennel stress and how you can take steps to deal with it or prevent it from being as bad.

2. My dog is clingy and needy after boarding

On the other hand, it’s not unusual to see the exact opposite dog behavior after a kennel, with your four-legged friend clinging to you.

You might find that want to sit on you (sometimes right into your face), follow you from room to room, walk in circles around you, and demand constant attention.

It means your dog loves and trusts you, needing the reassurance after the anxiety of a boarding kennel visit.

The bottom line is, often dogs will act different after boarding because they miss their owners so much.

3. My dog acts tired after boarding

There are a number of reasons why dogs are lethargic and want to sleep after boarding. It could be stress, physical and mental exhaustion, or sickness.

It all makes sense. Research says stress can make you tired. But it could be the opposite, and simply where your dog has had so much fun, he’s just exhausted and needs to recover.

Handy Hint: I’ve written a more extensive guide about why dogs sleep so much after staying in boarding kennels which explains the possibilities in more depth.

4. My dog is not eating after boarding

Again, this behavior after a kennel stay could be due to a number of reasons.

For example, a dog not eating after boarding could be sick and have no appetite, it could due to stress, or where they have had a change in diet and routine.

It’s quite possible that the lack of appetite is down to a bug. It’s easy for dogs to pick up minor bugs in kennels despite the vaccinations, so get him checked out by the vet.

5. My dog is eating and drinking excessively after boarding

And then there’s dogs who want to eat more than usual after a kennel stay. It’s because they will frequently eat less in kennels because they aren’t as comfortable in the new environment as they would be at home.

When they get back home, they will soon try to make up for it by eating as much as they can and gulping down drinks too. This behavior after kennels will probably pass within 24 hours, so let them eat as much as they want as they might have been starving themselves.

6. My dog has diarrhea and sickness after boarding

This is another common dog behavior after kennels, and like many of the others has varied causes. Your dog might be pooping about the house due to stress, excitement, a sudden intake of food and water, dietary changes, or after catching a bug.

Some dogs will even hold their urine in when in kennels if they don’t feel comfortable or at ease enough to let their guard down and go pee.

A bit of diarrhea in the first two days of your dog coming home from a boarding stay is almost to be expected. Having accidents around the house are certainly very common, and typically related to stress and excitement.

If it you are worried, phone your vet, but most cases will pass.

Handy Hint: Here’s how you can deal with diarrhea after a boarding stay, with some tips on how to possibly prevent it in the first place.

7. My dog is depressed after boarding

Another reason your dog is acting different after boarding could be due to depression. Some dogs like kennels, some dog hate boarding, with depressed behavior after a return home being quite common.

I polled dog owners on social media on the subject, and 39% said their dog was behaving differently after boarding with what appeared to be depressed behavior. You can see a graph of the results below.

8. My dog is shaking after boarding

Shaking is a sign of extreme anxiety, fear, and stress. It’s likely that your dog has experienced something traumatic whilst in the kennels.

It probably wasn’t an aggressive act from another dog, but is your dog being scared due to the sights, sounds, and smells of the boarding facility. Plus of course, the close proximity to other dogs.

9. My dog is aggressive after boarding

A small handful of dogs will act and behave differently after boarding with aggressive tendencies. A lot of the time this will be down to fear again.

It could be down to learned behavior too. This can develop is with boarding kennels that have free running areas for the dogs to play in. Just like you might find in a school playground, there will be bullies and a hierarchy.

Your dog might have picked up some bad habits in the playground and will bring those home. Just like a kid would do from school.

Conclusion

These are all scenarios of what happens when a dog comes home from boarding… or doesn’t happen! Many dogs love the experience and will almost treat the stay like we would a vacation.

If your dog is still acting differently after boarding once 24 hours has passed, this would be the moment I would contact a vet. I am a fan of the 24-hour rule to see what happens – you should do what feels right for you though!

You should also keep an eye out for other symptoms in addition to changes in behavior listed above, such as whining, barking, drooling, licking, pacing, panting, or trying to escape. Those would expediate me calling my vet for advice.

You might also like…

I blog extensively about dog boarding and how they can act or behave. In addition to the resource links in the guide above, you might also like the following articles.

• What to look for in a boarding facility
• Questions to ask before you book your dog’s stay
• Dog boarding checklist of what you need to bring
• How to prepare your dog for a kennel stay

The post Dog Behaving Differently After Boarding: What Behavior After a Kennel Means appeared first on DoggySaurus.

To help you out, I’ve prepared a set of checklists for boarding a dog which is split into things to bring, medical aspects, and the information you will need to provide about you and your dog.

Print this page off and put it next to your dog’s travel bag (yes, they do exist on Amazon!) and you can pack all your need for their boarding stay safe in the knowledge you’ve got it right first time.

Checklists of what to bring when you board your dog

By preparing properly with these checklists, it could make your dog boarding stay so much easier, particularly if you are worried about an anxious pet.

Checklist of things to pack for overnight stays

There are many things your dog will need for a happy and healthy overnight stay. Many of the items below will help your dog feel at home, and hopefully reduce the chances of them developing boarding kennel stress (here’s what that looks like).

Some kennels will supply these items, but for me they are so important to include on a dog’s overnight boarding checklist. Just the smells and familiarity of these home comforts alone will help your dog to settle and not miss you too much!

1. Blankets and bedding.
2. An item of clothing that smells like you.
3. Toys, balls, and chews.
4. Food and snacks.
5. Food and water bowls for familiarity.
6. Collar and leash with tags.

It’s important to pack their own food. A change in their diet whilst away could result in an upset stomach, and ideally you want their routine to be as normal as possible to reduce any anxiety – or even possible depression!

Medical checklist for dog boarding stays

As well as the basics, there are also things you need to tick off from a medical perspective.

The type of health information that kennels require will differ from country and country and even between states, but at the bare minimum, the following medical items should be on your dog’s boarding checklist.

