Can I board my 4 month old puppy? Here’s the Answer

At What Age Can My Puppy Go to Dog Boarding?

The average minimum age to send your puppy to a boarding facility is around FOUR months old. Responsible places require that your pup has his/her complete regimen of “puppy” shots, which is usually around 16 weeks. Boarding facilities should always require proof that your puppy is up-to-date on vaccines. This policy is strictly for safety reasons so your pooch does not get sick during their stay.

The immune system of a young puppy is not yet fully developed so they have a higher risk of picking up contagious illnesses. Although some kennels take in puppies after only the first round of shots, waiting until the second round completely provides the best protection against him/her getting sick. If your puppy’s health matters to you, keep that in mind when adopting a puppy and plan your vacation accordingly.

It’s always best to check with your vet when you have any concerns about your puppy’s age and health risk before boarding, especially if your puppy has just recently completed the second round of shots at 16 weeks. It’s good to check with the kennel as well.

An established, accredited kennel will always ask for proof of vaccination before taking in any pet. If the boarding facility doesn’t require proof, then go on to the next facility. In addition to being current on vaccinations against rabies and other infectious illnesses, your pet, and all others boarding there should be free of fleas, worms, and other parasites.

Always do your research before choosing a boarding facility and choose the place that meets all of your requirements. Even if a kennel is very strict about cleanliness, don’t be afraid to ask if they have encountered any illnesses or issues recently.

What age is appropriate for puppies to enter a boarding kennel?

While boarding puppies is safe, there’s still a minimum age that is considered ideal for them to join a kennel. It’s recommended you board your young one when they’re at least four months old. The reason behind this is, during this period, your puppy should have completed their vaccinations. No dog parents want to leave their doggies when they’re not fully protected and especially not in a place where other canines haven’t had their shots done.

Remember that young pups are more vulnerable to diseases as their immune system is not yet fully developed like older dogs. Therefore, it’s crucial that you enroll your little Fido when the time is right.

Checking with your vet should be your first destination before dropping your beloved puppy to a boarding kennel. Consulting with the vet allows you to share any concerns that you may have. You’ll also be able to get professional advice regarding the safety and risks of your canine companion, including which vaccinations your puppy needs.

Furthermore, your vet can check your pup’s current health to see if they’ve got what it takes to go into boarding. Don’t hesitate to ask away all the questions you have. The more answers you get, the less worry you’ll have about enrolling your dog in a boarding kennel.

How soon after getting a puppy can you go on holiday?

Bringing home a new puppy is a big change for them too, and changing their life too much too soon can add extra stress. You’ll want to ensure you have time to spend with your puppy so you can form a bond with them. Ideally, you will want to do this before you leave them to go on holiday.

If this isn’t possible, your puppy should be left with someone they are familiar with, rather than being left at a boarding facility. This will help to minimize stress.

For example, my now-husband and I were in a long-distance relationship when I first brought home one of my dogs, Windi. He was was just 10 weeks old then.

Because I was planning on moving to the same state my husband had moved to within the next year, he rented a not-pet-friendly apartment. They had a flexible lease so we could more easily move in together when we found a place.

We usually took turns driving to see each other on weekends once or twice a month. Since his apartment didn’t allow pets, that meant I needed somewhere to leave Windi when I went to see my husband.

In preparation for being left, I made sure Windi was comfortable being in his crate in a variety of situations, to make it easy for someone else to watch him.

He also spent time visiting the houses of friends and family members with me, to ensure he was comfortable with them, their home, and their own dogs.

Because he was familiar with the people, dogs, and homes of the people he stayed with on occasion, it wasn’t stressful for him to be in that new environment.

He was also a very confident puppy, which helped him to feel more comfortable than some dogs may feel at that age.

It was still about a month before I left Windi with someone else to go away for the weekend. Without those weeks to get to know him, his schedule, his personality, and his comfort with being left, I wouldn’t have felt as comfortable leaving him with someone else for a few days.

It’s hard to tell someone how to take care of your puppy when you don’t know your puppy’s likes, dislikes, and normal VS abnormal behaviors yet!

While I think there are certain situations where a puppy could be left sooner than that if necessary, the ideal situation would be where your puppy is left with someone while you go on holiday. And after you’ve spent at least a few weeks getting to know them yourself.

You might like to read Going on Vacation: Will my dog think I abandoned them?

One issue that can occur from going away on vacation too early with a puppy is they may develop separation anxiety. You might even notice that your puppy becomes clingy when you get back. There are ways to manage these things, but it’s best to not let them develop in the first place if possible. Which means it’s vital that you build up their confidence before leaving them. Some breeds are more confident and independent than others, so make sure you are also away of the personality of your pup before making any vacation plans.

What Should I Be Doing With My 4 Month Old Puppy

Whether you are here because you’ve found yourself with a puppy and a vacation already scheduled, or you are planning on getting a puppy and want to ensure your holiday plans will work, we’ve got the answers.