First-Time Dog Boarding Checklist: Vaccines, Packing & Deposit

Boarding your dog for the first time is a big step — for both of you. The good news is that most of the stress disappears with a bit of preparation. This checklist covers what we ask for at Pear's Pawsh (vaccination book with tick/flea and deworming records, the owner's ID, a ฿500 refundable deposit per dog) and the small things that help a small dog settle in quickly.

Two to four weeks before

Check vaccinations

Every dog that stays with us must be fully vaccinated by a vet, with records: adult dogs need their yearly vaccinations plus rabies, tick/flea treatment and deworming; puppies must be at least 4 months old with 3 core vaccinations, tick/flea treatment and deworming. Show the vaccination book on check-in day, or send photos in advance (the page with your dog's name and latest vaccination, plus the tick/flea and deworming records). Look at your dog's vaccination book now, not the night before. If a booster is due, book it early — some vets recommend waiting a little while after a vaccine before boarding, so ask yours about timing.

Tick, flea and deworming

Phuket's warm, humid weather means ticks and fleas are around all year. Make sure your dog is on a prevention product your vet recommends and that the next dose is not due mid-stay (if it is, pack it). We check every dog at check-in, and if we find ticks or fleas the dog has to go home straight away — read why in our article on ticks and fleas in Phuket. Deworming is required too, with a record in the vaccination book — every 3 months is an easy routine to keep it up to date.

Book a trial day

If your dog has never stayed away from home, a single trial day is the kindest introduction. They learn that you come back, and you learn how they settle. Daily photos on LINE help too.

What to pack

• Your dog's usual food for the whole stay, plus a little extra — sudden food changes can cause allergies or diarrhoea. Raw/BARF is fine; we have a fridge.
• A few treats or the wet food your dog usually eats — in case stress puts them off their main meal.
• Written feeding instructions — how much, how often, any treats allowed.
• Medication in its original packaging with clear instructions. Giving medication is an extra service (฿50 per day).
• Pee pads for the whole stay.
• Belly bands or diapers — required indoors for boys and for dogs not reliably toilet-trained. Usually 2–3 a day, enough for the whole stay (we sell them at ฿20 a piece if you run short).
• Vaccination book — bring it on check-in day, or send photos in advance.
• Leash and harness or collar with an ID tag.
• Something that smells like home — a small blanket, T-shirt or favourite toy. It really helps on the first night.
• Your dog's own bed, if they are very attached to it (optional — we have soft beds).

Please label everything with your dog's name. Leave out anything precious that would be hard to replace.

Information to share with us

• Your dog's name, breed, age and weight.
• Any health conditions, allergies or past surgeries.
• Habits and quirks: scared of thunder, likes to sleep under a blanket, eats slowly.
• Your vet's name and phone number.
• An emergency contact in Phuket if you will be hard to reach.

Booking steps

1. Message us on LINE with your dates and your dog's details.
2. Send a photo of your ID card or passport for registration, and photos of the vaccination book (or bring it on check-in day).
3. If you want pickup, share your address — we quote the fee.
4. Pay the ฿500 deposit per dog (not included in the boarding fee). Spaces are limited, so bookings are confirmed in order of deposit payment. It comes back to you on the day you collect your dog.

The days before

Don't try new foods, treats or anything unusual in the days before the stay. If your dog has diarrhoea or abnormal loose stool on check-in day we can't accept the stay, and if it starts during the stay we'll ask you to collect your dog — it protects the other guests. In that case the deposit is kept, because the space was reserved.

Check-in day

Check-in and check-out are between 09:00 and 18:00. Outside those hours we can still help for ฿50 per hour per dog. A short walk before you leave home lets your dog empty out and burn off a little energy. Your dog should be bathed within the 7 days before check-in and arrive healthy, with no wounds or illness. If your dog wears a belly band, put it on before you come into the house — some boys like to mark a new place.

Keep the goodbye short and calm. Long, emotional farewells can make dogs more anxious — they read your mood. Most small dogs are sniffing around and making friends within minutes.

Is your dog a good fit?

We look after small dogs up to 15 kg who are friendly with people and other dogs. Dogs rest in their own open wooden rooms but share play time cage-free, so we can't take dogs that are aggressive or prone to biting. If you're unsure, tell us about your dog honestly on LINE and we'll talk it through.

While you're away

You'll get photo updates on LINE every day. If anything comes up, we contact you first. In an emergency we take your dog to a 24-hour vet clinic (a vet visit trip is an extra service).