1. Vaccination certificates with proof they are up to date: the kennel will tell you what vaccinations are required.
2. Up to date flea and tick treatments: to protect not just your dog, but also the others staying overnight.
3. Any current medication your dog is on: plus include any instructions on timings and quantity.
4. Details of any food allergies your dog has: and whether or not you want the kennels to give your dog anything other than his own food.

I’d also recommended packing additional medication that your dog is on. You don’t know if your travel will be delayed, so it’s essential that the boarding kennel has more days of medicine than is needed to cover all eventualities.

Dog boarding drop off checklist of written notes

You should also write a little fact file up on your dog. Most boarding kennels will ask you to do this in advance using their own forms, but it’s still a good idea to write as much as you can down.

The type of things to include on your own dog boarding drop off checklist would be:

1. Your contact details including where you are staying when away.
2. An emergency contact number for another person if they can’t get hold of you.
3. Contact details for your vet.
4. Your travel times including flight numbers if needed.
5. Details on your dog’s diet and feeding routine, including any allergies.
6. Details on your dog’s sleeping and exercise routine.
7. What your dog’s recall commands are and any other useful words.
8. What your dog likes and doesn’t like in play.
9. Whether you are comfortable letting your dog have free play with other dogs.
10. Any behavioral quirks and characteristics. 

By supplying as much information as you can, the boarding kennel will be able to tailor your dog’s stay to make it as comfortable as possible for them.

How can I make my dog’s boarding easier?

There’s so much more to it than just filling out a boarding checklist and hoping for the best. You can make boarding easier by choosing a kennel carefully, asking the right questions, and preparing your dog for their overnight stays.

I’ve published some helpful guides below which will help you make your dog’s boarding easier.

• What to look for in a boarding kennel facility when visiting
• Questions you need to ask the boarding kennel before booking
• How you can best prepare your dog for boarding

Conclusion

Knowing what to bring when boarding your dog is usually something that a boarding kennel will supply you far in advance before the first day. But it doesn’t harm to be as prepared and ready as possible.

The post Dog Boarding Checklist + What You Need to Bring to Make it Easy appeared first on DoggySaurus.

However, it is very common for dogs to sleep a lot after staying at boarding kennels and you’re not alone in noticing this. Many owners I’ve spoken with say exactly the same thing, but it is mainly being due to how busy kennels are for the dogs.

Hopefully your dog was in a reputable dog boarding facility where exercise, mental stimulation, and play was a big part of his stay. If that was the case, it’s easy to understand why dogs are so tired after being boarded.

But this won’t always be the case; it could be the sign of sickness or stress.

To try and figure why your dog is lethargic after a kennel stay, here are my tips and possible reasons for the tiredness and excessive sleeping.

Possible reasons for dog lethargy after boarding

Your dog could be sleeping a lot after boarding for any of the 5 reasons which I’ve listed below (or a combination of).

1. Your dog is physically exhausted

There are some people who say their dog probably views going to boarding kennels a bit like some crazy adventure vacation. I can identify with that, as in the best kennels your dog will have lots of play, toys, exercise, and other new dog friends to do it with.

Your dog could simply be sleeping more than usual because he needs the rest after all the physical activity he’s had whilst boarding.

2. Your dog is mentally exhausted

Your dog’s post-boarding kennel lethargy could also be a result of mental exhaustion. Studies suggest that mental fatigue causes perceived physical tiredness in humans, and I have no reason to believe it can’t be the same for dogs.

Dogs will have to put up with a change in their routine, new smells, sights, and sounds, all of which will contribute to mental tiredness.

It’s likely they have also had toys to play with and challenge them which might also have worn them down, with the need to recovery.

3. Your dog is sick

It’s not unusual for dogs to get sick after a stay in kennels, and this in turn can make them tired once they get home.

Possible illnesses include canine flu, stomach bugs, ringworm, or kennel cough. More serious diseases that are very rare and almost unheard in modern facilities include parvo, rabies, and leptospirosis.

You can read more about what dogs can catch at kennels elsewhere on Doggysaurus.

4. Your dog is tired from stress

Not all dogs will enjoy their stay, and in fact, boarding kennel stress is also quite common. However, it does usually recede within 24 hours of getting home.

Stress is known to cause fatigue, insomnia, and can disrupt sleep. Your dog might not have slept to his usual patterns, so will need to catch up on sleep when you get him home.

Even dogs that have not shown anxiety before can become stressed in kennels. Dogs that aren’t used to crates can also become stressed by cage boarding too.

Most of the stress will be due to a strange environment, other dogs in close proximity, and how much the dog misses the owner.

5. Your dog is punishing you

And lastly, your dog might just want to retire to their bed and sleep after boarding as a way of giving you the cold shoulder. Research was published in 2019 that suggested dogs have the cognitive and emotional capacity to hold a grudge.

This makes sense if they are going to sleep after boarding, as it could be your dog’s way of ignoring you for a while – to give you the message he isn’t happy about being abandoned!

When to call a vet about post-kennel lethargy

I am not a vet, but I am a concerned owner so if this were me, I would give it 24 hours. If my dog was still sleeping a lot after day and night, I would then give the vet a call.

Other things to look for would be if your dog is exhibiting any other symptoms in addition to the excess sleep and tiredness. For example, is your dog:

• Not eating and drinking like they should.
• Whining or barking.
• Yawning, drooling, or licking.
• Pacing, shaking, or panting.
• Hiding or trying to escape.

The above symptoms can be signs of stress and should disappear after a day of being back at home. Prolonged lethargy over a 24-hour period can also be a sign of sickness. It’s not unusual for dogs to pick up bugs at kennel facilities.

Another thing to look for and ask yourself is how your dog greeted you when you picked him up at the kennels.

Was he excited to see you, or was he lethargic when you picked him up?

