Holiday boarding fills up fast. Sometimes before anyone has even started packing. For Chattanooga pet parents, a solid holiday dog boarding checklist starts weeks before departure, not the night before: confirmed reservation, health records in hand, and a plan to help your dog settle into an overnight routine.

We recommend booking holiday stays as early as possible because space is limited and demand spikes around every major holiday. Dogs also need to complete a Camper Interview. A pre-stay screening that helps determine whether group play is a good fit. Along with vaccination verification before joining other pups.

Start Your Holiday Boarding Plan Early

Booking is the first step, but it isn’t the only one. A holiday reservation gives you time to complete required screening, gather records, review policies, and make any adjustments if your dog needs time to get comfortable in a new environment. Before locking in airline tickets or road trip dates, ask about reservation terms, cancellation policies, deposits, holiday hours, and checkout times. These details can vary by location and holiday, and it’s much easier to sort them out before your travel plans are set.

Schedule the Camper Interview

Every dog needs to complete a Camper Interview before participating in group play. This visit lets our Camp Counselors observe how a pup responds to the environment and other dogs. This matters for an overnight stay that includes open play daycare in shared indoor and outdoor areas. Don’t wait until the week of travel to start the screening process. Completing it early gives your dog a chance to get familiar with the setting and gives you time to address any missing paperwork before the holiday rush.

Consider a Practice Visit

If your dog hasn’t spent much time away from home, a short daytime visit is worth scheduling. It lets you see how your pup handles drop-off, activity, rest, and reunion without adding the longer separation of an overnight stay.

Pay attention to how your dog acts when you get home. A tired pup after a full day of play is completely normal. If you notice changes in appetite, signs of stress, or trouble settling, bring those observations to our care team before the holiday stay. It gives us useful context going in.

Confirm Your Dog Meets Boarding Requirements

Health and eligibility requirements protect every dog sharing the play space. Gather records early, since a last-minute vet appointment may not leave enough time to update documents before a busy travel period.

For boarding and daycare with us, dogs need current Rabies, Bordetella, and distemper vaccinations. Rabies vaccination protects against a fatal viral disease; Bordetella helps prevent a common cause of kennel cough; and distemper vaccination guards against a contagious illness that can affect multiple body systems. Dogs seven months of age or older must also be spayed or neutered. Confirm your dog’s records and eligibility directly with us before relying on a reservation date.

Have these details ready at check-in:

Current Vaccine Records: Documentation for required Rabies, Bordetella, and distemper vaccinations.
Identification Details: Your dog’s name, age, breed, microchip information if available, and collar identification.
Health Information: Allergies, medical conditions, mobility needs, and veterinarian contact information.
Behavior Notes: Known triggers, handling preferences, play style, and anything that helps our team understand your dog.
Emergency Contacts: A reachable contact who can make decisions if you can’t be reached while traveling.

Prepare Food, Medication & Care Instructions

Clear written instructions prevent guesswork when routines change. Even a dog who loves new people and playtime may eat, rest, or take medication differently away from home.

Food and Treats

Pack your dog’s regular food in labeled daily or meal-sized portions, and write down the amount, meal times, and any instructions for mixing food or adding water. A sudden diet change can upset a dog’s stomach, so the holidays aren’t the time to test something new. List approved treats and anything your dog needs to avoid, and if your dog has a food allergy or requires a slow feeder bowl, note that clearly and confirm with us what we can accommodate.

Medication Instructions

Bring medications in their original labeled containers. Include the exact dose, timing, administration method, what to do if a dose is missed, the prescribing vet’s contact information, and any side effects our team should watch for. Instructions should be specific enough that someone can follow them without calling you. For example, note whether a tablet is given with breakfast, hidden in food, or followed by a small amount of water.

Routine & Comfort Notes

Write down the details that make your dog easier to care for: bedtime habits, sensitivity to loud sounds, fears, preferred handling, approved commands, and signs that your pup needs a break. Your emergency caregiver should also have your travel itinerary and the best way to reach you.

Pack the Boarding Essentials

Pack only what we request or approve, and confirm what we supply versus what we allow before filling a bag. Rules around bedding, bowls, toys, and comfort items can be location-specific, especially during busy holiday periods.

Use this list as your final bag check:

Food: Clearly labeled portions with written feeding instructions.
Medication: Original containers with dosage and timing notes.
Leash and Collar: A secure leash and a quick-release collar with current identification.
Required Records: Vaccination documentation and any requested health information.
Comfort Item: One approved item that smells familiar, if permitted.
Contact Information: Your phone number, travel details, veterinarian, and emergency contact.

Leave fragile, expensive, or irreplaceable items at home unless we’ve specifically approved them. Holiday travel involves enough moving pieces without worrying about a cherished keepsake.

Make Drop-Off & Check-Ins Easier

Plan to arrive with enough time to walk through care instructions rather than rushing the handoff. A calm drop-off helps your dog take cues from you. A hurried goodbye can make an unfamiliar setting feel more unsettling. Bring your written care notes to check-in even if you discussed them at booking, and confirm your pickup date, the person authorized to collect your dog, and the best way to reach you if plans change.

Our overnight boarding includes all-day daycare and access to indoor and outdoor play areas, so dogs spend the day running, socializing, and naturally tiring themselves out. Not waiting alone in a kennel for pickup.

Stay Connected Without Disrupting the Routine

Our live pet webcams let you see your dog during open play hours, and our app gives you another way to stay connected while you travel. A quick check-in can be reassuring, but keep in mind that dogs may look quieter on camera after an active afternoon with new friends. If something concerns you, reach out to us directly. We can give you context about play, rest, meals, and how your dog is settling in that a single camera frame can’t.

Final Holiday Boarding Checklist

Work through this checklist before travel week, not the night before departure. Finishing early means you can focus on your trip while your dog arrives with everything needed for consistent, comfortable care.

Reservation: Confirmed holiday dates, cancellation terms, deposit details, and holiday hours.
Screening: Camper Interview completed before the boarding stay.
Health Requirements: Current Rabies, Bordetella, and distemper records confirmed with us.
Eligibility: Spay or neuter requirement confirmed for dogs seven months and older.
Food and Medication: Labeled meals, original medication containers, and exact written instructions.
Emergency Planning: Veterinarian details, emergency contact, and your travel phone number.
Identification: Secure collar, current tags, and leash packed for transportation.
Pickup Plan: Pickup date and authorized person confirmed, along with the 11:00 a.m. checkout time and any Sunday or holiday variations.

A little preparation before the holiday rush makes the entire experience smoother for you and your dog. If you’re a Chattanooga pet parent looking for supervised play, overnight care, live webcam access, and a clear pre-stay process, Camp Bow Wow is ready to help. Contact us at (877) 700-2275 to confirm a reservation, go over care instructions, or talk through your holiday pickup plan before you head out.