Dog Boarding Elk Rapids
Find a loving dog sitter to watch your dog overnight at your sitter's home.
Elk Rapids, Find top rated dog boarding
Prices are estimates per night. Pricing may vary based on your search. A booking fee of 11% and taxes will apply.
“Peter was amazing and took such great care of our Baxter! This was our first time leaving him with a sitter and we were very concerned. Peter reassured us and sent updates throughout our trip! Highly recommend!!!”
“We left both our pups and was giving updates and pictures, which we really appreciate. The pups seemed very happy and had fun playing with her dog also. Thank you so much we would love to have you watch them again in the future.”
“My boys had a very relaxing weekend with Lisa and her husband. The fact that they don't have dogs or cats meant each of my boys got a lot of attention. I think they would've like to have stayed FOREVER, unfortunately for them, we did have to take them home.”
“Maggie was truly incredible! She’s the best sitter I have ever used on Rover. She made my nervous dog feel so comfortable and sent regular updates. She even made me a small painting of my dog after watching her for just a weekend. I highly recommend her!”
About: I've spent about 18 years caring for dogs, from puppies through their senior years, and dogs have always been an important part of my life. I've loved getting to know their different personalities and learning what makes each one happy. Over the last several years, raising and training my Australian Shepherd, Mina, has taken that interest to another level. I've spent a lot of time learning about dog training, enrichment, canine communication and behavior, and finding new ways to help her live a full and happy life. We've explored everything from trick training and agility to nose work, long-line adventures, swimming, fetch, puzzles, and plenty of downtime. It's become something I genuinely love learning about. One of the biggest things my dogs have taught me is to be curious and observant. Every dog has their own personality, preferences, boundaries, and way of communicating. I want to learn from you what your dog loves and what helps them feel comfortable, and then pay attention to what they're telling me while they're here. Whether they love sniffing and exploring, training and puzzles, playing fetch, or simply relaxing nearby, I want their stay to feel like it was designed with them in mind. I only board one household at a time, which allows me to give each guest a peaceful, individualized stay with plenty of attention and a routine tailored to them, just like I would want for my pup. I know how much trust it takes to leave a dog you adore with someone else, and I take that responsibility seriously. I work remotely with a flexible schedule, so I'm home throughout the day and already structure my routine around regular breaks for walks, play, training, enrichment, and downtime with my own dog. I do my best to maintain each guest's normal rhythm while they're here. Some dogs thrive on lots of activity and engagement; others need more time to settle, sleep, and simply have someone nearby. We'll talk about your dog's normal routine before their stay so I can create a day that feels comfortable and familiar to them. Drop-off and pickup times are arranged in advance so I can be ready to give your dog my full attention as they arrive and settle in. I want your dog to feel safe, comfortable, and genuinely cared for while you're away, and for you to feel good about where you're leaving them. My home is set up to provide a peaceful, personalized stay with plenty of attention, enrichment, and room to relax. I only board one household at a time. Your dog will have their own bedroom and eating area, with a crate available if that's part of their normal routine. I also have a dedicated indoor play and enrichment area with agility equipment, puzzles, KONGs, toys, and other activities that I can tailor to what your dog enjoys. We can take regular walks through my quiet neighborhood, and I have a long outdoor trolley system for supervised outdoor time. Depending on the dog, our days might include walks, training games, scent work, puzzles, play, exploring outside, or plenty of time relaxing together. I have my own Mini Australian Shepherd, Mina, but your dog never needs to interact with her. If both dogs are comfortable and interested, I'm happy to introduce them carefully and at their own pace. Otherwise, my home is set up so they can comfortably have separate spaces, activities, and attention throughout the stay. I know how much trust it takes to leave your dog with someone else. My goal is for them to have a stay that feels less like boarding and more like having their own little home away from home.
“Our 9 month old Golden Retriever puppy had a great stay with Kim. She made sure he had a lot of exercise, which I very much appreciated given he's still a rambunctious puppy!”
