Finding the right dog boarding option can be a challenge—doubly so for reactive dogs. How will your feisty pup cope in a kennel? What if they have a string of meltdowns? Can reactive dogs even go to boarding? The short answer? Yes!
With careful research and preparation, it is possible to put a reactive dog in a kennel or boarding facility. However, a successful stay depends on thoroughly vetting boarding facilities, training your reactive dog ahead of time, and communicating their needs to kennel staff.
With insights from two professional trainers, we explore how to approach dog boarding for reactive dogs, from selecting a suitable facility to the viability of board-and-train programmes. And if you find that boarding isn’t a good fit, we’ll also discuss appropriate alternatives.
How To Choose Boarding for Reactive Dogs
Not all boarding kennels can meet the unique needs of reactive dogs. Leigh Siegfried, founder and training director at Opportunity Barks, suggests looking for a small-scale, training-centric facility. The criteria she considers most important are staff experience and facility design.
Pick a more intimate facility
To board a reactive dog, choose a facility with
- Lots of visual barriers
- Low noise
- Low ceilings
- Separate quiet areas for relaxing
- Low dog-to-staff ratio
“Traditional care facilities are large and focused on maximising capacity, with very little thought to design,” Siegfried explains. A sprawling, warehouse-like facility may increase your dog’s stress, but a facility with visual barriers, controlled noise levels, and low ceilings can help them feel more secure.
Animal Welfare Regulations state that dogs must have their own sleeping area, defined as a “fully enclosed indoor space” where they can completely avoid seeing other animals and people. This means that reactive dogs should at least have a visual barrier in any kennel they visit.
When you’re scouting out options, be sure to confirm the dog-to-staff ratio. A lower dog-to-staff ratio is preferable for reactive dogs.
Fewer dogs means less overstimulation. It also allows dogs to receive more individualised attention and care. Kennel boarding licensing laws mean that facilities need to provide a minimum of one staff member for every 25 dogs. But if your dog is highly reactive or needs closer attention and care, you might want a lower ratio still.
Reactive dogs will do best in kennels equipped with separate, quiet areas for relaxing and decompressing. The licensing requirements also specify that facility staff place dogs who don’t cope well with other dogs’ barking in the quietest part of the kennels. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that every kennel facility has a designated “decompression area,” so it’s important to ask about this for reactive dogs.
Look for clear communication and experience
To get good care for reactive pups, prioritise
- Staff good at reading dog body language and de-escalating dog conflicts
- Honesty—truthfully describe your dog’s reactivity
- Frequent communication from the facility
Equally important is the staff’s training and experience in handling reactive dogs. They should know how to defuse stress, read canine body language, and avoid escalating situations.
Clear communication is key to a safe and minimally stressful stay. Always be fully transparent about your dog’s reactivity, alerting staff of your pup’s triggers and behaviours. Not only does this help staff respond to and manage your dog’s reactivity, but it also helps them determine whether or not your dog is a good fit for their programme.
This communication must go both ways, says Nandina Bogunović, a professional dog trainer and writer at Breed Atlas. “Boarding facilities should be willing to provide updates on your dog’s well-being and be open to instructions regarding the specific needs and triggers of your dog.”
Bear in mind that regulations require facilities to have a written training policy that specifically enables staff to deal with anxious, difficult, or fearful dogs. This includes recognising early signs of fear, stress, or aggression, as well as knowing how to act on seeing undesirable behaviours using appropriate handling equipment.
Ensure safety protocols are in place
A good facility for a reactive dog will have
- Secure fencing
- Double gates
- A way to minimise dog interactions when needed
Since fearful dogs may try to run away, be sure to evaluate the facility’s safety protocols and security. “Check that the facility has secure fencing, double gates, and escape prevention measures,” says Bogunović, adding that the environment should also minimise interactions with other dogs.
This also makes sure the facility is in keeping with Animal Welfare Regulations, which require at least two secure physical gates between any dog and the property’s outside boundary. They also mandate dig-proof wire fencing of the correct height and impact-resistant, lockable, escape-proof outer doors and windows.
PavelRodimov via iStock
Questions To Ask Prospective Boarding Facilities
As you evaluate dog boarding facilities near you, it may help to have a list of questions specifically for reactive dogs. Here are a few things to consider in your search.
- Does the facility have separate, quiet areas for dogs who can’t be around other dogs?
- Is the staff trained in handling reactive dogs?
- What happens if your dog reacts or does something undesirable? How would they address this?
- What happens if your dog doesn’t get along with another dog? What happens if your dog gets attacked by another dog?
- What policies do they have to protect your dog or other dogs?
- For reactive dogs that can play with other dogs, how big are playgroups? How are they monitored? How often do they play? What does dog-to-dog play look like?
- Are dogs always supervised?
- How much human interaction will your dog have?
- What would the daily schedule look like during boarding?
- How often will your dog be taken out of their kennel?
