HOW TO CHOOSE A HOME BOARDER FOR YOUR DOG
- nicky733
- May 12
- 4 min read
Holiday booking season is here!
One of the first things we do is check the dogs can get a reservation with one of the lovely home boarders we’ve used for years.
Why do we trust our ‘doggy holiday homes’?
Because we know they’re as safe as can be; the carers are experienced, licensed, insured and have really solid fencing and safety gates with no direct access to escape routes.
Because our pups LOVE going there! When they rush up to greet their host you know you’re onto a good thing.
But if you’re starting from scratch, how to go about it? These guidelines apply to professionals, but bear in mind the safety checks for family and friends as well.
1. Start Your Search Early
Good boarders get booked up, especially around popular holiday periods. Give yourself time to
Research
Visit
Have a trial stay before committing
2. Know What Type of Care You Want
Assuming you're looking for home boarding, not kennels, what do you need for your dog?
Solo boarding (only your dog stays)
Small group boarding (a few dogs from different families)Decide what's right for your dog’s temperament.
Care in your own home
3. Research local or professional recommendations
Start with:
Local knowledge. Probably the best way; nothing beats personal recommendation, not even certificates and insurances. We met our lovely people at puppy training class and another when she rang at our door having found a loose dog roaming in our street! Failing chance encounters, Local Facebook groups, vet noticeboards, or dog trainers will also recommend trusted individuals that you can check out for yourself.
National Association of Pet Sitters & Dog Walkers (NARPS UK) – members follow strict guidelines.
PetStay, Barking Mad, Tailster, or TrustedHousesitters – these offer local vetted boarders, in their homes or in yours, which might be perfect for you. .
🛑 Avoid random ads or unverified sites without credentials or reviews not from Trustpilot/Google.
4. Check Licensing and Insurance
While dog walkers don’t need to be licensed, home boarders do, if it’s a business. They should be
Licensed by their local council (unless they only care for one dog occasionally without payment)
Insured (public liability, pet care, and key cover if they collect/drop off) The key point about this is that if your dog is involved in an incident of some sort, YOU would be liable if the boarder/walker is not insured, even if you were away on holiday.
5. Ask the Right Questions
When speaking to or visiting a boarder, ask:
How many dogs do you take at once?
Do you have regular day care dogs that have behavioural problems that could affect my dog? If so, how would you ensure no problems arise? [Could be a red flag]
Are dogs in your care ever left alone? If so, for how long?
What's your daily routine (walks, feeding, play, rest)?
Are dogs crated or confined? If so, how, when [and why]?
How do you handle emergencies or vet visits?
What is your action plan if a dog in your care goes missing?
Do you have backup plans if you’re unwell?
Check Licensing and Insurance. While dog walkers don’t need to be licensed, home boarders do. They should be Licensed by their local council (unless they only care for one dog occasionally without payment) Insured (public liability, pet care, and key cover if they collect/drop off)
Also ask:
Can I visit your home with my dog before booking? They should insist on this, too.
Can we organise a trial day visit or overnight stay? This is to see how your dog settles, to let the host check your dog will be happy and fit in with any other dogs they care for regularly.
6. Visiting the ‘Holidog’ Home
Things to look for:
Is it clean, safe, and dog-friendly?
Does the front door have a safety gate or porch?
Are the outdoor areas secure, with solid and regularly checked fencing?
What do they do to avoid gates being left open?
Where will your dog sleep, rest, and play
Is it calm or chaotic? Trust your gut.
7. Check Reviews and References
If it’s not somebody found through personal recommendations, look for:
Independent reviews on Google or Trustpilot
Testimonials from previous clients
Ask for contactable references if none are publicly available
8. Agree on Emergency Protocols
Confirm vet details (yours and theirs)
Confirm if you want your dog leashed on walks. We’d recommend leashing, but it’s your choice based on your dog. DON’T agree to off-lead walks if you’re at all uncertain.
Ensure they’ll contact you or a backup person if your dog is ill or escapes
Make sure they have the SAFE PAWS NETWORK link [www.safepawsnetwork.co.uk] and advice and ensure they know the local trusted Canine search team is, and how to contact them [via Facebook probably]
Give them your dog’s ‘Digital Pawprint’ as recommended here
Leave a written care plan including feeding, allergies, quirks, fears, etc.
9. Consider a Written Agreement
At the very least have this agreed via messages, to include:
Dates of care
Daily rate
Feeding/medication schedule
Vet release permissions
Cancellation policy
🔴 Red Flags - Avoid
Unwilling to let you visit in advance
No paperwork or contract, licence or insurance
Takes large numbers of dogs in a small space
Poor communication
Dirty, unsafe or cramped environment
Vague about where your dog will stay or sleep
Your gut just tells you NO
🐾 You’re all set and ready to go: what to give the boarder
Your dog’s regular food and portion/timing info
Written care sheet (include vet, allergies, personality notes)
Printout of Your Dog’s ‘Digital Pawprint’ from our blog post
Copy of microchip info and emergency contacts if not using our ‘Pawprint’
Comfort items (bed, blanket, a toy if it won’t cause issues with other dogs)
A hard copy of missing dog protocols; print it from our website here
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