Do Dogs Feel Abandoned When They Are Boarded?

It is understandable to worry that your dog will feel abandoned when you leave them for boarding. Dogs can notice that their owner is absent and some may show signs associated with stress or a change in routine, but we cannot know that a dog interprets boarding as “abandonment” in the same human sense of the word.

What we can do is pay attention to how an individual dog responds and create an environment that helps them feel as secure and comfortable as possible.

Will My Dog Miss Me?

Dogs form relationships with the people they live with, so it is perfectly reasonable to expect them to notice when those people are not there.

How they respond varies enormously.

Some dogs settle into a new routine quickly. We cover this in more detail in will my dog be OK in kennels for a week. Others may initially be quieter, more watchful, less interested in food or need additional reassurance and time.

This is one reason we believe boarding should never take a one size fits all approach.

Does Boarding Stress Dogs?

Any change of environment has the potential to be stressful for a dog, particularly if the dog is already sensitive to unfamiliar places, people, sounds or other dogs.

The goal should therefore not be to promise that a dog will experience no stress whatsoever. Instead, a good provider should look for ways to avoid unnecessary pressure, observe the dog's behaviour and respond appropriately.

How Can Boarding Be Made Easier for a Dog?

Preparation starts before you leave.

Give the boarding provider an honest picture of your dog. Tell them about routines, feeding, sleep, behaviour around other dogs and people, fears, medication and anything else that helps them understand what is normal for your dog.

If an introductory visit or trial is recommended, it may help the provider learn more about your dog before a longer stay.

Familiarity and predictability can also help. Following an appropriate routine and allowing a dog time to settle can be more useful than expecting instant confidence.

What If My Dog Is Nervous or Reactive?

This is where choosing the right environment becomes particularly important.

A nervous dog may need patience and space. A reactive dog may need careful management around particular triggers. Neither description tells the whole story of a dog, which is why a detailed conversation before boarding matters.

At Love of Dogs Boarding, we understand that some dogs need more time and consideration than others. Our close knit team works together throughout the whole experience, from your first contact with Lynn to the team caring for your dog during their stay. Our approach focuses on reducing stress wherever reasonably possible and working with the individual dog rather than expecting them to fit a standard mould.

Will My Dog Think I Am Not Coming Back?

We cannot ask a dog what they believe about an owner's absence, so claims that dogs definitely think they have been permanently abandoned go beyond what we can know.

What matters practically is what your dog experiences during the stay.

Are they cared for consistently? Are their needs noticed? Are they given appropriate exercise and rest? Does the person caring for them understand their behaviour? Are they allowed time to adjust?

Those are things a responsible boarding provider can control.

Feeling Confident About Leaving Your Dog

For many owners, the hardest part of boarding is the worry before they leave.

Learning about the environment, meeting the people responsible for your dog and discussing their needs can make the decision much easier.

The aim at Love of Dogs Boarding is to give owners peace of mind while providing dogs with patient, thoughtful care. If you are worried about how your dog might cope with boarding, contact us before booking. Tell us about your dog and we can have an open conversation about their needs and whether our environment is suitable.