--- title: Can You Board a Dog in Heat? | Happy Paws Kennels url: https://happypawskennels.com/guides/can-you-board-a-dog-in-heat/ business: Happy Paws Kennels address: 6677 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620 phone: 707-678-6600 hours: drop-off and pick-up every day 7:30-11:30 AM and 2:00-5:00 PM type: Dog and cat boarding kennel on about 10 country acres; caring for pets in Dixon since 1971 rates: 2026 rates, effective for reservations made on or after Jan 1, 2026 (dogs from $52 a night, cats $35 a night) --- - [Home](https://happypawskennels.com/) - [Guides](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/) - Can you board a dog in heat? # Can you board a dog in heat? Often yes, but it depends on the kennel, so call before you book. Happy Paws welcomes all breeds, neutered or intact, and asks you to mention a dog in season when you phone 707-678-6600. [Book a stay](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin)[Call 707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) A heat is a short, predictable stretch for the dog, but it matters for neighbors in a kennel. Knowing the timeline helps you plan the trip, and telling the kennel early avoids a last-minute problem. ## How long a heat lasts Cornell's Riney Canine Health Center says most dogs go through heat about twice a year, and the bloody discharge lasts roughly 14 to 21 days in total. Proestrus, when males are interested but the female is not yet receptive, averages 6 to 11 days. Estrus, the receptive stage, averages 5 to 9 days with a wide range. The AKC describes the same pattern and notes that the length varies from dog to dog. ## Why kennels ask In a kennel, neighbors are near, so a dog in season can excite intact males, and a female in heat may behave differently herself. Some day cares and dog parks do not accept females in heat, which the AKC mentions in its daycare guidance. Telling the kennel gives staff the chance to place her thoughtfully. ## What Happy Paws does for intact dogs The kennel accepts all breeds, neutered or intact. Each dog has her own run with a doggie door, and dogs see neighbors through the fence but have their own space. Please call 707-678-6600, tell us the dates of her cycle, and ask about kennel placement before you book. A phone call is the right step because each situation depends on the week. ## Planning around a heat - Mark the start of the cycle on a calendar; the first signs are swelling and discharge. - If you can move your travel dates, ask the kennel about the weeks before or after the heat. - If you cannot, call as soon as you know. A booking request online does not replace the conversation. - Keep her records current. Vaccines are still required. ## Who else to ask Your veterinarian can tell you where she is in her cycle and whether anything about her health affects boarding. California's boarding law also says each pet should have its own enclosure unless the owner agrees otherwise, which matters if you were planning to board her with a male dog from your household. See [intact dogs at Happy Paws](https://happypawskennels.com/dog-boarding/intact-dogs/) for more. ### Sources (checked October 19, 2026) - [Cornell Riney Canine Health Center, dog estrous cycles](https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-topics/dog-estrous-cycles) - [American Kennel Club, how long are dogs in heat](https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/how-long-dogs-in-heat/) - [American Kennel Club, choosing a doggy daycare](https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/advice/choosing-a-doggy-daycare/) - [Happy Paws Kennels, things to know](https://happypawskennels.com/things-to-know/) ### 2026 nightly rates - First Class kennel $72 - Business Class kennel $59 - Economy Class kennel $52 - Cat condo $35 All-inclusive: food, medications and walks. 2026 rates, effective for reservations made on or after Jan 1, 2026. [All 2026 rates](https://happypawskennels.com/rates/) ### Visit or call 6677 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620 [707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) | Drop-off and pick-up, every day | 7:30 to 11:30 AM and 2:00 to 5:00 PM | | --- | --- | | Tours, every day (no appointment) | 9:00 to 11:00 AM and 2:00 to 4:00 PM | [Book a stay](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin) ### Related - [Intact dogs welcome](https://happypawskennels.com/dog-boarding/intact-dogs/) - [Do you take intact dogs?](https://happypawskennels.com/questions/do-you-take-intact-dogs/) - [Two or more dogs](https://happypawskennels.com/dog-boarding/multi-dog-boarding/) - [Contact and directions](https://happypawskennels.com/contact/) - [New clients: first-stay plan](https://happypawskennels.com/new-clients/) - [Which kennel class does my dog need?](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/choosing-a-kennel-class/) ## Heat and cold near the kennel **NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Vacaville station (about 8 miles from the kennel)** | Month | Avg high | Avg low | Days 90°F+ | Days 100°F+ | Nights 32°F or below | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Jan | 57.6°F | 39.6°F | 0 | 0 | 5.1 | | Feb | 63°F | 42.2°F | 0 | 0 | 1.8 | | Mar | 68.5°F | 44.8°F | 0 | 0 | 0.7 | | Apr | 74.9°F | 48°F | 1.3 | 0 | 0.1 | | May | 82.8°F | 52.9°F | 8.2 | 1 | 0 | | Jun | 90.7°F | 57.7°F | 15.9 | 4.3 | 0 | | Jul | 97.3°F | 60.2°F | 27.1 | 10.1 | 0 | | Aug | 96.5°F | 59.5°F | 25.3 | 9.3 | 0 | | Sep | 91.9°F | 57.5°F | 19.1 | 3.3 | 0 | | Oct | 81.2°F | 51.8°F | 4.6 | 0.4 | 0 | | Nov | 67°F | 44.5°F | 0 | 0 | 1 | | Dec | 57.9°F | 39.5°F | 0 | 0 | 5.5 | A normal year: about 101.5 days at 90°F or hotter, 28.4 at 100°F or hotter, 14.2 freezing nights. Source: [NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020](https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/data/normals-monthly/1991-2020/access/). ## Read next - [How old does a puppy have to be to board?](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/how-old-does-a-puppy-have-to-be-to-board/) - [Boarding a dog on medication](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/boarding-a-dog-on-medication/) - [Boarding a diabetic dog or cat](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/boarding-a-diabetic-pet/) - [Heat stroke in dogs](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/dog-heat-stroke/) - [How hot is too hot for dogs? Dixon summer numbers](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/how-hot-is-too-hot-for-dogs/) - [Hot pavement and paws](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/hot-pavement-and-paws/) - [Dogs in cold valley nights and tule fog](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/dogs-in-cold-weather/) - [Foxtails and dogs](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/foxtails/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) (every day 7:30-11:30 AM and 2-5 PM) or see the [boarding FAQ](https://happypawskennels.com/faq/). ### How long is a dog in heat? The visible bleeding and swelling typically last about two to three weeks, though the length varies by dog. ### Does Happy Paws take unspayed females? All breeds are welcome, neutered or intact. For a dog in season, please call to confirm. ### Can my female share a kennel with my male dog? Please call 707-678-6600 before you book. California's boarding law houses one pet per enclosure unless the owner consents, and the staff will tell you how they place a female in season.