How to Help Your Dog Adjust to Being Away from Home

How to Help Your Dog Adjust to Being Away from Home

Boarding your dog can be a new experience for both you and your furry friend. While some dogs take to new environments easily, others may feel anxious or stressed. With a few free preparation strategies, you can make the smooth out the transition tot he kennel and reduce the stress for you both.

Start with Short Practice Sessions

Before a complete overnight stay, consider asking a friend or family member to watch your dog for a few hours. This helps your dog get used to being away from you gradually and teaches them that you always return. Using a dog walker can also help achieve this goal. Many boarding facilities offer trial days, allowing your dog to spend a few hours or half a day at the facility. This gives them a chance to explore, meet caregivers, and feel comfortable before a more extended stay. At the Loyalist Barkway, we achieve this through a complimentary daycare day. You already have enough stress; we don’t need to add to it.

Bring Familiar Comfort Items

Dogs thrive on familiarity. Bring items from home, such as their favourite blanket, or high value toy. Another great option is a piece of your clothing. It wouldn’t be the first time that someone left the shirt off their back. Familiar scents help ease anxiety and provide a sense of security while they’re in a new environment. Please note that at the Loyalist Barkway, socks are considered a choking hazard and can’t be used.

Let them sleep in.

If your dog is anything like ours, the second you move in the morning, they’re up and ready for the day. When it comes to a kennel, they may not be scheduled to be the first in the yard. Teaching them at home that they can wait until you are ready to let them out will decrease the chances of having accidents in their kennels.

Stick to Their Routine

Dogs feel more secure when their daily schedule remains consistent. Try to keep feeding, walking, and playtime schedules as consistent as possible. Inform the boarding staff about your dog’s routine so they can provide continuity. We can accommodate minor adjustments to our schedule if it will help soothe your dog. Another option is to discuss ahead of time so you can slowly incorporate our habits into your dog’s daily routine.

Teach your dog that it’s okay to be alone

Is your dog ready to be alone? When you come back from play or walk sessions, put them in their crate for a while so they learn that it’s okay not to have their every whim attended to. A lot of separation anxiety stems from our desire to please our puppies constantly. They learn to expect whatever they wish at a moment’s command. You can also teach them a place command so they understand the value of sitting down and relaxing.

Final Thoughts

Adjusting to being away from home can take time, but with preparation, patience, and familiar comforts, most dogs thrive in a boarding environment. Planning ensures your dog enjoys their stay, giving you peace of mind. Book your trial day today.

Need some help? Book your trial day today, and we can assess your dog’s suitability for social play groups. And check out our article about why your dog may need privacy here.