Dog Forum banner

What Should I Look for in a Dog Boarding Facility?

322 views 5 replies 4 participants last post by  truebonds24  
#1 ·
Hi everyone,


I’ve seen a lot of people here ask about dog boarding, especially when planning vacations or work trips. I recently did some deep research on this because I had to leave my dog for 5 days and wanted to make sure I chose a place that was safe, clean, and stress-free.

Here’s what I learned—and what really helped me:

1. Always Visit in Person First
Photos online can be misleading. When I visited, I looked for things like clean floors, proper ventilation, and secure fencing. Trust your gut when you walk in.
2. Ask About Staff Training
I made sure the staff knew basic animal behavior and emergency procedures. One place I visited had high schoolers running the show—huge red flag.
3. Check Vaccination Requirements
Reputable facilities will always ask for up-to-date vaccinations. If they don’t, that’s a warning sign.
4. Daily Routine & Exercise
Ask how often the dogs go out, how long play sessions are, and how many dogs are grouped together. A good center will adjust based on your dog’s needs.
5. Read Reviews—But Don’t Rely Only on Them
Online reviews can help, but always combine them with your personal visit and conversation with the staff.

I’ve also shared a more detailed version of this checklist elsewhere (it's in my profile if you're curious). I’d love to hear your own tips and experiences too—what made you feel confident in the place you chose?


Let’s help each other out! 😊
 
#2 ·
I've only boarded a dog once and hated it, but having said that, now I'm at the age of having to think "what if's" regarding health, I'm lucky that our local shelter also does boarding - nice large kennel boxes split into two compartments that open onto a grassed fenced enclosure (complete with paddling pool for hot summers!), and the bonus that having got the dog from the shelter, they already know the staff. The down side is that no boarding can be completely stress free with all the other dogs barking. Probably the best anti stress is having two dogs that get on and boarding them together.
 
#5 ·
I'd rather board a dog in a good facility than have someone coming into my house who could do something like leave a door or gate open. (One of my criteria for a boarding place is if the gate to my dog's individual kennel were left open, the dog would still be in a safely enclosed area. All the local places I've checked out meet that requirement.) A big factor for me is whether the facility is willing to do what I want with my dogs. The nicest places any more want to do stuff like put dogs out with others, a la doggy daycare, or have "cuddle sessions." I don't want any of that kind of stuff, don't want people messing with my dogs and don't want them with other dogs. So I want a decent kennel run that the dog can stay in and be safe and people who will take decent care but not get cute with my dogs.

That said, I don't often board dogs. I don't travel much, and they can almost always come with me. Of my 4 from-a-puppy Rotties, only two were ever boarded and in both cases it was only once in their lives for a couple days. However, like @raffles I'm at an age where the need for medical procedures that require a day or two of hospitalization may change that for my current 4-year-old. Neither of us will be happy about it, but we'll manage.