Holiday travel sneaks up fast, and boarding is one of the first things families forget to lock in. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s all land within about five weeks of each other, and a lot of households need care for their dogs on the exact same nights.
At All Dogs Unleashed Dog Training Fort Worth, we care for boarding guests and run our fixed two-week Board and Train program from the same climate-controlled facility on the southwest side. Below, our team walks through when to call, which vaccines to update, what to pack, how to prepare an anxious dog, and how a longer trip can double as two weeks of professional training.
Already know your holiday travel dates? Reach out now so your dog’s stay is sorted before the rush.
Key Takeaways
- Holiday dog boarding dates are in high demand, so call as soon as your travel plans are set to check openings.
- Boarding requires current rabies, distemper, bordetella, and parvo vaccines, and bordetella must be updated every six months, so book any vet visit weeks ahead.
- Pack your dog’s regular food, any medications with clear instructions, and one comfort item such as a favorite blanket or toy.
- A single-night trial stay before the holidays helps an anxious dog learn the routine before a longer trip.
- If you are traveling for about two weeks, our fixed two-week Board and Train program lets your dog come home trained, with guaranteed results and lifetime support.
Why Holiday Dog Boarding Dates Go Fast
The holiday stretch from late November through the first days of January is the busiest travel window of the year for many North Texas families. Flights out of DFW Airport fill up, relatives come in from out of town, and road trips stack up around the same long weekends. All of that travel creates demand for boarding on the same handful of dates.
Thanksgiving Through New Year’s Overlaps
Thanksgiving week, the days around Christmas, and New Year’s Eve tend to be the most requested nights. Many families also stretch trips around school breaks, which turns a three-night stay into a week or more. When everyone needs the same dates, the calendar gets tight quickly.
Holiday dates are in high demand. The best move is simple: call us at (817) 393-6224 to check availability for your dates as soon as you know them, rather than waiting until the week before you leave.
Early Booking Gives You Time to Prepare
Booking early is not only about securing a spot. It also gives you time to update vaccines, schedule a trial overnight, and gather your dog’s food and medications without a last-minute scramble. Dogs pick up on rushed, stressed owners, and a calm lead-up makes the drop-off smoother for everyone.
A Holiday Boarding Checklist Timeline
Use the timeline below as a planning aid, not a guarantee of openings. Availability always depends on the calendar, so the first step is still a phone call to check your dates.
| When | What to Do | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 6 weeks out | Call to check availability, request your dates, and review your dog’s vaccine records | Holiday dates are popular, and early calls leave time for vet appointments |
| 6 weeks out | Schedule a vet visit if rabies, distemper, parvo, or bordetella is due | Vet schedules also fill before the holidays, and records must be current at drop-off |
| 2 weeks out | Book a single-night trial stay for anxious or first-time boarders | Your dog gets to learn the routine before a longer stay |
| 2 weeks out | Write out feeding amounts, medication doses, and your vet’s contact information | Our staff follows your instructions exactly and coordinates with your vet if needed |
| Drop-off day | Bring pre-portioned food, medications, vaccine documentation, and one comfort item | Consistent food helps prevent stomach upset, and familiar scents help your dog settle |
| Drop-off day | Keep the goodbye short and calm, then head out | Long, emotional goodbyes can make an anxious dog more worked up |
Six Weeks Out: Vaccines and Vet Visits
Every dog that boards with us needs current rabies, distemper, bordetella, and parvo vaccines. Bordetella, which protects against one of the main causes of kennel cough, must be updated every six months for our boarding guests. That is more often than some owners expect, so check the date on your records first.
If anything is due, book the vet visit now. Local clinics get busy before the holidays too, and you will need documentation from your veterinarian at drop-off. If your dog has a health condition, ask your vet whether boarding is appropriate and what instructions our staff should follow.
Two Weeks Out: Trial Stay and Written Instructions
Two weeks before your trip is a good time for a short trial stay and for putting your dog’s routine in writing. List meal amounts and times, medication names and doses, any allergies, and your veterinarian’s name and number. Clear written notes make it easy for our team to keep your dog’s schedule consistent.
Drop-Off Day: Keep It Simple
Pack the night before so you are not hunting for a leash or a pill bottle on the way out the door. Arrive with your paperwork, food, meds, and comfort item, hand everything over, and keep your goodbye brief. Most dogs take their cue from you, so a relaxed exit helps them settle faster.
What to Pack for Your Dog’s Holiday Stay
Packing for a boarding stay is simpler than packing for yourself, but a few items make a real difference in how your dog feels during the visit.
