If your dog has never been boarded, a long first trip is a big step. A short visit first turns an unknown place into a familiar one, which is the point of a trial run.
Why a trial run helps
UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine writes that boarding can be a high-stress experience, and that the usual causes are being away from the owner and changes in diet, routine and familiar comforts. For a dog that is not used to boarding, it suggests a short visit before leaving for a longer time, because it helps the dog acclimate to the new environment. It also suggests returning to a kennel you like, so the dog gets used to the staff.
A trial run does not remove every adjustment, but it separates the smell, sound and routine of the place from the stress of your being gone for a week.
A three-step plan
- Tour first. Tours run every day from 9 to 11 AM and 2 to 4 PM with no appointment, and a staff member walks with you.
- Book a few hours or one day of day care. An hour is $7 and a full day is $38 on the 2026 rates, with the hourly charge capped at the daily price.
- Add a single night, then plan the long trip. Nightly boarding is $52 in Economy, $59 in Business Class and $72 in First Class for one dog.
What stays the same
The paperwork you do once covers both services. Your dog needs a boarding agreement on file and records for rabies, distemper/parvo and Bordetella that stay current through the last day. The flu vaccine is recommended rather than required; if given, it is accepted after the first dose, but the booster is due 3 to 4 weeks later, so start early if your trip is close. Upload records to your ProPetware account, and the kennel confirms each request.
Drop-off and pick-up windows are also the same: 7:30 to 11:30 AM and 2:00 to 5:00 PM. Plan the trial day so your dog arrives in the morning window and goes home in the afternoon window, which mirrors the first and last day of a boarding stay.
How to read the trial day
Pick-up day tells you most of what you need to know. A dog that comes home tired, drinks well and settles that evening is giving you good news. A dog that seems unsettled might need a second trial day or a plan to bring a familiar item, such as one toy that is not the favorite. The first-time boarding guide describes the full sequence, and the anxious dog guide helps if your dog is shy.