Your Dog’s First Day at The Bone Adventure: What to Expect

Starting daycare or boarding for the first time is a big step for both you and your dog. At The Bone Adventure, our goal is to make that transition as smooth, safe, and positive as possible from day one.

Whether your pup is joining us for daycare or preparing for their first overnight stay, here’s exactly what you can expect.

Starting with Daycare: Why It Matters

Before a first boarding stay, we recommend dogs complete at least three full daycare days. This isn’t just a recommendation, but also an important part of setting your dog up for success at The Bone.

These first few days allow our team to:

• Get to know your dog’s personality, play style, and comfort level
• Introduce them gradually to group dynamics
• Ensure they feel safe, confident, and familiar in our environment

Boarding can be a big adjustment, especially overnight. By starting with daycare, your dog(s) already knows the space, the routine, and the people caring for them, which makes their stay much more relaxed and enjoyable.

Why Many Dogs Start at Bone Home

Not every dog thrives in the same environment right away, and that’s intentional!

For puppies, older dogs, or dogs who are still building confidence in social settings, we typically recommend starting at Bone Home. This space is designed to be more structured, calm, and “home-like,” allowing dogs to ease into socialization at their own pace.

From there, some dogs may transition into more active groups over time, while others continue to thrive in the Bone Home environment long-term. Either way, we meet all dogs where they feel the most comfortable.

What Your Dog’s First Day Looks Like

On the first day, your dog will be thoughtfully introduced into the appropriate group based on size, temperament, and energy level that was assessed during their two-hour temperament test.

Throughout the day, they’ll experience:

• Supervised play with compatible dogs
• Structured rest and downtime as needed
• Gentle guidance from our trained staff

It’s completely normal for dogs to go home tired after their first few visits! There’s a lot to take in: new smells, new friends, and new routines can be both exciting and exhausting.

Preparing for Boarding: What to Bring

When your dog is ready for their first overnight stay, we aim to make preparation simple.

What to bring:

• Your dog’s food (pre-portioned if possible)
  • We can safely store all types of food (i.e. wet food, dry food, and everything in between)
• Any medications with clear instructions, either written or verbally confirmed with staff at check-in
• Anything else medically or dietarily necessary for their stay (i.e. supplements, shampoo, medicated wipes, etc.)
• Flat collars (no martingales), preferably with some sort of identification (i.e. tag/name on collar)

What you don’t need to bring:

• Bedding or beds (provided in-house)
• Bowls or feeding supplies (provided in-house)
• Toys
• Anything sentimental/expensive 

We provide everything your dog needs to stay comfortable, safe, and cared for. In many cases, bringing outside items can actually create unnecessary stress or tension between dogs in a group environment.

A Familiar, Safe Experience

One of the biggest benefits of our process is consistency.

By bringing your pup in for daycare before staying overnight, they’re not walking into a new or unfamiliar place, they’re returning to an environment they already know. They’ve built trust with our team, established a routine, and gained confidence in the space.

That’s what allows us to create a boarding experience that feels less like a kennel and more like a second home.

We know how important it is to feel confident in where you’re leaving your dog. Our structured approach is designed to prioritize safety, comfort, and positive social experiences every step of the way.

If you have any questions about getting started, our team is always here to help guide you and your pup through the process.

What It Costs, Requirements, & What to Know

The cost of each Summer Swim Night class is $45. This includes up to two hours of supervised swim time, socialization, and enrichment in a facility that was purpose-built for dogs, complete with a beach-style entrance, dock diving platform (when safe to use, determined by staff), and staff on hand to ensure every pup has a safe and happy time.

To keep every dog protected and make the experience enjoyable for all, Summer Swim Nights do have a few requirements. All dogs must be current on vaccinations and owners must be present during the entirety of their pup’s swim time. Dogs should be comfortable around other dogs, as this is a social, group swim environment. We also require that an Intro to Swim Class be completed prior to participating in any Night Swims.

Required Vaccines:

• Rabies (1 or 3 year vaccine)
• DHLPP (1 or 3 year vaccine)
• Bordetella (every 6 months)
• Annual Fecal Test (Ova and Parasite Test + Giardia ELISA Test)
  • You can bring a fresh stool sample to your vet to be tested, or you can bring it into The Bone Adventure. We can send the sample out to a lab we partner with (Canine Lab Testing). Results typically come back within 24-48 hours.

Ready to Make a Splash?

Spots are limited and they fill up fast! Once word gets out, nobody wants to miss it. Book your pup’s spot for Summer Swim Nights at The Bone Adventure Backyard at 2700 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa, email us at SwimClub@TheBoneAdventure.com or give us a call at (714) 604-1414. We’ll see you poolside!

This expansion isn’t about changing Bone Home. It’s about elevating it.

Why are we doing this?

At The Bone Adventure, we believe in constantly evolving and innovating to provide the best possible service to our clients. This growth allows us to offer more activities, more flexibility, and a more customized experience for every dog in our care.

But it’s not just about the dogs. It’s also about our people.

This expansion creates new opportunities and a clearer path for career development within our team. Being a dog handler, bather, groomer, supervisor, or manager here is a real skill, and one that deserves long-term growth and investment. By expanding, we’re able to support our team in building meaningful careers while continuing to raise the standard of care we provide.

Turnover is not our friend, and building a strong, experienced team ultimately benefits every dog and every client who walks through our doors.

This is just the beginning.

As we move through the permitting process and begin bringing this vision to life, we’ll be sharing updates along the way. There’s a lot to be excited about, and we can’t wait to show you what’s coming next.

As construction progresses, this section will serve as your go-to place for updates. We’ll be sharing milestones, behind-the-scenes progress, and key developments as they happen.

Keep checking this page, we’ll keep you posted every step of the way!

Mural Designer and Muralist: nikiokiart@gmail.com | Project Manager and Muralist: jenniemakesthings@gmail.com

What makes this mural even more special is that it’s truly a team effort. Several Bone Adventure employees have been hands-on throughout the painting process, helping bring the vision to life brushstroke by brushstroke. Their involvement adds an extra layer of meaning. This isn’t just art on the wall, it’s something created by the very people who make Bone Home what it is every day.

And the best part? The mural will feature dogs from our very own Bone Adventure family!

From longtime regulars to some of our most recognizable faces, this wall will highlight the personalities that make our daycare so special. Each dog included has their own story, their own quirks, and their own place in our community. This mural is a way to celebrate that in a lasting, visual way.

We wanted this piece to feel personal, not just something you pass by, but something you connect with. Whether you’re dropping off in the morning, watching on our webcams, or picking up at the end of the day, it’s meant to be a moment of recognition, joy, and pride in being part of this community.

The mural is currently in progress, and we’ll be sharing updates on our social media as it comes to life! From early sketches to final details, we’re excited to bring you along for the process.

At The Bone Adventure, we’ve always believed this is more than just a daycare. It’s a community. This mural is a reflection of that.

Stay tuned for the reveal, you might just spot a familiar face on the wall!