Vacation Mode: Fun Ways to Keep Pets Happy While Parents Are Away

It's summer, which means travel, holidays, and a little R&R. Vacations are meant for rest, relaxation, and making memories. But for many pet parents, the excitement of planning a trip can come with a dose of guilt. Leaving behind a beloved canine companion, even at the best pet-care facility, can tug at the heartstrings. Will they miss me? Will they be bored? Will they be lonely?

As a pet-care business owner or manager, you know this feeling well. And you also know the truth: With the right approach, your boarding kennel or doggy daycare can be a place where dogs not only feel comfortable and safe, but enjoy mental stimulation, physical exercise, and fun while their humans are away. With thoughtful dog enrichment activities, engaging environments, and personalized care, your facility can feel like a five-star canine resort.

Whether you're operating a dog daycare, dog park, or kennel, you can turn every extended stay or quick visit into a joyful experience for dogs. With proper communication, you can help pet parents feel connected by sharing those moments. Get ready to keep every dog entertained, alleviate anxiety among their families, and turn your business into a vacation destination that keeps tails wagging!

Create a Resort-Like Atmosphere

Think about what makes a great vacation for humans: beautiful surroundings, exciting activities, plenty of chances to socialize, and time to rest and recharge. Dogs aren’t so different! When pet parents walk through your doors for drop-off, you want them to feel confident that their pup will be having the time of their life.

Creating this kind of experience starts with your facility itself. You might not be able to read a dog's mind, but chances are high that you know what surroundings make every furry friend happy and comfy. Make sure your facilities have the following:

• Inviting spaces: Clean, cozy accommodations where dogs can rest and relax. Plush bedding, soft lighting, and temperature control go a long way toward creating a calming environment.
• Enrichment zones: Play yards equipped with agility equipment, splash pads, puzzle toys, and interactive features encourage dogs to explore and stay active.
• Thoughtful routines: Balancing energetic group play with rest periods helps prevent overstimulation and ensures that each tired dog returns home happy, not exhausted.

When you design your facility with a dog’s vacation in mind, you’re setting the tone for an exceptional stay.

Play is the Heart of the Experience

At the core of every dog’s stay should be opportunities for joyful play. Group play is a favorite for many dogs, as it provides essential physical exercise and training for socialization skills, and it offers excellent physical and mental benefits. Supervised sessions with other dogs matched by size and temperament ensure safety and fun. Rotating toys and play activities keeps things fresh and engaging.

But not every dog thrives in a high-energy playgroup — and that’s where having options matters. For other dogs who prefer quieter interactions, one-on-one play sessions with staff, enrichment activities, and walks around your property can provide fulfilling alternatives.

Some fun activity ideas to incorporate include:

• Themed play days: Host beach days, luau parties, or “pup picnics” with special décor and themed activities that provide enrichment.
• Agility and obstacle courses: Set up agility training courses that encourage dogs to climb, jump, and navigate through tunnels.
• Water fun: Many dogs love splash pads, wading pools, or even a supervised sprinkler party on a hot day.
• Scent games: Hide treats or use puzzle toys, letting each dog sniff around and use their incredible noses to find them.

The key is variety — providing new experiences helps keep dogs mentally stimulated, learn problem solving skills, and engaged throughout their stay.

Making Enrichment a Priority at Your Dog Boarding or Daycare Center

Play is important for dogs, but keeping them stimulated with the right activities that tap into a dog’s natural behaviors, instincts, and drives is essential. Incorporating structured enrichment into your daily routine helps dogs feel satisfied and balanced.

Examples include:

• Puzzle feeders and treat-dispensing toys to encourage problem-solving.
• Training games where dogs can practice simple cues and earn rewards.
• Relaxation activities like massage or calming music sessions for rest times.

By layering enrichment opportunities throughout the day, you help prevent boredom and anxiety — two of the biggest challenges for dogs away from home.

Enrichment goes far beyond simple playtime — it taps into a dog’s natural instincts and drives, bringing out the best in their behavior and well-being. When you weave environmental enrichment into the daily rhythm of your dog daycare or dog boarding facility, you’re not just entertaining your canine guests — you’re giving them opportunities to thrive.

A dog’s world is rich with scent, sound, texture, and curiosity. Just as humans might enjoy exploring a new city on vacation, dogs crave a variety of experiences that engage their senses and their minds. Incorporating appropriate activities into your programming ensures that dogs in your care are not just passing the time, but living their best dog’s life.

Environmental Enrichment Toys: Tools for Engagement

One of the easiest ways to add variety and stimulation to a dog’s day is through enrichment toys. These can range from simple chewable textures to sophisticated puzzle feeders and treat-dispensing toys that challenge a dog’s problem-solving abilities. Watching a dog eagerly nudge, roll, or paw at a toy to release a hidden treat is a joy — and it provides invaluable mental stimulation.

Rotate your collection of enrichment toys frequently to keep interest high. For example, you might introduce toys scented with safe essential oils one day, swap in toys of varying textures the next, or offer new shapes that encourage different types of play. The goal is to spark curiosity and creativity.

