The holiday season is just around the corner. Of course, there’s nothing better than going on vacation together with your pup. Unfortunately, that’s not always possible, or your destination simply isn’t suitable for your dog. Maybe you’re heading off for a weekend in your favourite city or flying somewhere far away where your pup can’t join. Thankfully, the days of leaving your dog at a basic, no-frills boarding kennel are long gone. Puppy parents who need to go away now have an abundance of choices.
From small boarding facilities with basic amenities to luxury dog resorts, there are now accommodations that cater to the needs of every dog and every puppy parent. But what should you pay attention to when choosing the right dog boarding facility where you can leave your rascal with peace of mind? How do you know if a dog hotel truly deserves your trust? Doing your research in advance will help you worry less and give your pup more joy. What are the pros and cons of dog boarding, and what are the key things to look out for when choosing a dog hotel? And just as important: what does a stay at a dog boarding facility actually cost?
What exactly is a dog boarding facility?
In short, you take your dog to a place away from home for an overnight stay or a longer period. These types of accommodations are often called pet hotels or dog boarding facilities and can range from traditional kennels to veterinary clinics to full-on pet resorts.
Dog boarding is not the right fit for every dog. That’s why it’s important to look at the pros and cons to see if this option is the best choice for your loyal companion.
Benefits of a dog boarding facility
In short:
- Plenty of attention for your dog and socialisation with other dogs and people
- More outdoor exercise
- A professional, controlled environment
- Clear daily structure, with set times for exercise and meals
- Monitoring of food and medication
Sounds great, right? Still, as a concerned puppy parent, you might be wondering: what will the experience be like for my dog? The answer depends both on the facility you choose and on your pup’s personality and ability to adapt.
Attention and socialisation with pets and people
If you have a social dog who loves being around other dogs and people, boarding can be an excellent choice. Different types of dogs thrive in a boarding environment: dogs with separation anxiety who don’t like being left alone, as well as more social dogs who crave extra interaction with humans and other dogs. Facilities that also offer doggy day care often provide more frequent and longer play sessions outside. That’s wonderful for all dogs, but especially for younger pups who may need more exercise and socialisation.
More outdoor exercise
Some dog boarding facilities offer lots of outdoor time (definitely something important to ask about during an introductory visit) and provide open spaces where well-socialised dogs can play together. Sometimes there’s even a water feature where water-loving dogs can splash and play. Other dog hotels offer options for private rooms for dogs who need more privacy and rest until they feel more comfortable in the new environment.
A professional, controlled environment
In a reputable dog boarding facility, the staff is qualified, may be certified in training or behavioural specialities, and is generally equipped to meet the unique needs and personalities of each dog. In a professional organisation, a lot of care goes into deciding which dogs can safely stay and play together in a group. The dogs are closely monitored and are always supervised. This way, you can be sure your pup is staying in a safe, pleasant group and that someone is always keeping an eye on him.
Monitoring of food and medication
Some dog boarding facilities even offer direct care from a certified veterinarian. This is especially helpful if your rascal has chronic medical issues that require medication and ongoing monitoring. It’s not only reassuring for your dog, it also helps you leave your pup with peace of mind, knowing there are medical professionals on-site.
No strangers in your home
If your dog is staying at a boarding facility, no one needs to come into your home to look after your pup while you’re away. If you value your privacy, this is definitely a plus.
Foto: MR Woofles Day Care
Drawbacks of a dog boarding facility
In short:
- Can be expensive
- Stressful for some dogs
- Risk of injury from self-harm or conflicts with other dogs
- Risk of illness due to exposure to other pets, unfamiliar food, etc.
- You need to drop off and pick up your rascal yourself
Can be expensive
Taking your dog to a boarding facility can be more expensive than hiring a pet sitter.
Costs vary depending on the location and the range of facilities. To give you a better idea of the price, we share more detailed information about rates at the end of this article.
Stressful for some dogs
For some dogs, staying at a boarding facility can increase their stress levels and heighten their anxiety. While certain rascals with separation anxiety may benefit from the structure and socialisation at a boarding facility, others experience more stress when taken out of their everyday environment – especially dogs who are not used to these kinds of facilities and pups who do not do well with other dogs.
Risk of injury from self-harm or conflicts with other dogs
Some dogs react more intensely to other dogs and struggle to handle that well. Some pups may become aggressive in a crate or kennel. When someone then needs to enter the crate, fear-based aggression can take over.
Risk of illness due to exposure to other pets, unfamiliar food, etc.
On top of stress, dogs are at a higher risk of picking up an illness in a boarding facility than at home. Most facilities will require standard vaccinations – but that doesn’t fully prevent dogs from coming home with kennel cough or upper respiratory infections. Beforehand, make sure to double-check with both the boarding facility and your vet which vaccinations are required.
You need to drop off and pick up your rascal
Most boarding facilities don’t offer pick-up or drop-off services. That means you’ll need to bring your pup to the boarding facility yourself – and pick him up again at the end of his stay.
Many facilities allow puppy parents to bring their dog’s favourite toys, food, and treats. Lots of dogs find comfort in having familiar items and scents with them. If your pup has a favourite toy or snack, such as Aston Cookies, definitely pack them. If the facility allows it, you can even bring your dog’s own bed, basket, or blanket. That way, the boarding stay feels more like home.
