- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
As a pet parent, you may not want to miss a single moment of your dog’s puppy days. But if you have to travel, you may have to find someone else to care for your pup, since not every destination is pet-friendly.
Finding boarding or pet sitting for puppies can take a little extra work sometimes. Puppies are still growing, developing, and learning how to interact with other dogs, so not every option will be a good fit.
“The biggest mistake people make is assuming that because a puppy is friendly, they’re ready for daycare or boarding,” says Dr. Gary Richter, veterinarian and founder of Ultimate Pet Nutrition.
In reality, puppies aren’t ready for day care or boarding until they’re at least 12 weeks old, have had their third round of shots, and know how to play politely. Staff should also have a solid understanding of canine body language and early behavioral development, not just general dog handling experience, Dr. Richter adds.
Read on to learn how to decide which option works best for your pup’s life stage and personality, plus guidance on narrowing down your options.
Finding Local Puppy Boarding Options
You can find many different options for boarding your puppy short-term, and most will fit in one of the following categories:
In-home dog sitting
Your puppy will stay at home, with a sitter dropping by during the day or staying overnight. Your pup will stay in a familiar space with minimal interruptions to their daily routine and no exposure to other dogs—or potentially scary new sights and sounds.
This may be the ideal choice for very young or shy puppies, according to Dr. Richter.
Boarding in the sitter’s home
Some sitters watch pets in their own home. If you choose this option, you’ll pack up your puppy and drop them off at the sitter, where they may stay alone or with another dog or two, depending on the sitter’s capacity.
This can be a good in-between option if you don’t want to board your puppy but would prefer not to have a sitter staying in your home.
Boarding facilities or dog hotels
Your puppy will stay overnight in a larger facility. They’ll typically sleep in a private kennel at night and enjoy group playtime during the day. Some boarding facilities also offer add-ons at an extra cost, like bigger suites or grooming.
Stay and Train
Your puppy will stay in an overnight boarding center and attend group training classes during the day—sort of like a dog summer camp. This could be a good fit if you want your puppy to keep up with their obedience training while you’re away.
What’s the best option for a puppy?
The decision of whether to choose a boarding facility or pet sitter hinges on your puppy’s personality, Dr. Richter says. “Once a puppy is fully vaccinated, confident, and enjoys appropriate interactions with other dogs, a well-managed boarding facility can be an excellent choice.”
Puppies who are naturally outgoing and enjoy making new dog friends can thrive in a boarding center. Pups who are more reserved or prefer staying at home may do better with a sitter.
What To Look for When Boarding Your Puppy
No matter which boarding or dog sitting option you choose, you’ll want to check for a few key features:
Body language training
Sitters or facility staff should understand dog body language and intervene before your puppy becomes overstimulated or over-tired, says Chris Edge, certified dog behaviorist and owner of K9Edge Dog Training.
Puppies need more rest than adult dogs, Edge explains, but they’re less likely to take that rest on their own—something like a toddler resisting nap time. A good sitter or boarding staff member should be able to pick up on their body language and take action.
Certifications
While not strictly necessary, it’s a bonus if the sitters or staff have any certifications that show their expertise. Examples of these certifications include Fear Free, which trains sitters and other pet-industry professionals in how to minimize dog anxiety and Pet First Aid from the Red Cross.
Environment
“A good facility will have areas for exploration, interaction, recovery, and sleep,” Edge says.
The play and rest areas should be puppy-proof, with secure fencing and no choking hazards. These areas should also be cleaned daily to prevent bad smells and the spread of diseases.
Puppy-customized routines
“Puppies benefit from a quieter, more structured environment than many adult dogs,” Dr. Richter says.
A good boarding facility or pet sitter should cycle between active and rest periods to keep puppies get enough time to both rest and play!
From a behavior standpoint, keeping your puppy’s routine consistent is far more valuable than bringing their favorite toys, says Edge
Questions To Ask Before Boarding Your Puppy
If you think you’ve found a good spot or sitter for your puppy, set up a meet-and-greet and ask plenty of questions to make sure it’s a good fit.
A few ideas of things to ask:
- Do you have any certifications or formal training in dog behavior?
