Home boarding - would you be happy with this?

Solodreamer · 2022-01-22T16:42:18+00:00

A couple of weeks ago I visited a home boarding place so I could plan a long weekend away. It wasn't what I expected at all. The family have 3 very boisterous dogs of their own and 1 elderly dog. 2 of them were large breeds and my dog seemed overwhelmed although she did obviously like having a run around with them. I wasn't expecting that many dogs before even taking on any boarders. She said she can host 6 other dogs. That just seems like a kennels which is what I didn't want. I wanted somewhere fairly calm with only a small number of dogs but I don't know whether I'm just being precious. The other thing is the family seemed disorganised and a bit all over the place. The last thing was the place was really untidy and dirty. While my dog doesn't care about that, it does make me wonder about how well she'll be cared for. On the flip side, they obviously love dogs, their prices are reasonable and the location is good. What do you think? Give them a try?

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 22/01/2022 16:45

It wouldn't be for me. Our dog has medical needs and being disorganised would be a red flag for forgetting meds, losing his emergency meds. I'd like to know he couldn't eat or chew something he wasn't supposed to and also make sure he has plenty of rest which sounds like he might not there.

Keep looking.

TooWicked · 22/01/2022 16:49

Nope.

Our dog minders will only take 3 dogs maximum at a real push, usually it’s 2, and they’re will refuse our booking if they have a dog already booked in that they know ours doesn’t get on with.

I just wouldn’t get a moments peace leaving him somewhere like you described.

AnnieMay55 · 22/01/2022 16:56

It doesn't sound good to me and I wouldn't use them. Are they registered with the local council. Home boarders are supposed to be registered and inspected by the local council, the same as kennels. You may be able to find some others on your council website although I know mine wasn't up to date when I looked once and had to phone them. They should also be insured. I am not sure on numbers they are allowed but I would have thought it was about a maximum of 6 including their own. Mine went to a home boarder a couple of times who had two other large dogs similar size to mine but one time I picked him up she had another 3 as well and I was only ever shown the kitchen and garden so didn't get the feeling they were looked after like a family dog but probably confined to the kitchen. He now goes to someone who only takes one at a time so he has full attention. I would do more research and maybe get personal recommendations or from local Facebook groups.

RogerDodger · 22/01/2022 16:57

No way! I’d avoid at all costs. I’d also wonder if they were actually licensed the have that many dogs in their care.

Original poster

Solodreamer · 22/01/2022 16:59

Thanks everyone. Yeah they are council approved/registered. I think I'll keep looking. Thanks for making me realise I'm not just been precious.

OP posts:

ashorterday · 22/01/2022 17:03

No - ours went to a home boarder once, we didn't know she had several other dogs coming at the same time as ours and she came back with a bite on her leg! The woman claimed she had "caught it on something".

Chuechebache · 22/01/2022 17:04

They dont love dogs,because there are far too many dogs in that house and money seems to be more important.unless it is an enormous property with many many rooms.I doubt this person has a license to board dogs.Many years ago I boarded my dog in a place just like you described.My dog came home depressed and exhausted,because she never got a minute rest.I would not board my dog with this person.Also your observation of untidyness shows neglect and uncaring place.its a big NO from me.

Original poster

Solodreamer · 22/01/2022 17:11

They are definitely licensed.

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AnnieMay55 · 22/01/2022 17:13

Like dog walkers, home boarding has become big business. Some people start looking after dogs for friends and then it snowballs as others hear about them .Just today I was chatting to someone I vaguely know who was out walking and I had thought I might use her for short breaks as I know she is a lot cheaper than my normal boarder. However I very much doubt she is registered and when chatting she said she works most days from 8 till 2 leaving the dogs. It's ok if you do it to your own dog and they are used to it but not if you are paying someone to look after them and they are left there with another couple of dogs too. She said she takes up to 3 at a time.

Santahasjoinedww · 22/01/2022 17:15

It's a no from me..
Is your ddog usually around so many ddogs? Wouldn't leave mine loose with strange ddogs like that for any length of time.

Original poster

Solodreamer · 22/01/2022 17:17

She's used to other dogs but definitely seemed overwhelmed so I think I'll keep looking.

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Santahasjoinedww · 22/01/2022 17:18

My ddog is patient and friendly but would become snappy and anxious in that scenario for sure...

wetotter · 22/01/2022 17:24

I would be put off.

The places I use are both home doggy day care which will have their regulars overnight from time to time. One has one dog of their own (small breed, good natured, dog friendly), the other owns no dogs themselves at present. Both do only small and medium breeds, and usually have no more than two overnight (but will sometimes have more, because the dogs are only ones who are regularly in each other's company and happy together).

