Dog Boarding: What Is It?

Home dog boarding is a relatively new alternative to kennels that allows your dog to live with another family, in a more comfortable and familiar setting while you are on holiday or otherwise engaged. Home dog boarding has plenty of advantages for both the dogs and the guardians which will we touch on later.

Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic plenty of people went out and got themselves a puppy or a rescue dog which would have otherwise been a difficult thing to do. As a result, the market for canine care has grown enormously, meaning that services like dog boarding are in high demand. Being in a dog loving country we also enjoy the prospect of our furry friend going for their own holiday and spending time with doggie pals they have made.

That is why people are turning to home dog boarding as an alternative to kennels.

Why Is Boarding Good For Your Dog:

Dog’s being dog’s, they love to interact with their own kind. They can learn to play safely, approach each other, and say hello in a respectful way, settle around other dogs and go to sleep and most importantly they can learn how to respect other dogs’ boundaries so they will always be social and polite.
Home boarding is a much more familiar environment for a pet dog than a kennel, for obvious reasons. A home can be a great place for dogs to be cared for as it is very similar to their homes and boarders will very often try to establish a similar routine to their routine at home.
During a dogs stay at a home boarder, they will be given the same treatment as you would at home, meaning they will very often always feel and be safe. Dog owners’ homes are very often furnished with them in mind. There’s no need to worry that their environment will be alien to them.
Having a limited number of dogs boarding at one time allows the dogs to have plenty of socialisation and meaningful interaction without compromising their safety or wellbeing, by that I mean a boarder can keep a much better eye no 4 or 5 dogs than 20 and any individual dog won’t be too overwhelmed by all the new and engaging things going on.
Your dog will develop a meaningful relationship with their boarder which means as an owner you can be confident than if your dog falls ill or is hurt during their stay that the boarder knows your dog intimately enough to see the problem straight away. We don’t want our pets to get lost in the crowd.

Why Dog Boarding Is Good For You:

A home boarder will often offer regular updates for your dog which are personal to them and will usually include a photo or video for your peace of mind.
It is very reassuring for dog owners leaving their dog with a boarder, knowing they will be loved, played with, cared for exactly as you would and kept safe from any potential dangers that we all have in our homes.
From our experience, allowing dogs time and space to interact and play is crucial to their mental and emotional wellbeing. Being able to say hello, figure out if a dog is friendly and potentially have a little chase or play with each other is a vital component of a happy dog’s life. Just like humans, they need friends and to meet new friends regularly, even if they occasionally meet a dog who isn’t up for making a new pal. It’s all part of the pleasures of being a dog.
Dog who are familiar and comfortable with their boarder will be very happy and even excited to arrive and get inside so they can investigate their holiday destination. If a resident dog of the boarders is friendly with your dog you will probably see them playing when they see each other, this makes it more enjoyable to leave your dog and enjoy your own get away.
You will also develop a relationship with a boarder that can last a long time and be very fulfilling. We all love our own dogs but it’s a delight when someone else tells you how lovely your dog is too. Their character, quirks and playfulness are well appreciated at a home boarder, and they are often very knowledgeable about dogs all around. So, you are free to ask for any advice your boarder may have about your dog specifically.

The Cons Of Dog Boarding:

The cost of dog boarding can vary from £15-£40 per night. – Generally, when it comes to pet care, you get what you pay for. How personal the care your dog receives is generally reflected in the price.
Availability, especially during peak times, can be limited. – All boarders will have a limited amount of availability for each day, we are limited by our space, our skills, or our dog boarding license. So, it’s important to always book a stay for your dog with plenty of time in-case your usual boarder is unavailable.
There are obvious risks involved with dogs who aren’t familiar with each other and general household risks we all have precautions in place for. – A boarder’s home will pose all the same risks as their own home in most cases, our cleaning fluids, electrical sockets, and the food we enjoy that can be toxic to our dog are all still present in a boarder’s home. Luckily, we are all aware of these risks and dog boarders do their best to make sure the dreaded scenarios never occur. And of course, there is the obvious risk of unfamiliar dogs not getting on with each other. This is something else that generally dog boarders are trained to handle, however it is always important for any new dog entering the home has a successful meet and greet with the resident dogs and is introduced to boarded dogs in a calm, neutral environment.

At Lola’s House – This Is What We Do:

First, we give you a call to get to know you and a little bit about your dog. Then we will arrange for you to come and meet our dogs to see how they get on.
We only accept friendly and sociable dogs at Lola’s House. We do everything we can to ensure every dog in our care is happy, comfortable, and safe.
We will never walk your dog off lead without your explicit permission and we take as much time as we need to gain your dog’s trust and respect before we would consider walking a dog off lead.
We encourage trail stays for any new clients, so we have a chance to get to know your dog a bit more and let them get to know us before a long stay. This way we can be confident that your dog’s stay with us will go as smoothly as possible.
We will keep you updated as much as you prefer, these updates will include how your dog is sleeping, eating, and getting on with all the other dogs. At Lola’s House, we know how much we love our furry friends, and we take as much time as we need to let their guardians know they are okay.

Written by Chloe Forster

Published on 29th November 2022

Dog Boarding Dog Walking Daycare Burton Upon Trent & Derby

Dog Boarding: What Is It?