Last Updated on September 11, 2022 by ellen
Have you wondered about the benefits of boarding your dog? You may have noticed the recent surge in popularity of at-home dog sitting for when pet owners are out of town or on vacation. Typically, a pet sitter or dog walker stops by 2 – 3 times per day in order to feed, exercise, and play with the pet.
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Benefits of Boarding your Dog
As a pet owner, you may be wondering how pet sitting compares with boarding at a traditional boarding facility. You can see the benefits of boarding your dog as opposed to hiring a pet sitter below.
What’s the difference between dog sitting and boarding?
A dog sitter will typically come to your home to care for your dog. They often stay at your home during your vacation. Or, they may stop by twice a day to feed, walk and care for your dog. When you board your dog, you bring them to a facility where they stay until you return.
Do dogs like boarding?
Boarding your dog at a kennel ensures that your pet receives important socialization with new humans and animals. This is crucial for the development of a well-rounded and well-behaved canine. When asking a pet sitter to come into your home, your dog misses out on opportunities to experience new sights, sounds, smells, people, and experiences. These can be important for your pet’s training. Choosing the right option for your pet will depend on their personality.
Mental Stimulation
Dogs can become bored when left home alone for multiple hours throughout the day. This can lead them to find their own entertainment. A significant risk of leaving your dog in the hands of a dog sitter is that your pet will become bored if the sitter only checks in on him or her a couple of times per day. When boarding your dog at a dedicated boarding facility, there is no chance that your pet can get into trouble in your home.
Health benefits of boarding your dog
How much exercise your dog receives depends on a variety of factors. But in general, a modern boarding facility will likely be able to offer your pet with just as much, if not more, exercise than when a pet sitter is hired. Depending on the kennel, some facilities will even put together individualized exercise plans. Your dog will exercise more often in a boarding facility rather than being left alone at home.
Emergency
Oftentimes, pet sitters do not stay at your home for the entire day, but check in on your dog 2 – 3 times per day for exercise, feeding, and play time. This leaves your pet with plenty of time to get into trouble that goes undetected should an emergency occur. However, at a boarding facility, your dog will be monitored 16 – 24 hours per day, depending on the facility. If an emergency were to arise, the chances of your pet receiving immediate care are much greater. For owners with multiple pets, the possibility of fights or injuries caused by unsupervised play is minimized when placed in the care of a kennel.
Fewer Worries
For anxious pet parents who have concerns about letting an unfamiliar person into their home, boarding at a kennel is a much-preferred option. When you board your dog, you do not have to worry about potential loss or damage to your property. There are no worries about what would happen in case of an emergency or whether your pet is feeling bored. They are not as likely to be lonely while you are away. In addition, the combined years of dog boarding and training experience that the staff at a boarding facility has is often far greater than that of a single pet sitter.
Whether you choose to board your dog or use a kennel is up to each owner. But, keep in mind your dog’s personality and their level of anxiety. Very hyper dogs may not do as well left alone in your home. Very shy or anxious dogs may not do as well when boarded. You should speak to your vet if you need help making a decision. They will know your pet and can offer suggestions. Here are some tips for choosing a good boarding kennel. Or, learn how to choose a pet sitter you can trust. Find care for your pet while on vacation.
Ellen runs a small pet sitting business in southern Vermont. She has experience with a variety of small animals, dogs and cats. She has also cared for ducks, chickens and rabbits. Combined, she has over 20 years of experience in pet care and pet sitting.