If he ran up to you and was over-excited when you arrived, then came home and went straight to sleep, it’s could be simply a bit of short-term 24-hour exhaustion and stress.

Alternatively, if he was sleepy when you picked him up then it’s possible, he could be sick and you should take him to the vets as soon as you can to get checked out.

Conclusion

Your dog’s mind and body are going to be very busy when boarding, so it’s no wonder why dogs are so tired after staying in boarding kennels.

You could compare to how we humans feel after a long break away from home. I don’t know about you, but when I get back from a vacation, I need to day to chill out and recover before I get back to reality,

In most cases, dogs probably need this day of recovery too!

If you are concerned at all though, please do seek a professional veterinary opinion.

You might also like…

I regularly blog about dog’s and boarding, and you can read some of my more popular content below.

• Do dogs get depressed after staying in kennels?
• 31 questions you need to ask a dog boarding facility before booking
• What to look for when choosing kennels
• How to help prepare your puppy boarding for the first time

The post Why Your Dog is Lethargic After Boarding Kennels appeared first on DoggySaurus.

There’s no real answer that applies to all dogs. Some dogs like kennels, some dog hate boarding, and the only way you will know is to try it with your dog.

Truth is, if you know your dog’s character, you might already have a suspicion of how they are going to feel about boarding before you drop them off.

There really is no “one size fits all” answer to how dogs feel. Your dog might get depressed boarding, but in most cases, hopefully he will just have a great time.

What I have done is do a poll of dog owners on social media to find out whether they thought their own dog liked boarding or hated it. You can see the poll results lower down the page.

There have also been some studies published into dog boarding and depression, and I will refer to those below to help you make your mind up.

Do dogs like boarding kennels?

The first study I found is in stark contrast to many other opinions which say dogs get depressed when staying in boarding kennels.

The research, published on ScienceDirect.com, explained how researchers studied 29 domestic dogs in their home environments and how they behaved when in boarding kennels.

They found that dogs were more active when in kennels, and the results could be interpreted as showing that dogs actually liked to be boarded.

Dr Lisa Collins from the University of Lincoln said

“This study suggests that although dogs appeared to have a higher level of overall arousal or excitement in kennels compared with their state at home, this arousal is not necessarily due to dogs experiencing kennels as negatively stressful. Findings appear to suggest that the dogs in this study did not perceive admission to boarding kennels as an aversive stressor and perhaps, instead, perceived kennelling as an exciting change of scene, at least in the short-term.” 

Yes, you read that right… dogs could like being in kennels, and rather than being sad and depressed are actually excited by the proposition.

To conclude, the study said:

“Short-term kennelling did not seem to represent a negative stressor for these dogs. The emotional valence of responses was ambiguous, and no definitive evidence was found to suggest that dogs were negatively stressed by kennelling.” 

However, this should not be viewed as conclusive, because boarding kennel stress is a real thing, and dog owners all over the world will have seen it.

Do dogs get sad when boarded?

Some dogs will hate boarding kennels and will come back with boarding kennel stress. It’s a fact, because many dog owners see it and talk about it on the Internet.

So, whilst the study I referenced above might show that dogs in the panel of research liked being in boarding, it doesn’t mean your dog necessarily will.

If you have a dog that is prone to separation anxiety or is scared by other dogs, including their sights, sounds, and smells, boarding has the potential to be extremely traumatic.

Do dogs get depressed when boarded?

If your dog has hated boarding, then there is a risk of depression developing. The WebMD.com website say the following signs can appear:

“Dogs will become withdrawn. They become inactive. Their eating and sleeping habits often change. They don’t participate in the things they once enjoyed.”

The RSPCA animal charity also explain that the symptoms of a depressed dog include:

• Urinating and defecating in the house.
• Barking and howling.
• Chewing, digging, and destructive behavior.
• Escape attempts.
• Pacing and panting.
• Eating their own feces.

All of the above symptoms can occur in dogs that hate boarding and who come back depressed from the experience.

The reason why your dog is depressed after boarding can be things like:

• Separation anxiety.
• Change in routine.
• Not knowing if you are coming back to get them.
• Fear of other dogs, including a confrontation.
• Becoming sick when in kennels (find out why).

Is dog boarding good or bad for dogs?

To get some real data from real people, I put a social media post asking people whether or not they thought their own dog got depressed when boarded.

The question was simply; are kennels bad for dogs, and do you think your dog liked or hated the experience. It was a simple yes, no, or unsure vote.

I had 184 responses in total, with the votes coming in as:

• Do you think your dog liked kennels? 65 replies (35%)
• Do you think your dog hated kennels? 71 replies (39%)
• Are you unsure? 48 replies (26%)

Obviously, a survey like this is hard to put any real scientific credence too, as dog owners aren’t dog psychologists, and many won’t honestly know how their dog felt, other than a gut feeling.

Is it traumatic for dogs to be boarded?

For those dogs that have hated boarding kennels, it’s possible they had a traumatic experience whilst there. Kennels vary from establishment to establishment in the way the work and care for dogs, which is why it’s so important to know what to look for in a boarding facility.

However, the majority of trauma is probably going to be due to the proximity your dog is with other dogs. Being close to strange dogs, smelling their smells, hearing them bark and so on is going to be traumatic to certain characters.

If your dog has come back from boarding is acting very differently to his usual personality, then it’s possible he has been traumatized by the experience. Things to look out for include the signs of depression I listed earlier, plus a lack of interest in play, lethargy, and a loss of appetite.

If you see any behavioral changes in your dog after boarding, get them seen by a vet as soon as possible.

Conclusion

So, are boarding kennels bad for dogs?

No, not necessarily. There are some excellent establishments out there and you can do your own due diligence on them by ticking off these questions to ask I prepared.

Knowing that the boarding kennel is a good choice is still no guarantee that it will be a bad or good experience for your dog. A lot of the time it can be down to just one thing that happens, or predominantly the character and history of your dog.

