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What is home boarding?

Home boarding is when your dog goes to stay with a host family where your dog lives as part of the family, in their home with his own bed, food etc. & enjoys all the comforts of home away. There are no kennels & no cages involved (unless you bring your own puppy crate). The stay should be personal and very 1:1 & all care according to your instructions.

Is my dog suitable for Home Boarding?

When selecting your dogs ‘home from home' stay careful consideration must be given to the suitability of the home he is going to. Once suitability has been matched a resultant successful stay will follow.

Your dog will not be suitable for Home boarding if he is aggressive to people in any way, whether your dog is large or small. If your dogs suffer from very severe separation anxiety then a trial stay is recommended & a carer who can be with your dog & understand his needs 24/7. If your dog is a known destructive chewer then he will not be suitable for staying in someone else's home, equally excessive barking can be rather anti-social & not behaviour all home boarders are prepared to endure. Some have neighbours to consider! Dogs that have incontinence problems or severe mobility issues may also not be suitable. Puppies in training are generally accepted in the right carer home.

What to look out for while choosing your dog's carer

1. Always visit your dog's carer in good time before any long stay - if they won't see you then don't leave your dog.
2. When you meet your dogs potential carer observe how they interact & your dog interacts with them. They must not be pushy in their approach to your dog but must also be willing to make full contact talking to your dog in a calm & pleasant manner
3. If the carer you are meeting has their own dogs make sure they are fully accepting of your own dog. Some dogs don't instantly play but they must be comfortable & accepting of their guest
4. Ask lots of questions about your dog carers experience with dogs, dogs they have owned, about their own current dog's character & routine, other dogs they have had to stay, do they have regular guests that come back?
5. Is your dog's carer working independently or do they & you have the back up of being part of a professional organisation. If anything went wrong ask yourself who would they be accountable?
6. Check your dog's carer is fully insured & has a full understanding of the veterinary procedure for your dog if required
7. Ask about other members of the family & if possible ask to meet them
8. Do not leave your dog in a smoking household
9. Ask about other dogs staying, if you are expecting a 1:1 stay for your dog then this is what you must get
10. Make sure your dog's carer is fully committed to your dates & won't let you down. The best way to do this is to book in writing, pay a booking fee & ask for a confirmation. A casual yes may seem very pleasant at the time but a last minute let down can be devastating
11. Take a very good look at the enclosed garden & make sure it is fully enclosed for your dog, height & gaps considered. Let your dog wander about in it finding their own way
12. Make sure the garden is clean with no old dog mess, free from hazards, drains covered, no sharp edges, no un covered deep ponds and generally tidy
13. Ask where you dog will sleep at night & what the arrangement will be. What time the carer goes to bed, when will be the last time dogs are allowed to relieve themselves & whether carers will be able to hear & attend dogs in the night.
14. Make sure your carer is fully contactable during your time away & that they are happy to hear from you
15. Ask or even take a walk from the property seeing where your dog will be exercised & make sure your carer fully understands your exercise instructions. Some dogs cannot be walked enough, others can get over exercised with resultant problems if not suited to the dog.
16. Make sure you leave WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS over your dogs stay & that your dog's carer listens attentively to you. They must be willing to administer any medication correctly.

Choosing the right person for your dog

Just as your dog is right for you he must be right for your dog's carer too. Just because you know someone who lives down the road that looks after dogs that person & their home may well not be right for your dog whereas he may be well suited for another. Never just go for the nearest or the cheapest option for your dog, he's better than that! Research well & always expect references or testimonials from other clients.

Ask yourself if the home on offer matches what he is used to?

• Would he be happy with other dogs? Many dogs enjoy the company of others which helps them settle in, others prefer to be the only dog
• If there is a cat would he be OK with this?
• Is your dog used to the comings & goings of family life & children or does he prefer a quieter home?
• Is your dog used to going up stairs & having run of the house & will he be allowed this?
• Will he be allowed on chairs as he is used to or do you not want him into bad habits?
• Does the ‘feel' of the house match your home?
• Does the house have laminate flooring or steps your dog is not used to or even that your older dog cannot manage?
• Will your carer insist your dog stays shut in the kitchen at night or will they allow him free run of the house if he is used to this?
• Is your dog strong on the lead & will your dog's carer manage him?
• Do the surroundings of the house suit your dog? Moving from a more built up area to a rural setting poses fewer problems but consider very carefully your dog staying somewhere more urban than he's used to. A country stay maybe just what your dog would enjoy but just as anyone would consider road hazards & other dogs in a more built up area, livestock & wildlife such as rabbits in the country can also pose a problem if your dog is not used to
• It may sound obvious but make sure your dog's carer is not moving house or changing their circumstances between now & when your dog stays. It cannot be assumed that any changes will still suit your dog.

Leaving your dog with a home boarding situation is far preferable than leaving your dog in a kennel & is a very rapidly expanding service. Choose wisely & your dog will be safe & happy while you are away & still be pleased to see you when you return! Home boarding as opposed to a kennel does involve a high degree of trust in your dog's carer & needless to say your dog's carer carry's a position of great responsibility. Always leave your dog with someone you & your dog like, who fully understands their responsibility & is professionally committed to your dog. You must be 100% as happy as you can be leaving your dog for the 1st time with a professional home boarder.
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