how to prepare your dog

How to prepare your dog for boarding?

There are some things you can do to help your dog have fun while you are away. This can help them settle quicker and have a happier time.

See a few practical tips below to prepare for the stay.

  • Encourage independent sleeping arrangements. If your dog sleeps in your bed or bedroom, move their bed out to the landing or to the kitchen/living room, start crate training. Being able to settle independently in a new environment is much harder if they can’t do that at home. Crate training is a great way of getting your dog being independent, that means when they go somewhere they will instantly feel at home, because taking a crate with them is easy-taking the whole house is impossible. It is like their own bedroom that travels with them. All dogs need uninterrupted sleep when they can recharge for the next day. We only take on crate trained dogs so we can separate and assure that no other dog will bother yours while they are having their beauty sleep.

  • Feed at set times. If your dog is a grazer who would snack on the kibble in the bowl all day long, we suggest to limit feeding time to once or twice a day. With other dogs around, grazing is not possible, so grazers often end up being confused and refusing to eat set meals. Set your dog up to success and feed them at set times instead of all day buffet.

  • Encourage neutrality with other dogs. Dogs don’t need to play with all other dogs all the time. Neutrality is the best thing you can aim for. At Quality Chops only the ones who can relax and chill in the house can hang out with the others. If they are not able to they will be moved to another room. Indoor time is relaxation time, while outdoor time is for exploring and playing.

  • Teach a reliable recall. Meanwhile this isn’t essential, it will open up the world for your dog. We go on big countryside adventures and the dogs who are able to be trusted off lead run and enjoy the off lead adventure for hours. We are happy to have dogs on lead for these walks, but from your dog’s point of view, i am sure they would love to run free with the pack.

  • Teach an off switch and/or place a stay. Teaching your dog to stay on their place and relax will help them to be able to stay calm anywhere and everywhere.

  • If your dog is scared of things, like vets or reactive in any way that could end up snapping at others, please muzzle condition them with loads of positive reinforcement, and bring their muzzle with them for their stay.

  • Loose lead walking. We take out 6-8 dogs at the time for walks, if your one dog can pull you away and unable to walk on a lead then imagine when we have 6 others, it’s also no fun for the dog either so please spend time on teaching your dog to walk nicely on the lead.

  • Drive your dog to places in a crate. Our vans are built in with crates and all dogs travel in a secure crate with ventilation and water. It is always sad to see dogs being freaked out by the vehicle or the crate so if possible spend some time building up to it.

  • Be honest about everything. If your dog is scared of people and would bite them then please be honest about it on the contact form and at the meet and greet so we don’t waste each other’s time. If they have behaviour issues or anxieties please let us know so we can do our best to help them to have a pleasant stay with us.

  • All dogs coming for daycare or boarding MUST HAVE Kennel Cough vaccination at least 2 weeks prior to their stay.

We want all dogs to have a great time while they stay with us. Our priority is their well being and safety!

onboarding  procedures 

THE PROCESS for onboarding new clients for boarding , daycare and dog training

  1. DISCOVERY CALL
    To able to direct you to the right service, please book a discovery call with us where we can discuss potential meet and greet or training services.

  2. MEET AND GREET
    Once the date is chosen and booked you will receive a confirmation email with the next steps. For meet and greet, will bring one of our own dogs for an on lead neutral walk, which can progress to an off-lead walk if we both agree and find it safe to do so. Please don’t come to our home address.

  3. REGISTRATION PAPERWORK
    If the meet and greet goes well and we decide that we are all happy to move forward we will send you our registration paperwork to read, sign and send back to us. This contains a questionnaire, our Terms and Conditions and general information. For trial or any daycare/boarding stay the dog must have or receive Kennel Cough vaccination at least 2 weeks before the stay.

  4. TRIAL
    After the meet and greet we will schedule a trial when your dog will stay with us for an overnight board or daycare, to see if they feel comfortable and to have a sniff around so when they come for their first stay it is familiar for them. Trials are charged at our standard rates and needs to be paid prior to the trial. If you are enquiring about walks or drop in visits, we will come at meet you at your house to discuss details.

  5. PAYMENT
     Bookings are not confirmed until a deposit is paid. Bookings are on a first come first served basis so once the deposit is paid the booking is confirmed. Full payment must be made at least 14 days before the first day of the boarding.

  6. THE DAY BEFORE
    We will send you a reminder on WhatsApp, please give us your ETA so we can plan our day. Please remember that our time slots for drop off/collection are 7.30am-9am and 4.30pm-6pm.

  7. ON THE DAY
    Once you have arrived, please park your car allowing access to others. Message us and we will come to your car to collect the dog and belongings, do not knock on the door. Pease don’t come in the house or garden unless invited. It’s our home as well as our business.

  8. FOR TRAINING
    Please book a discovery call so we can help you choose the right service.