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Original poster

To wonder how much you’d pay for dog home boarding?

163 replies

Deargentlereader12 · 15/02/2025 11:00

Hello 👋🏻
Wondering how much you would expect to pay for this service
Cage free / kennel free home boarding
Council licensed
Insured
Large secure garden
24/7 cctv
2 acres private woodland suitable for dogs that can go off lead
2 walks a day 20 minutes each
first aid trained
CPD course in canine communication
8 years experience
USP - We only board one families dog at a time!
I just got my license yesterday now I’m trying to figure out a price per day. What are people’s thoughts?

OP posts:
biscuitsandbooks · 15/02/2025 15:57

Deargentlereader12 · 15/02/2025 15:55

I’m in Cheshire where prices massively vary from £30 to £90 a night

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£90 a night? Bloody hell Grin

Melsy88 · 15/02/2025 15:57

I'd expect to pay £60 for this (I'm in the south east)

cunoyerjudowel · 15/02/2025 15:56

I would pay up to £40 per night for my 2 dogs and £30 per night for one dog

Original poster
Deargentlereader12 · 15/02/2025 15:56

Cosyblankets · 15/02/2025 15:47

2 walks of 20 minutes would put me off even enquiring

Thanks for the reply. This is what is required from the council but seems everyone agrees it definitely not enough

OP posts:
Original poster
Deargentlereader12 · 15/02/2025 15:55

biscuitsandbooks · 15/02/2025 15:46

Whereabouts in the country are you, OP?

Prices vary massively depending on location - I don't know anyone who charges more than £30 a night, and kennels are even less at £15 a night. I charge more as a live-in house-sitter but that's keeping the dogs in their own environment and routine.

I’m in Cheshire where prices massively vary from £30 to £90 a night

OP posts:
biscuitsandbooks · 15/02/2025 15:55

ComtesseDeSpair · 15/02/2025 15:52

But unless you’re planning to walk all these dogs entirely separately, surely then you don’t actually have the USP of only having one customer’s dog at a time? If that’s what you’re selling the service as, customers will assume this means their dog/s get your undivided attention including at the times that’s arguably the most important - when they’re outdoors in unfamiliar environments and coming into contact with other people and animals. You can’t then do your dog walking business with other dogs alongside the dog/s you’re boarding.

Edited
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It's fairly standard for boarding dogs to be left unattended for short periods so boarders can walk other dogs or run normal daily errands. It'll be part of OP's licensing that they can be safely left.

I'm assuming she means "one boarding dog in the home at any time" and then the walking dogs are just walked and never come to her property - that's how all the local home boarders near us operate, anyway.

Original poster
Deargentlereader12 · 15/02/2025 15:54

ComtesseDeSpair · 15/02/2025 15:52

But unless you’re planning to walk all these dogs entirely separately, surely then you don’t actually have the USP of only having one customer’s dog at a time? If that’s what you’re selling the service as, customers will assume this means their dog/s get your undivided attention including at the times that’s arguably the most important - when they’re outdoors in unfamiliar environments and coming into contact with other people and animals. You can’t then do your dog walking business with other dogs alongside the dog/s you’re boarding.

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Dog boarding dogs and dog walking dogs won’t be mixing I only do dog walking part time

OP posts:
ComtesseDeSpair · 15/02/2025 15:52

Deargentlereader12 · 15/02/2025 15:43

I would be more than happy to£30 I think but this is just a side business alongside my dog walking

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But unless you’re planning to walk all these dogs entirely separately, surely then you don’t actually have the USP of only having one customer’s dog at a time? If that’s what you’re selling the service as, customers will assume this means their dog/s get your undivided attention including at the times that’s arguably the most important - when they’re outdoors in unfamiliar environments and coming into contact with other people and animals. You can’t then do your dog walking business with other dogs alongside the dog/s you’re boarding.

Cosyblankets · 15/02/2025 15:47

2 walks of 20 minutes would put me off even enquiring

biscuitsandbooks · 15/02/2025 15:46

Whereabouts in the country are you, OP?

Prices vary massively depending on location - I don't know anyone who charges more than £30 a night, and kennels are even less at £15 a night. I charge more as a live-in house-sitter but that's keeping the dogs in their own environment and routine.

