Meeting dog home boarder - questions?

[Aria20]

Tomorrow I am meeting a council licensed home dog boarder. This is my first time ever using a home boarder or anything. My dog will be 18 months when we go away in July and last year when we went away she stayed with my sister in law as she was still working from home but unfortunately she's back in the office now so can't help us out this year!

I know she is licensed for 4 dogs at a time. I am planning to ask about what insurance cover she has, first aid/behaviour training etc. I am also planning to ask sleeping arrangements and feeding arrangements eg do the dogs eat separately so they don't try to eat each other's food as mine has a couple of intolerances. Also whether the dogs are left alone at all during the day what she does to ensure they are safe. I will ask about if she is ill or has an emergency what arrangements are there for the dogs when in her care.

What else do I need to ask? I have to take vaccine card with me so I know she requires dogs to be vaccinated. Mine is being spayed before then so I won't need to worry about seasons or any issues there. My dog is friendly with other dogs and kids and reasonably well trained (kennel club good citizen silver award) but she has her moments where she forgets herself and she is currently in the teenage selective hearing for recall phase...she says she keeps them on long lines so hopefully that's not an issue.... feels like looking at nurseries again for my children lol!

Ask her how she keeps them safe.
Are there kids in the house that can open the front door?
The garden should have an inner gate, so if either gate is open the dog cannot escape.

There have been so many horror stories of home boarders losing dogs, that really would be the focus of my questions.
How many times and length of walks.
Does she do any extra enrichment with them? Games, paddling pool?
Does she have the ability to split dogs if they don't get on?

That's a good list - I would also add.

Walks - where does she go, does she walk on or off lead.
Transport - does she have a van or car? Does she use crates? How does she keep dogs from different households separated?
What's her protocol if two dogs in her care at the same time don't get along and a scuffle or fight breaks out?
Who else lives in the house (DC, husband) and what protocols does she have in place to prevent them leaving a door open and a dog escaping.

Ask to see the house, sleeping arrangements and garden to make sure it's secure too.

Imo you need a personal reference.
We found a kennels well recommended.
I like the fact ddogs are behind multiple fencing not someone's back gate..

I don't think she'd do well in kennels at all as she's too used to company. I know there can be some good ones but I feel more comfortable being in a family home environment. Although I do worry about her escaping or being hurt by another dog!

What about a dog sitter who comes to your home instead?

@fairylightsandwaxmelts I don't think I'd want a stranger in my house and we are in process of moving so I'm not sure if we'll have moved by then, if not we'll prob be all packed up and if we've moved we might be renovating lol!

[quote Aria20]@fairylightsandwaxmelts I don't think I'd want a stranger in my house and we are in process of moving so I'm not sure if we'll have moved by then, if not we'll prob be all packed up and if we've moved we might be renovating lol! [/quote]
Fair enough :)

It just alleviates a few of the problems you're worried about, that's all!

In my area there is a Facebook page where people can ask questions about local services for dogs. And other people advertise. That can be a good way to look for holiday care options. Some people will come to your house to look after your pet too. I haven’t actually found anyone yet either but have a list of people to meet !

Someone said to me the other day that when they are young it’s best to get them used to whatever arrangement you intend to use for them throughout their life’s. And one thing I have noticed with home boarders, is that there seem to be quite a high turnover of people who start up these businesses. I made a note about 6 months ago and followed fb pages for a few. And these have since closed. So maybe ask how long they have been doing it

Another issue with home boarders is because they are limited to the amount of dogs they can take, they book up incredibly quickly.
You need to be so organised to get in with them. If you want continuity, you may be best going for a kennels.

I'd also look at their experience, both with their own dogs and others. A lot of the good boarders near me have done this for a long time. That means they generally have a list of regulars and a good idea of how different dogs get on together. These meet and greets in my experience are two way interviews- they also want to assess your dog and see how they will get on with any resident dog and their regulars. Mine got turned down by one for not being a good fit- I was upset at the time but it was the right call and he and I are very happy with where he is now. So be prepared for the possibility that they turn you down- it might not be the right fit.

Mine is very flexible with the dogs - she listens to the owners and adjusts to their preferences- so at first she kept mine on long lead but now we are confident in his relationship with her he goes off lead. She has double electric gates to keep them safe but they have lots of freedom on the property. Mine loves it- he gets to play with other dogs all the time and they get 2 walks a day. But I have seen a few and they are all quite different, in terms of space, freedom given to dogs, expected behaviour and so on, so trusting your guts and seeing the house and whether it's a good fit and whether you like them and they like your dog and interact well with them is a big deal!

Thanks all. So I think it was all ok. She's been doing it over 5 years and she has her regulars that book up in advance. I saw her license and insurance etc. The dogs have freedom in the downstairs of the house but can be separated if need be by stair gates but she said the only time she routinely separates is when they are eating so the dogs don't try to eat each other's as she said she has a day care boy who is very greedy and is always on the scavenge if another dog doesn't finish! They can be walked separately or together with her husband as well and they stay on lead. It is just her and husband who live there, no children. The front and back gardens are all secure. She only takes small/medium dogs of similar temperaments so hopefully all will be ok?!

If she is boarding other dogs with yours there should be a familiarisation session prior to ensure they get along.... both/all owners would have to approve ( council requirement)

I found out about a local dog boarder from other dog owners and often saw him with groups of impeccably behaved dogs out and about. I asked him to take my dog and she had to do a day audiition, which she passed and then an overnight one. Despite widdling on his bedroom carpet because she was too polite to interrupt his siesta for a loo break, she passed that too. He introduced her one by one to the other guests so she wouldn't find it too stressful. She absolutely loves him. I do not allow him or any of my dogwalkers to let her off the lead as I don't trust other people to keep a close enough eye on my prey driven dog.