Having a dog in your life means that sometimes you need to leave them at home while you travel. Even if you don't travel much, or usually bring your dog with you, it's important to still have a backup plan if you need to be away for a night unexpectedly.
Should you use a pet sitter or take your dog to a boarding kennel? Is it better to leave your dog at their pet sitter's home or have their pet sitter stay at your place? How can you tell if a dog boarding facility is responsible and safe?
There are a lot of options out there for pet care while you are away from home, but the sheer number of options often makes it harder to get the best option for your dog. The top thing we want for our dogs is that they are safe and happy while we're away.
While pet-sitter apps, like Rover or Wag, have made it easier than ever to find a dog sitter, not all dog sitters are created equal. I'm super picky when it comes to who gets the honor of caring for my dogs when I'm away — I honestly only trust 3 people, and even then, I'm the one leaving a notebook of care notes and reminders.
Let's dive into some tips on what type of pet care is best for your dog and how to find a pet sitter or boarding kennel you can trust.
What's Better? Boarding Your Dog or Hiring a Pet Sitter?
In the years I've been a dog trainer, I've been asked many times what's best for my canine clients. It honestly depends heavily on each individual dog and their needs. It also depends on your preference and budget.
Though every boarding and pet-sitting situation and setup is different, here are a few generalizations to help you figure out what type of accommodations might work best for your dog:
Dogs That May Do Better With a Pet Sitter (In-Your-Home or Their Home)
- Aggressive behavior or reactivity toward other dogs, or people they don’t know
- Timid or scared around lots of unfamiliar people
- Prone to separation anxiety or isolation distress
- Not comfortable with new environments
- Intact male or female dogs
- Not up-to-date on vaccines (young puppies or dogs with certain medical conditions) or a compromised immune system
Dogs That May Do Better With Boarding
- Get along well with other dogs and people
- Well-socialized and unafraid of meeting new dogs and people
- Spayed or neutered
- Not prone to separation anxiety
- Comfortable with new environments
- Up-to-date on vaccines and have a healthy immune system
In-Your-Home Pet Sitting
Ideally, I always first recommend having a pet sitter come to stay at the dog's home with them. This maintains their usual routine in a familiar environment, which lowers stress for all dogs. An in-home pet sitter is especially important for dogs who struggle with anxiety or have a history of rehoming. For these dogs, going to a new and unfamiliar environment can cause increased stress.
Some dogs don't do well with unknown dogs, making staying at a pet sitter's home or at a boarding facility with other doggie guests overwhelming. If your dog suffers from separation anxiety and does not do well in other boarding environments, then you may need to find a pet sitter who stays at your home 24/7 while you're away.
These pet sitters are harder to find and often charge more, but they are so helpful in helping your dog feel safe and secure while you're away.
At a Pet Sitter's Home (Home Boarding)
Some dogs can do well staying at a pet sitter's home, but it depends on the setup and your dog's familiarity with the sitter. If they are the only dog in attendance, this can be a great option for dogs who don't love the company of other dogs. But if there are other doggie guests or your pet sitter's own pets, it's crucial that your dog is comfortable in their presence. This is especially true if there are different species present that your dog is not familiar or socialized with, such as cats, birds, guinea pigs, etc.
At a Dog Boarding Facility
Boarding facilities have maintained popularity due to typically lower prices than pet sitters (though not always). I am especially careful about what dogs I recommend go to a boarding facility for care, simply because it can be a stressful experience for many dogs. The environment change, potential interactions with other dogs, the sounds and smells of other dogs (even if not interacting directly), and rotating staff throughout the day and night are just some things that can increase stress.
I often look for boarding kennels that include dog daycare during the day, where a dog can go to first get familiar with other dogs and the staff and then go home at the end of the day. This way, they anticipate great things in that particular environment and will be less stressed if they stay overnight. If your dog doesn't do well with dog daycare, then you may consider a boarding kennel that incorporates lots of human interaction, outdoor exercise via walks or hikes, and enrichment activities.
I do not usually recommend board-and-train options for dogs. Find out why board and train programs aren't usually worth the price here.
What's Best for Senior Dogs or Dogs with Medical or Behavioral Conditions?
Does your dog require specific medical care or regular medications? If they do not become overly stressed at the vet, consider boarding them at your veterinarian's office. Or ask your veterinary clinic if any of their veterinary technicians offer pet sitting services. Some boarding facilities are staffed 24/7, which could be desirable for dogs with certain medical conditions or those that are prone to getting into trouble (eating their bed, getting a paw caught in their kennel, etc.).
