We’ve welcomed hundreds of first-time boarding guests through our doors at Fieldstone Animal Inn — and we’ve learned a lot about what makes that first extended stay go smoothly. The honest truth? Most dogs do wonderfully. But the ones who settle in fastest almost always have one thing in common: their owners did a little prep work beforehand. Here’s exactly what we recommend.
1. Come In for a Daycare Visit First
Before booking a multi-night stay, we always encourage new guests to spend a day with us first. Our Day Stay options let your dog get familiar with our team, our space, and the rhythm of a day at Fieldstone, without the added element of sleeping somewhere new. By the time their boarding stay rolls around, our faces are familiar, the smells are familiar, and the whole experience feels a lot less like the unknown. It’s one of the simplest things you can do, and we see the difference it makes every single time.
2. Get Vaccinations Sorted Early
Like all responsible pet care facilities, we require up-to-date vaccination records before any dog stays with us, including rabies, Bordetella (kennel cough), and distemper. This protects every animal in our care, including yours. We recommend confirming your dog’s records with your vet at least a week or two before their stay so there’s no last-minute scramble. If you’re not sure what we require, just give us a call at (410) 647-6516 and we’ll walk you through it.
3. Practice a Little Alone Time at Home
This one is especially important for dogs who are used to being by your side around the clock. In the weeks before your trip, try gradually increasing the time your dog spends independently: time in a crate, solo play in another room, or a few hours home alone. You don’t need to overhaul their routine, just gently build their confidence so that being apart from you doesn’t feel alarming.
4. Pack a Little Taste of Home
Keeping your dog on their regular food during their stay is one of the easiest ways to help them feel their best. A new environment is already a lot of change — there's no reason to add a diet change on top of it. If your pup has a specific brand, portion size, or feeding schedule, just bring it along and share the details with our team.
5. Keep Drop-Off Short and Upbeat
We know it’s hard to say goodbye, we see it every day. But dogs take their emotional cues from us, and a prolonged or anxious farewell can make them think something is wrong. A cheerful pat, a confident handoff to our team, and a quick exit is genuinely the kindest thing you can do for your pup at drop-off. We’ve got them from here, and we’ll take great care of them!
6. Choose the Right Package for Your Dog
One thing that sets Fieldstone apart is that no two stays have to look the same. Every guest gets cozy bedding, at least four daily potty breaks, up to three meals, and a treat every time they return to their enclosure. But beyond the basics, we’ve built a menu of packages and add-ons so you can tailor the experience to your specific dog.
For puppies (16 weeks to 9 months), our Happy Puppy and Precious Puppy packages include activity sessions, potty walks, a premium bath, and a nighttime tuck-in. Young pups need more rest and more reassurance, and these packages are designed with exactly that in mind.
For adult dogs, our Happy Dog and Super Dog packages cover activity sessions, gourmet treats, and extra walks. If your dog is more of an adventurer, the Happy Camper package adds a nature hike, pool time, a pup-sicle, and a stargazing walk.
Our senior guests are some of our favorites, and our TLC package was made just for them: morning and evening mobility walks, nighttime cuddles with story time, and premium orthopedic bedding.
And for first-time boarders especially, we’d highly recommend adding an Enrichment Session or Activity, 20-30 minutes of one-on-one activity time with a trained staff member. Add a report card for daily updates, photos and videos, too! It’s a great way for your dog to bond with our team early in their stay, and it gives you a little peace of mind knowing they’re happy and engaged.
We’d Love to Meet Your Pup
If you’re planning a trip and need a place where your dog will be genuinely well cared for, not just looked after, we’d love to have them. Take a tour, bring them in for a daycare day, and see what Fieldstone is all about. We’re located in Millersville, MD, conveniently near BWI and serving the greater Anne Arundel County area.
Call us at (410) 647-6516. We’re happy to answer any questions and help you find the right fit for your dog.
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