- What’s your emergency plan if my puppy needs medical attention?
- How many dogs are usually in a single playgroup, and how do you choose which dogs will play together?
- Where and how often will you send me updates? (Phone, text, email, etc.)
- Can you feed my dog their usual food?
- If my dog takes medicine, can you give it to them? Does this cost more?
If you don’t feel totally comfortable with your sitter’s responses, trust your instincts and keep searching until you feel confident with your choice.
What To Pack for Your Puppy
Whether you’re headed to a pet sitter’s home or a pet hotel, giving your puppy a few special items from home can help them feel safe and secure during their stay.
“Familiarity goes a long way in reducing stress,” Dr. Richter says.
Here are a few essential things to pack for your pup:
- Comfort items: Grab a blanket, bed, towel, or another cuddly item that smells like home—and you!
- Toys: Bring one or two of your puppy’s favorite toys so they’ll have something familiar to play with in their kennel. Just make sure it doesn’t have small buttons or frayed ropes that could pose a choking hazard during unsupervised play.
- Food and treats: Pack enough food for your pup’s entire stay, plus a little extra in case of emergencies. Some favorite treats for positive reinforcement never hurt, either! Let the sitter or boarding staff know if your puppy has any allergies or special dietary considerations.
- Crate: If your puppy will stay in a sitter’s home, bring their usual crate along. This way, they won’t need to stay in a crate that’s the wrong size or smells unfamiliar.
- Instruction list: Create a list with details of your puppy’s meal and exercise schedule, commands they know, and any special requests or considerations. Don’t be afraid to ask your sitter to follow your puppy’s routine—this consistency is far more valuable than your puppy’s favorite toys, Edge says.
Puppy Boarding FAQs
Are there risks to boarding puppies?
Yes, if the boarding environment isn’t right for your pup. Puppies need to experience new sights, sounds, and people to grow up well-adjusted. But putting a puppy in a chaotic or poorly organized boarding environment can create fear, anxiety, or inappropriate habits that follow them into adulthood, Dr. Richter explains.
You could also miss out on a key bonding window if your puppy spends a long time away before they’re 16 weeks old, during their critical socialization period.
What does a puppy need for boarding?
Before your puppy puts a single paw into a boarding facility, make sure they’re prepared with the following:
- Vaccines: To safely spend time with other dogs, your puppy needs to have their third round of puppy vaccines, which they typically get between 12 and 18 weeks old.
- Good social skills: Puppies need basic socialization to board with other dogs, especially adults, who don’t always take kindly to a young pup’s persistence. Dr. Richter says they should be curious and playful but not pester their playmates.
- Potty training: Most private sitters or boarding facilities will require a dog to have basic potty training before boarding or attending day care.
- Separation training. Your puppy should have already experienced time at home alone before boarding, Edge says. Spending short periods of time alone makes longer trips less scary for puppies. This can also help prevent separation anxiety.
- Basic commands: Ideally, your puppy should understand basic commands for their own safety, like “come” and “stay.” They should also have beginner leash skills.
How much does it cost to board a puppy?
The base rate will depend on the specific boarding service you choose, but you’ll usually pay a bit more to board a puppy thjan you would an adult dog, since they need closer supervision. You can get an idea of the usual rates in your city in our guide to the cost of dog boarding.
How can I find the right boarding option for my puppy?
To find out what dog boarding options are available in your area, you can ask Google, put out a request on local Facebook and NextDoor pages, or just ask your friends or vet for recommendations.
Just keep in mind that a facility or sitter that worked great for a friend’s dog may not be exactly right for your pup. It’s always important to do a trial visit to make sure it’s a good fit.
Are there alternatives to puppy boarding?
Instead of boarding your puppy in a facility, you can always turn to your local pet sitters, like the ones listed on Rover.
When you search on Rover, you can sort sitters by their distance from you, experience level, rates, and reviews until you find just the right person.
All of Rover’s sitters have completed third-party background checks and are backed by the Rover Guarantee, so you can feel confident your puppy will be safe and secure while you’re away.
Check out the dog sitters available in your area now!
