At what age can you board your puppy?
Sure, you’d rather travel with your dog, but that’s not always possible.
Knowing when it’s safe to leave your pup with strangers (albeit professional strangers) is important.
So, below, we’ll discuss how old your pooch needs to be for boarding, plus other relevant matters.
What Age Can You Board Your Puppy?
Dog boarding facilities usually have a minimum age for puppies they accept. In fact, you should be wary of one that does not have such a restriction.
That age requirement isn’t just an arbitrary recommendation, it’s actually for your dog’s safety.
Age restrictions for puppies vary between boarding facilities, so there’s no one perfect answer.
For the most part, though, the average minimum age accepted for a puppy is roughly four months.
Some facilities will take younger dogs if they’ve had their first round of shots, which they get when around three months of age.
However, it’s definitely better to wait until after the second round of vaccines before boarding a puppy.
Important Things to Do Before Boarding a Puppy
Age isn’t the only thing to consider before you board your puppy. Let’s take a look at a few other factors to keep in mind.
Health and Vaccinations:
Puppies are vulnerable to illnesses, particularly in their early weeks. Proper vaccination is crucial to ensure your puppy is protected from common diseases like parvovirus, distemper, and kennel cough. Most veterinarians recommend completing the core vaccination series by around 16 weeks of age.
Socialization:
The early months of a puppy’s life are critical for socialization. Exposing your puppy to different environments, people, and other dogs helps them develop into well-adjusted adult dogs. Boarding facilities can provide positive socialization experiences, but only if your puppy is ready.
Separation Anxiety:
Puppies form strong attachments to their owners, and being away from you for the first time can be stressful. It’s essential to consider your puppy’s emotional readiness for boarding to avoid potential anxiety issues.
Choosing the Right Kennel is Critical
Not all boarding facilities are created equally, so you want to make sure you’re choosing the right one.
Here are a few of the things you should consider when looking for the right kennel:
Research
You want to make sure that you get as much information as possible about available boarding facilities.
Make a list of kennels you think might be suitable to your needs and find out what people think about them.
Your friends and other pet owners may help in pointing you to the best place.
Cleanliness and Safety
The facility should be clean, well-maintained, and have safety protocols in place to prevent accidents and illnesses.
Also, check if the facility has access to a veterinarian and emergency procedures in place.
Staff Qualifications:
Makre sure that the staff is trained in animal care and behavior. They should be capable of handling emergencies and providing proper care.
Reputation and Reviews
Look for reviews from other pet owners and ask for recommendations from your vet or local pet community.
Pay a visit
Before you finalize your decision, schedule a quick visit to the kennel to see it in person.
This helps you assess how well the staff there will be able to take care of your pooch.
You should also use the opportunity to ask all questions that you think are worth having answers to.
Find out vaccination requirements
One of those things you should seek to know when you visit a facility is its vaccination requirements.
Ideally, a good one should require proof of vaccination. It might even be better if it requires that your puppy must have had a second round of shots.
Preparing Your Puppy for Boarding
To make sure your puppy has a positive boarding experience, here are some steps to take before their first stay:
- Vet Check: Ensure your puppy is up-to-date on vaccinations and has a clean bill of health. Many boarding facilities require proof of vaccination.
- Short Stays: If possible, start with a short stay or daycare visit. This helps your puppy get used to the new environment gradually.
- Familiar Items: Bring familiar items from home, such as your puppy’s bed, toys, and a piece of clothing with your scent. This can provide comfort and reduce stress.
- Feeding and Routine: Provide detailed instructions about your puppy’s feeding schedule, dietary needs, and daily routine. Consistency helps reduce anxiety.
One last thing- I highly recommend that you have a way to track your puppy should they manage to escape the kennel. The chances of this happening are slim, especially if you choose a good facility. Still, it can happen. There are so many great pet tracking and GPS collars in every price range on the market right now.
How Much Does it Cost to Board a Puppy?
The amount you will need to pay to board your puppy depends on different factors. These include your preferences, the facility in focus, and your area of residence.
However, pet owners pay anywhere between $25 and $85 a night to board a dog, according to HomeGuide. The average amount that most people pay is about $40 per night.
You may get better prices when boarding your puppy for a week or a longer period.
How Long Can You Board A Puppy?
There is also the question of how long is too long to board your dog.
Some people are afraid that they might lose the connection with their puppies.
Others worry about separation anxiety becoming an issue. In reality, it’s hard to say because every dog is different.
Some pet owners say a shorter or longer duration doesn’t matter much to the animals from experience.
While not totally advisable, you could leave your pooch in a boarding facility for several weeks and he would likely be just fine.
There are even reports of people leaving their dogs for over a year and the animals fared well regardless.
Obviously, that’s not something we want to do, though!
Summing up, you will be able to board a puppy when it is about 12-17 months of age, depending on kennels.
It is vital to ensure proper safeguards to protect the health of your pooch before boarding. Vaccination is critical and a visit to the vet will also help.
