what to expect for my dog?

🐾 What to Expect During Your Dog’s Stay 🐾

We know leaving your dog can feel stressful—for both of you! Here’s what’s completely normal during a boarding stay, and how we keep your pet safe, comfortable, and well cared for.

🍽️ Eating Habits

It’s very common for dogs to eat less—or occasionally skip meals—during their first few days.

Why this happens:

New environment and smells
Excitement or mild stress
Change in routine

Most dogs settle in and return to normal eating within a few days. We monitor all dogs closely and will contact you if we have any concerns.

A quick note on feeding:
If a dog spills their food, we do not reuse food from the floor. Instead, we provide a fresh serving. Because of this, some dogs may receive slightly more food than usual during their stay.

🐶 Adjustment Period

Every dog adjusts differently. During the first 24–72 hours, your dog may:

Bark more than usual
Seem extra excited or slightly withdrawn
Sleep differently than at home

This is all part of the adjustment process, and most dogs settle into a routine quickly.

🔊 Barking & Activity

Boarding environments are naturally more active than home. Dogs may bark more simply due to:

Hearing and seeing other dogs
New surroundings
Excitement and stimulation

We work to maintain a calm, structured environment while allowing dogs to be dogs! Soft music is played in the evening - we find dogs really like classical, while our felines prefer jazz.

🏷️ Collar Policy

For the safety of all dogs in our care, collars are typically removed during boarding.

This helps prevent:

Collars getting caught on fencing or kennel doors
Tangling during movement or rest
Accidental injury during interactions

Rest assured, all dogs are carefully identified and monitored by our staff at all times.

🦮 Why We Use Slip Leads

When moving dogs throughout the facility, we use kennel slip leads.

Why this is the safest option:

Provides secure, controlled handling
Reduces risk of dogs slipping out of collars
Allows for quick, safe movement in and out of kennels
Eliminates risks associated with dangling tags or loose collars

Our team is trained to use slip leads properly and gently to ensure your dog’s safety and comfort.

💛 Our Promise to You

At Oak Grove Kennel, your dog’s safety, comfort, and well-being are our top priorities.

24/7 on-site monitoring
Clean, secure indoor & outdoor accommodations
Structured daily routine
Experienced, attentive staff with First Aid certification

We treat every dog like they’re part of our family.

📞 Communication

If anything outside of normal adjustment occurs, we will always contact you.

If you have questions during your dog’s stay, we’re here for you!

🐾 Thank you for trusting Oak Grove Kennel 🐾