If your only impression of dog boarding is when you dropped off your family dog at the vet before you went on vacation as a kid and they put him in a cage, be prepared to be surprised and awe-struck. Today’s boarding is about as similar to that as the local motel is to the Ritz. Modern boarding facilities are all about making your dog feel comfortable and pampered, not just about feeding him and letting him out to go to the bathroom.
What you’ll find in today’s dog boarding facilities
If you haven’t been going on vacation or taking advantage of that opportunity to network at your industry’s convention because you didn’t want to leave your dog, you owe it to both you and the dog to take a tour of your local boarding facility. Below is just a sampling of what you’ll find:
- Accommodations. Today’s boarding accommodations are spacious and roomy and sized for your dog. The smallest “suite” you’ll generally find is about 4′ by 6′ and they increase in size to “penthouses” with more than 16 square feet. Suites are climate-controlled and have amenities, such as soft, elevated pet beds, television and web cams so that you can peek in on your pooch and see how he’s doing while you’re away.
- Common areas. In addition to the suites, most boarding facilities have indoor and outdoor play areas, where your dog can interact with other dogs as well as his designated caregiver.
- Security. Today’s boarding facilities have security just like children’s day care sites. No one can get near your dog except for the well-vetted staff and those people you designate. You don’t have to worry about your dog getting loose or getting stolen.
Advantages to dog boarding
Boarding offers a number of advantages over leaving your dog with a friend or having a pet sitter come to your house once or twice a day. First and foremost, boarding is more fun for your dog. It gives him other dogs and humans with whom to interact. He won’t have time to be lonely. Second, boarding staff are well trained in how to care for your dog and what to do in the (rare) event of a medical emergency. Can you say the same thing about your friend or your neighbor?
Lastly, most dog boarding facilities give you an opportunity to “peek” in at your dog in the facility via web cam and see how he’s adapting. Most owners are pleased to see their canine companions getting along so well. Some boarding sites will even send you a daily email to report on your dog’s activities.
If you still have a bad impression of dog boarding facilities because of what you saw in the 1960s and 1970s, it’s time to re-evaluate your opinion. Such facilities make leaving your dog at home stress-free for the owner and fun for the dog. Maybe it’s time you and your dog paid a visit to a boarding facility near you. You’re likely to be surprised.
