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Leaving Your Furry Friend Top Tips for Holiday and Vacation Dog Boarding
Planning Your Holiday and Your Dog’s Care
Your Dog’s Best Days’ Dog Boarding is a professional pet care service that provides overnight accommodations, supervision, meals, and activities for your dog while you travel. Here’s what you need to know to get started:
Quick Steps to Book Dog Boarding on Holidays or When You Travel:
- Research facilities – Look for clean, safe environments with trained staff and appropriate dog-to-staff ratios
- Visit in person – Tour the facility, meet the staff, and ask about daily routines and safety protocols
- Check health requirements – Ensure your dog’s vaccinations (Rabies, Distemper, Bordetella) are current
- Book early – Holiday periods fill up quickly, often weeks or months in advance
- Prepare your dog – Consider a trial daycare visit to help your dog adjust to the new environment
- Pack essentials – Bring your dog’s regular food, any medications, and a comfort item from home
Planning holiday travel can be stressful for dog owners. Concerns about your dog’s safety, happiness, and care are common. With pet ownership on the rise, so is the demand for quality pet care. The pet services industry, including boarding, is a significant part of the projected $143.6 billion U.S. pet market.
Fortunately, modern dog boarding has evolved far beyond traditional kennels. At Your Dog’s Best Days, it’s designed to feel more like a dog-friendly getaway with supervised play, cozy rest time, and staff who understand canine behavior.
Take Thad, one of our favorite regulars: a calm 150-pound gentle giant who always has a toy in his mouth, happily shares space with tiny pups, and is first in line for soft beds and belly rubs. Dogs like Thad don’t just get watched here; they get cared for, included, and made to feel at home while you’re away.
As the founder of Your Dog’s Best Days, I’ve dedicated my career to raising the standard for professional dog care. Through hands-on experience, I’ve learned what matters most when you entrust your furry family member to us.
This section will cover everything you need to know to ensure your dog has a safe and enjoyable stay while you’re away.
Finding the Perfect Facility for Dog Boarding for Holidays
Choosing the right facility for dog boarding for holidays is the most critical step for your peace of mind and your dog’s happiness. A professional boarding facility offers the best balance of safety, socialization, and expert care.
At Your Dog’s Best Days in Tulsa, Oklahoma, our approach is built on personalized care, a veterinarian-preferred play model, and leading staff-to-dog ratios. We provide a stimulating yet secure “home away from home.”
When researching facilities, look for these key features:
- Cleanliness and Hygiene: The facility should be spotless. Observe the play areas and sleeping quarters, as cleanliness is crucial for health and indicates professional management.
- Safety Protocols: Inquire about safety measures like secure fencing, supervised play, and emergency procedures. Top facilities have 24/7 monitoring for temperature, fire, and security.
- Staff Training and Ratios: Staff should be trained in canine behavior and first aid. A low staff-to-dog ratio, which we prioritize, ensures more individual attention and better supervision.
- Play Areas and Activities: Look for spacious, secure play areas separated by dog size and temperament. We provide 8-10 hours of supervised open play for an active “playcation.”
- Comfortable Accommodations: Dogs need a cozy place to rest. Ask about individual, climate-controlled suites. We offer comfortable, home-style accommodations for your dog to unwind.
- Facility Tours: A reputable facility will always offer tours. This is the best way to see the environment, meet the staff, and get your questions answered.
To learn more about our specific offerings and philosophy, you can visit our main Dog Boarding page.
Here’s a list of essential questions you should ask any potential dog boarding facility, including ours, to ensure it’s the right fit:
- What are your vaccination requirements? (We’ll cover this in detail next!)
- What is your daily routine for boarding dogs, including playtime, feeding, and rest?
- How do you separate dogs for play, by size, temperament, or both?
- How do you handle medication administration and special dietary needs?
- What are your emergency procedures, and do you have veterinary partnerships? You can learn more about veterinary care options available through Your Dog’s Best Days partners.
- Is there staff on-site overnight, or is the facility monitored remotely?
- What is your policy on trial stays for new dogs?
- How do you handle dogs that are shy, anxious, or have specific behavioral quirks?
- What is your communication policy? Will we receive updates or pictures of our dog?
- What are your drop-off and pick-up times, especially during holidays?
- Do you offer any additional services like grooming or training during their stay?
By asking these questions, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of the facility’s operations and how they will care for your beloved companion.
Pre-Boarding Prep: Health, Safety, and Packing
Once you’ve chosen the perfect spot for dog boarding for holidays, the next step is to prepare your dog for their stay. A little preparation goes a long way in ensuring a smooth transition.
