Is Dog Boarding Bad for dogs?

If you're planning a holiday and your dog can't come along for the trip, you're probably considering a dog boarding kennel on the Gold Coast.

When you're new to dog boarding, you'll have a few questions about the service and the impacts the experience it can have on your pet.

Is it safe to board your dog?

Generally speaking, dog boarding is very safe and your pet will be well looked after.

When boarding your dog for the first time at a new kennel, you should go in for a visit to check out the place and ask any questions you may have.

For complete peace of mind, make sure the dog boarding facility has the following features:

• Secure environment - it shouldn't look like it would be easy for a dog to escape.
• Large play areas for exercise.
• Attention, stimulation and play throughout the day.
  
  

Questions you can ask a dog boarding kennel

• Are dogs being provided with a dog bed or something similar?
• How well are the staff educated? Do they take notice of your pet’s mood and health?
• How often can the dogs interact with people one-on-one?
• Are the dogs being exercised daily?
• Do dogs need to be vaccinated and disease-free?
• Have there been any recent cases of kennel cough?
• How often are the dogs fed and what food are they using?
• Can you supply your own dog food?
• Do they offer other services like grooming, vet care, or training?
  
  

Safety precautions you can take

Ensure your dog is up-to-date with all of its vaccinations and is in good health before boarding.

It's important to be completely honest and up-front with the staff at the dog boarding kennels about

• Any behavioural issues your pet may have.
• Required medications and provide clear instructions for administering medication.
• If your pet suffers from separation anxiety.
• How you can be reached in case of emergency - Be sure to leave an emergency contact phone number that you'll be available on.

Some boarding kennels may even allow you to bring your dog in for a trial to see how they cope with the experience. This will also be a good chance for you to evaluate the facilities.

 

Are dogs traumatized by boarding?

Dog boarding can be challenging for your dog, but a dog is rarely traumatized after spending time at a dog boarding kennel. It's important to understand the realities of boarding your dog:

1. Your dog will be left in an unfamiliar environment with many other dogs.

2. Your dog is going to have a massive change in its routine.

3. If you cannot supply your dog’s regular food, it will have a change in diet.

Boarding your dog for the first time is a little bit like putting your child into a daycare or sending them for their first day of school, except for many days or weeks at a time - it's a big change.

Every dog is different and some dogs are better coping with the changes while other dogs will experience varying levels of distress. You may have a dog that enjoys

If you've done the proper research and dog boarding preparation training beforehand, nothing bad should happen to your dog.

 

Do dogs get stressed in boarding kennels?

Dogs who suffer from separation anxiety can be prone to experiencing the symptoms of kennel stress.

Without the proper preparation for boarding, your dog may experience kennel stress.

Common symptoms of kennel stress can include:

• Pacing – This is a compulsive behaviour displayed by dogs during times of anxiety. Dogs can find comfort in the repetitive nature of pacing back and forth.
• Depression – A depressed dog will feel very sad and won’t participate in any activities that were fun for him/her in the past.
• Loss of appetite – Depression, stress, and anxiety may cause a loss of interest in eating or drinking.
• Aggression – Fear or a lack of exercise can lead to aggressive behaviour towards humans or other dogs.
• Digging – Boredom or separation anxiety can cause dogs to dig excessively. 
• Barking – A high level of distress will cause excessive or uncharacteristic barking.

It may be a good idea to get in touch with the staff at your chosen dog boarding kennel within the first couple of days of your trip to see how your dog is coping.

Ask the staff to evaluate your dog's body language and mood excluding any of your dog’s "normal" behavioural tendencies.

 

How long does it take for a dog to 'recover' from boarding?

Most dogs will return to their "normal" patterns and behaviours within 24 hours of returning home from a stay at the kennels.

If your dog still seems to be a little lethargic once the initial 24-hour period has passed, there could be several possible reasons:

1. The dog is physically exhausted.

Your dog could be sleeping more than usual because of all the physical activity he/she had while at the dog boarding facility. If this is the case, it's a good thing because it means the staff at the boarding kennels kept the dog well-exercised and stimulated.

2. The dog is mentally exhausted.

Again, your dog may have received so much mental stimulation during their kennel stay that they are tired and need to catch up on rest.

The change in scenery, routine, smells, sights and sounds will all contribute to mental tiredness.

3. The dog is tired from kennel stress or separation anxiety.

As we've discussed already, not every dog will enjoy their dog boarding experience. 

Stress causes fatigue and can disrupt sleep. Your dog might not have slept to their usual patterns, so they will need to catch up on sleep when you get 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 caged boarding.

4. The dog is sick.

Dogs can sometimes get sick after a stay in a boarding kennel, and this will often make them behave differently when they get home.

Possible illnesses a dog could pick up include canine flu, stomach bugs, ringworm, or kennel cough.

 

Do dogs forget their owners after 2 weeks of pet boarding?

Your dog will remember you after 1 week, 1 month or even 1 year.

Dogs have an incredible memory, although it works differently from the memory of a human. Humans will tend to remember the composition of a place through sounds, smells and people.

Dogs have more of an associative memory which is based on experiences and the dog’s association with those experiences.

For example, a dog would not remember a person based on the clothes they wore. The dog would instead remember that was the person who gave them the most attention when they were in the house.

 

Should I use a Gold Coast dog boarding facility?

It's always recommended to leave your pet with a house sitter, a family member or a close friend if you can. When this isn't possible, dog-boarding kennels are a great option.

Providing you’ve done your research and chosen the appropriate dog boarding facility, there are many benefits to dog boarding including

• Socialisation with other pets and new people.
• Opportunities to exercise and be mentally stimulated.
• A professional environment with constant supervision.
• Routine feeding and exercising.
• Monitoring of food, medication and your pet’s wellbeing.
• Protection and privacy for your home (you won’t require a pet sitter or house sitter).

Read more here about the benefits of dog boarding kennels.

 

Leave Your Dog at Alida’s Pet Resort

Alida’s Pet Resort is a dog boarding kennel with a professionally trained staff that can provide your dog with the care and attention that it deserves. The entire facility is designed to keep its precious guests safe and comfortable.

Nestled in a lush green area between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, we have ample space for the dogs to socialise, play, or just lounge in under the sun. We can be your dog’s home away from home!

Check out our puppy gallery to view some of our dogs on holiday.

At Alida’s Pet Resort, you can trust that your dog will be safe, healthy, and comfortable while you are enjoying a holiday with your family. Check out our affordable daily rates and make a booking.

Call Alida’s Pet Resort on 07 5546 2275 or contact us online for all enquiries about our services and facilities.