The Center of a Dog's Life: Food Enrichment

Food enrichment taps into one of the strongest instincts dogs possess: foraging. Instead of simply placing meals in a bowl, consider how you can turn mealtime into a fun, rewarding experience. Scatter feeding in a play yard allows dogs to sniff and hunt for kibble. Stuffed Kongs or frozen treat-filled toys offer a soothing, long-lasting challenge.

When implemented thoughtfully, food enrichment helps reduce anxiety and provides comfort, especially for dogs who may feel uncertain in a boarding environment. It also encourages slower eating, which supports digestion and prevents mealtime gulping.

Brain Games: A Workout for the Mind

Physical activity is essential, but so is giving dogs a mental workout. Brain games offer a fantastic way to engage their cognitive skills and build confidence. These might include hide-and-seek with favorite toys, treat trails laid out around your facility, or interactive problem-solving games led by your staff.

One particularly fun game that delights many dogs? Blowing bubbles! Watching bubbles float through the air encourages dogs to chase, pounce, and snap playfully — an activity that combines movement with visual and cognitive stimulation. Bubble solutions formulated specifically for dogs (peanut butter or bacon-scented varieties are popular) make this an exciting addition to your enrichment rotation.

Clicker Training and Beyond

Structured training is another vital element of enrichment. Incorporating clicker training sessions into the daily routine allows dogs to practice and reinforce basic cues and socialization skills while building a positive association with learning. Even short five-minute sessions focused on “sit,” “down,” “stay,” or “touch” can provide a sense of accomplishment and engagement.

Clicker-based training games can also teach dogs new tricks or encourage polite playgroup behaviors. Your team members can use clicker techniques to reward calm greetings, encourage recall, or shape fun new skills. Training time not only enriches the dog’s experience, but strengthens the bond between staff and canine guest.

Crafting a Balanced Day with Appropriate Activities

The magic of a well-rounded enrichment program lies in its balance. A great day at your dog boarding or dog daycare facility should include:

• Physical activity through play
• Mental stimulation via brain games and training games
• Rest periods enhanced with soothing environmental enrichment such as calming music or massage
• Opportunities for individualized attention and personalized care

By thoughtfully layering these experiences, you help prevent boredom and anxiety — two of the biggest challenges for dogs away from home. Instead of counting the hours until their pet parents return, dogs at your facility will be fully engaged in a rich, dynamic dog’s life vacation of their own.

And when you share snapshots of these joyful moments through Gingr pet report cards, pet parents will see first-hand just how happy, stimulated, and cared-for their beloved companions are, often playing with other dogs .

The Power of Personal Touch

Just as no two humans are alike on vacation, no two dogs have identical preferences. Personalizing the experience can make a world of difference.

Your intake process should gather key information from pet parents: What are their dog’s favorite activities? Any dislikes or sensitivities? Are there specific games or toys they love? Are they social butterflies or quiet companions?

Armed with this knowledge, your staff can tailor each dog's stay. For a playful retriever, more active group time and water play may be ideal. For an older beagle, slow sniff walks and cuddle time may hit the spot.

And it’s not just the dogs who appreciate this level of care — pet parents notice too. Knowing their pup is treated like an individual reassures them that they made the right choice.

Keeping Pet Parents in the Loop with Gingr Pet Report Cards

Of course, part of creating that vacation-like experience is helping pet parents feel connected to their dog’s adventure, which may include a long walk — even when they’re miles away sipping cocktails on a beach or exploring a new city.

That’s where Gingr’s pet report cards shine. With just a few clicks, your staff can send beautifully branded updates directly to pet parents' inboxes or phones. Photos of their dog romping in the play yard, lounging in their suite, or enjoying a puzzle toy help parents feel included in the experience.

Consider sharing:

• A few highlight photos from each day
• Notes about favorite activities their dog participated in
• Fun anecdotes or staff observations (“Bella loved splashing in the pool today!”)

Regular updates not only reassure pet parents — they turn them into raving fans who are more likely to book with you again and refer friends. It’s an easy but powerful way to elevate your customer experience.

When Dogs Have a Vacation of Their Own

When you approach pet care with this vacation mindset, magic happens! Dogs look forward to visiting your facility. Pet parents feel excited, not guilty, when they drop them off. Your team takes pride in creating joy-filled experiences., and your business earns a reputation as the place where pets and their people are both cared for.

Incorporating varied activities, meaningful enrichment, personalized attention, and thoughtful communication through Gingr helps transform routine boarding or daycare into something truly special.

So the next time a pet parent hesitates at drop-off, you can say with confidence: “Your pup is about to have an amazing time, and we will keep your dog engaged and happy . You go enjoy your vacation — we’ve got this.”

And thanks to your regular updates, they’ll see for themselves just how much fun their best friend is having, possibly at the dog park .

Build Confidence with Vacationing Pet Parents

Ready to give every dog a five-star stay — and every pet parent total peace of mind? With Gingr’s pet report cards, it’s easy to keep them connected and smiling by including information about interactive feeders while their pup enjoys a vacation of their own. Learn more about how Gingr can help elevate your pet-care business — book your demo!