“We had an amazing experience with Bob. Our puppy loved it from the first moment, as Bob's place feels so welcoming. Wooded trails right beyond the house with a walking access to the dog beach at lake Leelanau was great. Bob has sent pictures of dogs having fun at the beach. Overall freedom for the dogs to walk in and out to the fenced backyard, being welcomed on the couch was such a loving & carrying environment and perfect solution for our Golder Retriever, we will be there again and again when in Traverse City area!”
About: I started my pet care journey as a dog walker at age 9, and have found great joy in pet sitting over the years. I’ve cared for pets of all sizes, ages and personalities, and now specialize in in-home boarding where your pets are treated like part of our family. My home offers fenced acreage for safe, supervised running and play, along with structured walks and trail runs for those who need a little extra. After playtime, there’s always a warm bed, or a cozy spot on the couch, waiting for naps and snuggles. With degrees in Wildlife Biology and Zoology, I bring not only a deep love for animals but also a professional understanding of their behavior, needs, and well-being. Whether your pet is energetic and adventurous or prefers quiet companionship, I’ll make sure they feel safe, comfortable, and loved while you’re away. I split my regular work schedule with 3 wfh days each week. We are an early rising family who enjoy spending time on our homestead. We have several resident pets on the farm: 20 sheep, 2 mini donkeys, chickens and one beloved mutt. Our regular routine involves a 1 mi walk in the am and pm with lots of other opportunities throughout the day for supervised fresh air or playtime in one of our fenced 1 acre pastures. Safe and secure, a ball lovers paradise! I’m comfortable treating your pet as my own with specialized treatment or care as needed. We have 2 respectful preteen boys in the household so kid friendly dogs are an absolute must.
The median cost per night for dog boarding in Elk Rapids is $50
Book with peace of mind
- Screened pet sitters have passed a third-party background check and show verified reviews from other pet parents, like you.
- Every booking is backed by the Rover Guarantee, which includes up to $25,000 reimbursement for eligible vet care. Learn more
- 24/7 support from the Rover team–here to help if you ever need someone to talk to.
Why Choose Rover?
Cashless payments
Book and pay through Rover’s secured platform—no cash or checks required.
Reservation protection
It doesn’t happen often, but if your sitter has to cancel, we’ll work with you to find a new sitter.
World-class support
We’re friendly, knowledgable, and total pet fanatics. You can get in touch with us anytime.
How to book dog boarding
1. Search
Browse profiles of sitters near you who offer dog boarding.
2. Meet In Person
Schedule a free in-person Meet & Greet to find the perfect fit.
3. Book & Pay
It's that easy! All payments are processed through Rover's secured platform.
Popular requests for dog boarding - Elk Rapids
Select a filter and find qualifying sitters offering dog boarding.Sitters in Elk Rapids average 9 repeat dog boarding clients
FAQs for Dog Boarding - Elk Rapids
Frequently asked questions about Rover
As of November 2026, there are 77 sitters on Rover offering Dog Boarding across Elk Rapids. Enter your ZIP code to see which available sitters are closest to your home.
If you would like updates while you’re away, you can discuss with your sitter how many or how frequent you’d like those updates to be. The Rover app allows sitters to send photos, videos, and messages about your pet, including how many pee or poop breaks occurred. You can message your sitter at any time through the app and our support team is available 24/7 by email or chat if you have concerns.
The personalized, in-home nature of pet care through Rover can mean more individual attention for your pet.
Every sitter on Rover has their own routine. Depending on the arrangements you agree on before the stay, a sitter can follow your dog’s regular feeding schedule, provide a comfortable place to sleep, offer companionship, and support their usual exercise and play needs.
98% of sitters in Elk Rapids can provide daily exercise during dog boarding stays. Depending on the sitter, their home environment, and your dog’s needs, this may include walks, outdoor play, indoor enrichment activities, or supervised play with compatible dogs. These activities are not automatically included with every booking, so ask the sitter what a typical day looks like.
