Your Dog's First Boarding Stay: A Checklist That Actually Helps

The first overnight at a kennel is usually harder on the owner than on the dog. A little preparation takes most of the worry out of it. This is the checklist we would walk you through at Champion Kennels in Sterling, in the order you'll want to tackle it, starting with the paperwork that takes the longest to sort out.

Start with vaccines, and start early

Shot records come first because one of them carries a built-in waiting period. For dogs, Champion asks for a current DHLPP booster, rabies, and kennel cough. The kennel cough vaccine has a 10-day wait after it is given before your dog can stay, and it's valid for one year. A vaccine given on Thursday for a Saturday trip is too late. Count backward from your travel date and book the vet visit well ahead.

Titers are accepted if your vet prefers that route for your dog. Rabies and shot records are required for every pet, so ask your vet's office to send the paperwork or bring a copy yourself. One more detail: pets aren't admitted on the day they receive a vaccination, so don't schedule a shot for drop-off morning. And if the kennel has to phone your vet to chase down records, there is a $10 fee, an easy one to avoid by arriving with the papers in hand.

The 10-day wait after multi-dog settings

This one surprises people. If your dog has spent time in a multi-dog setting, there is a 10-day wait before boarding or day boarding. The list is longer than most owners expect: doggie daycare, a dog show or performance event, the dog park, another grooming salon, any store that allows pets, and vet offices.

The reasoning is general to any kennel. Places where lots of dogs pass through are where coughs and other contagious bugs travel, and a quiet stretch before a stay gives anything your dog picked up time to show itself before it reaches the other dogs. It also means the week before your trip is a poor time for a dog-park marathon, a browse through the pet store, or a weekend show. Plan the last ten days to be a little boring. Your dog won't mind.

Pack the food the way the kennel asks

Dogs eat two meals a day at Champion, and you provide the food. Pre-bag it, one bag per meal, with your dog's name on each bag. A five-night stay means ten bags. It sounds fussy, but it keeps every meal accurate and leaves nothing to guesswork at feeding time. Food that arrives loose in one big bag can carry an extra charge, so ask the office for the current policy before you pack.

If you'd rather not bag anything, the kennel can feed NutriSource lamb and rice kibble, and the office can tell you the price. Whichever way you go, a sudden food change is the quickest way to give a nervous dog an upset stomach. If your dog eats a particular food at home, send that food rather than trying something new for the week.

What the run is actually like

Dogs stay in private rooms with an indoor and an outdoor side. The floors are heated, and fans keep things cool, but there is no air conditioning, and the kennel says so plainly. Dogs can reach the outdoors day and night rather than being confined to a single indoor space. Fresh water is available at all times, there are mid-day and bedtime snacks, staff are on site around the clock, and the enclosures are double fenced.

If you're curious how your own dog will take to that setup, ask the office whether you can stop by before the stay. Seeing the runs and meeting the people puts a lot of owners at ease and helps your dog walk in with less hesitation.

Add-ons worth knowing about

Some dogs want a little more than the standard stay. The add-on menu includes:

• Outdoor play, 15 to 20 minutes, $8 for one dog or $12 for two
• Indoor cuddle time, $6
• Bedtime story, $6
• Enrichment games, $6
• A 10 to 15 minute brushing session, $15
• Nail trim, $10
• Pup cups, $4

Dogs with special needs or on medication can be looked after too. Both carry extra charges, so ask the office for the current numbers, and bring any medication in its original container with clear written instructions on dose and timing.

Payment and drop-off day

Payment is due at drop-off, and it's cash or check only. There's an ATM on site if you forget, but it's easier to sort out beforehand. Office hours are 9 to 11 AM and 1 to 5 PM on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and 9 AM to 4 PM on Saturday. The office is closed on Tuesday and Sunday, and every weekday from 11 AM to 1 PM, so plan your arrival around those gaps. Ask whether a familiar blanket or toy is welcome, and make sure your dog's collar and tags are current.

When you hand your dog over, keep the goodbye short and cheerful. Dogs read our mood, and a long, tearful farewell tells them something is wrong. Questions before you go? Call (978) 422-3100 or text 978-990-3364 and the team will walk you through the details.