5 Signs Your Dog is Ready for Boarding

5 Common Myths About Dog Boarding

Getting your dog ready for boarding can feel like prepping them for a space mission—you’re sending them off into a new environment with new companions, and you want to ensure they’re fully prepared for the adventure. It doesn’t have to feel like you’re bundling them up in an airlock however. At The Loyalist Barkway, we often get asked what makes a dog “boarding-ready.” Here are five key signs that your furry friend is ready to embark on their interstellar-style staycation.

Fully Crate Trained

Just like an astronaut knows how to secure themselves in a space capsule, a dog that’s fully crate-trained can happily settle into their personal space without stress. Boarding often involves crate time for rest, safety, or downtime, so your pooch needs to feel comfortable in their crate, which serves as their personal “command module.” Although our rooms are large enough for a person to lie down in, they can sometimes resemble a crate environment, as they have full floor-to-ceiling walls with proper entrance doors.

Can Sleep In Until 7 a.m.

A well-rested dog is a happy dog. If your pup can snooze until the early morning hours without waking up anxious or demanding attention, they’re ready to handle the structured schedule of a boarding facility. Think of it as having the circadian rhythm of a Vulcan—calm, steady, and self-sufficient. At the Loyalist Barkway, we start our rounds at 7 a.m. If necessary, we can schedule your pup to be the first to visit the bathroom. Just let us know.

Can Self-Soothe

Some dogs handle new experiences like Jedi Masters: calm, collected, and able to centre themselves. If your dog can self-soothe when left alone or during a moment of stress, they’re more likely to have a positive boarding experience. Chewing a toy, settling into a bed, or simply relaxing without constant supervision shows emotional maturity worthy of any intergalactic mission. The good news is that for most dogs, this is not only something that can be taught, but it also has lasting benefits for their home life.

Knows How to Greet New Dogs Properly

Space stations can be crowded, and the same is true for boarding facilities. A dog that knows how to greet other dogs politely—no excessive jumping, barking, or territorial behaviour—is ready to join the social crew. Proper introductions ensure everyone gets along, and no one ends up in a Star Wars-style doggy skirmish. Of course, if your pup isn’t the social kind and prefers the lone-wolf style of sniffaris, then we always have the option of privacy.

Can Handle Short Separations

Although not explicitly mentioned above, this is often implied: dogs that can manage brief separations from their owners adapt more easily to boarding. They know that being away doesn’t mean the world is coming to an end. The great news is that after your first trial day, you teach them another vital lesson. You are coming back for them. And that in turn leads them to trust their handler when you aren’t near.

Boarding doesn’t have to be stressful—for you or your dog. Recognizing these signs ensures your pup is ready for a fun, safe, and social adventure at The Loyalist Barkway. Think of it as sending them on their own cruise, where comfort, confidence, and good behaviour make them a true hero of their own story.

Help us help you. Book your trial day so we can start building trust with your dog. And check out our article about what you can do to prepare for your dog’s stay here.