Priority number one for any dog owner will be to ensure that your dog is safe, well and relaxed whilst you are away. However, finding suitable holiday accommodation for your dog also comes down to choosing what type of environment is most suited to their needs, which means choosing between dog kennels or home boarding.

Dog kennels

Some dog kennels keep to the traditional model of a no-frills approach, but some more modern kennels are a far cry from the picture of kennels that you might start out with. These establishments are more akin to a pet hotel and provide a level of professionalism that will leave your pet feeling like they are also getting a pampering holiday whilst you are away.

Along with professionalism, a licensed kennel should have well trained staff who are used to dealing with all types, breeds, sizes, situations and personalities, meaning that you and your dog can rest easy in their care. The pricing of most commercially run kennels is generally done on a basic package basis, with the option of adding on extras such as extra walks, playtime, and grooming. Dog kennels will normally offer both long and short term care and some of them will offer the option of being walked alone or with other animals, depending upon the kennels.

Although having lots of professional staff is a good thing, it can mean that your dog wont have the opportunity to bond too well with a single person, which could be a problem if your dog likes lots of one to one attention. Your dog may also get bored easily if it is used to lots of exercise, although some kennels may give you the option of additional exercise, attention, cuddles or play time should this be needed.

Some kennels are enormously flexible and will allow you to bring your pets own bed, toys and food, and will fit around your requirements (i.e. feeding times and routine) but others will not be able to accommodate this. It is worth considering how sensitive your dog might be to things like this when making a decision about where to leave them whilst you are away as this could adversely affect their health and stop them from eating if they are stressed.

Home boarding

Home boarding has started to become popular in recent years and is generally run by fellow dog lovers who care for dogs in more of a home environment that your dog may be more used to. Home boarding normally means that dogs are free to roam without having confined kennels or runs. The cost of home boarding can be lower as fewer overheads are involved.

Caring for a smaller number of dogs, and with the expectation of round-the-clock care means that many home boarders will tailor their care to your dog, whether that means more exercise or sticking to a specific routine.

Placing your dog in a home boarding environment entails building a relationship of trust with the home boarder concerned, as you will want to be sure that you dog is receiving the precise level of care expected and agreed between you both. At the end of the day, this is not precisely the same as being at home with you and there are some factors that you may not be able to control, for example the home boarder may have agreed to care for or walk other dogs that your dog may not get on with, or have children or other responsibilities that inhibits how much individual care they can give to your dog.

Conclusion

This is a very personal decision, and no one knows your dog better than you.

The Good Kennel Guide helps you by only listing kennels or home boarding that has been issued a licence, giving you the peace of mind that whichever you choose, your dog will be in safe hands.

The Good Kennel Guide encourages kennels to personalise their listing, and dog owners to leave reviews, so that you can access information to make your decision much easier. 

See also:

• COVID-19: How our dogs saved us during lockdown

• How to keep your dog cool during a heatwave

• Separation anxiety: Leaving your dog at home after lockdown