During the Meet & Greet, discuss your dog’s usual exercise and play routine, whether they can safely interact with other dogs, and any activities or restrictions the sitter should follow. You can also ask the sitter to send photo and message updates during the stay so you can see how your dog is spending their time.
Preparing for drop-off is easy when you have a checklist! To help your dog settle into their Elk Rapids home-away-from-home, we recommend packing:
- Health and safety essentials such as their ID tags, vaccination records, medication, and emergency vet or secondary caregiver contacts.
- Food and gear such as harnesses, collars, food (portioned by day), and an item that smells like you.
- Special instructions such as a list of training cues, medical administration needs, or favorite hang-out spots in your Elk Rapids.
Tip: You can upload your dog’s routine and medical info directly onto their profile so your sitter always has the details at their fingertips.
Yes, you can find sitters who have experience with handling special pet needs in Elk Rapids. On Rover:
- 95% of sitters can help with special care needs
- 98% can help with giving oral medications or injections
- 98% can help with daily exercise
You can also find pet sitters on Rover who accept only one pet at a time, which is ideal for anxious puppies, kittens, or senior pets who move at a gentler pace. Some sitters will also list availability for 24/7 care, also known as constant care, in their profiles.
Use the search filters to narrow down sitters whose specific experience or environment meets your pet's needs. When reaching out to your sitter, outline your pet's care routine and use the Meet & Greet to walk your sitter through your expectations.
You and your Elk Rapids sitter can schedule drop-off and pick-up in a way that works best for the both of you—and your dog. Most sitters offer flexible times for drop-off and pick-up but the easiest way to confirm those times will be through in-app messaging. Confirm your arrival time the day of pick-up and drop-off can also help keep the process smooth and organized.
The Rover Guarantee is Rover’s commitment to your peace of mind every time you book. It includes 24/7 customer support, sitter access to advice from qualified veterinary professionals for diagnostic issues, and a reimbursement program for eligible veterinary care in the rare event something goes wrong.
All bookings are backed by the Rover Guarantee, which provides up to $25,000 in eligible veterinary care reimbursement.
Every sitter on Rover is required to pass a background check before listing their services. This process confirms their identity and indicates they are not on the Department of Justice’s National Sex Offender Public Website or have any disqualifying offenses.
Beyond ID checks, you can review each sitter's star rating, read verified reviews from other pet parents, and see how many repeat clients they have. Every booking is backed by the Rover Guarantee, which includes up to $25,000 in eligible veterinary care. For more details, visit Rover's Trust & Safety page.
While each sitter sets their own vaccine requirements, staying up-to-date on your dog’s vaccines is the best way to be "boarding ready". Vaccinations help create a safe environment for all pets under a sitter’s care.
Many sitters in MI ask that dogs be up to date on core vaccines like the Canine Parvovirus, Canine Distemper, Canine Adenovirus, Bordetella, and Rabies.
By discussing your pet's health history early, you’re adding a layer of confidence for you and your sitter before the booking begins.
If a health concern arises during a stay, your sitter is instructed to contact you and our Trust & Safety team immediately and, if needed, take your dog to the closest veterinarian. Through our Trust & Safety support team, sitters can ask for diagnostic advice from a qualified veterinary professional if your dog is showing signs of possible illness.
For extra peace of mind, you can also prepare an authorization form for your regular vet. An authorization form outlines your preferred method of care and allows your sitter to bring your pet into their regular clinic.
Every qualified booking made on Rover is backed by the Rover Guarantee, which includes reimbursement for eligible emergency vet care.
Adding another pup to the pack? Most sitters and walkers offer a reduced rate for additional dogs. You’ll find these exact rates listed under the "Services" tab on any sitter's profile. Since every dog is unique, final pricing may vary depending on the level of care required.
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