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What do I do about dog boarding if my dog has anxiety? - The Drake Center

So sometimes, we do need to put these dogs on medication while they're here. They're just too stressed. They're barking all day long or jumping up and down in their cage. They might even get diarrhea from being stressed. So we recommend giving them anti-anxiety medication. And obviously, the doctor's going to prescribe what they think will work. And sometimes, there's some playing around with the dosing to find what works best for your pet. But yeah, they mustn’t be stressed the whole time. That's not good for anyone, and we don't like watching them like that.

Contributed by Heather Kovacevich DVM from

Will my dog be sad when I board them? - The Drake Center

Of course, it's nothing like being at home, but we try to make it as pleasurable for them as we can. We try to interact with them and love on them just like you would. We love them as much as you do, and we try to portray that, but they are in a cage other than when they're out in the yard. So it was a little bit different than being at home, I'm not going to lie. But again, we try to make it pleasurable. We give them bedding, interactive toys, and treats. We feed them regularly. We play with them as much as we can. So, it's hard to say if they're sad, but we try our best.

Contributed by Heather Kovacevich DVM from

What are some reasons why I wouldn't be able to board my dog? - The Drake Center

So if your dog were ill, if they had an infectious disease like kennel cough, we would not accept them to be boarded because that's just not fair to the other animals that are here. So that would be one reason. If you declined to do the preventative care that we recommend, like vaccines or deworming, things like that. If you said, "No, I don't want to do that." Well, then, we have specific protocols in place, so we would say, "Well, sorry, we can't board your pet."

Contributed by Heather Kovacevich DVM from

If my dog has behavior problems, will they be welcomed by a groomer? - GoodVets

This is another good question that we often run into. Some dogs get very nervous or anxious in those situations. Sometimes we need medical intervention to help them calm down with their anxiety. Sometimes here at Good Vets, we try to do some fear-free practicing. Each dog has specific things and requirements they may need. Talk to your veterinarian and with the groomer to find the best answer for your dog and situation.

Contributed by Antonio DeMarco from

Does my dog need to be vaccinated and on flea control to go to the groomer? - GoodVets

Great question. Here at Good Vets, we have a list of requirements to get our services with grooming or just our bathing services. Each grooming facility and hospital may have different requirements, so check with them, but I would advise having them up-to-date on vaccinations, heartworm, flea, and tick prevention.

Contributed by Antonio DeMarco from

Is it better to groom your dog at home or have it done by a professional groomer? - GoodVets

Every dog is different. Some dogs need professional grooming help. Some dogs can just require bathing and nail trims at home. I would consult your veterinarian and your groomer for more advice.

Contributed by Antonio DeMarco from
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