Spring break is upon us: getaways, day trips, and staycations. While everyone is soaking up the sun, some cannot bring their dogs to their destination. Don’t worry about a thing because here are some options to consider for pet care so your dog can have fun, too. 

Board and Train Programs

Everyone knows about private and group training lessons with their dog, but not all are familiar with board and train programs. Essentially, your dog is going to pup college for two to three weeks. Dogs generally start this type of education at five months old up to several years (or more) old.  

A board and train option may be great if you are on vacation for a week or more. Go ahead and think about that pet training wish list which may include one or more of the following:

  • Does your dog pull on the leash during walks or bark at other people or dogs on that walk? 
  • Does your dog have aggression issues? 
  • Will your dog come when called?
  • Does your dog have a place command in the home where they can relax and decompress? 
  • Are they jumping on guests?
  • Is your dog counter-surfing in the kitchen?  

If these are the types of obedience skills you seek, then a board and train may be the perfect fit. This type of training occurs at a licensed kennel facility because they are also being trained during their stay. 

While some dog trainers do a board and train out of their private homes, a licensed kennel facility is different since it follows its county’s Animal Control protocol, including updated shot records, sanitation process, safety, and more. 

A board and train in good standing will update pet parents on their dog’s progress. More importantly, pet parents will have private lessons following the board and train so that the skills their dogs learned can be transferred to them. Pet parents must attend these private lessons and are integrated into the process for pet training success. 

The goal of a board and train is not only to train dogs but also to elevate the handling skills of pet parents and teach them how to read the signs of their dogs. Every dog has its unique personality, and pet parents should know how to address the training with this mindset. A series of private lessons is vital after the training which should also be included in a board and train package. 

Doggy Day Care

If you decide to leave for the day on an outing, doggy daycare is an excellent option if your pup likes socializing. Again, a licensed kennel facility is a wise choice to ensure safety procedures regarding health and wellness, safety, and sanitation. 

Before a dog gets dropped off for doggy daycare, the industry standard is to ensure a person’s dog passes a temperament test. This means that your dog gets along well with other dogs. 

Doggy daycare will also assess which dogs are appropriate together in terms of age, size, and energy levels. Attendants will be on the lookout for all dogs to ensure they are getting along nicely and when a pup needs quiet time to relax. 

If you believe you’ll be using doggy daycare services often, ask about play ticket packages for cost savings. Doggy daycare packages often include weekly, monthly, and unlimited monthly play programs. 

If your dog doesn’t pass a doggy daycare evaluation, dog kennels will offer day boarding as an option, where they will get one-on-one playtime with team members throughout the day. It’s also important to know that at some point, another doggy daycare assessment can be done later after a dog has settled in and visited the facility frequently.

Dog Boarding

If your dog doesn’t need training while you’re on vacation, then the other option is boarding. A licensed boarding facility will ensure your dog is up-to-date on all their shot records. Most facilities will also have you bring your dog’s food to avoid any gastric upset and will help with any dietary restrictions. It’s essential to maintain the same feeding schedule at home.

During a dog boarding stay, it’s a good idea to meet with the kennel before the boarding to do the following: 

  • Meet with the team and make sure they are friendly
  • Take a tour of the facility
  • Look for cleanliness, proper fencing, and experienced team members
  • During the paperwork process, ensure that the information collected is aimed at the care of your pet in terms of diet, feeding, and other vital data. 
  • Kennel is temperature-regulated and secured environment 
  • Outdoor play area 
  • Fresh water both in the kennel and dog rotation yards
  • Can accommodate special feedings and medications

Above all, look for a facility and team that cares. 

If a boarding facility also offers doggy daycare, there is likely an additional cost, but that’s an excellent option to consider. Again, your dog must undergo an evaluation to see if they are a good fit. Depending on your dog’s age and activity level, you can add to doggy daycare daily or every other day.  

How To Find A Pet Care Facility

Different ways exist to find a suitable dog care facility offering dog training, boarding, and doggy daycare choices. Veterinarians are an excellent resource, as are friends and reviews. One dog training and dog boarding facility in San Diego that offers all these services is Performance K9 Training and Boarding, which specializes in all dog breeds and personalities while giving back to the community with its philanthropic endeavors.