How to help my dog settle into kennels for a week

[NewMaltese]

As the title suggests, she's going to be in kennels for a week soon. She's never been away from us 😭

Also, I say kennels, but they're v posh and comfy cosy.

Please can anyone give me some advice on the best way for her to settle in, eg do we let her see us leaving? Is it good to leave a blanket and toys which smell of home?

I'm ill worrying about her, as she's my baby and my shadow 🙈

Have you got time to book her in for a couple of short stays first to get used to the place? Maybe a few hours during the day, leading up to an overnight.

I would book her in for an overnight if you can also our kennels let us pop in so he could get a sniff of the place then we left.

I take a toy or 2 no blankets,but you could if you wanted. The kennel staff should take her off you.

My dog is currently in kennels. She runs in every time. She loves it there. 3 good walks a day. Lots of friends to talk to. She eats and sleeps and is absolutely fine! As for how to settle her in, I’m sure the kennel people know what they are doing.

Can you do a day visit or overnight beforehand? It could help her to get comfortable there and also teach her that you always come back for her when she goes there.

My dog absolutely loves kennels. He's a border collie and as much as he's a member of our family, he isn't a clingy dog at all. We put him in for an overnight before our week away and he loved it. We pack some toys and blankets, but at the kennels he goes to they only spend 2 or 3 hours a day inside (and nighttime obviously) so he doesn't get much time to miss us.
He's been 4 times now and each time runs in happily and doesn't look back.

Our kennels insisted on a day trip then a single overnight before our planned trip too ensure she settled and there were no issues.
Is it possible to do that?

Otherwise they tell you what works around leaving, bringing personal items

Ah. Thanks for helping put my mind at rest 🙄

We did go for a sniff around 🥰

Dont be ridiculous!!!

Thanks for all the comments.

That's a good idea re leaving her for a while, so she learns we'll come back for her 💜

Most kennels don’t like too much personal stuff in case it needs to be washed or gets ruined. I give mine a toy but not her absolute favourite.
I always think they are not at home so
of they are upset they don’t link it with home.

Op, Ive worked at a kennels. If the dog hasn't been in kennels before we advise the dog comes for at least one overnight stay prior, dependant on the dog maybe 2.... but if the kennels she is going to is anything like the one I worked with she will be absolutely fine. As the newbie she will be fussed over more just to get her used to coming in and out the kennel. Learning it's not a punishment but chill out time. Bring a tshirt/blanket from home, he fave toy etc so its familiar.

Really not unusual for them not to eat for first day, day 2 we would he encouraging with a bit of handfeeding, however we fed on tripe as standard and i've never seen a dog turn it down, especially if it comes in with its own food. We had many dogs come in and we knew there was no point trying to use their own food, they knew they were on holiday so wanted the good stuff too (clearly didnt happen for high allergy dogs etc) "fuck your £50 a bag of high grade kibble, we want the stinking raw tripe diet with wagg kibble".

Day 3 she would be getting chicken and caviar and then reduced as she learns its not posion, but I can only think of very few dogs that havent settled by day 3 and know the routine better than us.

I have a cocker spaniel that is very attached to us me in particular because I am in most of the time anyway he is in kennels at least once a year and he comes out the same as he went in, he is not 1 bit bothered and I think that is a sign of a good kennel

This is great to know. Thanks.
We've to take her food with her, but I will note with them that she has no allergies, so we'd be happy with them trying anything if she doesn't eat. 🥰

OP, that's good but not enough. A dog needs, as others have said, a gradually and increasing familiarisation to kennels - a few hours, an overnight, a weekend at least - before they go in for their first long stay.

We've done this with all our dogs. We also take them for an overnight every so often between long stays, to keep up their familiarity and relationships with kennels staff.

My 7 month old puppy is currently in kennels for a 2 week stay. He had a couple of shorter visits over the last month to get him used to it - one night stay, and then a long weekend a couple of weeks later. He settled in really quickly and ate straight away. We sent him with some toys and his favourite blanket so it has familiar smells on it.

I was worried about him going with being so young, but he was so excited when we pulled up outside on Thursday and dragged me in. No looking back at me as he went with the lady 😂 They've sent some video of him playing with the other dogs so I can see he's OK.

My kennels/doggy day care gives all new dogs a free trial day.
My dogs go to doggy day care once a week its not strictly necessary as I have a dog walker but they love it and the staff know them well. I feel its then easier for them when they board in the kennels.