Boarding Your Dog: Stress-Free Vacations For You and Your Dog

I work part-time as a dog sitter. It's a great way to indulge my love of dogs, give Boomer some temporary playmates, and earn enough cash to feed my Starbucks habit. What I've learned is dogs need stability and routine every day, all day. My main boarders are two terriers whose owner travels extensively for business. Before coming to me, these dogs were shuttled back and forth to various kennels in the city. They had no routine, no regular exercise, and very little stability. No stability makes for...well...unstable dogs. Unstable dogs are annoying at best and dangerous at worst.

Back in the day, there were not many options for boarding a dog. Usually, they were taken to a kennel and caged for the duration. Of course they were fed and watered and taken out for potty breaks but that's about it. Now there are many options out there to suit every dog and every owner's budget. I have to say though boarding a dog hits you where you live: no matter where you board them, it's not cheap.

Pet Hotels

When Boomer was a puppy (over a decade ago), "dog hotels" were a new concept.  I come from a family of dog lovers but honestly, the sound of a dog hotel sounded a bit ridiculous. I under-estimated North American's obssession with their dogs - hotels abound and now they can be every bit as lavish as a human boutique hotel. (The first and last time Boomer went to a "spa" for a week, he was afforded a raised sheepskin bed, a jacuzzi swim every day, and unlimited play time). I say last time because I just couldn't justify my drooly, slobbery Lab's vacation costing more than mine.

Pet Sitters

As nice as some of these doggie accommodations are, some dogs just don't do well away from their home environment. Enter the pet sitter/house sitter. This is an ideal option for those people who don't mind having someone stay in their home and take care of Fido. Another option is home care without the sitter staying. Yet another option (and the one that I do with the terriers) is like outsourcing. The pet minding service hires care givers like me to care for the dogs in their homes. We provide a home environment and all the love the pups can handle. She interviews extensively, inspects our homes and then the dogs are delivered to us. The only downside to this arrangement is the dog is not in their home environment and may take a day or so to adjust.

 Dog Boarding Tips

• Go online and look up the pet care facilities in your area. Call them and arrange for a visit (without your dog). Thoroughly inspect the facility and observe your surroundings. Prepare a list of questions to ask in advance (more on that later).
• Ask if you can arrange for another visit with your dog. Make sure your dog is not all hyped up when you arrive (remember: calm submissive state). Walk the dog through the facility and introduce him to his caregivers.
• Many "hotels" and "Spas" offer packages (walking, playtime, bathing, jacuzzi time, mani/pedi time). Compare the package price to the "a la carte" menu. The most important things for your dog while there are exercise and./or playtime. Save the mani/pedi appointments for his birthday.
• If you are considering a house sitter, it goes without saying that you should interview them thoroughly, call their references (show them the door if they haven't got any) and ideally, they should be bonded and insured. If you have a bad feeling in your gut, go with it. Also, watch how your dog interacts with this person. Dogs usually have good instincts about people.
• If you are considering the "outsourced" option, you have every right to interview the caregivers yourself (even though the service has approved them). Again, it all comes down to how you and your dog feel about the situation. It's your hard earned money being spent and your much-loved pet. Make sure it all feels right. Also, I would recommend a "trial" sleepover. This is especially important if the caregiver has another dog or pet in the house - it's important that everyone get along.
• Make sure your dog's vaccinations are up to date, especially bordatella. Most pet sitting companies and dog hotels require this information before the dog comes to stay. If your dog becomes ill during or immediately after his stay, let the facility know asap!
• If you have a very elderly dog or one who needs specialized medical care, talk to your vet. Some vets (especially if its a long-standing patient) will board a patient to ensure medical needs are cared for. This is usually only a short-term option as vet staff are very busy. Boomer has been boarded with our vet on occasion - one of the vet technicians even offered to take him home with her! Have your dog turn on the charm!

Suggested Questions To Ask

• How many walks will my dog get per day? If you have a requirement as far as exercise (say, 3 walks a day), say so. Will my dog be taken for a "street walk" or will he be taken to a "dog park." This is important for those dogs who may not be used to the wild, freewheeling scene at an off-leash dog park. Some dogs freak out.
• What will my dog's sleeping arrangements be? Will he be alone or with other dogs? Kennels and hotel/spas will often have "roomie" arrangements. Make sure you clarify with them whether or not this is okay with you. Some dogs like company; others do not.
• What are the procedures in case of a medical emergency? Once we were on the other side of the country, Boomer was injured by another dog at a dog hotel. It wasn't serious but it was all handled smoothly as they had our vet info. handy. Some of the bigger dog hotels have vets on staff and on call.
• Can we request daily updates on the dog's condition while there? Some hotel/spas have "doggie cams" where you can actually go online and watch your dog sleeping, playing, or relaxing in the jacuzzi. Also, some facilities will provide email updates on Fido's day-to-day activities (make sure you ask if there's an extra charge for this service!)

As a general rule, most boarding facilities do not take puppies under the age of six months. Many facilities (including home based) do not take on certain breeds (Rottweilers and Pit Bulls come to mind). Do your homework, interview several different facilities and see what feels right for you and your dog. If done right, both of you will have a restful vacation!