Boarding your dog can feel like a big step, but with a little preparation, you can help ensure your pup feels right at home. At On Command Dogs, we strive to provide a safe, comfortable, and engaging environment for your furry friend. To make your dog’s stay as smooth as possible, here’s a breakdown of what to bring—and what to leave at home—when boarding with us.

What You Can Bring

We encourage you to bring items that will help your dog feel more comfortable and maintain their routine. Here’s what we allow:

1. Your Dog’s Food: Whether your dog prefers dry kibble or wet food, bring enough to cover their entire stay. Consistency in diet helps prevent upset stomachs.
2. Treats: Feel free to pack their favorite treats, but be sure to keep them in their original packaging for easy identification.
3. Blankets (1-2): A familiar scent can provide comfort. One or two washable blankets from home are a great addition to their cozy spot.
4. Toys (1-3): Pack a few durable, non-squeaky toys your dog loves. These can help keep them entertained and relaxed during their stay.
5. Medication, Supplements, or Vitamins: If your dog requires medication or supplements, bring these in their original containers. Be sure to review our Medication Rules on our Dog Boarding page to ensure compliance.
6. Slow Feeder Bowls: If your dog benefits from a slow feeder, you’re welcome to bring it along. We provide regular bowls and water buckets, but we understand some dogs may need a specialized option.

What You Should Not Bring

For safety and practicality, there are certain items we cannot accept:

• Raw Food Diets: For sanitary reasons, raw food is not permitted.
• Beds and Crates: We provide cozy cots for all boarding dogs, so no need to bring beds or crates.
• Glass Containers and Liquid Medications: To prevent breakage and accidents, glass items and liquid medications or injections are not allowed.
• Heated Blankets or Electrical Items: Safety is our top priority, so we do not accept any electrical items, including heated blankets.
• Leashes, Collars, Bowls, and Measuring Cups: Our team uses standardized bowls, buckets, and measuring tools to ensure consistent care. Please leave these items at home.

A Note on Personal Belongings

While we do our best to keep your dog’s belongings safe and secure, we recommend avoiding items of sentimental or high monetary value. Accidents and misplaced items, though rare, can happen.

Preparing for a Stress-Free Stay

At On Command Dogs, we’re committed to making your dog’s stay as enjoyable as possible. By following these guidelines, you can help ensure your pup is comfortable, well-cared for, and ready to have a great time. If you have any questions about what to bring, feel free to contact us—we’re here to help!

When it comes to boarding your dog, their health and well-being are our top priorities. If your pup requires medications, supplements, or vitamins during their stay, we’re happy to help administer them. To ensure everything runs smoothly, here’s a detailed guide to our medication policy, including what we accept, what we don’t, and how to prepare for your dog’s stay.

Medication Administration Fee

Administering medications, supplements, and vitamins requires careful attention and adherence to your pet’s routine. For this reason, we charge a daily $5 administration fee for these services. This fee helps ensure our staff has the time and resources to properly care for your dog’s health needs.

What We Accept

To maintain safety and consistency, we require all medications, supplements, and vitamins to meet the following criteria:

1. Original Packaging: All items must be in their original packaging with clear labeling. This ensures accurate dosing and prevents any mix-ups. Please include the prescribing veterinarian’s instructions if applicable.
2. Clear Dosing Instructions: Provide detailed instructions for each item, including dosage, frequency, and any special notes (e.g., "must be given with food").
3. Pill Organizers (Optional): If you use a pill organizer at home, you may bring it along for convenience, but the original packaging must also be provided for reference.

What We Do Not Accept

For the safety of all pets and staff, we are unable to administer:

• Liquid Medications or Supplements: We do not accept liquids due to the higher risk of spillage, contamination, and inaccurate dosing.
• Injectable Medications or Supplements: Injections require specialized training and equipment beyond our facility’s scope of care.

If your dog requires liquid or injectable medications, we recommend consulting your veterinarian for alternative boarding or care options.

How to Prepare Your Dog’s Medication for Boarding

To streamline the check-in process and ensure proper care, follow these steps:

1. Organize Medications in a Separate Bag: Place all medications, supplements, and vitamins in a clearly labeled bag to keep them organized and easy to access.
2. Provide Detailed Instructions: Write out clear instructions for each item, including dosage, frequency, and any specific requirements (e.g., “administer with morning meal”).
3. Communicate Special Needs: If your dog has any specific needs related to their medication (e.g., difficulty swallowing pills), let our staff know in advance.

Ensuring Your Dog’s Health and Safety

Our team at On Command Dogs is dedicated to providing high-quality care tailored to your pet’s needs. By adhering to these medication guidelines, we can work together to keep your dog healthy and comfortable throughout their stay.

