At Tucked Inn, our top priority is ensuring the safety and well-being of every dog in our care. That's why we require all new guests who wish to stay with us for five nights or more to undergo a trial night. This practice helps us assess whether our environment is a good fit for each dog and allows us to address any potential issues before a longer stay.
Understanding the Need for Trial Nights
While many dogs adjust seamlessly to our kennel, others may struggle with separation from their owners or the new surroundings. A trial night gives us the chance to identify these challenges early on, ensuring that your dog—and the other dogs in our care—have a positive and stress-free experience.
Why Behaviour Can Change
We often hear from owners, “Oh, well, my dog is fine, loves people and all dogs, and will have no issues.” While this may be true at home, the kennel environment can bring out unexpected behaviours once a dog is separated from their familiar surroundings and their humans. Even the most well-behaved dog can react differently when placed in a new setting. Trial nights allow us to make sure that these behaviours remain safe and appropriate for a group boarding environment.
Real-Life Examples of Trial Night Failures
Separation Anxiety: One of the most common issues we encounter is severe separation anxiety. For example, we once had a dog who appeared calm during drop-off but immediately became distressed once his owner left. His anxiety escalated rapidly, leading him to rip off two gates, destroy a couch, and require 24-hour supervision to prevent further damage. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, it became clear that our kennel environment was too stressful for him.
Self-Harm Behaviour: In another instance, a dog began exhibiting self-harm behaviours shortly after being left with us (excessive licking, chewing, climbing, etc). Despite our soothing techniques and close monitoring, his anxiety continued to worsen. By 10 p.m., we had to call the owners to come and collect him for his own safety. The experience highlighted how crucial trial nights are for identifying dogs who may need more specialized care than we can provide.
Fear Aggression: Fear can manifest in unexpected ways, and not all dogs react the same under stress. We once had a dog who seemed perfectly fine during his initial meeting but, once separated from his owner, began biting and attacking multiple staff members. This undisclosed fear aggression made it clear that our environment wasn't the right fit for him.
Escapism Behaviour: Some dogs respond to the kennel environment by attempting to escape. We've had dogs who tried to climb fences, dig holes under fencing, or even attempted to exit through windows. This kind of escapism behaviour is not only dangerous for the dog but also poses risks to other guests. A trial night allows us to see if a dog might display these tendencies before they become a more serious problem during a longer stay.
Fearful Behaviour Leading to Harm: In one particularly severe case, a dog became so fearful after his owner left that he attempted to escape through a door to the yard while still on leash. In his desperation to get back to his departing owner, he jerked a staff member so hard into the steel door that it resulted in a concussion and a cracked tooth for the staff member. Unfortunately, the dog continued to display this type of behaviour, and our assessment determined that our kennel environment was too overwhelming for him. For the safety of both our staff and the dog, we could not accept him back.
Other Reasons a Dog Might Fail a Trial Stay
We’ve had other reasons for failed trial nights, some of which are outlined below. If a dog fails a trial, it may be due to a combination of factors rather than just one behaviour. We don’t automatically fail a dog after a trial night; in fact, we often make suggestions on how to improve the stay. For example, we might recommend separate sleeping quarters, recommend prescription medication for anxiety, offer stress-relief toys for chewing, or even introduce crate options to create a more secure environment. Our goal is always to work with the dog and owner to find a solution that ensures the dog’s comfort and the safety of our other guests.
Incessant Barking: Excessive barking can be a sign of stress or discomfort, and it can disturb other dogs who are trying to relax. If a dog is unable to settle and continues barking throughout the night, it may indicate that our environment is too stimulating or stressful for them.
Refusal to Eat or Drink: Some dogs may refuse to eat or drink due to anxiety, which can lead to serious health issues during a longer stay. A trial night helps us determine if a dog is too anxious to maintain normal eating and drinking habits, which is crucial for their well-being.
Incontinence: A dog who is normally house-trained but starts having accidents indoors might be struggling to adjust to our kennel environment. This could be a sign of stress or confusion, and it’s important to identify this during a trial stay to ensure the dog's comfort and hygiene during longer visits.
Overstimulation: For some dogs, the kennel environment may be too stimulating, causing them to become hyperactive or unable to settle down. This can lead to stress-related behaviours, like pacing or obsessive licking, which are signs that the dog might not be comfortable in a group setting.
The Bottom Line
While the large majority of new dogs are well-suited to our kennel, we’ve seen an increasing number who struggle to adapt. Trial nights are an essential part of our process to ensure that every dog who stays with us is well-suited to our environment. They allow us to identify and address any potential issues early on, ensuring the safety and happiness of all our guests. While we strive to accommodate every dog, it's crucial that we recognize when a dog might be better suited to a different environment. This commitment to personalized care is what sets us apart and ensures that all dogs in our care are happy, healthy, and comfortable during their stay.
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