Trial Run at Kennel

any suggestions?

Is the trial any less expensive than a regular one-nights stay?
Can you visit him during this trial? Or make a quick stop to peek on how he's doing?

A while back when I did my business plan for a boarding kennel, I actually worked in a trial-rate as a promo, which applied to any dog's first stay, and owners were allowed to visit their pets during certain hours.

I think it might be worth it for your pup's security.. but in reality, what are you going to do if you suddenly decide that you dont want him there for the full 5 days? How quickly can you find another one?

I am completely comfortable with the kennel and staff.  Charlie and I spent a couple of hours there before (not overnight) and I was really happy with the place. 
 
I was just wondering if it would help his sense of security if I left him there overnight without me (I have never been away from him overnight). He does pretty good when he is left along at home (in his crate).
 
Would it matter in the long run?  The 5 day trip in unavoidable, so he will have to go somewhere, I just didn't know if leaving him overnight before hand would help him be more comfortable or would it actually make him more anxious when we leave him for the real stay?

We did a trial night before the first time Louise was boarded.    While I don't know if it helped her, it did help *me* to see how she did.   It was very reassuring to see that she came home happy and healthy and to know she was not at all reluctant to return.

If the trial run makes you feel more comfortaable, then go ahead. My experience with kenneling my dogs has been that they are happy to go there. They are ready to jump out of the car when they get there.
 
We like to think of it as doggy vacation - the dogs get to bark and do whatever they want to with other dogs for the whole time. It is one big doggy party.
 
Our dogs always come back home acting like they miss us but are ready to go back again in a heart beat.
 
Case in point: This summer, we kenneled the dogs while we were on vacation for 10 days. Came home, picked up dogs, stayed home for 5 days and then had to kennel them again as we had to move a kid to college. They were kenneled overnight. The dogs were excited to get into the kennel. They had the same reaction to us when we picked them up after 24 hours as they did when we were gone for almost 2 weeks.

First time I had to leave Peanut in a kennel, I did a trial run.  I thought it would ease he rinto it, not have her feel like she was abandoned.  Honestly, I can't say who felt better about the experience, she was definitely ready to come home, but when I left next time, she did not hesitate going into the kennel.
 

I also recommend an overnight trial run!

I found a kennel that I really like and Toby will be staying there for a 6 days starting next Tuesday, so I made sure to book an overnight stay for him last month. Not so much to get him used to the idea of being away from me (I know that will always be torture for him []) rather, I thought it would be great for him to meet the staff and spend one-on-one time playing with them for 24 hours. This way the next time he gets there he won't feel quite so alone. He'll be nervous, sure, but he'll be able to say "Hey, there's Ed! And Karen, the nice lady with the cookies!"

Can't say for all but for our two JRs, the first we had to board them I was nearly in anxiety attacks over it.  I worried endlessly that they would be OK and even called.  It had truly been the first time they had been away from us for any length of time with new people.  Well, let me tell you, although we packed them up with every conceivable blankie type thing that would give them security and must have looked like WE were moving in, when we went to pick them up, they were just FINE!  It just reinforces the thought that these little guys are resilient if they are anything at all.  Everything was new to them and they had a marvelous time, didn't whine or cry or anything.  They'll be fine, don't worry  !  On the off-chance, someone once told me to bring one of your old shirts or coats that you wear that you don't mind them sleeping on for security.  I know when we watched another JR (Bailee) one time for her momma who was moving at the time, I, too, suggested this and Bailee slept on that coat of mommas all the time.  I do believe it helped!

Thank you everyone!  He is having his sleep over tonight.  I am sure everything will be fine and he will have a great time.  I know we will end up calling everyday next week while we are gone, but the staff said it wouldn't be the first time [] and they look forward to giving us updates.
 
Thanks again!