Holiday dog boarding fills up faster than almost anything else on a pet parent's to-do list. Every family in town is booking the same four or five weekends, and suites go first.
According to AAA's 2025 forecast (opens in a new tab), a record 81.8 million Americans planned to travel 50 miles or more over Thanksgiving, and nearly 90% of them by car. A lot of those travelers have a dog at home who needs somewhere safe to stay.
Here is our opinion after many busy seasons: the families who have the calmest holidays are not the ones who pack best. They are the ones who booked early and sorted vaccines before November. So that is where this guide starts.
How far in advance should you book holiday dog boarding?
Book at least 4 to 6 weeks before your trip, and earlier if your dog is new to boarding. Wag's booking guide (opens in a new tab) suggests at least 6 weeks for most trips and notes that pet resorts often set reservation deadlines around Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Think of holiday boarding like booking a flight home for Christmas. The seats exist in July. By mid-December, you take whatever is left.
For the 2026 season, Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26, and Christmas and New Year's Day both land on a Friday. Long weekends mean longer stays and fewer open suites, so treat these dates as peak:
- Thanksgiving week: Tuesday, November 24 through Sunday, November 29
- Christmas: roughly December 23 through December 27
- New Year's: roughly December 30 through January 3
If you are reading this in early November, call now. Waitlists are real, and cancellations do open up.
Why do vaccines decide your booking timeline?
Dog boarding vaccines, not suite availability, are the step that most often derails a holiday stay. Every dog boarding with us needs rabies, DA2PPV (distemper and parvo), Bordetella, and canine influenza, given by a licensed veterinarian. Our vaccination policy lists the full rules.
Timing is where people get caught out:
| Vaccine | Rule at BARK BLVD | Lead time to plan for |
|---|---|---|
| Rabies | Current, or given at least 14 days before arrival | 2 weeks |
| DA2PPV | Current, or given at least 14 days before arrival | 2 weeks |
| Bordetella (intranasal) | Current, or given at least 7 days before arrival | 1 week |
| Bordetella (oral or injectable) | Current, or given at least 14 days before arrival | 2 weeks |
| Canine influenza | Two doses, 2 to 3 weeks apart, then yearly | 5 weeks or more for a first series |
Canine influenza is the one to watch. The AKC notes (opens in a new tab) that infection rates in exposed dogs can reach 80%, and recommends vaccinating 2 to 3 weeks before a boarding stay, with even more lead time for dogs vaccinated for the first time.
A dog starting the series today needs a second dose weeks from now, and then time to build immunity.
What is the best holiday boarding timeline for your dog?
Work backward from your drop-off date. This holiday dog boarding plan covers the steps most families miss:
- 6 or more weeks out: call your vet, start or update the canine influenza series, and request a copy of all records.
- 5 weeks out: reserve your suite and complete the online boarding forms. Upload vaccine proof to your Goose profile or email it to us.
- 4 weeks out: first-time guests complete a Meet and Greet. Puppies must be at least 16 weeks old to schedule one.
- 2 to 3 weeks out: book a day of dog daycare so your dog meets our team and learns the building before an overnight stay.
- 1 week out: confirm pickup time, medications, and emergency contacts.
- Drop-off day: keep the goodbye short and upbeat. Dogs read our nerves.
That daycare trial is the step we would never skip for a first-timer. It turns a strange place into a familiar one, the same way a kid settles better at a new school after an open house.
What should you pack for a holiday boarding stay?
Pack your dog's regular food for every meal of the stay, plus any medications in their original labeled bottles. Sudden diet changes are a common cause of upset stomachs, and holidays already bring enough change.
- Food: pre-portioned and labeled. If you run short, house food is available for an additional charge.
- Medications: original bottles with written dose times.
- A worn T-shirt that smells like home, if your dog finds that comforting.
- Leave the bed at home. We provide raised beds and freshly laundered blankets in every suite.
Which boarding suite should you book for the holidays?
Pick the suite that matches your dog's personality and the length of the stay. Every BARK BLVD suite is private and cage-free, with orthopedic bedding, supervised group play or one-on-one play, and staff watching health, mood, and appetite.
| Suite | Best for |
|---|---|
| Classic | Short stays, easygoing dogs |
| Deluxe | Most holiday guests, our most popular |
| Executive | Longer trips, owners who want an in-suite camera and TV |
You can see every room on our virtual tour or browse our photo gallery before you choose, and the full details live on our dog boarding page.
Book the Deluxe if you are unsure. It is where most of our holiday regulars land, and it leaves room for the longer stays that Friday holidays create.
How does a membership help you get a holiday spot?
Our Paw Pass membership includes early booking access for peak demand stays, which is exactly what the holidays are.
What happens at holiday pickup?
Pickup is where holiday plans quietly add fees. Pickups after 12:00 PM include an Extended Stay and Play fee, and dogs not collected by 6:30 PM move into another night of boarding.
Regular pickup windows are:
- Monday to Friday: 6:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 6:30 PM
- Saturday: 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 6:30 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM
Holiday hours can differ, so confirm your exact pickup window when you book. Want your dog to come home fresh? Add a bath through Bark Bathing on the last day of the stay.
Frequently asked questions
How early should I book holiday dog boarding?
Book 4 to 6 weeks ahead at minimum. For Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's, earlier is better, especially for a first stay that needs a Meet and Greet and vaccine updates. Paw Pass members at BARK BLVD get early booking access for peak periods, which helps when suites fill fast.
Can my dog board if their vaccines are overdue?
Yes, with enough notice. Rabies and DA2PPV must be given at least 14 days before arrival if expired. Intranasal Bordetella needs 7 days, and oral or injectable Bordetella needs 14 days. Canine influenza is a two-dose series given 2 to 3 weeks apart, so start it as soon as possible.
Does my dog need to be spayed or neutered to board?
Dogs over 6 months must be spayed or neutered for group play. Unaltered dogs between 6 months and 2 years can still board through Solo Play, with individual play and enrichment. Unaltered dogs over 2 years are not accepted for boarding or daycare.
Is boarding stressful for dogs during the holidays?
Some dogs feel the change at first, just as they would with house guests or travel. A daycare trial before the stay, the same food from home, and a short goodbye make the biggest difference. Our staff monitor eating, bathroom habits, and behavior, and call right away if anything looks wrong.
What if my dog has never boarded before?
Plan an extra two weeks. First-time guests complete a Meet and Greet, and we strongly suggest a day of daycare first so your dog meets the team. Share any history of resource guarding, fearfulness, or issues with other dogs when you book so we can plan play groups safely.
Book your dog's holiday stay now
Holiday dog boarding rewards the families who plan early. Sort vaccines first, reserve your suite, schedule a daycare day, and pack your dog's own food. Then enjoy the trip.
Ready to save your spot in Mount Pleasant? Contact our team, call (319) 710-6500, or visit us at 905 E. Ash Street, Mount Pleasant, IA 52641.
