A first stay at a Liverpool boarder or day care

Whichever of Liverpool's 20 listed dog boarders, day cares or kennels you choose, a first stay goes more smoothly with a little preparation on both sides. Fourteen of the 20 are home boarders, taking your dog into their own house rather than a kennel block, so the practical detail of a handover differs slightly from a stay at one of the city's five day cares or its one boarding kennels, but the questions worth asking beforehand are much the same.

Before you book a trial

Many home boarders and day cares offer a short trial, whether that is a single day or one night, before a longer stay is confirmed. Ask directly whether a trial is available and what it costs; not every business lists this on its own site or page, so a phone call is usually the only way to find out. Use the trial to see where your dog will actually be — a house, a garden, a day-care unit or a kennel run — and to meet whoever will be looking after it.

What to pack

Bring your dog's own food for the length of the stay, its usual bed or blanket if it has one, any medication in its original packaging with clear written instructions, and a lead and collar with an up-to-date tag. A familiar toy can help, but check first: some businesses ask owners not to bring anything that could be lost or damaged. Note down your vet's contact details and leave them with whoever is caring for your dog, along with a number where you can be reached.

Handover and what a good one looks like

A good handover is unhurried: time for the boarder to ask about your dog's routine, any anxieties, feeding times and how it behaves around other dogs, and time for you to ask your own questions before you leave. This is also the point to confirm, in writing where possible, what a stay actually includes, how medication is given, and what happens if your dog needs a vet while it is in the business's care — this directory cannot answer that on any business's behalf, so ask directly.

The first day or night itself

Most dogs settle faster than their owners expect, but a few take a day or two to find their feet somewhere new. Ask beforehand how the business handles a dog that seems unsettled, and whether it will call you if there's a problem rather than waiting until collection. If your dog is on a special diet or has never been away from home before, say so clearly when you book, not just at drop-off.

Collection

Ask in advance how collection works: some home boarders and day cares have set collection windows, others charge extra outside normal hours, and a few offer to bring your dog home for a fee. Confirm the day and time before you drop off, not on the day you collect, so there is no surprise added to the bill.

See our vaccinations, licences and what to ask guide for the fuller list of questions worth putting to whichever business you choose.