Your Dog’s Regular Food
We ask owners to bring their dog’s regular food, and our staff feeds it according to your instructions. A sudden diet change is one of the easiest ways to upset a dog’s stomach, and the holidays already bring enough change. Pre-portion meals into labeled bags or bring the full bag with clear measurements, and pack a little extra in case your return gets delayed.
Medications and Supplements
If your dog takes any medication, bring enough for the full stay plus a few extra days, in the original containers. Write out the dose, timing, and whether it should be given with food. Our team follows veterinary-prescribed medication schedules precisely, which is especially important for senior dogs and dogs with chronic conditions.
One Comfort Item From Home
A favorite blanket, a well-loved toy, or a worn T-shirt that smells like home can help a dog relax in a new setting. The American Kennel Club also suggests bringing a familiar item with your scent. Choose something washable that you would not be heartbroken to see get a little worn, and skip anything your dog tends to chew apart and swallow.
Ready to reserve your dog’s holiday stay? Check dates and details for boarding at our Fort Worth facility.
How to Prepare an Anxious Dog for Boarding
Some dogs walk into a boarding facility like they own the place. Others pace, whine, or refuse food for the first day. If your dog leans toward the second group, a little preparation before the holidays goes a long way.
Start With a Trial Overnight Stay
We accept stays from a single night up to multi-week visits, which makes a trial overnight an easy first step. One night gives your dog a chance to learn the sounds, smells, and routine of the facility, and it gives you a low-stakes way to see how they handle it. Schedule it before the busy season so the first stay is not also the longest one.
Build Comfort With Time Alone at Home
Dogs that struggle whenever you leave the house usually find boarding harder too. Short practice absences, a predictable daily routine, and calm departures and arrivals can all help. If your dog shows signs of panic when left alone, our post on helping a dog with separation anxiety covers what to watch for, and a vet check is a smart idea for severe cases.
Crate comfort also helps, since a dog that already sees a crate or kennel as a safe resting place tends to settle into individual sleeping quarters more easily. Our article on common crate training mistakes is a good place to start.
Keep the Goodbye Low-Key
It is natural to want a long hug at drop-off. For an anxious dog, though, an emotional goodbye can signal that something is wrong. Hand over the leash, say a quick, cheerful goodbye, and leave. Pickup works the same way: stay calm and let your dog settle before the big reunion.
What a Boarding Day Looks Like at Our Fort Worth Facility
Knowing what your dog’s day will look like makes it easier to relax while you are away. Our boarding program is built around structure, supervision, and the routine your dog already knows from home.
Supervision and Sleeping Quarters
Our facility is supervised 24 hours a day by experienced staff, so someone is always there to keep an eye on comfort, health, and safety. Dogs rest in individual sleeping quarters inside a clean, climate-controlled building, which matters in a North Texas winter when temperatures can swing from mild afternoons to cold nights.
Meals, Medications, and Outdoor Time
Each boarded dog receives at least three supervised outdoor sessions a day, along with meals served according to your feeding instructions. Medications are given on the schedule you provide. For longer stays, exercise and enrichment are adjusted to suit the length of the visit and your dog’s energy level.
Updates and Health Concerns
You are always welcome to call our team during your dog’s stay for an update. Staff monitor every dog for signs of illness or discomfort, and if a medical concern comes up, we contact you right away and coordinate with your designated veterinarian.
The Boarding & Refresher Option
Our dog boarding in Fort Worth includes a Boarding & Refresher option for owners who want their dog’s manners to stay sharp while they travel. It is a practical fit for dogs that already know their basics but tend to slip during a busy season. Ask our team what the option includes for your dog and whether it matches your dates.
Traveling for Two Weeks? Pair the Trip with Board and Train
If your holiday plans keep you away for about two weeks, your dog can spend that time doing more than waiting for you. Our fixed two-week Board and Train program lets your dog stay at our facility and train with our team every day.
How the Two Weeks Work
Each Board and Train enrollment starts with an evaluation and behavioral assessment when your dog arrives, so training is built around your dog’s specific needs. We use a balanced approach that combines positive reinforcement with clear structure, and we keep enrollment numbers small so each dog gets individual attention.
Near the end of the program, owner transfer sessions teach you the commands, hand signals, and timing your dog learned, with practice in different environments. You also receive detailed written instructions. Board and Train is backed by guaranteed results and lifetime support at no additional charge, and Affirm financing is available.
Comparing Your Holiday Options
| Option | Best For | What Your Dog Gets |
|---|---|---|
| Boarding | Short or long trips when your dog’s manners are already where you want them | 24-hour supervision, individual sleeping quarters, at least three supervised outdoor sessions a day, your food and meds |
| Boarding & Refresher | Dogs that know their basics but need them kept sharp during the stay | Boarding plus refresher work; ask our team for details |
| Board and Train | Trips of about two weeks, or dogs with obedience or behavior goals | Daily training, transfer sessions, written instructions, guaranteed results, and lifetime support |
If a two-week trip is not on your calendar this year, private lessons and in-home dog training can help you work on door manners and greetings at home before holiday guests arrive. You can compare every format on our Fort Worth training programs page.