If you think your dog is going to hate boarding, talk it through with the kennel owner. And if in any doubt, see what other arrangements you can make.

You might also like…

• How to get your dog ready for boarding
• What to look for in a dog boarding facility
• Why your dog might miss you in kennels

The post Do Dogs Get Depressed When Boarded (How Do They Feel) + Statistics appeared first on DoggySaurus.

We’ve put our dog into boarding kennels twice in the last few years so have a good idea on what is good, what’s bad, and what questions you need to ask them before booking.

Questions to ask a boarding kennel

1. Are you licensed to operate a boarding kennels?

In the United States the licenses and regulations differ from state to state. In the UK, dog boarding kennels need to be registered with the local authority, but after an application via the UK government website.

2. Do you have insurance to cover all eventualities?

Kennels should be insured for incidents such as dog illnesses, health outbreaks, theft, accident death, dog bites, and loss of your dog.

3. What vaccinations does my dog need?

There are certain illnesses and diseases that dogs should be vaccinated against before entering boarding kennels such as canine distemper, infectious hepatitis, canine parvovirus, and rabies.

4. Do all dogs who board have to show proof of vaccinations?

Don’t miss this question! They should also be able to give you the peace of mind that no dog is allowed to board without showing documentation of up to date vaccinations.

5. Can I look around the entire site?

You should get a feel for the kennels and look for signs of disrepair and neglect. If you smell bad odors then this a big no. It is a sign of bacteria and a lack of overall attention to hygiene.

6. How often are the kennels cleaned?

Kennels should be cleaned every day, with deep cleans conducted every week to avoid the spread of sickness and disease between dogs.

7. How big are the kennels?

Your dog should have enough room to stand up, sit down, stretch out, turn around, wag his tail and walk around freely. This is a legal requirement in the UK, so is a question you should always ask the kennels.

8. Do the kennels have heating and air conditioning?

Boarding kennels can get very hot or very cold. Modern boarding establishments should be able to keep the kennels cool or warm depending on the season.

9. How secure are the kennels and fences?

Your dog should not be able to escape and there should be no way for unauthorized people to enter the boarding facility either.

10. Will my dog have access to toilet and sleeping areas at all times?

You dog should have the freedom to do his business when he wants, or also retreat to his kennel for a sleep whenever he needs.

11. How many walks will my dog get each day?

Ideally your dog should be getting a couple of walks a day. If not, he should have access to exercise areas at least 5 times a day.

12. Are there outdoor and indoor play areas for my dog to use?

Your dog should have a large area in which he can run around, both outdoors and indoors in the event of weather restrictions.

13. Will my dog have access to an area with no other dogs or people if needed?

When in communal areas it’s important that your dog is able to have sanctuary should he need it. This is particularly relevant due to potential boarding kennel stress.

14. Is my dog’s drinking water changed throughout the day?

Drinking bowls are one of the most common ways that sickness spreads between dogs in boarding kennels. It’s essential that your dog’s water is changed twice a day.

15. Are the dogs in close proximity to each other?

There’s no question that your dog should have some space, and most definitely should be able to be in his kennel without seeing other dogs. His kennel should be private enough for him to relax.

16. How do you deal with dogs who have kennel boarding stress?

Most dogs will experience some form of boarding kennel stress either during or after their stay. Some dogs will have it worse than others so it’s important that staff have a plan to deal with it if it happens.

17. Can my dog eat his regular food?

It’s important that your dog’s routine isn’t changed too much, and diet plays a huge part. If your dog isn’t eating his usual food, he could develop sickness and diarrhea in the kennel.

18. Is there webcam access to my dog’s kennel?

This is certainly a nice to have but is increasingly common in modern dog boarding facilities. You will often be able to see and say hello to your dog using your smartphone.

19. What will my dog’s daily itinerary look like?

Question the kennels about what your dog will be doing and when will let you relax a bit better whilst away and gives you an opportunity to discuss any possible changes to the itinerary.

20. Can you keep to my dog’s feeding and sleeping schedules?

And the itinerary is important because changes to a dog’s routine can result in heightened anxiety and kennel stress.

21. Are big and small dogs are allowed to run and play together?

Another reason for dogs developing boarding kennel stress will be from confrontation and fear from other dogs. Ask what the arrangements are when the dogs all socialize together.

22. Are staff always present when dogs are playing together in communal areas?

Another important question to ask the kennels is whether dogs who have only just met each other aren’t left alone together for a moment. Will there always be staff supervising play areas?

23. What is the staff to dog ratio?

It’s important to know how many members of staff are working the kennels at any one time. Now you’ve hopefully had a tour, how does that number sound to you?

24. What training and certification do your staff have?

Ideally the staff should be trained and have experience. This can vary wildly, as many kennels will hire temporary staff during vacation seasons so it’s not always possible. However, there should be at least one member of staff in charge who has qualification to care for animals.

25. Can I meet the staff who will be looking after my dog?

How did the staff welcome you to the kennels and were they friendly? Small details like this can be very insightful as to how your dog will be treated during the kennel stay.

26. How often will your staff pet and play with my dog each day?

Dogs need human interaction and will need comforting and distraction when in kennels due to the strange environment.

27. Do you have an emergency plan?

What happens if there is a fire in the boarding kennels? Do they have a disaster plan on how to get the dogs to safety in case of an emergency situation?

28.Can I book my dog in for a one-night stay to see how he likes it?

Doing so will let your dog get used to the facility, and potentially reduce the chance of kennel stress, but let you test the water with them.

29. Do you have an emergency vet on available 24/7?

Sickness is all too common in dogs boarding facilities due to the close proximity of the dogs, so do they have a local vet available to come out at all hours.

30. Can I talk with previous clients

Don’t just rely on online reviews of the kennels but also ask if you can talk to people who have let their dog board there before.

