Dog Boarding, What to Do?
Are you traveling on vacation or going away on business? Awesome! But trips can also be problematic. What are you going to do with your dog while you are away? Will you board at a kennel, find someone to come to your home, board your dog at someone else’s home, or take your dog with you?
Your dog will be more comfortable in an environment that is similar to their home environment. Many dogs can become stressed or sick when taken on trips where their environment changes constantly and where they have no routine. Traveling with your dog via car, train, or plane can be unpleasant and difficult for both you and your dog. Additionally, where you are traveling may not be dog friendly or appropriate for a dog. Perhaps your pet has health issues, in that case it would be better to leave your dog with a professional who can provide medical care, monitor progress and give medications when required.
A kennel is great for dogs that need specialized medical care or monitoring, and also work well for dogs that cannot be safely left at their own home or be boarded in someone else’s home. But remember not all kennels have the same competencies or services and you will need to do your research. If your dog is healthy and well-adjusted then your dog does not need to spend time in a cage or small room, be on a cold concrete floor, listen to the cries of other stressed animals, or be exposed to the microorganisms at a vet hospital or kennel. Another option would be to have someone stay in your home with your dog.
Concerns about such in-home care would be about reliability, security and privacy. You need to find someone who you know is truly reliable and honest, someone who will keep your dog safe, provide daily exercise, and give your dog the same loving care you would. This is not easy and you will need to get references, conduct screening interviews, and do background checks. It also may not be possible for you to monitor your dog or your pet sitter while you are away, so you may not know how things really are until you are home again.
You can avoid the risk of having someone in your home by boarding your dog in a private home. This is my preference, but I am not neutral on this subject because I also board dogs. The dogs that stay in my home while their owners are away are literally members of my family. I provide a safe, warm, loving, and clean home environment with lots of walks. I am a Certified Dog Walker and graduate of dogTEC in San Francisco, CA, and I am highly trained and knowledgeable about dogs. Dogs are my passion, I love walking and caring for them and I strongly recommend in-home dog boarding to keep your pet safe and comfortable while you are away from home.
Lastly, my desire is that you are able to travel with peace of mind, when you are on vacation it should be a time to relax, de-stress, and unwind. You don’t want to be on the beach, by the pool, or in an airport worrying and stressing about your dog. You may be tempted to push or coax a family member or friend into watching your dog, but that is not the best for any of you, including your dog. You don’t really want to take your dog to a kennel that is boarding who knows how many other dogs at the same time as your dog. Additionally, dogs don’t like change; they miss their own home, their usual routine, and you.
Private home dog boarding puts your dog in the environment they are most used to, allows their usual routines, greatly reduces their exposure to microorganisms, and allows them to have familiar items like their own bowels, beds, toys, food, and treats. In-home dog boarding offers customized care tailored to meet your dog’s specific needs. Additionally, touches and personal attention are freely given, potty breaks are unlimited, dogs can play in a safe fenced back yard, and medication can be administered as required and progress observed. Your dog can go on daily walks, be in a social environment, be comfortable, and be calm and relaxed in a home. This is a choice that is growing in popularity and more and more dog owners are making the choice for private in-home dog boarding for their pet. It is my opinion that this is the best way to care for your dog when you cannot. In-home dog boarding provides your dog a great home away from home, a place where they can go time and time again, and a place where they can go on their own doggy vacation.