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Toys and Training

It is extremely important to us that dogs are provided with mental stimulation as much, or more than physical exercise. Mental stimulation will often result in a dog which is far more tired and contented than a dog which is only physically exercised, regardless of quantity and duration of walks.


A variety of toys are always available, and play is constantly monitored.

 

Basic obedience training is conducted throughout the day using allowed healthy treats. Dogs can be trained individually or with distractions and other dogs present, depending on their needs.


We aim to replicate as far is reasonably practicable the training needs of specific breeds, using scent games and agility equipment where weather allows. We also have a paddling pool for the hotter months.

Food bowls will be provided for each dog. They will be washed and dried thoroughly after every meal.

 

Owners are to provide meals for their dog(s) for the duration of their stay.

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Resident dogs and visiting dogs will be fed separately in different rooms under handler supervision, this allows each dog time and space to eat at their own pace. Any dog that requires specific feed due to a medical condition will be fed in isolation.

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Treats will be offered with owner consent and excepting any allergies. These will be appropriate for age and life stage, breed, and dietary requirements. Treats will not be offered if they could potentially cause harm, such as rawhide, antlers, or yak chews.

 

Dogs are always supervised with food and treats.

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Fresh water is replenished throughout the day and there will be at least one bowl per dog. The water bowls are located around the premises so that there is always fresh water around whether inside or outside of the home. Water bowls are washed daily.

Feeding Regimes

Trial Session

A trial session is held before any boarding booking takes place for dogs to familiarise with each other, and to ensure that they do not pose a danger to other dogs or staff.

 

This can be in the form of a Meet and Greet or a Stay and Play.

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Stay and Play is always recommended and is a 3-hour stay where the visiting dog(s) are left with Bourner Boarding. This is usually beneficial to allow the dogs to settle without their owner’s influence.

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It is required that any new dogs coming for a stay of more than 3 nights, are first boarded for a single night to ensure they settle effectively and there are no concerns from either party.

Over and above the ‘Standard Day’ daily exercise regime mentioned below, all dogs have free run of the secure garden and downstairs of the house whenever they desire.

 

Dogs which, on the advice of a veterinarian, cannot be exercised or which need to be isolated from other dogs will be provided with alternative forms of enrichment such as toys and training, for the same periods of time.

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The routines may change as needed, with the focus being on dogs always having company and a safe space when needed, and always provided with exercise, stimulation, and/or socialisation. All dogs will always be supervised.

Standard Routines

Meet and Greet

Short Trial - basic.

Step 01

First 5 Minutes

  • Bring visiting dog(s) into back garden via side gate.

  • Keep resident dogs inside the house.

  • Allow visiting dog(s) to mooch and sniff around the garden off-lead as desired.

  • Let one or both resident dogs out into garden.

Step 02

Pen Separation

If deemed appropriate the resident dogs may be placed into the pen in the back garden to provide presence to visiting dogs without allowing direct access.

Step 03

Open House

  • Leave back door open to allow visiting dog(s) to enter home and look around.

  • We offer an open house, however, at this time we will ask the owners what limitations they prefer we impose on their dogs during their stay.

  • The owners may go into the home to see the layout and rooms, if desired.

Step 04

End of Meet and Greet

  • Once all parties are happy, the resident dogs can be brought into the home or the pen, to allow visiting dog(s) to be safely attached to leads without stressing any of the dogs present.

  • Owners may then take their visiting dog(s) out via the side gate

Stay and Play

3 Hour Trial - recommended.

Step 01

First 5 Minutes

  • Bring visiting dog(s) into back garden via side gate.

  • Keep resident dogs inside the house.

  • Allow visiting dog(s) to mooch and sniff around the garden off-lead as desired.

  • Owner’s can leave the dog(s) at this point, or, if preferred, can stay until the first interaction has happened.

 

NB: It is recommended for the dog’s benefit that owners leave their dog(s) as soon as possible, to avoid anxiety transference

Step 02

First Interaction

  • Let one or both resident dogs out into garden.

  • Leave back door open to allow visiting dog(s) to enter home and look around.

Step 03

Pen Separation

If deemed appropriate the resident dogs may be placed into the pen in the back garden to provide presence to visiting dogs without allowing direct access.

Step 04

End of Stay and Play

  • When the owner returns to collect, the resident dogs are brought into the home or the pen, to allow visiting dog(s) to be safely attached to leads without stressing any of the dogs present.

  • Owners may then take their visiting dog(s) out via the side gate.

Standard Day

For a boarding dog.

Step 01

04:00am - 05:00am

  • Out for toilet if needed, then back to bed.

Step 02

06:00am - 07:00am

  • Wake up and go out for toilet and play / sniffs.

Step 03

07:00am - 09:00am

  • Breakfast.

  • Indoor play / snuggles.

  • Basic obedience and treat training.

Step 04

09:00am - 09:30am

  • Grass / field walk in local country park and lake, with long line leads available.

Step 05

09:30am - 12:00pm

  • Chill / play / sleep / snuggles.

Step 06

12:00pm - 1:00pm

  • Lunch if provided / required.

Step 07

1:00pm - 3:30pm

  • Chill / play / sleep / snuggles.

Step 08

3:30pm - 4:30pm

  • Mixed road and park walk with training on good lead behaviour and road safety.

  • Physical check.

Step 09

4:30pm - 6:00pm

  • Basic obedience and treat training.

  • Indoor play / snuggles.

  • Dinner.

Step 10

6:00pm - 8:00pm

  • Chill / play / sleep / snuggles.

  • Optional short walk.

Step 11

8:00pm - 10:00pm

  • TV / movie night / popcorn.

  • Bedtime.

On Arrival of Dog(s)

Boarding or Daycare.

Step 01

First 5 Minutes

  • Bring visiting dog(s) into back garden via side gate.

  • Keep resident dogs inside the house.

  • Allow visiting dog(s) to mooch and sniff around the garden off-lead as desired.

  • Let one or both resident dogs out into garden.

Step 02

First 30 Minutes

  • Allow play with resident dogs, in the garden or house.

  • Assess levels of energy and suitability of play.

  • Continue to allow the dog(s) to settle and engage with humans.

  • Provide treats as distraction and for basic obedience as needed.

Step 03

First 2 Hours

  • Physical check of visiting dog(s).

  • Log all property left with the visiting dog(s).

  • Attach Bourner Boarding name tags to visiting dog’s collars / harnesses.

On Return of Dog(s)

Boarding or Daycare.

Step 01

T-Minus 90 Minutes

  • Physical check of visiting dog(s). Compare to arrival check.

  • Ensure all property belonging to the visiting dog(s) / owner is packed appropriately.

  • Ensure BB doggy bag and BB thank-you card are enclosed.

Step 02

T-Minus 60 Minutes

  • Remove Bourner Boarding name tags from visiting dog’s collars / harnesses.

  • Attach collars / harnesses to visiting dog(s).

Step 03

End of Stay

  • When the owner returns to collect, the resident dogs are brought into the home or the pen, to allow visiting dog(s) to be safely attached to leads without stressing any of the dogs present.

  • Owners may then take their visiting dog(s) out via the side gate.

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