31. How far in advance do I need to book?

If you are happy with what you see and hear, find out what their availability is like. The best boarding kennels can get booked up 12 months in advance of summer vacation and holiday periods.

Handy Hint: Don’t forget to pack what’s needed for a dog’s overnight boarding stay. Here’s my checklist of important boarding essentials.

Conclusion

I appreciate there’s a lot to take in here, and possibly far too many questions to ask a boarding kennel that you could remember. However, these questions are so important, and mean you stand a better chance of making a good decision.

For additional advice on choosing a boarding kennel, take a look at my 15 tips on what to look for once you get there.

You might also like…

As well as these questions to ask a dog boarding kennel, I’ve prepared some additional guides that will answer some of the questions you have for yourself.

• Getting your puppy ready for their first-time boarding experience
• What science says about dogs missing you in kennels

The post 31 Questions to Ask Dog Boarding Kennels appeared first on DoggySaurus.

In the last 5 years I’ve had to put Claude the dog into boarding kennels on two occasions. Before I did it, I asked my friends with dogs and a trusted vet what to look for in a dog boarding facility. They gave me a list of what to look for and things to check, and I also refined and added to it myself after the first stay.

The bottom line is, you will never be able relax completely about your dog when you’re away. But it will be a lot easier once you’ve done your own due diligence when checking the dog kennels… and part of that is knowing what you should look for in a boarding kennel.

What should I look for in boarding kennel?

It goes without saying, but you should always visit a boarding kennel before booking your dog in. If you cannot do that, you will not be able to satisfy all the things you need to look for in a dog boarding facility.

Here’s what you need to check for. Tick off the following things below that explain what to look for in a boarding kennels, and you should be able to relax just that bit better when leaving your dog.

1. Ask for licenses and certifications

The first thing you should look for is whether the boarding kennels are licensed and certified to care for dogs. They way in which dog boarding facilities are licensed and checked depends on where you live.

For example, in the United States, each state has a different set of regulations. Whilst they might be similar from area to area, there will be subtle differences about how dogs are kept and what the kennels need to do to remain licensed.

Always ask to see licenses when you visit the kennels and walk away if they try and put you off or can’t provide official documents.

In the UK there are very strict regulations that were updated in October 2018 to be even more stringent. Any person wanting to look after dogs will need to hold Animal Boarding Establishment License issued by their local council.

2. Ask about their insurance policy

Another documentation request here, but just as important really; are the kennels insured to look after your dog and have a policy to cover all eventualities?

Their insurance should cover them for incidents such as:

• Your dog having any medical problem or injury whilst in their care.
• Your dog attacking a person or another dog.
• Losing your dog.

3. They need to have access to a local vet 24/7

They should have access to a local vet who will be on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year.

Once you have the vet’s details, you can also call them yourself for added peace of mind that they are indeed partnered with the boarding kennel you are considering.

4. Check what their vaccination policy is

Before you book your dog in for a stay, they should ask you for proof of your dog’s vaccinations. You should also be asking them what their vaccination policy is.

For example, boarding kennels should insist that dogs staying with them have had all their injections and regular boosters for sickness such as parvovirus, canine distemper, and rabies.

Handy Hint: Here’s a list of all the things dogs can catch at kennels. Some illnesses are more common than others, whilst others are very rare providing dogs are vaccinated.

5. Modern and spacious kennels

One of the simplest things to look for in a dog boarding facility is the kennels themselves. You can check most of this with your own eyes, so don’t forget to ask to see where your dog will be staying and sleeping.

The regulations on kennel space will differ between the US states, but the in the UK, the legal requirements are that dogs can sit and stand at full height, stretch and lie down, walk and turn around freely.

Other important aspects to their living and sleeping accommodation are:

• Your dog has access to their own sleeping area and toilet at all times.
• Your dog has access to an area with no other dogs or people if needed.
• Your dog has access to toys and stimulation.
• Your dog has their own kennel unit unless you have given permission for them to share with another dog from your household.
• The kennels should also be heated and air conditioned to account for all weathers and seasons.

6. The boarding facilities are clean with no bad smell 

You can forgive a boarding kennel for having a slight doggy smell due to the nature of their business, but other than that the place should be ultra-clean with no nasty stink.

If your dog comes back from a kennel smelling bad, it’s a possible sign that there were bacterial problems at the kennels, which can also help spread sickness and disease.

7. There are outdoor and indoor play area for dogs

Without exercise your dog will be bored and possibly stressed. Boarding kennels should have easily accessible indoor and outdoor spaces for the dogs to exercise and socialize.

8. Your dog gets daily walks and exercise

Kennels should be walking your dog at least once a day, preferably twice. They should also have an area where they can have free running to exercise when needed.

9. Look for a visible online reputation and online reviews

If you cannot find a digital presence for the boarding kennels walk away. It might be that they are new and don’t have reviews yet, but even then, you don’t want your dog to be their test case.

Established boarding kennels should have visibility on Facebook, Google, possibly a website, but above all, positive reviews. It it so important that you look for this in a boarding kennel.

You might also want to take things one step further and ask the boarding kennel for the phone number of some existing customers who can provide a testimonial.

10. Ask for their policy on identifying and treating kennel stress

Another thing to look for in dog boarding is how they deal with stress in your dog. Boarding kennel stress affects many dogs during their stay, some worse than others.

Many dogs might have a little separation anxiety for a day or two, but others don’t cope at all well so will need extra support from the staff.

There can be a lot of dogs boarding in one go, so it can be easy for your dog to be missed and not get the attention he needs. Ask the kennels what they will be doing to keep an eye on things, and what their policy is if your dog does get stressed out.

Handy Hint: Some dogs will get boarding kennel stress so it’s up to how you deal with it and prepare your dog for a stay. Here’s my guide to boarding kennel stress including what signs to look out for.