If you have questions about our medication policies or need assistance preparing for your dog’s stay, feel free to contact us—we’re here to help!

Hey there, pups! Summer is here, and while that means more time for playing outside, it also means hotter weather. Just like your humans need to stay cool, you do too. Don’t worry, we’ve got some tail-wagging tips to help you beat the heat and stay as cool as a cucumber!

1. Hydration Station
First things first, drink up! Just like when you play fetch non-stop, you need plenty of water to stay hydrated. Make sure your water bowl is always full of fresh, cool water. If your human has a garden hose, they can even set up a little doggy fountain for you to drink from. It's like having your very own water park!

2. Cool Down with a Doggy Pool
Speaking of water parks, how about a pool party? A kiddie pool is perfect for splashing around and cooling off. Get your human to fill one up in the backyard, and you can have a blast jumping in and out. Plus, it’s a great way to show off your doggy paddle skills!

3. Shade is Your Best Friend
When the sun is blazing, find a nice shady spot to relax. Whether it’s under a big tree, a patio umbrella, or even indoors with the air conditioning, shade helps keep you cool. Your human might even set up a special shaded area just for you with your favorite blanket or mat.

4. Frozen Treats
Ever heard of pupsicles? They’re frozen treats made just for dogs! Your human can make them with dog-safe ingredients like peanut butter, yogurt, and a bit of water or broth. Freeze them in ice cube trays or molds and voila! A delicious and refreshing treat to enjoy on a hot day.

5. Avoid Hot Pavement
Imagine walking on hot sand at the beach – ouch! The pavement can get super hot and burn your paws. Try to walk on grass or dirt paths instead. If you have to walk on pavement, do it early in the morning or late in the evening when it’s cooler. And hey, maybe your human can carry you part of the way. Who doesn't love a good carry?

6. Doggy Sunscreen
Did you know that dogs can get sunburned too? Especially if you have a light coat or pink skin. Ask your human to get some dog-safe sunscreen and apply it to your nose, ears, and belly before you go out. It might feel a bit weird, but it’s better than a sunburn.

7. Haircuts and Grooming
Long fur can make you feel like you’re wearing a winter coat in the summer. Regular grooming can help keep your fur manageable. A shorter haircut might be just what you need to stay cool. But remember, don’t go too short – your fur also protects you from the sun!

8. Chill Indoors
Sometimes it’s just too hot to be outside. That’s okay! Stay inside where it’s cool. Find a nice spot on the tile floor, in front of a fan, or even cuddle up next to an air vent. Indoor games like tug-of-war or hide and seek with treats can be just as fun as outdoor activities.

9. Car Safety
Never, ever stay in a parked car. It can get dangerously hot very quickly. If your human needs to run errands, it’s better for you to stay at home or go inside the store with them if pets are allowed. Remember, safety first!

10. Watch for Heatstroke
It’s important to know the signs of heatstroke: heavy panting, drooling, red gums, vomiting, or even collapsing. If you’re feeling too hot, let your human know right away. They’ll know what to do to help you cool down quickly.

11. Ice Pack Snuggles
If you’re feeling extra hot, cuddle up with an ice pack wrapped in a towel. It’s like having a chilly pillow to lie on. You can even have your human make you an ice pack out of a damp towel and freeze it for a bit. Instant cool-down!

12. Timing is Everything
Plan your playtime for the cooler parts of the day. Early mornings and late evenings are perfect for walks and runs. You’ll have more energy, and the temperature will be much more comfortable.
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So there you have it, pals! Follow these tips, and you’ll be the coolest pup on the block. Remember, summer is all about fun, but staying safe and cool is the most important part. Happy summer, and keep those tails wagging!

Can I enroll in Daycare for just one day?
At On Command we offer Day Boarding for out-of-town visitors who just need services temporarily.

DAY BOARDING RATES
See our dog boarding page for current rates.

Day Boarding allows you to enjoy your day, while your dogs are safely boarded. Dogs are walked every few hours and kept in a climate-controlled kennel.

Woof! Dogs, listen up!

We are excited to be ranked in Northern Nevada's Best of 2015 for Best Pet Boarding and Best Doggie Daycare.

We appreciate your votes and your continued loyalty--we could not have done it without you (and your human)!

Special congratulations to CeCe, for winning Best Pet Groomer--we are so proud of you!

Feeling proud to be part of the On Command family? Please LIKE and SHARE this post! That's right--put your paw down a little further, yepp--right there. Click. :)

--Barry O'Dea, On Command