Health and Vaccination Requirements
Reputable facilities require up-to-date vaccinations to protect all guests. The typical requirements are:
- Rabies: Legally mandated for all dogs.
- Distemper (DHPP/DA2PP): Protects against several common canine diseases.
- Bordetella (Kennel Cough): Essential for environments where dogs socialize.
You will need to provide proof of vaccination from your vet. Ensure records are current well before boarding, as some vaccines have a waiting period.
Preparing Your Dog for a Boarding Stay
To help your dog acclimate, we highly recommend a trial daycare visit before their dog boarding for holidays stay.
- Trial Stays & Acclimatization: A half-day or full-day of daycare lets your dog get familiar with our facility, staff, and routines in a low-pressure setting. This reduces anxiety and allows our team to learn your dog’s personality, ensuring they receive personalized care.
- Routine: Maintaining a consistent feeding and exercise routine at home before their stay can help them adapt more easily to our structured environment.
For more insights, check out our blog post on Boarding Your Dog. You can also explore our Dog Daycare options to schedule a trial visit.
What to Pack for Your Dog
Bringing a few items from home can make your dog’s stay more comfortable.
- Your Dog’s Own Food: To avoid digestive upset, pack their regular food, pre-portioned per meal. Pack a little extra, as their appetite may increase with activity.
- Medication (if applicable): Bring any necessary medication in its original packaging with clear vet instructions.
- Comfort Items: A favorite blanket or bed that smells like home can provide immense comfort.
- What NOT to Pack: Please leave personal toys at home. They can get lost or cause conflict in group play. We have plenty of toys for everyone.
The Boarding Experience: Costs, Logistics, and Special Needs
Understanding the practicalities of dog boarding for holidays is essential for a smooth experience.
Understanding the Costs Associated with Dog Boarding
Boarding costs vary by length of stay, accommodation, and extra services. Demand increases during holidays, which can affect pricing, so booking early is wise. We offer a range of options, including premium services like private suites and add-ons like grooming or training.
For a detailed breakdown of our rates, visit our page on How Much Does Dog Boarding Cost?.
Drop-off and Pick-up Procedures
We recommend dropping your dog off before 3 PM to give them time to settle in and play. For pick-up, please arrive at least 15 minutes before closing so our staff can update you on your dog’s stay.
Accommodating Dogs with Special Needs or Medical Conditions
We provide personalized care for dogs with special needs.
- Puppies: We welcome puppies over four months old who are up-to-date on vaccinations (spayed/neutered if over seven months). A trial visit is highly recommended.
- Senior Dogs: We offer quiet suites with orthopedic bedding for our senior guests, along with gentle exercise and attention to their specific needs.
- Medical Conditions: Our trained staff can administer most medications and handle special diets. Please communicate all medical needs clearly during booking.
Recognizing Signs of Stress and Ensuring Well-being
Our experienced staff constantly observe dogs for signs of stress, such as hiding or loss of appetite. If we notice issues, our team intervenes with gentle reassurance. We believe in proactive communication and will send you updates and pictures to ease your mind.
Post-Boarding Care
Your dog will likely be tired after their active “playcation.” This is normal! To help them transition back home:
- Thirst and Water Intake: Your dog may be very thirsty. Wait 30-60 minutes before offering a small amount of water to prevent them from drinking too quickly.
- Feeding: Delay their next meal for at least three hours after arriving home to let their digestive system settle.
- Rest: Let them rest and decompress for a few days. Avoid strenuous activities while they catch up on sleep. Learn more in our article, Dog Tired After Boarding.
Policy on Extended Stays or Last-Minute Bookings
We accommodate extended stays; for longer trips, explore our Dog Long Term Boarding options. However, holidays fill up quickly. We highly recommend booking your dog boarding for holidays weeks or months in advance to secure a spot, as last-minute bookings are challenging.
Ensuring a Happy Holiday for Everyone
By properly planning your dog boarding for holidays, you can enjoy your trip knowing your dog is having their own fantastic “playcation.” Choosing a professional facility like Your Dog’s Best Days provides:
- Peace of Mind for You: Relax knowing your dog is in a safe, supervised, and loving environment.
- A Fun “Playcation” for Your Dog: We offer socialization, structured play, and mental stimulation to keep your dog happy and healthy.
- Expert Care: Our trained team provides personalized attention, using a veterinarian-preferred play model and industry-leading staff-to-dog ratios.
Booking in advance is crucial for holidays to guarantee a spot and allow time for prep.
At Your Dog’s Best Days in Tulsa, Oklahoma, we’re committed to giving your dog their best days away from home. Explore our services and see why pet parents trust us.
