By Tenaker Pet Care Center — Colorado’s Original Boarding Facility Since 1950
The holidays are one of the busiest — and most emotional — times of the year for families. While you’re traveling, hosting, and juggling celebrations, you want to know your dog is safe, happy, and well-cared for. And at Tenaker, we believe every pup deserves a holiday as joyful as yours.
Whether you’re boarding for one night or a full week, here’s how to make the experience stress-free for both you and your furry family member.
1. Book Early to Secure the Best Experience
Holiday boarding fills up quickly, especially at reputable facilities. The earlier you reserve your dog’s stay, the easier it is to communicate their needs, choose the right add-ons, and ensure they’re assigned to the perfect play group or suite.
At Tenaker, we prioritize returning clients and always try to accommodate your preferred dates — so booking early gives your pup first choice of spaces and activities.
2. Keep Your Dog’s Routine as Familiar as Possible
Dogs thrive on routine, so the more consistency you can provide, the smoother their transition will be.
We recommend bringing:
- Their regular food
- Any medications
- A favorite blanket or toy that smells like home
- Feeding & activity instructions
Our team at Tenaker follows your pet’s established schedule closely, which helps them settle in quickly.
3. Add Enrichment Activities to Burn Energy & Reduce Anxiety
A tired dog is a relaxed dog — especially in a new environment.
At Tenaker, we offer a wide menu of enrichment add-ons, including:
- Supervised daycare play
- Private walks
- Massage sessions
- Solo fetch time
- Video & photo updates
- Premium bedding
- Nightly dental chews
These add-ons help keep your dog mentally stimulated, physically active, and deeply comforted throughout their stay.
4. Communicate Any Behavioral or Health Notes Up Front
If your dog has quirks, preferences, anxiety triggers, reactivity, or loves certain types of play — let us know.
The more we know, the better we can ensure your pup is matched with the right group, given the right enrichment, and set up for success.
Our staff is trained to read dog body language, understand stress signals, and make adjustments to keep every dog safe and comfortable.
5. Meet the Staff and Tour the Facility
Comfort starts with trust.
We encourage owners to tour Tenaker and meet the people who will be caring for their pets. You’ll see:
- Our supervised daycare yards
- Spacious boarding suites
- Safety protocols
- Play schedules
- Enrichment spaces
- Staff training and on-site team
Tenaker has been a family-run business since 1950, and our team treats every dog like we do our own.
6. Pack With a “Vacation Mindset”
Dogs feel your energy. If you’re anxious, rushed, or stressed at drop-off, they can sense it.
A calm, positive drop-off makes a huge difference. We recommend:
- Arriving with extra time
- Allowing your dog to greet our staff happily
- Speaking in upbeat tones
- Using familiar phrases (“See you soon!” or “Have fun!”)
- Your confidence becomes your dog’s confidence.
7. Choose a Facility With Real-Time Communication
For many pet parents, the biggest stressor is simply not knowing how their dog is doing.
At Tenaker, we offer:
- Text updates
- Photo check-ins
- Video messages
- Webcam access depending on package
- Staff available every day for questions or updates
This transparency helps you relax and enjoy your celebrations — knowing your pup is safe, loved, and thriving.
8. Plan for a Smooth Pickup
A great boarding experience ends with a happy reunion.
Ask for a bath, brushing, or spa add-on before pickup so your dog comes home clean, fresh, and relaxed after their play-filled stay.
Our departure-day spa option includes:
- Oatmeal bath
- Brush-out
- Nail trim
- Fragrance spray
- Seasonal bandana
- A framed photo keepsake
It’s a perfect way to end their holiday vacation.
Final Thoughts: Boarding Can Be Joyful — Not Stressful
With the right preparation and the right facility, your dog can have an amazing holiday of their own — full of friends, enrichment, comfort, and affection.
At Tenaker Pet Care Center, we’ve spent 75 years perfecting the art of stress-free boarding. From our supervised daycare program to our on-site team and enrichment menu, everything is designed to give your pet a safe, happy, and loving stay.
If you’d like to reserve your dog’s holiday stay, give us a call at 303-366-2376 or visit Tenaker.com.
Your dog’s home away from home is here — and we can’t wait to welcome them.