11. They should make you fill out a doggy fact file

There is no way a boarding kennels can properly care for your dog without knowing about his personality and temperament. You need to look out for them giving you a fact file to fill out about your four-legged friend and his visit.

The fact file includes many pieces of important information, including details such as:

• Your dog’s likes and dislikes.
• Your dog’s medical history, allergies, and any health issues.
• Your dog’s current medication they might be taking.
• Your dog’s sleeping patterns and habits.
• Your dog’s preferred food and dietary requirements.

The fact file should also include an emergency contact number of a trusted friend or family member the kennels can phone in the event you are unreachable. 

12. The staff are friendly and welcoming 

How did the staff welcome you to the kennels and were they friendly? Small details like this can be very insightful as to how your dog will be treated during the kennel stay.

13. Your dog reacts well to the staff

How well your dog interacts with the kennel staff is often very telling too. Multiple studies have found that dogs can sense bad people, or at least those who they can’t trust or with angry faces. According to the BBC:

“It now seems that they can sense when a person is untrustworthy. Once a dog has decided a person is unreliable, it stops following the cues they give.” (view source)

14. Staff are fully trained, qualified, and experienced. 

Check that the staff are also experienced and trained. Admittedly the experience and training can vary wildly, as many kennels will hire temporary staff during vacation seasons so it’s not always possible.

However, there should be at least one member of staff in charge who has qualification to care for animals.

At the bare minimum, all staff should have a degree of animal first aid training. 

15. You can book in one-night stay to test 

They should also be fine with you booking a one-night sleepover for your dog. Doing so will let your dog get used to the facility, and potentially reduce the chance of kennel stress, but let you test the water with them. 

Don’t expect this to be a free stay. It’s something you should pay for, but they might even offer a reduced rate if you explain why you want to do it. 

Conclusion 

Before we put Claude in kennels, I wondered what I should look for in dog boarding and was lucky enough to get some tips from my friends.

I hope you have found their original advice doubled up with everything I learned above helpful in making your decision.

It’s very likely your dog will enjoy his stay if you take the time to choose correctly and ask all the right questions before you book. 

You might also like… 

Now you know what you should look for in a kennel stay, please do some more due diligence. Check out the following guides which are ideal for beginners to boarding. 

• How to prepare your dog for kennels
• Why your dog has diarrhea after a boarding stay

The post What Should I Look for in Dog Boarding Kennel Facilities? 15 Tips appeared first on DoggySaurus.

What is kennel stress? Boarding kennel stress is a generic term used for when dogs encounter a state of mental or emotional strain and tension during or after a kennel stay. It can manifest in a number of ways including aggression, fear, anxiety, shaking, whining, or other noticeable changes in behavior. 

Is boarding stressful for dogs?

Whether boarding is stressful for your dog or not will depend on many different factors including your dog’s character, the kennel environment, and events that take place during their stay. Your dog will have to contend with possible changes to their diet, routine, aggression from other dogs, new smells, sounds, and being handled by new people. All of these can result in anxiety.

You won’t always know whether your dog will be stressed in a kennel stay. Even the most even-tempered of dogs can become stressed out when placed into new and unfamiliar surroundings coupled with a change to their daily routine.

The bottom line is, dogs are like young children. Studies have shown they look upon owners as their parents, with one piece of research even suggesting dogs have the same IQ as two year olds.

Based on this, you could take the position that putting a dog into boarding is similar to leaving a toddler for a week. It doesn’t sound so easy now does it, and you can start to understand a bit better why some dogs will find boarding a stressful experience.

However, there are ways in which you can prevent (or at least reduce) boarding kennel stress in your dog. Keep reading for my tips on how to do that, plus what the signs of kennel stress are.

Reasons for boarding kennel stress in dogs

Dogs have complex personalities and are very dependent on their owners for comfort, food, and shelter. When you take that away from them or make them think it’s at risk, some dogs can get stressed – it’s completely understandable.

The factors that contribute to what we call boarding kennel stress are:

• Separation anxiety: Being separated from their owners is stressful. Dogs don’t have the same perception of time as we do. As far as they are concerned, you might have left them for good. Studies also suggest that dogs miss their owners when in boarding kennels.
• Changes to routine: Dogs are creatures of habit and can be become anxious when their routine chances. This is almost unavoidable when boarding, as your dog will experience changes to when they eat, sleep, and exercise.
• Unfamiliar sounds and smells: Dogs are hyper vigilant to noise and scent, so going into boarding kennels will be an assault to their senses. They will be trying to make sense of where they fit into the new hierarchy of smells. This will play havoc with their sense of who they are and any potential threats they perceive.
• Unfamiliar people: Whilst most dogs love any human who gives them attention, some dogs are anxious around new people. The person looking after them could change hourly in a kennel, thus ramping up the dog’s stress levels further.
• Lack of usual exercise: Not burning off enough calories is shown to raise a dog’s stress. If your dog isn’t walked as far as usual or refuses to come out and play in the kennel’s open areas due to fear, then boarding stress can increase.
• Sudden change in diet: Different food can induce sickness in a dog, but also raise their anxiety as it’s another change to their routine. Nutrition is also an important factor as it helps to keep canine immune systems functioning properly. If your dog loses his appetite, his nutrition levels will drop.

Questions to ask your boarding kennel

Boarding staff have the best intentions, but don’t always know how to deal with anxiety in dogs. Very often they will have so many dogs to look after, that the one dog with kennel stress could be missed and not get the attention and help they need.

Please don’t take it for granted that your dog will be in good hands.

To put your mind at ease that your chosen kennel not only recognizes and deals with stress, but also has the systems in place to reduce the risk, ask the following questions of them (here are loads more too).

