Going on a trip away from home is always an exciting time. When you have a pet, however, it can be a worrisome time as well. Ideally you’ll be able to leave your precious with a trusted friend or family member. Since this is not always an option a kennel is the second best thing.

Kennels aren’t all bad, but you need to be careful to find a kennel with a good reputation, preferably one that acquaintances have used and know will care for you pet.

Many dogs experience anxiety when they are boarded at a kennel, or even any place that's not home, for the first time. Owners and dogs feed off of each others anxiety when they are planning to be apart. Following are some helpful hints that should make this first-time a little less nerve-wracking and stressful.

· Try to be calm. While planning, packing, and on the day of departure, act as if it's nothing out of the ordinary.
· Bring his favourite blanket, cushion, or if he hasn't one of his own, sacrifice a sweatshirt or something you wear frequently, unwashed, so it smells like you, to help him calm once you are gone.
· Bring his own food, and his own dishes as well. Anything that came from home will help him adjust, minimizing the distressing changes.
· Take any of his favorite toys with him; a Kong, a stuffed animal he likes to cuddle with, a squeaky cat, his brother.
· Make sure you don't suddenly change his food on him, as the resulting stomach upset will just add to his distress.
· Once you drop him off, leave. Do not drag out the good-byes, or make a fuss, or act like you are leaving for a week (even if you are). If you drop him off and make like he's just going for a play-date, he won't be as stressed out, and your leave-taking will be much easier if you don't have to deal with a freaked-out and screaming dog.
· Be calm.

If you are boarding two dogs that are fairly close, they might prefer to share a kennel, rather than each have their separate rooms. Yours might like it better that way as well.

Importantly, enjoy your vacation! Your dog won’t hold leaving him against you once he’s back in your safe embrace!

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