For dogs who struggle with anxiety or aggression, some pet sitters specialize and feel comfortable caring for these dogs. And there are even some certified dog trainers or behavior consultants who offer pet sitting services for dogs with difficult behavior issues.
If your dog exhibits aggression toward people, then you need to consider who watches them while you're gone very carefully. Your liability is high if there is a bite incident. You must have clear instructions and environmental management in place for safety, and make sure that your dog is familiar and comfortable with the pet sitter before you leave. This often means multiple visits before your trip so the pet sitter can build a positive relationship with your dog.
Preventive Vet team member Mia's experience with her senior pug, Mabel:
"My wife and I don’t have human children, but we are incredibly lucky and grateful that her parents are experienced dog owners who treat our animals like their grandkids and have been able to watch our fur babies when we’ve gone out of town for more than a few days.
Our senior pug Mabel has many traits which make it difficult to find (or trust) other options. Not only is she reactive to other animals, has a collapsing trachea and very limited mobility in her hind legs, but her biggest quirk to contend with is not liking other people except for my wife.
It has taken her a few years just to tolerate me when my wife is present, but when Megan is gone, all I hear in my head is Whoopi Goldberg’s character in Ghost saying, “You in danger, girl.”
Instead of letting you take her outside to pee regularly, our marvelous Ms. Mabel would rather threaten you with bites and develop a UTI.So, it’s been very important for us to make sure whoever is watching her is also ready to either pick her up like a burrito in her bed while she is sleeping or be ready to put on some oven mitts when taking her from the couch to the grass outside.
We were lucky enough to find a pet sitter on Rover who not only was ok with the oven mitts but is also the one who developed the burrito bed carry method and sent us a photo of it in action.We liked the photo so much that we turned it into a Christmas ornament.
Like Cathy, we are incredibly picky when it comes to who we trust with our animals.
We interviewed several sitters through Rover as well as one of the vet techs from the practice that we go to. Each came to our home so that we could get a feel for them and make sure they pass the vibe test with us and with our animals.
We asked a lot of questions and made sure to get a good feel for level of experience, comfort with the tasks at hand, and what they would do if faced with an emergency.
The sitter we ended up with also asked great questions and had experience with her own dog having collapsing trachea.
We aren't big travelers so we started out having her come for an afternoon check-in once per week, then tested an overnight trip, and then stretched to 4 nights over the holidays.
We leave very detailed instructions each time, and when new things come up, like when we started needing to express Mabel's bladder, our sitter came over to be trained on how to do it."
Whether you decide to place your dog in a boarding facility or leave them with a pet sitter, book well in advance. You’ll need enough time to check out the facility, staff, etc. And all options will usually book up quickly during holidays. Plan way ahead — I usually book with my pet sitter at least 4–5 months before a planned trip.
Finding a Pet Sitter or Boarding Facility You Can Trust
Once you've decided what type of pet care to pursue for your dog while you're away, it's time to create a list of possible options for you to contact and learn more about.
Ask For Referrals
There’s a good chance your veterinarian or other team member at their hospital knows of a good boarding facility or dog sitter in your area. Your dog trainer also likely has a list of boarding or pet sitters that they refer. Also, they may know of other good options based on recommendations from other clients. Always worth an ask.
What do your friends or local family members do with their dogs when they’re away? Someone else’s experience doesn’t always mean it’s a good fit for your dog, but these recommendations can be a good place to start.
Do Your Research
Once you have a few sitters or boarding facilities on your list, then it's time to check out whether they will be a good match for your dog and if they meet some safety and care standards.
Check out their website and read through online reviews. Look for photos or videos that they have posted there and on their social media. Read through reviews and search for mentions in local groups on social media to see what others have to say about them. If you notice anything in the photos or videos that gives you pause, such as incredibly dirty conditions, unsafe handling, free-for-all groups of dogs without enough supervision, or the use of aversive tools like shock collars, then cross them off your list.
Next, give those you still have on your list a call to ask some questions and start to get to know them.
Basic Questions You Should Ask a Dog Boarding Facility:
- Will they allow you to inspect the dog housing areas?
- Are the dogs’ living spaces large enough with bedding and adequate food and water?
- Are they licensed and insured?
- How do they handle logistics and payments for emergency veterinary services?
- Are dogs always separated, or do they spend time in playgroups? How are playgroups determined and managed?
- Is there enough staff to handle the number of dogs?
- A good rule of thumb is at least one staff member for every 6–8 dogs in playgroups
- A good rule of thumb is at least one staff member for every 6–8 dogs in playgroups
- If there are no playgroups/daytime daycare, then how are dogs exercised throughout the day?
- Is there always at least one staff member on-site? What about overnight?
- How secure are the yards? Has a dog ever escaped their facility?