1. Ask what training and certification staff have to deal with stress and separation anxiety.
2. Ask how the dogs are housed and whether they are in close proximity to each other.
3. Ask them how much exercise your dog will get, as this is known to reduce stress.
4. Ask if staff are always present when different dogs are playing in communal areas.
5. Ask if big and small dogs are allowed to run and play together.
6. Ask if they can keep to your dog’s feeding and sleeping schedules.
7. Ask them if they have an emergency plan and vet on hand to deal with kennel stress.
8. Ask them what their minimum age is for a stay, anything younger than 3.5 months is probably too young.

Handy Hint: I’ve put together an extensive guide on what you need to check and look out for in kennels before you book your dog’s stay.

How to reduce your dog’s kennel stress

Once you’ve got the satisfactory answers to your questions and you’ve settled on a boarding kennel, you can also take steps to reduce the risk of kennel stress.

1. Organize a pre-visit and possible sleep over

I appreciate that this won’t always be possible but it’s probably the most important thing you can do to help prepare your dog for boarding.

If your dog is able to stay one night before the main visit, and then you pick them up in the morning it will help them associate a good feeling to the place. It can also help them understand that you will come back and get them afterwards, and you are not gone for good.

2. Start sleep and crate training

If your dog has not slept in a crate before then now is a great time to do so. They will have more room in kennels compared to a crate, but crate training in a different room of your house can help prepare them for the stress of a smaller living environment.

Dogs that sleep with their owners will find it a lot tougher acclimatizing to boarding kennels, so start this this process a couple of weeks before boarding.

If you don’t do this, you might find that your dog is very sleepy and lethargic after boarding.

3. Socialize your younger dog

Younger puppies might not yet have the experience of interacting with other dogs of all shapes, sizes, and temperaments, so make sure they have mastered socialization training before a boarding stay. I don’t recommend any puppy younger than 6 months of age should stay in boarding kennels, but that’s a personal opinion. Here’s what other people say about minimum age limits.

4. Consider dog calming chews

I have never used these with our dog as he’s not had boarding kennel stress, but I’ve heard it can work really well. You can buy the calming chews on Amazon.

There are no guarantees of course, but if calming chews can help just a fraction of the anxiety and stress in your dog, then it’s money well spent. Give them to your dog one on the day they arrive, plus they might help once they come home after the stay.

5. Pack familiar smelling items

Your dog will miss you when you’re gone, so you can help to reduce their kennel stress by packing familiar bedding for them to get comfortable on.

To further help with any possible separation anxiety and homesickness, pack something with a familiar smell of you on it; perhaps a t-shirt or blanket you both cuddle up with at home.

Handy Hint: Not sure what to bring for your dog? Worry no more, with this checklist of what to bring to boarding kennels for a happy dog experience.

6. Drop your dog off earlier in the day

Try to drop your dog or puppy off at the kennels early in the morning. This will let them have the whole day to get used to the new surroundings and become familiar with the new noises, smells, and strange people or dogs.

If you drop your dog off on your way to get a late evening flight, it’s unlikely the dog will sleep properly, and their anxiety levels could be off the scale.

If they have a day to acclimatize, it could help reduce any kennel stress they have.

7. Get your dog active after a kennel stay

If you see signs of boarding kennel stress after your dog’s stay (I’ve listed them below), one of the best ways you can get them back to their usual self is by exercise. Physical activity can be an effective stress reducer, just like it is with humans.

Your dog might just want the comfort of a safe place though so take little baby steps at first and try to keep volume levels to a minimum.

8. Seek an expert opinion

If your dog’s stress hasn’t resolved within 24 hours of coming home, book a vet’s appointment. If it is behavioral as a result of boarding, your vet might refer your pet to a trainer or dog behaviorist.

Handy Hint: I’ve written an extensive guide on how to prepare your dog for their first ever stay in boarding kennels. It includes additional tips for reducing anxiety and worry on both sides of the fence.

Signs your dog has kennel stress

If you have just got your dog home from boarding kennels and notice changes in his behaviour, then check the following signs of kennel stress.

1. Pacing or shaking

If boarding was stressful for your dog, then shaking is one of the most obvious signs to look for. Many mammals shake when nervous, and dogs are no different. It’s all to do with adrenaline. Here’s what the Science Focus website says:

“Adrenaline works directly on receptor cells in muscles to speed up the contraction rate of the fibres, ready for fighting or fleeing. High levels of adrenaline can therefore lead to muscles twitching uncontrollably, making us shake when scared.”

2. Whining or barking

Dogs communicate with behaviors, so aside from their body language, the other way they have of showing they are stressed is by vocalization.

Barking or whinging isn’t just something they do to get your attention to show something is wrong, but they also do it to soothe themselves when unhappy.

Stress whining will often come in combination with other signs of anxiety including cowering, ear flat to the head, and a tail between the legs.

3. Yawning, drooling, or licking

Nervous dogs tend to lick themselves and drool when anxious. They can also yawn more than usual too. It’s not a normal yawn either but shows an open mouth for longer than a typical tired yawn would.

4. Changes in eye and ear positions

If you can see the whites in your dog’s eyes, then it’s a worrying sign. Looking startled is a key indicator for stress, as well as the eyes appearing to be dilated with a rapid blinking motion.

Kennel stress can also manifest itself with changes in how your dog’s ears are positioned. Canine anxiety will often show with ears flattened to the head versus their normal appearance.

5. Changes in overall body language

Is your dog cowering from you? Does he appear scared after a boarding visit? If so, this obvious change in body language is a huge indicator of boarding kennel stress in dogs.

As well as cowering and fearful body positions, you might also see them shifting their weight from leg to leg and tucking their tail between their legs.

6. Shedding of hair

We’ve all heard how humans can literally have shock hair loss after a stressful event. Well, it’s the same with dogs, and they can start to shed hair or even bald patches when experiencing boarding kennel stress.

Hair loss due to stress can also be a by-product or your dog pawing or scratching at himself which they will often do when anxious about something.

