Posts in category: Boarding

It’s officially spring, which means it’s dog shedding season! Read on to find out how to keep your pup’s shedding under control.

a retreat for your pet at Petropolis

We know your pets are your best friends- more accurately- a member of your family. Here at Petropolis, we are beyond excited to spoil and treat them with the highest quality care. As soon as your pet steps foot in our building, they are a member of our own Petropolis family! With 30 years of experience in the pet care industry, we know a thing or two about the importance of stress-free, luxury boarding. All pets get a healthy dose of relaxation, socialization, exercise, and love from the staff no matter how long they stay. Take a look at what we offer (it might just be nicer than where you are staying!)

Luxe, Spacious rooms/villas

Our individual, quiet rooms keep pups calm and relaxed during their much needed snooze time. Your pup will hear music playing softly throughout the entire facility. (Research studies have shown that listening to music comforts and calms dogs, and we have seen great results!) At our Chesterfield location, our luxury boarding rooms are large enough for siblings to room together. We also have villas you can upgrade to, which are located in an even quieter bay and include webcams. Our St. Charles rooms are 30, 40, or 50 square feet; more than enough room for your pup! We also have 120 square feet upgraded rooms for bigger families or pups needing more privacy.

Customizable packages

Whether your pup is high-energy or laid back, we will build a custom activity schedule just for them. Group-play daycare is available for half the day or the entire day, along with one-on-one play sessions with our staff. Our outdoor play yards are covered and have heating and cooling, so play time is always available. You can also book other services while boarding, like adding a groom to the last day of their stay!

Staff check-ins

Petropolis staff members are always monitoring and checking in on the pampered pets staying with us. Whether they’re needing some extra love and affection, a potty-break, snack, or possibly a new activity schedule, we are here to help and keep you updated along the way!

Cats get special treatment

Your feline friend’s getaway is far away from where the dogs roam- it is actually on a completely different floor of our facility and is sound-proofed! The multi-story cat condos have excessive room for exploring, lounging, and taking naps. Just like canine boarding, we offer custom activity packages for your furry friend (our staff would love to play/snuggle with your furbaby!) In our Chesterfield location, our Cat Jungle has a coy pond with live fish for your kiddo to watch swim around! There are also interactive TV’s to spark their instinctual curiosity.

Pupdates let you know how your furry friend is doing!

During your pet’s staycation, we will keep you updated with pictures and recaps of their day. You can always check in if you have any questions as well (call us at 636-537-2322 or you can message us on Instagram or Facebook).

Ready to book your reservation? Click the link below and be sure to go over our boarding checklist before your bring your pet in for their stay!

The decision to invest in dog boarding vs. pet sitting can be difficult, especially if you’ve never left your pet alone before. Do your research and weigh the pros and cons before committing to either. 

Dog Boarding vs. Pet Sitting

Benefits of Boarding

More enriching. Boarding facilities offer activities and enrichment you just can’t find at home. Here at Petropolis, our boarding dogs get to play outside in our one-of-a-kind play yards, hang out with their favorite staff members, and participate in enrichment activities.

Safer. At a dog boarding facility, your pup should spend 100% of their time under direct supervision or in the safety of their private room. This leaves little room for door darting, accidental ingestion of toys, or scuffles with other dogs.

Emergency care. Unfortunately, even the safest dog daycare isn’t immune to accidents. But since many facilities staff highly-trained pet care technicians, you can trust that someone will be available to help your dog in an emergency.

Benefits of Pet Sitting

Cheaper. Leaving your dog with a friend or family member can be much more affordable than boarding. Still, you run the same risks that you would with any other pet sitter.

Better for extremely anxious dogs. If your dog is extremely anxious on car rides or in new environments, a pet sitter may be the best option. If you opt for a sitter, however, make sure they are going to care for your dog in your own home and that they get to know your dog ahead of time.

Other Things to Consider

Does your dog struggle with separation anxiety? If so, a drop-in pet sitter isn’t a good option. Instead, opt for a dog boarding facility that offers one-on-one attention as well as group play options. These will keep your pup enriched and entertained.

Will your dog require medical injections during their stay? Only trust a trained professional to administer injections. If your dog requires injections (such as insulin), ask your veterinarian if they can board your dog in their clinic or if they will suggest a skilled pet sitter.

Does your puppy require extra housetraining help? Leaving your new puppy alone for too long can disrupt the housetraining process (meaning more accidents). Find a boarding facility that offers special care for puppies, like extra one-on-one time and potty walks.

Can your dog get to know their caretakers ahead of time? Before you leave for vacation, introduce your dog to their caretakers and the environment where they’ll be staying. At Petropolis, we offer all dogs a free first day of daycare for just this purpose. We get to know our boarding pups before their stay, and they get to explore and adjust to our boarding facility prior to check-in.

Whether you decide to trust your pup with a dog boarding vs. pet sitting, make sure to do your research and prepare your dog for your departure. The more information you have about their caretakers, the more peace of mind you’ll have while you’re away.

At the right facility, boarding can be the safest option for your dog while you’re out of town. But since not all boarding facilities are the same, it’s important to do your research prior to booking.

When searching for a boarding facility for your dog, make sure it offers these things.

A Safe Dog Boarding Facility Should Offer…

Supervised Play

Play groups should never be left unattended. A staff member should be with the group at all times, and they should know how to spot concerning behaviors (like resource guarding). An unsupervised play group is a recipe for disaster, so make sure your pup will never be left unattended with other dogs.

Highly Trained Staff

Aside from knowing how to spot concerning behaviors, boarding staff must know how to redirect a dog’s attention, keep the group calm, and break up scuffles. We don’t believe in using pain or punishment with dogs, so we redirect dogs’ attention with recall games, treats, and our play features. In addition, a safe dog boarding facility will also staff someone familiar with canine first aid.

A Healthy Balance of Activity and Rest

All-day play sounds fun in theory, but it can actually get exhausting. Dogs need breaks! We break our play schedule into a morning and afternoon session, and then pups get to spend the evenings winding down in their private rooms.

Spacious, Comfortable Rooms

No one wants to leave their dog in a cramped, uncomfortable room. Ask to tour the boarding facility and see where your dog will be staying. A safe dog boarding room should have plenty of space for your dog to stretch out, get comfortable, and relax. And while no boarding space is silent, a boarding space broken into smaller bays is ideal for minimizing noise and stress.

More than anything, make sure you feel good about who you’re trusting with your dog. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and call to check in during their stay.