- What training does the staff receive?
- What other services do they provide? Bathing and grooming? Transport to and from your home?
- Do they have an in-house veterinarian, an on-call veterinarian, or a relationship with a local veterinary clinic?
- Do they work with your specific veterinarian?
- Is the indoor space temperature-controlled (heating and air conditioning)?
- How do mealtimes work for your dog?
- How do they handle regular medications your dog might need?
- Do they have an emergency evacuation plan that you can review?
- What are their vaccination policy and requirements for the dogs that board there?
- Will you receive regular photos, videos, live video streams, or other ways to check on your dog?
- Can they provide references from other clients?
- What questions are they asking about you and your dog? A good boarding facility should be as careful in screening you and your dog as you are of them, asking about your dog’s medical history, vaccinations, and personality in order to best place them in the facility.
Basic Questions You Should Ask a Pet Sitter:
- What training has the sitter completed?
- Do they know pet first aid and CPR?
- Can they provide proof of commercial liability insurance? Are they bonded (if staying in your home)?
- Do they have a plan in place to bring your dog to a veterinarian if there is an accident or other emergency?
- How will they transport your dog (if needed)? Do they have a harness or other restraint (such as a carrier) available for car trips? Or will they use yours?
- What services do they provide, and what services will they not provide (basic grooming, walking, etc.)?
- How many other pets live in the house your dog will be staying in, and/or how many do they pet sit at one time?
- How secure are the yard and home if staying with the pet sitter? Has a dog ever escaped their property?
- If your dog needs regular medications, are they willing to and capable of giving them correctly and on the required schedule?
- How will they handle payment for emergency veterinary services?
- Will they send regular photos, videos, or other updates to show that your dog is OK?
- Can they provide references from other clients?
- Do they have a fee and services contract?
- What questions are they asking about you and your dog? A good dog sitter should be as careful in screening you and your dog as you are of them.
Pay a Visit
Before you settle on a boarding facility or sitter, visit the facility or meet with the sitter at your home or theirs, if your dog is staying with them. It should be a red flag if a pet sitter doesn’t ask to meet with your dog before taking them on as a client. Likewise, if a dog boarding facility won’t allow or is reluctant to let you inspect the kennel area, this should be a big warning sign.
Make sure you are comfortable with everything you see and how the sitter interacts with your dog. If anything feels off or just doesn't match what you envision for your dog's care, move on to the next option on your list. If visiting a boarding facility or a pet sitter's home, make sure everything is clean and secure. Take a look around for anything that your dog might get into that could cause problems, such as plants or power cords.
Put It in Writing
If they pass that “sniff test,” and answer your questions satisfactorily, then you may have found your dog's accommodations. Make sure that once you've decided to hire someone that you have a contract signed by both parties. Not only does this indicate that your dog's caregiver is reputable and responsible, but it also helps protect them and you in case of accidents and emergencies.
It’s also always good to put your dog's care notes in writing so there’s a hardcopy set of instructions. Include such information as your dog’s feeding, medication, play, and walking needs. This helps keep a routine for your dog and lowers stress, as well as making it easier on your pet sitter to ensure they are meeting your dog's needs.
How Will Your Dog Be Medically Cared For In Your Absence?
Speaking of putting things in writing, wherever your dog will be staying in your absence, be sure to include a clear plan for providing your dog medical treatment, should something happen while you’re away. By providing a signed treatment authorization form, you can spell out how a surrogate should care for your dog in an emergency — such as how much money they can spend — so no time is wasted in your absence.
Fill out the form below to download our treatment authorization and pet medical history forms and get started with your plan today.
Does Pet Sitter Accreditation or Membership Mean Anything for Dog Sitting?
It’s always nice if your pet sitter lists membership with such organizations as the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters or Pet Sitters International, but it might not mean much. The same can be said for boarding facilities that tout membership to national and international organizations.
There is a significant difference between membership and accreditation/certification. For example, a private pet sitter can become a member of some organizations as long as they pay membership fees and meet an age requirement. Membership might grant them access to a broader group of other pet sitters as well as tips on running a pet-sitting business. In other words, a membership might benefit the pet sitter, not necessarily your pet.
Accreditation and certification, on the other hand, mean a member was provided with some form of training. This training could take the form of online courses and videos or hands-on training and testing.
So don’t be too easily dazzled simply by a membership or certification. Whoever you choose to watch your pup(s), regardless of their memberships or affiliations to national organizations, make sure they can give satisfactory answers to questions about their qualifications.
What type of care do you prefer for your dog when you're away? A sitter who stays at your home? Or boarding your dog? Let us know in the comments below!