7. Panting

Dogs can also show stress by panting despite the fact they haven’t taken part in any exercise. The Spruce Pets website says:

“Panting may have nothing to do with body temperature. Many dogs will pant when they experience fear, anxiety, or stress. Examples include car rides, fireworks, separation anxiety, vet visits, and other stressful events.”

8. Changes in toilet habits

Dogs with boarding kennel stress will often show a change in their peeing and pooping. For example, your dog might come home and start pooping around the house. He could even have diarrhea (very common after boarding), or he might start marking his territory with urine.

The territory marking is classic stressful behavior and is easy to understand. Your dog has been in a strange place with different dogs trying to assert their authority. As a result, your dog will come home from kennels and immediately want to re-establish that he’s back in his own territory, with urine marking being his way of showing that.

9. Avoidance and lack of interest

Stressed dogs can also retreat into their shell and act avoidant. Boarding kennel stress can manifest itself with things such as wanting to be alone, avoiding eye contact, not wanting to be petted, and a lack of interest in play.

Often the avoidance will pass, as like humans sometimes your dog will just want his own space to calm down and get over any trauma he has felt whilst boarding.

10. Hiding and escaping

The last sign of boarding kennel stress in dogs is hiding or running away. They do this by hiding behind their owners for comfort, or even trying to escape your house once you get home from kennels.

If your dog repeating tries to dig under your fence to make a bid for freedom when you get home, it’s quite a concern. In cases like this, I would recommend you see your vet immediately as it could be the sign of a traumatic event at the kennels.

Credit: The symptoms of boarding kennel stress shown above were inspired by the expert veterinarian content published on the VCA Hospitals website.

Conclusion

Will a stay in kennels stress your dog out?

Honestly, it’s hard to say. All you can do is take the necessary steps and due diligence of the kennels to make sure the chances are low. It should go without saying really, but very young puppies should not stay in kennels, with my recommendation being that 6 months should be the minimum age.

Even if your dog does develop temporary stress it should resolve in a day or so. In fact, some stress isn’t always a bad thing. The VCA animal hospitals say:

“Remember that stress isn’t always bad. Fear is a stress-related emotion that prompts us to avoid potentially dangerous situations. So, stress may actually be a protector.”

You might also like… 

I regularly blog about boarding kennel experiences and tips.  You can read some of my latest advice pieces below.

• Questions to ask a dog boarding kennel
• Why your dog smells after a kennel visit
• What dogs can catch from boarding kennels
• How to prepare your puppy for a first-time kennel stay

The post Boarding Kennel Stress in Dogs: How to Reduce the Anxiety appeared first on DoggySaurus.

When I mentioned this to my friends, they said they had also noticed that their dog smelled bad after coming back from boarding kennels. After a little bit of research and investigation, I think I’ve figured out why this is… bacteria!

The culprit: bacteria

If you’ve read my guide to preparing your puppy for a boarding stay you will know how much importance I place on checking the kennels out first. Despite them all being licensed, there are still bad one and goods ones.

In simple terms, if I went into a boarding kennel with my dog and is smelt bad, I would not book. But in all honesty, that’s not always a good indicator because on the surface level, it might smell ok when you visit it.

The reason your dog smells bad after boarding is because they are sleeping, eating, and living in a smaller space than usual. With the close proximity to other dogs, microscopic bacteria can develop and get onto your dog’s fur and skin.

There’s also the consideration of how much urine and fecal matter there will be. You have an environment where there are large numbers of dogs all doing their business. Your dog might also be urinating more than usual due to kennel stress, or even stepping in it and then sleeping in once they return back into their pen.

This presents the ideal breeding ground for bacteria, so it’s no wonder your dog smells bad once you get them home from kennels.

Handy Hint: It’s very common for dogs to come back from boarding kennels with a bout of diarrhea. You can find out why they have runny poop after boarding in this other post.

Why your dog smells after boarding kennels

Bacteria loves to breed in moisture. Moisture is a huge problem in dog boarding kennels due to the way in which the dogs live and the place is cleaned. There are plenty of hard to reach places, grooves, and gaps, and this is where bacteria love to hang out.

Think about all the washing and hosing down that goes on in boarding kennels. This is cleaning on the surface, but also pushing all that bacteria from the dogs and their feces into smaller areas that aren’t as easy to clean.

The bacteria will develop, and it stands to reason that it will in turn get onto your dog, and create a bad smell for you to deal with when you get him home.

Of course, bacteria isn’t just smelly, but it’s also potentially a health risk. Dogs can and do come back from boarding with various sicknesses including:

• Fleas and ticks
• Canine flu
• Stomach bugs
• Ringworm
• Kennel cough

And then rarer diseases which whilst uncommon, have happened in US boarding kennels from time to time; leptospirosis, distemper, parvovirus, and hepatitis.

How to get your dog smelling better after kennels

That bad dog smell is going to be very hard to shift. If you want to get your dog smelling good again, I recommend following the advice that I laid out step by step in my guide to getting rid of fox poo smells.

Fox poo is a bad smell only rivalled by the stink a dog will pick up in kennels, so the cleaning process needs to be just as thorough.

Conclusion

Just because your dog came back from boarding with a bad smell, it doesn’t mean the kennels should be condemned. Running places like this is a very challenging task, and even the cleanest of environments won’t always stop that classic doggy smell from happening.

You might want to explore boarding kennels that offer in-house grooming facilities. I am aware of some that will give your dog a full shampoo and clean up before you pick them up.

You might also like…

I regularly blog about boarding your dog. Here are some recent guides I think you will find helpful:

• How to prepare your puppy for boarding
• What to look out for in boarding kennels
• Why I think your dog will miss you when staying in kennels
• Why dogs smell after boarding kennels

The post Why Your Dog Smells Bad After Boarding Kennels appeared first on DoggySaurus.