First Trip to the Pet Hotel: How to Pick a Hotel & Prepare Your Pup

Leaving your furry family members behind when you go on vacation can be a daunting experience, and figuring out where to leave them for the first time can be a huge undertaking.

There are so many options out there, from bringing them with you, to leaving them at home, or just hoping a relative can handle your pup. Taking your pooch everywhere sounds like a great idea, until you realize most destinations aren’t especially dog-friendly. Leaving them at home with an untrained stranger can be risky. And unfortunately, not all of our family members know how to handle our pups. Many pet parents have found pet hotels to be the superior petcare option when it comes to convenience, safety, comfort, and fun for their furry family members.

If you’re getting ready to try a pet hotel but aren’t sure how to prepare your pup for their first overnight stay – we are here to help! We’ve answered some of the questions you will have about how to pick a pet boarding facility, what to expect after your dog is checked in, plus tons of useful information that you won’t find anywhere else. Let’s dig in!

What to Look for in a Pet Boarding Facility:

Research & Tours

When you’re looking for a boarding facility, you have to do some research. Finding a place that can accommodate your pet’s specific medical and physical needs is crucial to setting your pet up for a successful stay. Check online reviews and social profiles to spot any red flags.

Once you’ve found a place that looks like it will meet your needs, drop in for a tour. Most reputable facilities will be proud and excited to show off their hotel so that you feel comfortable knowing exactly where your pet will be staying while you are gone. If a hotel offers limited tours of their facility or no tours at all – that could be a red flag! Look for places that are transparent with their care procedures and check out how clean the rooms are while you’re walking through.

Don’t feel shy about asking tough questions. Your pets are your family and you deserve to feel comfortable knowing as much as possible about where they will be staying while you are away.

Expertly Trained Staff

The best pet hotels train their teams extensively on dog body language. By understanding positive and negative body language behaviors, caregivers can prevent unwanted behaviors and create a safe environment. Your pup deserves to feel secure while you’re away. Finding highly trained caregivers that are able to make your pet feel safe should be at the top of your pet care checklist.

Private vs. Open Boarding

While pet parents might think their dogs would prefer to sleep around other pups, private boarding rooms are scientifically proven to provide a safer and more comfortable space for pets to get away from the group after enjoying time socializing during the day. This gives them time to relax and refresh before rejoining groups in the morning and can lead to a healthier, less stressful stay.

Enrichment, Exercise, & Socialization

Boarding shouldn’t be boring! When you are away, your pups should get to play.

Pet hotels provide structured socialization time with plenty of opportunities for dogs to stretch their legs and get out their excess energy. While some pet hotels just release pups into a play area and leave them to it, the best facilities train their teams to interact with the dogs and provide mental enrichment games to keep them entertained throughout their stay. Look for boarding options that give your pooch all of the exercise and enrichment they need to come home feeling as refreshed after their trip as you will be.

Cleaning & Safety Protocols

The next time you walk in to tour a pet hotel ask yourself, “does it smell good in here?” If the answer is “no”, that could be a sign that the hotel is slacking off their cleaning responsibilities. Look for hotels that make around-the-clock cleaning a priority to keep your pet healthy and feeling their best. Reputable facilities will have dedicated team members actively cleaning at all times to maintain a sanitary environment.

On top of cleaning regularly, it’s important that they use pet friendly cleaning products that are effective without risking damage to your pup’s sensitive skin.

Setting Your Dog Up for Success:

Check Vaccinations

Nothing derails a trip faster than discovering your pup is overdue for a vital vaccine while you’re dropping them off for boarding. Always double check that your pet has every necessary vaccination before dropping them off. Commonly required vaccinations include:

DHPP/DAPP:

This combination vaccine protects dogs against Distemper, Adenovirus type 1 (Hepatitis), Adenovirus type 2 (respiratory), Parainfluenza and Parvovirus. After the initial series, your dog will still need periodic boosters, with the frequency being determined by your veterinarian and based on your dog’s age, lifestyle, and other risk factors. If your dog is due for a booster, it should ideally be done at least 3 weeks before their stay at a kennel to allow them to build up the best immunity prior to boarding.

Rabies:

The rabies vaccine is mandated by state laws for all pets regardless of whether you plan on boarding them.

Bordetella (AKA Canine Cough):

The Bordetella vaccine is crucial for any dogs that enjoy socializing in dog parks, pet stores, or at doggie daycare. The vaccine needs to be given at least 3 days before their stay and boarding facilities require this vaccine to be given once a year at minimum.

While the risk of catching Canine Cough is never zero when your dog is interacting with other dogs, the vaccine decreases the risk of infection and can decrease the severity of the disease if it is contracted.

Canine Influenza Virus (Dog Flu):

Though not all hotels require the influenza vaccine, it is recommended for most social dogs to reduce their risks. Canine Influenza is rare, but highly contagious when present in the area. After the initial series, your dog should receive this vaccine every year.

Start with a Trial Day Introduction

Introduce your four-legged family member to a new environment by bringing them in for a practice day to meet the staff, get introduced to playgroups, and get familiarized with their boarding room can help relieve much of their first day anxiety. A trial is a great way to find out if your dog enjoys playing with the groups or prefers to hang out more with the caregivers. Whatever their preference, knowing in advance can make the boarding experience seamless.

Conquer Separation Anxiety

Our canine companions love to be right by our side. Help your dog prepare for their first boarding experience by gradually increasing the time you spend apart each day before leaving on your trip.

Remember to start slow! Extend the time you spend out or away from your dog to build their confidence without overwhelming them. Positive reinforcement, like treats and belly rubs, can help create a positive association with being alone. Peanut butter filled Kong toys and lick-mats provide delicious distractions for your pup to keep them entertained for a while after you leave.

If your pooch is particularly anxious, natural calming remedies like chamomile, lavender, or pet-friendly CBD drops can help calm them down. Try them out at home to see how your dog reacts to soothing supplements.

Communicate Your Pet’s Needs

Clear and open communication with boarding staff while booking your reservation and at check-in is vital for your dog’s well-being. If your dog takes medication, include clear instructions and provide original packaging whenever possible to reduce the risk of mix ups. Inform the hotel of any allergies or special needs your pet has to ensure they receive the best possible care.

Leave on a Positive Note

Leaving your pup on their first boarding adventure is a big moment for you and them! It is crucial that you leave your dog on a positive note during their first stay to set them up for success.

As hard as goodbyes may be, remember that dogs pick up on our emotions. You might not be able to talk to your dog, but you can communicate in so many ways with body language and tone. Keep your departure short and upbeat! If you are excited about their vacation, they will be too. Give your pup a joyful send off to make it an enjoyable experience.

Wag Hotel is proud to provide top-notch pet care services in various locations, ensuring your furry friends receive the best care and attention while you’re away. Whether you’re planning a trip or just need a day of pampering for your pets, our facilities are conveniently spread across different cities. Discover all of our Wag Hotel locations:

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