There are a lot of times when traveling with pets can be an issue, such as when you have to go out of town for a vacation, business trip, or an emergency with your family. When that time shows up, there is one big question most pet owners have: Who is going to look after my dog while I am away? If you type in “dog boarding near me,” you’ll likely come up with anywhere from two to 20 dog boarding facilities. But when it comes to picking the right one, it’s not just about finding the closest facility.
Not every kennel for dogs provides equal care, protection, and comfort to your dog. Your dog will be out of your house for days, if not weeks, so it is essential that you find him a comfortable, content, and happy home.
The following guide is going to help you determine the essential points you want to look at before you inquire into a dog boarding facility.
Table of Contents
- Why Your Choice of Dog Boarding Matters
- Start with Research and Reviews
- Visit the Facility Before Booking
- Evaluate Staff Experience
- Check Vaccination Requirements
- Understand the Daily Routine
- Look Beyond the Kennel
- Ask About Special Care Services
- Consider a Trial Stay
- Watch for Red Flags
- Final Thoughts
- Key Takeaways
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why Your Choice of Dog Boarding Matters
Dogs love routine, familiarity, and people. Every place they stay is important in the overall experience, as it can be a stressful situation already without the owner.
A good boarding house offers everything more than just food and a place to sleep. It provides sufficient attention, activity, brain challenge and safety for your dog whilst you’re gone.
Selection of the wrong facility can lead to anxiety, sickness, sub-optimal socialization or even injuries. For this reason, it’s good to make time to do research while you’re considering your options before making a decision.
- Start with Research and Reviews
The first thing you need to do is to obtain data on the facilities you are interested in. Internet reviews are a good way of learning what other pet owners’ experiences were.
Keep an eye out for comments on the following:
- Cleanliness
- Staff friendliness
- Communication with owners
- Safety standards
- Treatment of dogs
- Reliability
A company may have negative reviews, but most of the time, if there are a lot of positive reviews, that’s a sign of a good company. Your vet, as well as friends, neighbors, and local pet communities, can offer you tips and advice.
- Visit the Facility Before Booking
Avoid selecting a boarding facility based solely on its website and/or social media pictures.
A good dog boarding facility will allow you to visit and tour the facility before reserving space. Before you move in, you must see this place and judge whether it’s right for your dog.
Pay attention to:
- Overall cleanliness
- Air quality and ventilation
- Secure fencing and gates
- Indoor and outdoor play areas
- Sleeping accommodations
- Water availability
Follow your gut when making the visit. If you start to notice that the nursery is overcrowded, in bad condition, or is in disorganization, then look elsewhere.
- Evaluate Staff Experience
The best facility is no good with a bunch of clueless caregivers!
They should be able to work with all types, breeds, sizes, and temperaments of dogs. Inquire about their training and work.
Questions that can help you are:
- How are dogs supervised?
- Are staff trained in pet first aid?
- What happens during emergencies?
- How many dogs does each staff member oversee?
Having a team of caring and experienced staff members can make a big difference to your pooch’s comfort and safety.
- Check Vaccination Requirements
A professional boarding facility will surely have its vaccination policy written down. And one of the easiest ways to tell if it is a professional boarding facility is to look at its vaccination policy.
Most acceptable facilities will require proof of vaccinations for some of the common contagious ailments before they will accept a dog. This helps safeguard all pets in the center.
Some of these general requirements may involve:
- Rabies
- Bordetella (Kennel Cough)
- Distemper and Parvovirus combinations
If a facility does not require vaccination records, consider it a major warning sign.
- Understand the Daily Routine
It’s important for dogs to have a consistent schedule. Discuss the structure of the “typical day” with the facility. Look for good boarding programs that have feeding times, potty breaks, exercise, rest, and supervised socialization.
If you know that your dog is going to have a balanced routine, you can feel better when you’re out.
There are even some that provide a daily report or update, keeping the owner up to date on their pet’s activities and behaviors.
- Look Beyond the Kennel
Contemporary dog boarding centers frequently provide a great deal more than dog kennels.
Many offer an opportunity to enrich dogs’ lives with activities to challenge them physically and mentally while they are staying at the facility.
These may include:
- Group play sessions
- Individual walks
- Interactive toys
- Training exercises
- Outdoor recreation
For active breeds, these activities may be used to alleviate boredom and stress, and keep them in good energy balance.
- Ask About Special Care Services
All dogs are different due to their breed type and habitat. If your pet is an older canine, on medication, a special diet or susceptible to anxiety, the boarding facility should be able to take care of these needs.
Talk with the cook prior to booking about any particular directions. Ensure that your dog’s personnel know his or her personality, habits and medical requirements.
If they take the time to get to know your dog, they are interested in quality care.
- Consider a Trial Stay
Think about having your dog stay for a short period before a longer stay, if it has never been boarded before.
A trial visit is to give your dog a chance to get used to it and check in with them to understand their response to the experience.
Once the trial stay, see how your dog does at home. Look for signs that it’s in the right position – a positive adjustment is one of these.
- Watch for Red Flags
While considering your choices, look for signs of poor management and/or care.
Some warning signs are:
- Inconsistent attendance at tours and events
- Bad smell or soiled environment
- Failure to require immunizations
- Poor communication
- Overcrowded play areas
- Unsupervised group interactions
- Unclear emergency procedures
Don’t shrug off any concerns that you have when something doesn’t feel right.
Final Thoughts
When looking for “dog boarding near me” it can be a daunting task, but selecting the right facility does not need to be difficult.
Prioritize your dog’s needs, supervision, staff experience, safety and cleanliness. Before making a reservation, visit facilities, ask questions, and compare.
You will know you are safe when the dog boarding facility assures you that your pet is receiving optimal care while you are away. Upon your return, a happy, healthy dog who enjoyed their stay just as much as you enjoyed your trip will greet you.
Key Takeaways
- Always check out a dog boarding facility prior to booking.
- Read reviews and ask for recommendations from trusted sources.
- Check immunization/precautions.
- Seek out well-trained employees and a set schedule.
- Take time before leaving to test-drive the situation to see if it works.
FAQs
How early should I book dog boarding?
It’s best to book several weeks in advance, especially during holidays, summer vacations, and peak travel seasons.
Can I bring my dog’s own food?
Most facilities encourage owners to bring their dog’s regular food to avoid digestive issues during the stay.
Is dog boarding stressful for dogs?
Some dogs may experience mild stress initially, but quality facilities help ease the transition through routines, exercise, and personalized care.
What should I pack for dog boarding?
Typically, you’ll need food, medications, vaccination records, feeding instructions, and emergency contact information.
How do I know if a boarding facility is safe?
Visit the facility, observe cleanliness, ask about supervision and emergency procedures, and verify vaccination requirements.