- Where is the facility’s best place to walk a reactive dog?
- Will your dog go on solo walks? Is that an option you can pay for?
- Are the dogs given any enrichment or activities inside of their kennel? Can you leave your own KONGs, puzzle toys, or lick mats?
- What do feeding times look like?
- Do they give daily updates via videos, photos, etc.? Is there a live video feed?
- Is there staff that stays overnight?
- Do they offer trial runs or half-day doggy day care sessions?
Preparing Your Reactive Dog for Boarding
Training alone won’t fully prepare your reactive dog for boarding, but it’s a good place to start. “Behavioural modification and training is never going to be time ill-spent,” says Siegfried. She suggests building your dog’s confidence and comfort with:
- Being confined in a crate
- Having their collar or harness handled by a stranger
- Having a lead attached by a stranger
Additionally, you can work on gradually desensitising your dog to their usual triggers through counter-conditioning techniques like rewarding them for calm behaviour when they see people or dogs.
Bogunović recommends familiarising your dog with the boarding facility with short visits or an overnight trial stay. You can meet with trainers beforehand, let your dog explore the grounds, and expose them to the various sounds they’ll hear during their stay.
You can also ask your vet if they think situational anti-anxiety meds are a good idea for your dog.
Familiar smells are comforting, so consider packing a worn T-shirt with your scent. You can also send along items that will help your dog feel calm and secure, such as a favourite blanket, bed, or calming toy. Enrichment tools, like KONGs or lick mats, are a good idea, too.
Just make sure to temper your expectations and realise there may be some hiccups along the way. “Sometimes you can do your best, and the dog can still present fear or stress for a few days during a stay,” admits Siegfried. Remember, reducing reactivity is an ongoing process, and it’s okay if your dog takes time to adjust.
Eva Blanco/iStock
Can Kennels Refuse Service to a Reactive Dog?
Kennels are private businesses and can refuse service to any dog or pet parent. But their ability to retain their licence may depend on turning away dogs who are so reactive that it may be impossible to meet their welfare needs, who remain in a state of distress throughout their whole stay, or who impact other boarders.
For example, if staff can’t guarantee that they’ll be able to safely enter the kennel to clean, feed, or handle your dog due to aggression, they can’t ensure that all areas present minimal risk of injury. Likewise, if a dog barks constantly or charges barriers, it can negatively affect the welfare of other dogs.
A kennel may also choose not to accept your dog if it’s one of the breeds restricted under the Dangerous Dogs Act (DDA) 1991. These include:
- Pit Bull Terrier
- Japanese Tosa
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
- XL Bully
You can only have one of these breeds with a Certificate of Exemption, which says that you can keep the dog “at a different address for a maximum of 30 days in a 12-month period.” However, even if you have this certificate and prove the dog is chipped and neutered, kennels are likely to refuse breeds banned under the DDA for several reasons:
- The kennel’s insurance will likely not allow them to board dogs banned under the DDA. They won’t be able to risk voiding the insurance. Recently, the government removed the requirement for pet parents to hold third-party liability insurance for banned breeds, as most insurers withdrew from the market. The liability, therefore, would be entirely on the kennel owner – a risk they may not be willing to accept.
- A dog restricted under the DDA needs to wear a muzzle and be on a lead at all times in a public place, such as the kennel’s exercise area, reception, or walkways. This can make free-play and enrichment highly challenging to manage.
- Kennels are licensed on the grounds that they can meet the welfare needs of every dog in their care. A kennel operator may feel that housing an exempted dog puts staff at risk or means they can’t meet the dog’s needs due to handling restrictions.
Communicating frankly and openly with kennel proprietors can help you establish their ability to take on a reactive or exempted dog. However, you may need to look for alternatives.
Alternatives to Dog Boarding
If boarding your reactive pup is not on the cards, there are still ways you can ensure a reactive dog is well looked after while you go on holiday. First, you can hire a savvy house sitter who will watch your dog in your own house. This option lets your dog stay in a familiar environment to minimise stress. Plus, they don’t need a licence to operate in your home, so there’s more flexibility so long as you’re happy they have the right level of experience.
If your dog is not people-friendly, Siegfried says it’s best to keep them confined when the sitter arrives.
Another option is seeking help from trusted friends or family members who can either stay at your home or have your dog stay with them. As Bogunović points out, having familiar faces around can help reduce your dog’s stress.
You could also hire a professional dog walker who’s familiar with handling reactive dogs. “You can do this in conjunction with having someone look after your dog in your home,” says Bogunović.
Some veterinary practices offer boarding services with additional behavioural support. “These facilities often have staff trained to handle reactive dogs and can provide a more controlled and medically supervised environment,” Bogunović adds.
Finally, if it’s possible, consider letting your dog join your travels. While not feasible for every trip, with some training and planning, travelling with a reactive dog can be an enjoyable and memorable experience.