Original poster
Deargentlereader12 · 15/02/2025 15:44

Deargentlereader12 · 15/02/2025 15:43

I would be more than happy to£30 I think but this is just a side business alongside my dog walking

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That was supposed to say I would be more then £30

OP posts:
Original poster
Deargentlereader12 · 15/02/2025 15:43

ComtesseDeSpair · 15/02/2025 13:20

Most people I know pay between £30-£40 per 24 hour period. Is there actually going to be any profit in this “business” if you’re only taking one dog at a time? Once you’ve paid for all your set-up costs, your licensing, your insurances, maintenance to facilities, wear and tear caused by dogs which chew / scratch etc, other sundry ongoing running costs etc, £30 a day to cover two walks, feeding time, play time, the restrictions on your life because you have to plan everything around not being out of the house for too long etc barely seems worth it.

Edited

I would be more than happy to£30 I think but this is just a side business alongside my dog walking

OP posts:
ComtesseDeSpair · 15/02/2025 13:20

Most people I know pay between £30-£40 per 24 hour period. Is there actually going to be any profit in this “business” if you’re only taking one dog at a time? Once you’ve paid for all your set-up costs, your licensing, your insurances, maintenance to facilities, wear and tear caused by dogs which chew / scratch etc, other sundry ongoing running costs etc, £30 a day to cover two walks, feeding time, play time, the restrictions on your life because you have to plan everything around not being out of the house for too long etc barely seems worth it.

JudgeMenthol · 15/02/2025 12:51

Our dog boarder charges £30 per 24hrs or £50 for 2 dogs from the same family. She is licensed for 4 dogs, only has a max of 2 in the winter months. 2 walks per day, a minimum of 1hr per walk. She doesn't do additional dog walking for other dogs, just does boarding. She likes to travel, so prefers boarding to day care.. she let's everyone know the dates they are not available in advance. Currently she is full for this year, and taking bookings for 2026... we're in Lincolnshire.

ZippyOpalStork · 15/02/2025 12:28

Our new boarder charges £26, our old one who has moved away was £38 per night. This is for two one hour dog walks. Our old board did daycare plus only my dog overnight. New one takes two dogs overnight (so long as they get on), plus daycare. New boarder insists on overnight trial to assess whether you're both a fit. I think this is a good idea.

ValentineValentineV · 15/02/2025 12:14

Why such short dog walks?

JC03745 · 15/02/2025 12:13

I do both dog walking. And boarding

So would the boarded dog be walked with other dogs or alone?
Would you give medications/injections if required?
Do you provide the food or the owner?

Normally, MIL minds our dog, but she isn't well currently, so I'm just starting to look into having ours minded elsewhere when we are away.

NoseyFarkers · 15/02/2025 12:09

2 walks a day 20 minutes each

If I read this on your advert, I wouldn't even contact you. I have a Springer. 20 minute walks are not enough.

We pay £30 a night. Huge secure grounds, family environment, at least one offlead walk a day of an hour minimum. Plus they send a couple of photos on WhatsApp every day which I love.

Wildehorses · 15/02/2025 12:08

If you are only offering two 20min walks a day nobody will want to leave their dog with you surely? I regularly care for my friends’ dogs (no charge) and two walks a day lasting an hour each is the minimum I’d do

biscuitsandbooks · 15/02/2025 12:07

Deargentlereader12 · 15/02/2025 12:05

Yes 🙌🏻 no day care x

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Daycare could be a good extra earner - especially if you have a secure woodland. Or you could look into renting the secure space to owners of reactive dogs, or other professional walkers?

ThinWomansBrain · 15/02/2025 12:05

it's likely to be something that varies greatly from one area to another - google businesses in your area. Chat to dog walking clients and other dog walkers

My sister did holiday boarding for dogs a few years ago - initially through an agency, then some privately - I assume she based the price somewhere between what she got paid via the agency and what the clients would have paid.

Original poster
Deargentlereader12 · 15/02/2025 12:05

biscuitsandbooks · 15/02/2025 11:59

Ah so just one dog boarding at a time, and then multiple dogs for walking? That makes more sense. Do you offer daycare as well?

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Yes 🙌🏻 no day care x

OP posts:
HappiestSleeping · 15/02/2025 12:04

I charge £45 per 24 hours, but I am considering putting up my prices as the others around charge £60 to £70 per 24 hours. I do at least two walks of an hour each.

I am in Hampshire.

biscuitsandbooks · 15/02/2025 11:59

Deargentlereader12 · 15/02/2025 11:40

Hi! I do both dog walking. And boarding x

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Ah so just one dog boarding at a time, and then multiple dogs for walking? That makes more sense. Do you offer daycare as well?

Snowmanscarf · 15/02/2025 11:48

We paid £35 per 24 hours. Dogs were taken to a secure field fur a good run around, plus access to the garden. Several dogs looked after at once.

We paid £40 per 24 hours for someone to house sit our dog at our house.