As a responsible pet owner, there are a few things you must attend to before bringing your dog in to board. All immunizations must be current. Most facilities require rabies, distemper, and bordetella vaccines. Your pet should be free of internal and external parasites and not have been exposed to any contagious diseases. Be sure to inform the facility of any special idiosyncrasies or medical problems your dog may have (epilepsy, fear of thunder, etc.). Note: If your dog is extremely old or requires multimple medications, you might consider boarding with your veterinarian. 

Dogs should be prepared psycholigically for boarding, It's best to begin with a puppy because they learn very quickly and are open to new situations. But, if you've never boarded before, it is recommended leaving your dog for a few hours for daycare. They will get acquainted with the facility, the smells, and the staff. After just a few visits your dog will accept the facility as a normal way of life.

One more note: It is not beneficial to lament over the dog while dropping them off. This causes the dog to be unnecessarily upset.

What Should You Bring?

Odyssey Pets provides blankets, cots, and bowls. All we need from you is your pet and their food. Pets tend to eat better when they arrive with their own food. If your pet has any medications, please inform us at drop off and be sure they are labeled clearly.

Now That You're Home: 

Separations from the family or being in strange surroundings can produce stress in your dog. Stress can result in lowered resistance to disease, change in digestive habits, and sometimes even temproary changes in behavior.

Why is my dog so tired?

Your pup just had a sleep over with a ton of friends! This can be exhausting! Couple that with the excitement of seeing you again and your pup may need a few days to catch up on some much needed shut eye!

My dog is drinking a lot of water. Should I be concerned?

When your dog is picked up, he or she will be very excited to see you. Over-excitement may make a dog pant a lot and act thirsty. They may drink a lot of water when they get home. Pups in our care have access to water 24/7. We recommend limiting water for the first few hours they arrive home to avoid any stomach upset or vomiting.

After going home, My dog had loose stool.

The excitement of seeing you and coming home can be a lot for a pup to process. Over-excitement can cause gastric distress. This can result in stool that is softer than normal, or frequently needed bathroom breaks until they readjust to being home.

My pup had an accident inside when they arrived home. Did they not use the bathroom during their stay?

Even house trained pups sometimes have accidents. The excitement of seeing you and being home can cause an overactive bladder. We recommend a short walk when you arrive home to prevent any indoor accidents.

My dog smells really bad. Was his kennel not cleaned?

During boarding, dogs can get excited and their bathroom habits will change. It is possible that dogs might step in their stools or urine and become dirty. That can happen in the cleanest of facilities. We highly recommend a bath upon departure so your pup goes home smelling great. 

My dog had extra food leftover? 

At Odyssey Pets, we have a strict feeding schedule and document all meal times. Sometimes temporary behavior changes can occur as a result of unfamiliar surroundings. Eating habits change under stress and different dogs assimilate food differently.

We hope these tips help you prepare for your pet's next boarding stay. Wherever you decide to board your furry baby, we hope your pets have fun! Safe travels.