A missing vaccination record, an unclear medication label, or a fully booked facility can turn holiday departure day into a scramble. The easiest way to avoid that rush is to handle your dog’s boarding plan before the suitcases come out.

At Camp, dogs spend their days in monitored indoor and outdoor play areas, then rest in cozy cabins overnight. Our Camp Counselors provide attentive care throughout the day, and web cameras let pet parents check in while they travel. This holiday boarding checklist breaks preparation into three practical stages: reserve, prepare, and drop off.

Book Your Dog’s Holiday Stay Before Your Plans Are Final

Holiday reservations are worth making early. Ideally, book before your travel plans are locked in. Thanksgiving, winter break, and other popular travel periods bring higher demand than a typical weekend, and waiting can leave families with fewer options for dates or accommodations.

Before booking, ask how the facility handles a dog’s full day and overnight routine. A clear answer helps you compare more than a price or an available cabin.

Questions to ask before booking:

Screening requirements: Ask what information is reviewed before a dog joins the group.
Vaccination documentation: Confirm which records are required and when they must be submitted.
Play and rest: Ask how dogs are supervised during activity periods and where they rest overnight.
Medication handling: Confirm whether staff can administer medication and what written directions are needed.
Communication options: Ask how the facility shares updates and whether cameras are available.
Emergency procedures: Find out how staff respond if a dog becomes ill, injured, or unusually distressed.

For a first-time boarder, a dog daycare trial or a shorter visit can help your dog get familiar with the setting, staff, and play routine before a longer holiday stay.

Gather Records, Contacts, & Care Instructions

Most boarding facilities need current health records and reliable contact information before check-in. Requirements vary by provider, so don’t assume records accepted at one facility will satisfy another.

Common boarding vaccines include DA2LPP, rabies, and Bordetella. DA2LPP is a combination vaccine that protects against several canine illnesses, while Bordetella helps guard against a common cause of kennel cough. Your chosen facility and veterinarian can confirm exactly which documentation your dog needs.

A complete care sheet prevents staff from having to interpret a rushed verbal explanation at the front desk. Write it out clearly, and update it if anything changes before departure.

Include these care details:

Feeding routine: List food amounts, meal times, and any specific feeding instructions.
Medication instructions: List each medication, dose, timing, and method of administration.
Health information: Note allergies, sensitivities, recent concerns, and your veterinarian’s contact details.
Behavior information: Describe handling preferences, anxiety signals, social habits, and known triggers.
Emergency contacts: Provide your travel number and an authorized local emergency contact.
Pickup authorization: Identify anyone who may collect your dog after the stay.

Make sure your dog’s microchip and ID tag information are current before you leave. A microchip provides permanent identification, while an ID tag gives someone an immediate way to reach you if your dog gets separated from their caregiver.

Pack the Boarding Bag Right

A boarding bag should make daily care easier, not create clutter or confusion. Ask the facility what it already provides before packing bowls, bedding, toys, or other supplies that may not be necessary.

For overnight stays, the most important item is usually your dog’s regular food. A sudden diet change can upset a dog’s stomach, particularly when they’re also adjusting to a new routine and environment.

Pack these essentials:

Usual food: Bring clearly labeled portions, plus a little extra in case return travel is delayed.
Original medication containers: Keep medications in their original labeled containers with written instructions attached.
Leash or harness: Bring the equipment your dog normally wears for safe handling during arrival and departure.
Identification: Confirm that collar tags and microchip details are current.
Approved treats: Bring treats only if they fit your dog’s diet and the facility’s policies.
One comfort item: A washable item with a familiar scent can help your dog settle in, if the facility permits it.

Leave valuables, unsafe chew items, and unfamiliar foods at home. A favorite blanket or toy can be comforting, but too many possessions raise the chance that something gets lost, damaged, or mistaken for another dog’s item.

Set Your Dog Up for a Smooth Drop-Off

Keep the days before boarding as normal as possible. Consistent meal times, medication schedules, walks, and sleep help your dog arrive without the added stress of a sudden routine change.

Accurate information matters more than trying to make your dog sound easygoing. Let the team know if your dog is uneasy around certain handling, needs time to warm up, shows signs of anxiety, tries to slip through doors, or has had a recent health concern. A calm handoff is usually better than a long goodbye. Also avoid introducing a new supplement, food, treat, or major routine change right before the stay. If your dog’s appetite or behavior shifts, it’s much harder to tell whether the new item or the new setting is the cause.

Run Through This Checklist the Night Before You Leave

Go through this final checklist the evening before departure, not while you’re loading the car. A few minutes of confirmation can prevent a last-minute call to your veterinarian, a return trip home for medication, or uncertainty about who’s authorized to pick up your dog.

Confirm these details before you leave:

Reservation dates: Verify drop-off and pickup dates, times, and any holiday hour changes.
Required records: Confirm the facility has received the requested vaccination records.
Contact information: Check your travel number, veterinarian details, and emergency contact.
Written instructions: Bring feeding, medication, health, and behavior notes in a clear format.
Labeled supplies: Label food, medications, and approved belongings with your dog’s name.
Pickup authorization: Confirm the names and contact details of anyone approved to pick up your dog.
Facility-provided items: Verify whether bedding, bowls, or other supplies are already included.

Early booking, complete instructions, and familiar essentials make a holiday stay easier on everyone, including your dog. When you’re ready to plan your pup’s stay, Camp Bow Wow is here to help. Reach our team at (877) 700-2275.