--- title: Bringing Your Dog Home After Boarding: First 48 Hours url: https://happypawskennels.com/guides/dog-coming-home-after-boarding/ 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/) - Bringing your dog home after boarding # Bringing your dog home after boarding: the first 48 hours Expect a tired, hungry or clingy dog for a day or two, like a child back from summer camp. Offer water and a normal-sized meal, let him rest, and call your vet if a cough, vomiting or lethargy lasts or worsens. [Book a stay](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin)[Call 707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) A boarding stay is full of new sights, new smells and more activity than most dogs get at home. That is why the first two days back are mostly about rest and routine. ## Why he may be so tired Dogs at a kennel run, sniff and watch more than usual, and they sleep less deeply in a busy place. At Happy Paws the staff compare it to summer camp: more going on, then a tired dog at home. The [tired-dog question page](https://happypawskennels.com/questions/will-my-dog-be-tired-when-i-pick-up/) covers this. A long sleep the first evening is normal. ## Food and water Offer fresh water right away, but let a very thirsty dog drink in small amounts rather than gulping a full bowl. Feed a normal portion at the usual time. If your dog ate the kennel's house food, which is grain-free kibble plus wet food, mix his own food back in gradually if there was a change, and watch his stool. Loose stool for a day can follow any change in routine or food; if it lasts, call your vet. ## The coat and the bath Happy Paws is a country kennel on about 10 acres with a grass field, so your dog may come home dusty or grass-stained. If you want a clean dog at pick-up, tell the staff your arrival time so bathing and drying are finished when you get there, and ask about the bath price. Check paws, ears and skin for seeds and burrs, a common thing in dry Northern California grass. ## What to watch for A mild cough after any stay around other dogs is worth noting. AKC health guidance on kennel cough describes a harsh cough that can appear 2 to 14 days after exposure, with most dogs recovering within one to three weeks; call your vet if your dog stops eating, has a fever or the cough worsens, and keep him away from other dogs while he coughs. Vomiting that repeats, pale gums, trouble breathing or a swollen belly need a vet right away. See the [kennel cough symptoms page](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/kennel-cough-symptoms/) for more on what is normal and what is not. ## Settling back in Keep walks calm and short for a day. Skip a trip to the dog park the first day. Let him sleep and return to his normal bed. If he follows you from room to room, that is affection and relief, and it fades quickly. ### Sources (checked October 19, 2026) - [AKC, kennel cough in dogs](https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/kennel-cough-in-dogs/) - [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 - [Why is my dog so tired after boarding?](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/why-is-my-dog-tired-after-boarding/) - [Kennel cough symptoms](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/kennel-cough-symptoms/) - [Boarder baths](https://happypawskennels.com/baths/) - [Will my dog be tired when I pick up?](https://happypawskennels.com/questions/will-my-dog-be-tired-when-i-pick-up/) - [My dog won't eat the first day at boarding](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/dog-not-eating-at-boarding/) ## Read next - [What to expect from a month-long stay](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/long-term-boarding-what-to-expect/) - [Microchips & ID tags before you travel](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/microchips-and-id-tags/) - [A pet evacuation plan for Solano & Yolo families](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/pet-emergency-plan/) - [Which kennel class does my dog need?](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/choosing-a-kennel-class/) - [Should two dogs share a kennel?](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/two-dogs-one-kennel/) - [Pet insurance and boarding](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/pet-insurance-and-boarding/) - [How much does cat boarding cost?](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/cats/how-much-does-cat-boarding-cost/) - [How long can cats be left alone?](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/cats/how-long-can-cats-be-left-alone/) 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 until my dog is back to normal? Most dogs are back to their usual selves within a day or two. ### Is it normal for my dog to sleep a lot? Yes. A tired dog after boarding is common, much like a child after camp. ### When should I call the vet? Call if a cough lasts more than a few days, or sooner if there is vomiting, fever, loss of appetite or trouble breathing.