Picking up your dog after a boarding stay is one of the best parts of our week too. But if your pup seems a little off once you’re home, sleepier, clingier, or just not quite themselves, you’re not imagining it, and it doesn’t mean anything went wrong.
Why “Different” Can Look So Many Ways
Every dog processes a change in routine differently. In the day or two after boarding, you might notice:
- Extra sleepiness, especially after an active stay Clinginess or wanting to stay close to you A smaller appetite, or eating faster than usual A quieter, more subdued mood than normal
None of these are cause for concern on their own. They’re simply signs your dog is transitioning back into home life.
Why This Happens
Boarding, even a great stay, is still a change in environment, schedule, and company, and coming home is its own adjustment layered on top. Trainers sometimes call this settling-in period “decompression,” and the American Kennel Club notes it can take a day or so for a dog to fully readjust after any change in routine, even a positive one.
We see this with dogs from all over the area, whether they’ve come from dog boarding in Alpharetta, in Atlanta, or one of the surrounding suburbs, and it almost always resolves quickly on its own.
How Familiar Routines Help
The fastest way to help your dog feel like themselves again is to get back to normal, gently.
Keep feeding times consistent with what they’re used to at home Offer a quiet space to rest before jumping into a full evening Stick to your usual walk schedule rather than overdoing it the first day back Give extra affection, but let your dog set the pace
Most dogs settle within a day or two once routine returns. If anything seems off for longer than that, our team is always happy to talk it through, since we know each dog’s stay firsthand.
We Get to Know Every Dog We Board
Because at Five Star Dog Resort we treat pet boarding in Roswell and every other stay as personal, not routine, our team can tell you exactly how your dog’s visit went, what their energy was like, and what might help the transition home. It’s part of the dog behavior services in Alpharetta families count on us for, long after pickup day.
Have any questions about your dog’s stay?
If your dog seems different after a recent stay with us, reach out anytime. We’re happy to walk through what to expect and how we can help.