What to Expect When Your Pup Comes For a Stay

Before you come

Preparation is important for your dog to have the best stay!

Read our policies and requirements.  They can be found here

Food:  your pup will eat their own food while they are here.  Please pre-portion it into zip-top baggies.  One bag for each dog, each meal.  This helps us to make sure they get the right amount each time, and that we can get everyone served on time.

Vaccines:  Send a copy of the vaccine record before you come so we can check it over.  Then there are no surprises at drop off. Required vaccines are rabies, distemper,and bordetella.  As well as a negative fecal checck.

Medication: Bring mediations in their original container, and with clear instructions.

What should I bring?

Definites:
- Food - enough for their stay, pre-portioned. (we have bowls)
- Their regular medication or supplements
- A collar that has ID tags with your current phone #
- A leash
- Vaccine record (if not sent before hand)
- A GPS collar for added safety is a great idea!

Optional:
- their own bed or blanket (we have cots here)
- toys or chews
- treats

My dog has a microchip, do I need a GPS collar?

Microchipping is great - your dog should definitely have a microchip. A microchip requires that your missing dog is found by someone, and then taken to a vet or a shelter where they have a microchip reader. Before that happens, you have no idea where your dog is, or if they are safe. Any number of things could happen to your beloved pup before someone collects them and takes them to the shelter.  Having a GPS collar on your dog allows you to know where they are in real-time. If your dog does get away from you, you can find them instantly using the tracking app included with all major GPS collars. This is a much quicker and safer option for your pup.  We highly recommend that all dogs come to boarding with a GPS collar. 

Arriving

When you arrive at Happy Dog Acres, please remain in your car and call us.  One of our staff will greet you at your car to meet your pup and collect all their info.

We will ask about your pup's feeding routine, and for any other important info about them.  This is the time to tell us about any allergies, and how they get along (or not) with other dogs.

Please keep your dog on a leash at all times.  This is for their safety.  If you do not have a leash, let us know - we can get one.


While your dog is here

When your dog is here for their stay they will get lots of attention.
They are let out first thing in the morning for a potty break, and then have breakfast. Throughout the day they are taken out for a leash walk, or play in our large fenced in yard.  They are usually out several times per day for activity.
They are also let out multiple times per day for bathroom breaks.  
We will feed again in the evening. (If your dog is on a different feeding schedule, we accomodate that.)

Play time: We want to make sure that all dogs here are happy and enjoying their stay. We provide group play for dogs that will enjoy it as long as we have a good playmate for them.
Dogs that don't enjoy group play, or don't have a good playmate here, will still get individual play and exercise time with our team. 

Pick up

When you come to pick up your dog, please remain in your vehicle, and call to let us know you have arrived.  
We are a small facility, so our staff may need a minute to secure the dog they are with before bring your dog out.

We will tell you all about your dog's experience!



Return to the main boarding page to book your stay here