Dog Boarding Smart
Find a loving dog sitter to watch your dog overnight at your sitter's home.
Smart, 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.
“Maribel welcomed Rocky into her home and kept him happy and active while he was in her care. Maribel has a farm with lots of room to run, animals to fascinate, and even a river to play in. I could tell from the pictures and Rocky's interaction with Maribel and her family that he was well cared for and had a great time, too. She'll be on top of my list of sitters to reach out to in the future.”
“My dogs' kennel was huge with lots of space for both. This place is tucked away and is truly a "mountain retreat". We received pictures of them enjoying their walks. Richard was very helpful checking them in. Obviously they missed us, but seem to have had a good time. We will book with Richard and Kelly again.”
“Amanda was great. My pets can be a little nervous but they warmed up to her quickly. She sent daily check in’s so I knew they were doing well when I was away. I would definitely book her again.”
“My belgian malinois, had an amazing weekend with Carmen and her dogs. She was worn out and napped for half of the day afterwards. So, I know she had a great time. I am definitely going to be a repeat customer. Thank you!”
“We are so happy we have finally found a caring home for our boys. Emily is so nice and took great care of Jax and Louie. She sent us so many pictures every day so we were able to see them while we were gone. We will definitely take them to Emily again.”
“Copper LOVED his stay with Michelle! Even though our little pups is anxious and high maintenance (we even added in last-minute medication), Michelle took it all in stride and reassured us from the start that everything would be ok. We got daily pictures and updates that showed us Copper was fitting right in with their family routine and enjoying his new friendship with Michelle's dog. It was so reassuring during our travel to know that Copper was not only well-cared for but also happy. I highly recommend Michelle!”
“Lawdy was very kind and professional and took great of our dog! We even reached out on just a days notice and it wasn't a problem whatsoever! Would recommend her for sure!”
“Marah is truly exceptional to work with. Responsive, kind, understanding, and made me feel at peace watching my dog for a long weekend. If I ever need my dog boarded again, I will without a doubt board with her!”
“This was my first time using Rover, and Erin and Matthew were incredible! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I chose them based on their reviews, and I’m genuinely happy to add another glowing one! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I have two pups, and I had complete peace of mind throughout my trip—which is priceless. They sent daily photos and videos with thoughtful updates. 🐶🐶 They have a huge fenced-in yard and Moose & Jake loved the freedom they had to explore. I encountered some winter weather complications and my return was delayed, but they were understanding, flexible, and stayed in constant communication. They’re professional, responsible, and clearly care a lot about the dogs they watch. I’m so grateful for such a positive experience, and I absolutely look forward to booking with them again.”
About: I’ve helped my mom pet sit her German shepherd for a year and I handled it well. I learned how to feed him properly and took care of him responsibly. I will be mostly available in the afternoon. Once school start, I will be mostly available during the weekends. Feel free to check with me on availability otherwise. I make sure to walk my dog at least three times a day and feed him the right amount of food at least two times a day. I will make sure to respect others when taking him outside and stop any improper behavior in time. I regularly buy him treats and toys.
“Veronica has been so great with Sam multiple times and Sam loves hanging out with her, her family, and her friendly dogs ... plus he comes back happy, and tired from all the playtime which is great, too :)”
“Kurt was excellent! He was very friendly, had great communication, sent lots of pictures and updates, and was very flexible with drop off/pick up times. Norman got lots of attention and cuddles. I will definitely be booking with Kurt again. 10/10 would definitely recommend!”
“Penny and Evan are amazing!! I was so impressed with how much love and care they gave to Sushi and Sasha. They walked, played with and petted my two dogs, as well as sending photos and videos. The best part is that the dogs really loved them and felt home!! I highly recommend and definitely will come back.”
“Boarded my lab with Christy & Jonathan for the weekend & they were fantastic. Excellent communication & daily pics/updates. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience & will definitely use them again!”
“Kelvin was great! Communication was easy, he picked her up right from our house and brought her back, and he sent pictures while she was with him. Keke came home happy. We’ll definitely be using him as our go-to sitter from now on. Highly recommend!”
“Ruth was amazing! She was incredibly flexible and so sweet. She made our dog feel right at home while we were away for 5 nights. She sent pictures and kept me informed. We would definitely recommend booking with Ruth!”
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 - Smart
Select a filter and find qualifying sitters offering dog boarding.FAQs for Dog Boarding - Smart
Frequently asked questions about Rover
Rover is the largest marketplace for local pet care. Whether you're looking for pet sitters, dog walkers, or house sitters who specialize in pet sitting, you can narrow your search by entering your ZIP code to find sitters within walking distance in your neighborhood.
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.
Depending on the sitter, their home environment, and your dog’s needs, daily exercise 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 Smart 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 Smart.
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.
You and your Smart 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 VA 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.
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