Dog-Free Holidays: Dog-Sitter or Boarding Kennels?

Where Can I Leave My Dog When I Go on Holiday?

Whether it’s a private trip or a work assignment abroad – it’s not always possible to take your dog with you. Perhaps the flight is too long, the car journey too tiring, entry requirements for dogs are too strict, or the hotel doesn’t allow pets. There are many reasons why your four-legged friend may have to stay at home.

As a result, many cities and online platforms offer a wide range of dog care options for when you’re away on dog-free holidays. But where is your dog better looked after: with a dog sitter or in a boarding kennel?

Boarding Your Dog in a Kennel

If your dog can’t come on holiday with you, a place in a boarding kennel may seem like a good alternative.

Here, several dogs are accommodated at the same time in rooms or kennels – together with other dogs or separately, depending on how socially compatible they are.

What Is a Boarding Kennel? Big Differences Are Possible

The quality of accommodation can vary greatly – from a lovingly furnished, clean “hotel room” with dog toys to a bare, grubby kennel – anything is possible.

There are also significant differences between boarding kennels when it comes to staff. While some kennels are run in a very family-oriented way and try to give their four-legged guests as much attention as possible, in others it’s not uncommon for one carer to look after six or more dogs.

With such a staff-to-dog ratio, individual care that takes into account each dog’s need for exercise and mental stimulation can hardly be guaranteed.

How Can I Recognise a Good Boarding Kennel?

To make sure your pet is well looked after, you should inspect the boarding kennel carefully in advance.

• Are the rooms bright and clean?
• Is there a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere?
• How many staff are on site, and what impression do they make on you?
• How do they interact with the dogs?
• Do the animals get enough exercise?
• Do the dogs get their usual food?

You can only clarify these questions during an on-site visit and a personal conversation with the kennel operators. Depending on how far it is from your home, an unannounced visit can sometimes be a good idea. Unfortunately, as everywhere, there are also a few bad apples among boarding kennel owners who promise a lot but deliver very little.

Holiday Care with a Dog Sitter

If your dog belongs to the more cautious types that struggle with major changes, care from a dog sitter may be the better option. Dog sitters usually look after only one to a maximum of three dogs at the same time, which allows for more intensive, individual care.

As a rule, your dog moves into the dog sitter’s private home during your absence. Although this means getting used to a new environment, your dog remains in a family setting.

From Professional to Hobby Sitters

Most dog sitters do not offer their services professionally, but look after dogs in their spare time. They are usually people who already have (or previously had) a dog of their own.

As essentially anyone can become an “animal carer” and this is not trained staff like in boarding kennels or animal shelters, the range of dog sitter personalities and their levels of experience is correspondingly broad.

What Should I Look Out for When Choosing?

Before leaving your dog in the care of a sitter, it’s best to meet them several times. Visit them at home with your dog, go on walks together and observe how the dog sitter interacts with your dog. At the same time, check how your dog reacts to their new friend.

Especially if there is already a dog living in the household, it’s important to see how this dog reacts to the new four-legged housemate. Many dog sitters also offer a trial day to test whether your dog really feels comfortable.

Before your dog-free holiday, agree in detail what you expect from the dog sitter. The more precisely you communicate your wishes regarding feeding, activities, exercise, grooming and other routines, the better the sitter can meet your expectations.

Dog Sitter Budget: What to Consider

In addition to holiday care, most dog sitters also offer hourly care, charging depending on their experience and the exact tasks involved.

If your dog stays with them for several days, most dog sitters charge a daily rate. Here too, prices can vary considerably from one sitter to another.

Once you’ve agreed on a price, you should also clarify the insurance situation. If a dog sitter offers their services officially and charges money for them, they should also have dog owner’s liability insurance. Some personal liability insurance policies also cover damage caused by dogs. However, you should read the insurance policy carefully.

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Dog Care During Holidays: What Else You Should Consider

In addition to issues such as costs and insurance, you should discuss possible emergencies with both your dog sitter and the owners of the boarding kennel. For example, what happens if the dog sitter suddenly falls ill during your absence and can no longer look after your dog? Who can step in in that case?

And what if your dog suddenly becomes ill? Can the dog sitter or kennel carer take your dog to the vet? Are they allowed to give medication, and what decision-making authority do you grant them? The more thoroughly you plan in advance, the better prepared you’ll be for any eventuality.

Trust Your Gut and Your Dog

Alongside the facts mentioned above, you should always listen to your gut feeling when choosing a boarding kennel or dog sitter – and to your dog’s too.

After all, dogs usually have a reliable sense of who they can trust and who they can’t. So observe your dog very closely during the visit. How does it behave? Does it react in a friendly and curious way to the carers, or does it seem shy or nervous?

Taking Individual Factors into Account

Not all dogs are suited to staying in a boarding kennel. Some are unsettled by a change in their familiar environment, the absence of their main caregiver, and unfamiliar people and dogs. For them, a stay in a boarding kennel would mean pure stress.

So carefully weigh up what you can expect of your pet. If your dog quickly builds trust with other people and enjoys playing with other dogs, a stay in a nice boarding kennel can be a good place for them – and sometimes even feels like a holiday for your dog.

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Dog-Free Holiday: Early Planning Is Key

Forward planning and clear agreements with the boarding kennel or dog sitter are essential for successful care of your dog. This naturally also includes arranging care as early as possible.

Especially small boarding kennels that only take a few dogs are quickly fully booked during the holiday season. Of course, there are also work trips or even hospital stays that can’t be planned in advance and require short-notice care for your dog.