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Preparing your dog for Boot Camp
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Most dogs will adjust beautifully to staying with us after a day or so.
Sometimes temporary behavior changes can occur as a result of unfamiliar
surroundings. Eating habits change under stress, and a dog assimilates food
differently. Some will eat like canaries at home and like vultures at our facility. They may put on a few pounds. Others can lose weight
although eating well or lose weight by not eating enough. Life at boot camp
can be very exciting, and some dogs lose weight because they run the weight
off as they charge around playing with other dogs and having a wonderful
time. These dogs often leave the facility exhausted but happy, and sleep a
lot the first couple of days they are home. All of the preparation by the
pet owner merely points out that a successful stay depends not only upon the
facility, but also upon how well the owner prepares the dog for the
experience. |
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Dropping off your dog for Boot Camp
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Arrive as early in the day as possible - preferably by 2:00 p.m. The more
active your dog's first day with us, the quicker he'll settle in to our
routine before "lights out." Remember that pets often sense and reflect our
feelings. Don’t allow any family member to stage an emotional farewell at
the training school; it may make your pet anxious.
If you are planning on a trip while your pet is staying with us, consider
bringing your pet to us before you start to pack - even before the suitcases
come out. The less stress your pet feels before leaving home, the faster
he'll adjust. You know your pet best, so consider this when booking your
pet's time with us.
Boot Camp checklist:
 | Registration and release forms |
| Proof of vaccinations |
| Other special instructions |
| Collar with proper ID tags |
| Bedding - must be small enough to fit into washing machine in case it
gets dirty and we need to wash it (optional) |
| Food with specific instructions. For stays shorter than 3 weeks,
please package in individual meals (1 per day). For longer stays, bring the food in
bulk with written instructions. Tell us if you have included medications
or supplements in the pre-packaged food. |
| Something that smells of home - but remember, dogs chew. Even dogs
beyond the chewing stage, may chew when they're away from home. So we
can't guarantee you'll get things back in the same condition as they came
in. |
| Medications, supplements, etc. - Any items listed on the Medication
form. Please bring medications in their original, labeled container.
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Going home
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Depending
on how long your dog was away from home, occasional loose stools from water
or dietary changes and a different activity level are perfectly normal. If
your dog's after-boot camp behavior is puzzling, call us. In rare cases
there's a transitional period of adjustment, and we're happy to give you
advice to help you both. The vast majority of dogs view their stay at our
facility as a vacation. |
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