Guide · 6 min read
First-time dog boarding checklist: how to prepare your dog
Leaving your dog for the first time is hard — for them and for you. This is the checklist we wish every first-time owner had before their pup's first stay at a dog hotel. Print it, screenshot it, or work through it the week before drop-off.
Timeline
Two weeks before the stay
- Confirm vaccinations are up to date — 5-in-1, rabies, and kennel cough (Bordetella).
- Book a meet-and-greet visit so your dog can smell the space while you're still there.
- Ask about feeding, walk and rest routines so you can mirror them at home that week.
- Top up flea, tick and deworming treatment if they're due.
The week before
- Pre-portion daily food bags — one labelled bag per day, plus 1–2 spares.
- Write a one-page “about my dog” note: quirks, fears, favourite words, recall sounds.
- List medications with dose and timing — don't rely on a verbal handover.
- Confirm emergency contacts: you, a backup human, and your vet's number.
Packing
- Food in a sealed container, with a scoop and clear daily amount.
- Familiar bed or blanket — unwashed, so it still smells of home.
- One favourite toy (not the only one — accidents happen).
- Lead, harness and collar with up-to-date ID tag.
- Medication in original packaging, with vet instructions.
- A worn t-shirt of yours — wonderful for nervous first nights.
Drop-off
- Walk your dog properly before the trip — a tired dog settles faster.
- Keep the goodbye short and upbeat. Long emotional farewells make dogs anxious.
- Hand over the packing list, food bags, and your written note in one place.
- Confirm pick-up time and how updates will reach you (we send daily photos).
Nervous-dog tips
Nervous dogs do best with smaller boarding setups, predictable routines, and the option of one-on-one time instead of group play. If your dog is reactive on lead, share that clearly — a good boarder will plan walks around quieter times rather than forcing interactions. The goal is the same one we hold ourselves to at our dog daycare and boarding home in Capri: your dog comes back calmer than they arrived.
Book your dog's first stay
South Paws looks after a small, hand-picked guest list of dogs in Capri Village, Cape Town. Send us your dates and we'll reply within 24 hours with availability and a tailored plan — including an optional trial night for first-time boarders.