Suitable for Home Boarding

Is Home Boarding Right for Your Dog?

Home boarding can be a fantastic alternative to kennels, providing dogs with a safe, comfortable and family-oriented environment while their owners are away. However, not every dog is suited to staying in another person's home. Our priority is always the safety, welfare and comfort of every dog in our care, as well as the wellbeing of the resident family and any other dogs staying with us.

Dogs that thrive in a home boarding environment usually share many of the following characteristics:

1. Comfortable in a Home Environment

Dogs suitable for home boarding should be able to settle comfortably in a home setting and adapt to a different routine without excessive stress or anxiety. They should be able to relax, rest and enjoy being part of a household environment.

2. Friendly and Sociable

Home boarding dogs should be friendly towards people and comfortable around visitors, family members and, where applicable, other dogs. Dogs that enjoy companionship and can interact appropriately with others are generally better suited to home boarding.

3. House Trained

Dogs should be reliably house trained and able to indicate when they need to toilet. Frequent indoor accidents can be distressing for both the dog and the boarding environment.

Suitable dogs should:

• Be fully house trained

• Not regularly urinate or defecate indoors

• Be able to maintain normal toileting habits within a new environment

4. Non-Destructive Behaviour

Dogs staying in a home environment should be respectful of household furniture, fixtures and belongings.

This includes:

• Not chewing furniture, doors, skirting boards or household items

• Not damaging bedding, crates or equipment

• Being able to settle without destructive behaviours when resting

Dogs with a history of significant destructive behaviour may require alternative arrangements or additional training support.

5. Able to Be Left for Short Periods

Although dogs in our care receive plenty of companionship and supervision, there may occasionally be short periods when they need to rest independently.

Suitable dogs should:

• Remain calm when left for short periods

• Not suffer from severe separation anxiety

• Be able to settle without excessive barking, whining or distress

6. Not Excessively Vocal

Whilst occasional barking is perfectly normal, dogs that bark excessively throughout the day or night can be stressful for themselves, other dogs and neighbouring properties.

Dogs suitable for home boarding should not:

• Bark continuously at everyday household noises

• Engage in persistent attention-seeking barking

• Vocalise excessively when left briefly unattended

7. Friendly, Non-Aggressive Temperament

The safety of everyone involved is paramount.

Dogs suitable for home boarding should:

• Have no history of aggression towards people

• Have no recent incidents of biting or snapping

• Be manageable around food, toys and resting spaces

• Be able to interact safely with other dogs where applicable

8. Comfortable Sharing Space

Home boarding often involves dogs sharing communal spaces within the home and garden.

Suitable dogs should be able to:

• Relax around other dogs where appropriate

• Share access to common areas without conflict

• Cope calmly with normal household activity

9. Up-to-Date with Preventative Care

For the health and safety of all dogs, boarding dogs should be:

• Fully vaccinated (where required)

• Up to date with flea, tick and worming treatments

• In good general health and free from contagious illnesses

10. Able to Follow Basic House Rules

Dogs that respond reliably to basic cues and boundaries tend to settle much more easily in a boarding environment.

This includes having a reasonable understanding of:

• Sit

• Stay

• Come

• Leave it

• Settling calmly when asked

Individual Assessment & Alternatives

Every dog is assessed individually before being accepted for home boarding. This allows us to ensure that the environment is safe, enjoyable and suitable for everyone involved.

If your dog is not currently suited to home boarding, please don't worry. Alternative options such as home visits, day care, one-to-one walks or behaviour support may be more appropriate and can help build the confidence and skills your dog may need in the future.

If you are unsure whether home boarding is the right option for your dog, please contact us and we'll be happy to discuss the most suitable care arrangement for your dog's individual needs 🐾

Please note: The welfare, safety and happiness of all dogs in our care will always be our highest priority. We reserve the right to decline or discontinue home boarding services if a dog displays behaviours that may compromise their own welfare, the wellbeing of other dogs or the safety of the household. 🐾

Click here to go to the main Home Boarding Information Page

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