Leaving Your Dog for the First Time? How to Make Their First Stay Easier

Leaving your dog with someone new for the first time can feel surprisingly emotional.

Whether it's their first day at doggy daycare, their first overnight boarding stay or simply the first time you've left them with somebody outside your family, it's completely understandable to wonder: Will they settle? Will they miss me? What if they don't eat?

The good news is that there are lots of things you can do before their stay to make the experience easier, for your dog and for you. At Andy’s Dog House, we want dogs to feel as though they're coming to a home away from home, rather than simply somewhere they're being left. Here are some of the ways you can help prepare your dog for their first visit.

1. Start with a meet & greet

One of the most useful things you can do is introduce your dog to their carer and the environment before you actually need to leave them. That's why we arrange a meet & greet before dogs come to Andy's Dog House.

It gives your dog an opportunity to have a sniff around, meet Andy and begin to associate the house with something positive while you're still there. It also gives us a chance to get to know all the little things that make your dog your dog: what they love, what they find difficult, how they like to play and where they're happiest settling down.

2. Consider starting small

If your dog has never stayed away from you before, their first experience doesn't necessarily have to be a week-long holiday. Depending on your dog, you might choose to start with a daycare visit before progressing to an overnight stay. For some dogs, that gradual introduction can help somewhere new start to feel familiar. The next time they arrive, the smells, people and surroundings aren't completely unknown.

Every dog is different, however. A confident, sociable dog may stroll in as though they've lived there for years, while a more sensitive dog may need a little more time. The important thing is to work at your dog's pace.

3. Tell us about their normal routine

Dogs can't hand us their daily itinerary, unfortunately, so the more information you can give your carer, the better. Our registration form has you covered with some great things to share include:

• What and when your dog normally eats

• Their usual walk and toilet routine

• Where they normally sleep

• Whether they're allowed on the sofa

• Any commands or cues they're familiar with

• Things that make them nervous

• How they behave around other dogs

• Any medication or health requirements

• Their favourite games, toys and treats

• Any little quirks that might otherwise be misunderstood

Keeping some familiar elements in a dog's day can make a new environment easier to navigate. And don't worry about oversharing. “He refuses to eat breakfast unless someone is standing in the kitchen” is exactly the sort of information we'd rather know!

4. Bring something familiar

For an overnight stay, something that smells of home can provide a little familiarity in a new environment. Depending on what's appropriate for your dog, that could be their usual bed or blanket.

If they have particular food, treats or other essentials they use at home, make sure your boarder knows about these beforehand too. The goal isn't to recreate your house exactly, it's to give your dog a few familiar touchpoints while they get used to somewhere new.

5. Make sure all their information is up to date

Your boarder should have the information they need to care for your dog safely, including details of any medical conditions or medication. You should also check vaccination requirements well before the stay. It's also worth checking that the contact details linked to your dog's microchip are current.

Most importantly: don't be afraid to tell your carer something because you're worried it will make your dog sound difficult. If they guard food, hate having their paws touched, become nervous around larger dogs or occasionally try to escape through open doors, we need to know. That information helps us keep them safe and happy.

6. Try to keep the goodbye calm and relaxed

This is often harder for the humans than the dogs! As tempting as it is to have a long emotional farewell, keeping drop-off relatively relaxed can help establish that arriving at daycare or boarding is simply another normal part of your dog's day.

Hand over their belongings, say goodbye and let their carer take it from there. Then resist the urge to spend the next three hours wondering whether they're sitting sadly by the front door. There's a very good chance they're actually busy sniffing something fascinating.

7. Remember that settling can look different for every dog

Not every dog immediately launches into play. Some want to investigate every corner. Some stick close to their new human. Some have a mad half-hour and then fall asleep. Others prefer to quietly observe what's happening before joining in. All of those responses can be completely normal.

A good carer should be watching your dog's body language and behaviour and adjusting the day accordingly rather than expecting every dog to behave in exactly the same way. At Andy's Dog House, rest is just as important as walks and play. Dogs have the opportunity to take themselves away and settle rather than being expected to interact constantly.

And what about you?

Sometimes the owner needs more reassurance than the dog! Ask your carer what communication you can expect while you're away. Knowing that you'll receive an update can make that first stay much easier. And remember why you've taken the time to find someone you trust in the first place.

A good daycare or home boarding environment shouldn't simply keep your dog safe while you're away. It should give them walks, enrichment, companionship, plenty of rest and, hopefully, somewhere they'll be genuinely pleased to return to.

A home away from home in Chiddingfold

At Andy’s Dog House, we offer small-scale doggy daycare and home boarding from our home in Chiddingfold, Surrey. Keeping things small means we can get to know each dog individually, their routine, personality, favourite activities and when they've simply had enough and would rather have a snooze.

We also offer dog walking and drop-in visits around Chiddingfold for dogs who are happier staying closer to home. If you're considering daycare or boarding and are nervous about leaving your dog for the first time, get in touch to arrange a meet & greet. It's a chance for you and your dog to meet Andy, see where they'll be staying and ask as many questions as you'd like.