Holiday Hazards to Watch for When You Pick Your Dog Up
Your dog comes home right in the middle of the season, when kitchens are full and decorations are up. A few precautions keep that homecoming from turning into an emergency vet visit.
Holiday Food Hazards
According to the AVMA’s holiday pet safety tips, chocolate is toxic to dogs, and sweets and baked goods may contain xylitol, which has been linked to liver failure and death in dogs. Rich table scraps like gravy, poultry skin, and fat can cause pancreatitis, bones can cause choking or intestinal blockage, and onions, grapes, and raisins are poisonous to pets.
The ASPCA recommends keeping your dog’s diet the same as any other day. After a boarding stay on their regular food, that consistency matters even more. Ask guests not to slip scraps under the table, and keep trash cans closed.
Decorations and Plants
The ASPCA notes that tinsel can cause severe vomiting and an obstructed digestive tract if swallowed, mistletoe and holly can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems, and poinsettias can cause mild to moderate stomach irritation. Keep candles out of reach and never leave them unattended, and tuck away light cords that a bored dog might chew.
Give your dog a quiet room to retreat to if the house gets loud. If you think your dog ate something harmful, call your veterinarian or an animal poison control line right away.
Have questions about holiday dates, vaccines, or pairing a trip with training? Call us at (817) 393-6224 and our team will help you plan.
About All Dogs Unleashed Dog Training Fort Worth
All Dogs Unleashed Dog Training Fort Worth helps local families with professional dog training and boarding from our climate-controlled facility at 4011 Benbrook State Rte, near the Benbrook Lake area. Our fixed two-week Board and Train program is backed by guaranteed results and lifetime support, and we also offer private lessons, in-home training, and supervised boarding with a Boarding & Refresher option. During the holidays, we help owners plan ahead so their dogs stay safe, comfortable, and on routine while they travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I book holiday dog boarding?
Call as soon as your travel dates are set. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s are among the busiest boarding dates of the year, so earlier is better. Calling around six weeks ahead also leaves time to update vaccines and schedule a trial overnight. The quickest way to check your dates is to call our team at (817) 393-6224.
What vaccines does my dog need to board in Fort Worth?
Dogs boarding with us must be current on rabies, distemper, and bordetella vaccines, along with parvo. Bordetella must be updated every six months, which catches some owners off guard. Bring documentation from your veterinarian at drop-off. If any vaccine is due, schedule the vet visit a few weeks before your trip, since clinics get busy before the holidays.
Can I bring my dog’s own food and toys to boarding?
Yes. We encourage owners to bring their dog’s regular food so meals stay consistent and stomachs stay settled, and our staff follows your feeding instructions exactly. You can also bring a comfort item such as a favorite blanket or toy. Pick something washable, and avoid items your dog tends to shred and swallow when bored or stressed.
How do I prepare my anxious dog for a boarding stay?
Start with a single-night trial stay before the holidays so your dog learns the routine before a longer visit. At home, practice short absences, keep departures calm, and make sure your dog is comfortable resting in a crate. Pack a familiar comfort item, keep drop-off brief, and talk with your vet if your dog shows signs of severe panic.
Can my dog train while I travel for the holidays?
Yes. If your trip lasts about two weeks, our fixed two-week Board and Train program lets your dog train daily at our facility while you are away. It ends with owner transfer sessions and written instructions, and it is backed by guaranteed results and lifetime support. For shorter stays, ask about the Boarding & Refresher option instead.
Will I get updates while my dog is boarding?
You are always welcome to call our team during your dog’s stay, and we are happy to answer questions and share how your dog is doing. Staff supervise the facility around the clock, and if a health concern ever comes up, we contact you right away and coordinate with your designated veterinarian so you are never left wondering.
Holiday travel is easier when your dog’s care is settled early. Booking holiday dog boarding well ahead of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s gives you time to update vaccines, try an overnight stay, and pack the right food and medications. Call (817) 393-6224 or reach out online to check dates at our location at 4011 Benbrook State Rte on the southwest side of Fort Worth.
Ready to Get Started with All Dogs Unleashed Dog Training Fort Worth?
Call (817) 393-6224 to check holiday boarding dates, ask about the Boarding & Refresher option, or talk through whether our two-week Board and Train program fits your travel plans. Our team will help you plan a stay that keeps your dog safe, comfortable, and on routine.
