Planning your dog’s first daycare day or overnight stay should feel exciting, not confusing. A clear new customer reservation process gives you time to share the details that help the Pet Care Plus team understand your dog’s routine, preferences, and care needs before arrival. It also helps you know what to prepare, what to bring, and what to expect at check-in.
This guide walks Chicago pet parents through the reservation journey from the first inquiry to pickup. Whether you are considering dog daycare in Chicago, planning an upcoming trip that requires dog boarding in Chicago, or comparing both services, you can use these steps to make the first visit smoother for everyone.
Start by Choosing the Right Type of Care
The first step is deciding which service fits your schedule and your dog’s needs. Daycare is designed for daytime care, activity, and supervised social time. Boarding includes overnight care and is useful when you are traveling or cannot bring your dog with you. Some families begin with daycare before a longer boarding stay so their dog can become familiar with the environment and routine.
Think about the length of time you will be away, your dog’s comfort in group settings, and the level of care you need. If you are unsure, explain your plans when you contact the team. A conversation about your dog and schedule can help identify the appropriate next step without forcing you to guess.
Create Your New Customer Reservation
Once you know the service you need, start a new customer reservation. Submit accurate contact information and the details requested about your dog. Complete information helps the team prepare for the visit and contact you if anything needs clarification.
Make sure the name on the reservation matches the person who will manage the account. Add a reliable phone number and email address, and review them before submitting. If someone else may handle drop-off or pickup, note that during the reservation process or tell the team in advance.
Share Your Dog’s Routine and Preferences
Every dog arrives with an established routine. Sharing that routine gives caregivers useful context. Include feeding times, normal meal portions, bathroom habits, sleep preferences, favorite activities, and any behaviors that may appear when your dog is excited or uncertain.
Be specific and practical. For example, explain whether your dog eats quickly, needs encouragement at meals, prefers a quiet rest period, or is sensitive to a particular type of handling. Mention cues your dog already understands and the words your household uses for common activities. Familiar language can support a more consistent transition.
Also describe your dog’s social history. Note whether your dog regularly attends daycare, has experience with boarding, enjoys active play, or tends to warm up gradually. Honest information is valuable. It gives the team a clearer picture and supports thoughtful introductions based on age, size, and temperament.
Prepare Current Vaccination Records
Pet Care Plus requires current vaccination information, including Rabies, DHPP, and Bordetella records. Gather those records before the reservation date so there is time to review them. Your veterinary office may be able to provide a digital copy if you do not already have one.
Check that each record clearly identifies your dog and includes the relevant dates. Sending incomplete or outdated information can delay the reservation process. If you have a question about whether a document meets the requirement, contact Pet Care Plus before arrival rather than waiting until check-in.
Provide Feeding and Medication Instructions
If your dog will eat during the visit, prepare clear feeding instructions. List the food, portion size, and usual meal schedule. For boarding, pack enough food for the planned stay according to the facility’s current packing guidance. Label items clearly with your dog’s name.
If your dog takes medication, disclose it during the reservation process and provide complete written instructions. Include the medication name, timing, and the directions supplied by your veterinarian. Do not rely only on a verbal explanation at a busy check-in. Advance notice gives the team time to confirm whether the requested care can be accommodated and whether any additional documentation is needed.
Tell the Team About Health or Behavior Considerations
Transparent communication protects your dog and helps the team plan responsibly. Share relevant health history, mobility limitations, allergies, recent changes, and behavior concerns. Mention separation-related behaviors, guarding, escape attempts, fear triggers, or sensitivity around food, toys, people, or other dogs.
This information is not about labeling a dog. It is part of building an accurate care plan. Details that may seem minor at home can matter in a new environment. If circumstances change after you make the reservation, contact the team with the updated information before drop-off.
What Happens Before the First Day
Before the scheduled visit, the team reviews the reservation details and required records. If information is missing or unclear, you may be contacted for clarification. Respond promptly so the reservation can continue without an avoidable delay.
Use this time to confirm arrival and pickup plans. Review the facility’s current instructions, prepare labeled belongings, and save the contact information you may need. Avoid introducing an entirely new routine immediately before the visit when possible. Keeping meals, walks, and sleep schedules familiar can make preparation easier.
How to Prepare for Check-In
On the first day, allow enough time for an organized handoff. Bring the items requested for the selected service and keep them easy to identify. Use a secure leash and collar or harness for arrival. Keep your own goodbye calm and straightforward, since a long or highly emotional departure can add excitement.
At check-in, share any last-minute updates, such as a change in appetite, an unusual night of sleep, or a new instruction. Confirm who is authorized to pick up your dog and how the team should reach you. Then let the caregivers guide the transition into the day’s routine.
What Your Dog’s First Experience May Include
The exact experience depends on the service, your dog, and the care plan. For daycare, the team may use supervised introductions and observe how your dog responds to the environment and other dogs. Dogs can be grouped with consideration for age, size, and temperament. Rest and adjustment time are also important parts of a well-managed day.
For boarding, the first stay includes settling into the overnight routine as well as daily care. The information you supplied about meals, habits, and preferences helps caregivers maintain consistency. Pet Care Plus webcams can also help pet parents feel connected while their dog is in care.
Remember that dogs respond to new places differently. Some join activities quickly, while others prefer time to observe and become comfortable. A measured first experience is more useful than expecting every dog to follow the same timeline.
Pickup and the Follow-Up Conversation
At pickup, ask how your dog adjusted and whether the team noticed anything that could help with a future visit. Feedback may include observations about play style, rest, meals, or transitions. Share your own observations after returning home as well, especially if you plan another reservation.
Keep the first evening reasonably calm. Dogs may be tired after a day with new sights, sounds, people, and activity. Return to the normal home routine and make a note of any question you want to discuss with the team.
New Customer Reservation Checklist
- Choose daycare, boarding, or the combination that matches your plans.
- Start the reservation with accurate owner and dog information.
- Submit current Rabies, DHPP, and Bordetella records.
- Share routine, feeding, behavior, and care details honestly.
- Provide medication information and written directions in advance.
- Confirm drop-off, pickup, and authorized contact arrangements.
- Label belongings and follow the current packing instructions.
- Report any important change before arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early should I begin a new customer reservation?
Begin as soon as you know the dates or service you need. Starting early leaves time to submit records, answer follow-up questions, and prepare for the first visit.
Can I use daycare before my dog’s first boarding stay?
Many families consider a daycare visit before an overnight stay so their dog can experience the setting and routine. Ask the team whether that approach fits your dog and schedule.
Which vaccination records should I prepare?
Prepare current records for Rabies, DHPP, and Bordetella. Make sure the documents show your dog’s identifying information and relevant dates.
What if my dog has never attended group daycare?
Share that information during booking. The team can consider your dog’s history, age, size, and temperament when planning introductions and care.
Should I bring food from home?
Follow the current instructions for the service you booked. If your dog will eat during the visit, provide clear feeding details and label any requested food or belongings.
What if something changes after I make the reservation?
Contact Pet Care Plus before arrival. Updates about health, medication, behavior, schedule, or authorized pickup arrangements should be shared as soon as possible.
Plan the First Visit With Confidence
A successful first stay or daycare day begins before check-in. Accurate records, thoughtful care notes, and clear communication give the Pet Care Plus team the information needed to prepare for your dog. When you are ready, start your new customer reservation and provide the details that will help make the first visit organized and comfortable.
