What to bring.
A short checklist that makes the first night smoother. Print it, screenshot it, screenshot the screenshot — whatever works.
Essential
- Enough food for the entire stay, plus 2 extra meals (in case of delayed return)
- All medications in original containers with dosing instructions
- Current vaccination records (rabies, DHPP, bordetella)
- Collar with current ID tags
- Leash and harness if your dog uses one
- Vet contact info and your emergency contact
Comforts from home
- A blanket or t-shirt that smells like home
- Favorite chew toy or comfort toy
- Familiar treats (we have some, but yours = bonus points)
- Bed if your dog has a strong preference
- Lick mat or puzzle toy if it's part of their routine
Nice to have
- Grooming brush if regular brushing is part of the routine
- Doggy raincoat or sweater for small breeds in winter
- Towel for muddy-paw days (Colorado spring is real)
- A short list of fun facts: quirks, fears, favorite spots, weird sleep noises
Please leave at home
- Squeaky toys that would disturb other dogs at 2am
- Rawhide or hard chews we haven't pre-approved
- Anything you'd be heartbroken to lose
- Expired food or 'just bought, never tried' new brand
The detail behind each category
Food
Bring the brand your dog already eats, pre-portioned per meal if you can. Switching foods the week of boarding doubles the odds of an upset stomach. We measure to match your home routine and feed in the same room every day so your dog can predict what's coming.
Medication
Original prescription containers with the pharmacy label intact — that's how we double-check dose and frequency. Bring a written note for anything unusual (gabapentin schedules, insulin timing, post-op restrictions). We administer all of it at no extra charge.
Comfort items
Scent is the fastest way a dog identifies 'home.' A t-shirt you've slept in, a familiar blanket, an unwashed bandana — any of those go a long way in the first 12 hours. You'll get it back at pickup.
Treats & enrichment
A few of your dog's favorite treats keep training language consistent between home and our home. Puzzle toys and lick mats are great enrichment — we use them daily during quiet hours.
What we won't use
Hard rawhides, plastic bones, and high-pitched squeaky toys stay in the car. They're safety, sleep, and 'other dogs in the home' concerns, not snobbery — we'll happily explain at drop-off.
Records
Bring printed or digital proof of current rabies, DHPP, and bordetella. If your vet uses an online portal, just have it bookmarked on your phone — we can snap a screenshot.
A note on the first night
Almost every dog eats less and sleeps less the first night somewhere new. That's not a problem — that's biology. By night two we usually see full meals and normal sleep. If anything is genuinely off, you'll hear from us the same day.
Skip the long emotional goodbye at drop-off if you can. A quick, cheerful "see you soon" gives your dog the signal that everything is normal. Drag it out and you're (accidentally) teaching them there's something to worry about.
Ready to book a stay?
Most new clients start with a free consultation. We meet your dog, show you the home, and answer every question.