Foto: MR Woofles Day Care
What to look for in a dog boarding facility
Once you’ve decided to take your dog to a boarding facility, the most important thing is that you both feel comfortable with the choice. Your dog should be in a place where you know he will be well cared for and receive plenty of attention. You also want to fully enjoy your holiday without constantly worrying about your rascal. So think carefully in advance about what you find important in a boarding facility: what makes you feel at ease, and where can your pup truly enjoy his stay? Google is a great place to start when you’re looking for facilities in your area. You’ll often find reviews there as well, which can give you an initial impression.
Once you’ve done your research and shortlisted a few suitable facilities, it’s a good idea to contact them and ask about their way of working. Are there specialised carers on-site? Where will your rascal sleep? How much time will he spend outside? What are the costs? If you end up feeling good about one or more facilities, you can book a trial night for your rascal. This is very helpful for both you and your pup. You’ll be able to see how your dog responds and whether he feels at home there. After the trial night, you can discuss with the staff how things went and how your rascal did within the group.
Tips for choosing a dog boarding facility
Find out whether the services match your needs
Unlike regular hotels, dog boarding facilities don’t rely on a star rating system, and the range of services can vary from simple to extravagant.
One facility may only accept small dogs but offer a wide variety of luxury services. Another may offer extras such as taxi service and geriatric care. Yet another might combine day care with overnight stays.
Robin Bennett, author of “All About Dog Daycare”, says that dog boarding facilities now offer an endless array of services, from pick-up and training sessions to nature walks and play and sports activities.
“A good boarding facility will tailor the experience to your dog’s character and personality,” Bennett says.
Foto: MR Woofles Day Care
Ask what is included in the price
Prices vary from one facility to another and are influenced in part by the location.
Boarding costs can start at around €12 per day, often with a discount for a second dog. This is usually just the base price for accommodation and doesn’t include any extras. So it’s smart to ask exactly which services are included in the base rate.
Some boarding facilities bundle everything into one all-inclusive price, while others charge a base rate plus additional fees for extra services. That makes it harder to compare prices unless you know precisely what is and isn’t included.
For example, some facilities charge extra if your rascal brings his own food. Others add a fee if your pup does not bring his own food. So always ask in advance what is covered by the stated price.
Look for a well-maintained facility
A dog boarding facility doesn’t need to be super-luxurious to be good. But it should be clean and well maintained. What’s your first impression when you walk through the door?
Unpleasant odours can sometimes indicate issues with hygiene. The facility shouldn’t smell like urine, and you’ll want to ask how often your dog’s room or kennel is cleaned. Also pay attention to how safe the building and play areas are. Do they use double gates to enter and exit play areas? Are the fences high enough?
Check how prepared they are for emergencies
It’s not pleasant to think about, but a variety of emergencies can occur – from a fire to health issues. How solid are the boarding facility’s emergency plans, and how prepared is the staff? It’s important that staff are qualified and know how to act in emergencies and how to care for the dogs in those situations.
Make sure the facility meets certification standards
Being certified by a professional organisation means that a facility has taken extra steps to meet the standards for animal boarding. For more information about certification and requirements, please check the information provided by the facility.
Find out whether your dog will receive individual attention
You want your dog to be treated as an individual. For example, the facility should be willing to follow your rascal’s feeding schedule. Many facilities feed pets twice a day. If your dog needs a different feeding schedule, this should be something you can discuss with the boarding facility. Do this before you book so you know for sure that they can accommodate your dog’s needs. If special food preparation is required, this should also be discussed.
Foto: MR Woofles Day Care
You can also ask whether you may bring your dog’s blanket or favourite toy. Not all dog hotels allow this, so always check in advance if it’s okay.
Ask how they manage interactions between dogs
Facilities where dogs can socialise with one another should have a clear dog evaluation policy. If your dog has had negative interactions with another dog, they should make you aware of that. You’ll also want to discuss how the boarding facility prevents these negative interactions from happening.
This is another reason why it’s a good idea to take your rascal for a trial day or night at the facility. That way, you both get to experience what it’s like and whether your dog truly enjoys his time there. If your dog doesn’t look back when you drop him off, you can be pretty sure he’s happy – he can’t wait to go and play with the other dogs!
Costs of a dog boarding facility
The rates for boarding your pup in a dog hotel can vary widely. As mentioned above, costs mainly depend on the location and the facilities offered. Some boarding facilities charge a lower rate for smaller dogs than for larger ones, but this isn’t always the case. Another factor that can influence the price is whether you’re booking in high or low season. If you’re planning to board your dog during peak season, keep in mind that facilities can fill up quickly. So make sure to book in good time at the facility of your choice.
Ultimately, it’s up to you which facilities you find important and what budget you’re comfortable with. Above all, it should be a place where you can leave your rascal with peace of mind – so that he can enjoy a little holiday of his own.
Indicative rates
The rates below are indicative and may vary depending on location and facilities. Always check the exact rate with the boarding facility before you make a booking.
Small dog
€12.00 – €20.50
Medium dog
€13.00 – €21.50
Large dog
€14.00 – €22.50
Extra-large dog
€15.00 – €23.50
Bronnen: “Tip: Hier moet je op letten bij een hondenpension”
– All About Dog Daycare
– MR Woofles Day Care
– petcentral.com
Ik ben Denise, oprichter van Pawness. Ontstaan vanuit de liefde voor mijn hond Bo en de zoektocht naar eerlijke, mooie producten voor honden. Ik geloof dat elke keuze telt: voor je hond, voor de planeet en voor de mensen erachter. Met deze blogs help ik puppyouders bewuster te kiezen, zonder dat het ingewikkeld hoeft te zijn.