I'd keep looking

RogerDodger · 22/01/2022 17:34

@AnnieMay55

Like dog walkers, home boarding has become big business. Some people start looking after dogs for friends and then it snowballs as others hear about them .Just today I was chatting to someone I vaguely know who was out walking and I had thought I might use her for short breaks as I know she is a lot cheaper than my normal boarder. However I very much doubt she is registered and when chatting she said she works most days from 8 till 2 leaving the dogs. It's ok if you do it to your own dog and they are used to it but not if you are paying someone to look after them and they are left there with another couple of dogs too. She said she takes up to 3 at a time.

I may be wrong but I thought part of the licensing conditions was that clients dogs were not to be left alone in the house.

Paddingtonthebear · 22/01/2022 17:35

I’m looking for a licensed home dog boarder at the moment for this summer and having the same issue. Most seem to be licensed to board up to 4 dogs from 4 different households AND have dogs of their own at home. One lady sounded lovely but she has 4 large rescue dogs of her own and that’s before she takes in boarding dogs.

Our dog would find that so stressful! And even know they are all inspected and licensed I’m just not sure about 6-8 mixed household dogs all in a house together.

And I’ve contacted 15 and most of them are already fully booked for this summer!

I don’t want to send her to anyone unlicensed and we don’t have any family that could have her. At the moment I’m waiting on a call back from Petstay which do seem ideal for our dog as it’s more of a one-to-one service 🤞

ApolloandDaphne · 22/01/2022 17:50

I use our local Barking Mad franchise and they are great at matching my dog with boarders she will love. That means an older family and either another old dog or no other dog. I would not leave my dog in a place with lots of other dogs as she would be very stressed.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 22/01/2022 19:41

I may be wrong but I thought part of the licensing conditions was that clients dogs were not to be left alone in the house.

You can leave them alone, but for no longer than three hours in any 24h period, and only if you've assessed that the dog will be happy and safe on their own. Dogs must also be left safely in their own space (eg. crate or private room, or with dogs from their own household), not with strange dogs.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 22/01/2022 19:42

HI @Solodreamer have you considered hiring a sitter to come to your home? They don't require licenses but it means your dog will stay in their own surroundings and you don't have to worry about other dogs too.

Paddingtonthebear · 22/01/2022 21:01

Licensed, insured & vetted
One to one service - no dogs from mixed households
Carers are all at home during the day - retired or work from home only and
no small children

www.petstay.net/

Deadwould · 22/01/2022 23:12

No, my dog would not settle with so many other dogs.

bollocksthemess · 23/01/2022 09:07

I’m planning on starting home boarding once our extension is built, so we have more room.
I have two sociable dogs of a bouncy high energy breed renowned for getting on with others of the same breed, and we live five minutes from a major airport.
I plan on only taking up to two boarding dogs at a time, either from the same household or having met each other previously.
I wouldn’t leave my dogs in the situation described, how would they all get walked? How would you feed them separately? Where would they go if they wanted a break?

VickyEadieofThigh · 23/01/2022 10:33

I can see the appeal of home boarding but reading this makes me realise it's not necessarily the set-up I had assumed and your dog might be put in a situation you don't like - sometimes without you knowing (I'm using 'you' in the generic sense.

My dog only goes to a fantastic boarding kennels where I know he won't be put in situations he cannot cope with or that are risky for him. I know some people don't like the idea of kennels but the more I hear of dodgy home boarding situations, the more I dislike the idea of it.

Paddingtonthebear · 23/01/2022 14:58

I agree, it is hard to find something for dogs like mine who would be stressed in a home boarding situation with random other dogs and people coming and going, but would cope even worse in kennels. There’s a very highly rated kennels near me but kennels really don’t suit every dog. One to one trustworthy boarders are hard to find!

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 23/01/2022 15:58

@Paddingtonthebear

I agree, it is hard to find something for dogs like mine who would be stressed in a home boarding situation with random other dogs and people coming and going, but would cope even worse in kennels. There’s a very highly rated kennels near me but kennels really don’t suit every dog. One to one trustworthy boarders are hard to find!

One to one boarders are hard to find because if you do it for a living, you won't make any money having only one dog at once.

Why not look for a sitter? Your dog stays in it's own home and gets walked as normal. I'm a sitter (and walker) and base myself out of the clients' home when I do a sitting job. The dogs are left for 4-5 hours each day (not all at once) while I go and do my regular walks.

My day looks something like this:

6am - up, feed the animals, let them out for the toilet.
7am - leave to sort my own animals out (DH leaves for work at 7am so I arrange to come back for when he leaves).
9am - back to my clients house. They get a short walk (if needed) or play in the garden, another toilet break and company.
10am-12.30pm - I go and do my regular walks. Dogs are left alone.
12.30-1.30pm - lunchtime walk.
1.30-5pm - dogs are left alone while I walk other dogs, collect my own dog, feed my own animals, shower etc.
5pm - back to the house and I stay there until the next day. The dogs have constant company, toilet breaks, playe etc. from 5pm-7am.

Frenchfancy · 23/01/2022 16:30

I agree with a PP. Kennels can be a much better set up.