FAQs
for VIP Boarding
How far in advance do you typically book?
​​​​
New clients should plan on at least 3 months in advance to allow time for the onboarding process, even if dates are shown as available here. The boarding assessment can only be scheduled on days when I do not have a boarding guest in my home, which might take several weeks. In addition, a trial stay ahead of your planned travel might be required, especially for dogs with complex behavior histories or if your planned travel is for more than a few days.
​​
For returning clients, I suggest reaching out as soon as you have specific dates in mind. Holidays, summer travel season, and other peak times tend to get booked very far in advance, so it's never too early to get on the books to ensure availability.
​
How many dogs do you take at one time?
​​
I only take one dog at a time. This includes dogs from the same household.
​​​​
My dog is uncomfortable with unfamiliar people. Is VIP Boarding a good fit?
​​
Maybe. Your dog's comfort level with me is obviously one the most significant factors when determining fit for a VIP Boarding stay. As an initial step, I will thoughtfully review and analyze your dog's history based on your responses in the intake form. Please provide thorough responses to all questions.
​
If we decide to proceed with the boarding assessment meeting, a determination will be made at that time. Warming up to me at the assessment is a critical step. If your dog isn't comfortable interacting with me, we may decide it won't be a good fit, or I may give you the option of a second meeting. It very much depends on what I observe and what we discuss at the assessment.
​​
My dog has trouble being left alone. Can you accommodate that?
​
I can and do frequently host dogs with separation-related needs. However, this type of stay requires special considerations, which I take very seriously.
​​​
Separation anxiety, confinement anxiety, and similar separation-related behaviors are serious conditions that can result in severe distress or panic when a dog is left alone. Separation-related distress does not always present with obvious signs like destructive behaviors. For many dogs, the signs are more subtle. In addition, dogs with generalized anxiety who do not exhibit separation-related distress at home may do so during boarding with me.
​​
I take great care to assess separation-related needs throughout the onboarding process – from intake form to boarding assessment to trial stay. If your dog has separation-related needs at my home, I must be prepared to never leave your dog alone throughout the stay. This is my unwavering ethical commitment to dogs in my care.
​​​​​​
If during the onboarding process it appears that your dog may have separation-related needs, we will discuss whether I can accommodate a 24/7 stay for your dates and additional details about that type of stay. As an initial step, please provide thorough responses to all questions in the intake form.
​​​​​
Are there set times I need to drop-off or pick-up my dog?
​
When we schedule the stay, we will agree on the specific drop-off and pick-up times. The earliest drop-off time is typically 8am. The latest pick-up time is typically 8pm. The total fee reflects both the drop-off day and pick-up day.
​
Can I add training to a VIP Boarding stay?
​
Maybe. If you're interested in adding formal training sessions for basic skills during the stay, we can discuss this at the boarding assessment. Additional fees apply.
​
Do you take puppies for VIP Boarding?
​
No. For puppies, I only offer Board & Train programs.
How does scheduling work?
​
To get started:
-
Click on the "Check Dates" button to see if the dates you're interested in are available.
-
Click on the "Intake Form" button to open the intake form for VIP Boarding.
-
Answer thoroughly each of the questions and submit.
-
I will review your submission thoughtfully and be in touch by email within 3 business days Monday through Friday. If we proceed, you will receive a booking link for the boarding assessment where you can view all scheduling availability in real-time.​ Don't forget to check your spam folder.
​​
​What if I need to reschedule the boarding assessment?
​
You may reschedule the boarding assessment by notifying me via email at least 5 days before the scheduled appointment. If you notify me with less than 5 days advance notice, or are not present at the scheduled time, the appointment is forfeited. Due to the nature of my boarding services and limited availability for boarding assessments, a new appointment may not be available for several weeks or months. All purchases are non-refundable and non-transferable.
​​
What if I need to cancel or reschedule a VIP Boarding stay?
​
At the time of booking, payment in full is required to secure the specific days you book. Once a booking is made, those days are not available to others for VIP Boarding or Board & Train, and my availability for other services is affected as well. If you cancel the booking or wish to reschedule the days, this payment is forfeited. All purchases are non-refundable and non-transferable.