Pet sitter or dog boarding? 10 questions to help you decide

Plenty of people online will tell you one is simply better. The honest answer is that it depends on your dog. Here are the questions we’d ask before making the call ourselves.

1. Does your dog have a weakened immune system?

A sitter at home is the safer option. A boarding place should be strict about vaccines, but no vaccine is 100% effective. For a dog with a normal immune system, boarding with other dogs isn’t a concern; for one with a weakened immune system, staying home means less exposure.

2. Is your dog unneutered or unspayed past about nine months?

A sitter at home is usually the better call. Hormones change how other dogs respond, and can draw unwanted attention from other dogs in a group.

3. Does your dog have trouble getting around?

Boarding may be too much activity. Crate-free boarding gives dogs room to roam and play, often at a higher energy level than at home. That’s great for most dogs, but a dog with mobility issues can get drawn into more play than is comfortable.

4. Does your dog enjoy other dogs and people?

Boarding is usually the better fit. Dogs are social, and most do better with company than alone at home. If your dog is very anxious or unsociable around others, a sitter they already trust, at home, is the safer choice.

5. Does your dog have separation anxiety?

Boarding often helps. Other dogs and activity take a dog’s mind off being away from you, often more than a sitter checking in now and then.

6. Does your dog have compulsive habits when bored or stressed?

Boarding is usually better. Licking or chewing too much often comes from boredom, and a group gives a dog the mental and physical exercise that being alone can’t.

7. Does your dog have a medical condition that needs watching?

Boarding is the safer option. A condition like a seizure disorder calls for someone on site around the clock, which a boarding place with 24/7 on-site supervision provides and a sitter generally can’t.

8. Is your dog territorial at home?

Boarding removes the trigger. A stranger coming into the house can set off a dog who would be perfectly comfortable playing with others somewhere neutral.

9. Is this the first time your dog will be away from you?

It depends on the trip. For a long stay, ease your dog in with a few daycare days first; that’s what the first three visits are for. If your dog takes easily to new places and people, a first boarding stay may be no problem at all.

10. Do you need to know your dog is okay while you’re away?

Boarding with live cams lets you check in anytime, rather than waiting on a sitter’s schedule.

A sitter you know, or a company?

A sitter you trust, such as a friend, a neighbor or someone you’ve used before, can be a great option if the arrangement is reliable. Before you commit, ask: are they bonded and insured? What’s the backup plan if they get sick or have an emergency while you’re away? A dog lover isn’t automatically a dog expert, and professional sitters vary widely too. Whichever way you lean, it’s worth having a boarding place you trust as a backup.

Whichever you choose

The right answer depends on your dog, and it can change from trip to trip. If boarding sounds right this time, take a tour before you book.