Leaving your dog for 7 days requires a secure place and a person who follows your exact feeding and exercise schedule. You have five main options for a week-long stay: professional boarding kennels, in-home pet sitters, trusted friends or family, veterinary clinics, or private home boarders.
The right choice depends on your dog’s temperament and how he reacts to staying in a new kennel and seeing unknown dogs behind the wire.
Below, you will find a breakdown of each option and the specific steps you must take to prepare your dog for a week away.
Staying Home – Friends and Family
A puppy or a guard dog stays calmer in the yard, sleeping in the house and eating at the usual times.
The friend who comes over must do more than just “fill the bowl” and leave. Walking inside and spending some time there shows a pet that someone is still there.
Check the gate latches and secure the bottom of the wire before driving away. Hand the keys to the friend while he is watching.
Opening the gate together shows that the person is allowed inside.
Professional Boarding Kennels
A professional kennel must have a fence at least two meters high. Before leaving the dog there, walk past the cages and smell the air. It should smell like disinfectant or clean water, never like old urine.
Check if the wire on the boxes is rusted or broken at the bottom where a paw can get stuck.
Ask the staff if they let unknown dogs run together. A good boarding kennel keeps “strangers” apart to prevent fights and injuries.
Look at the water bowls; they must be full and firmly attached so they don’t flip over.
A clean concrete floor and a solid wooden deck for sleeping are more important than any decoration.
Dog Daycare for Busy Owners
Daycare is a practical solution when there is no time for long walks during the workday.
A good center must have separate areas for small and large dogs to prevent injuries. Before paying, ask to see the ventilation system and how often the floors are cleaned.
A tired dog coming home is good, but the pet with scratches or bite marks is a sign of poor supervision.
Check if the daycare requires proof of vaccination!
Hiring a Pet Sitter
A sitter is a good choice if the dog is too old or too nervous for a boarding kennel. This person comes to your home so the pet can eat at the usual times and sleep in its own bed.
The most important thing is that the sitter know how to handle a large dog if something goes wrong while you are away.
Before leaving, have the sitter come over while you are there. Watch how the dog reacts to the person’s voice and movements.
A professional sitter will ask for the vet’s number and the exact food portions.
If you use pet cameras that you can access from your smartphone, place them where you can see the water bowl and the exit.
In-Home Boarding
In-home boarding is a good option if the dog is used to living indoors. However, you must check if the host already has other pets.
A professional will never leave a “guest” alone with them in the same room. This prevents territorial fights and injuries while you are away.
The house must be secure, without small objects on the floor that a nervous dog could swallow.
A safe fence and a person who knows how to read dog body language are more important than a cozy sofa.
Veterinary Clinics for Medical Boarding
A veterinary clinic is the only choice if the dog needs daily therapy or has a chronic illness. This is not a classic hotel, but medical boarding where technicians monitor health.
Before leaving, provide a clear list of medications and exact dosages.
Check how often the staff takes the dog out for a walk, as clinics often have limited space for exercise.
This option is about medical safety, so only use it if the dog’s health requires professional supervision.
Traveling
Taking the dog with you requires planning, not just packing treats. Before you hit the road, check the pet policy of your hotel. “Pet-friendly” often has hidden rules, like weight limits or a ban on leaving the dog alone in the room.
If you need a sitter in a new city, use verified local services and meet the person in a public park before you hand over the leash.
During the drive, use a secure transport box or a dog seat belt for safety. Never leave the pet in a parked car, even with the windows cracked, as temperatures rise to dangerous levels in minutes.
Stop every two hours so the dog can drink water and stretch …
Conclusion
Pick the place based on your dog’s character and health, not just the price. If he is used to a big yard, he will suffer in a small apartment.
A nervous dog will not handle a loud kennel with twenty others barking around. The goal is to prevent stress, fights, and injuries while you are away!
I saw this in Spain with one of my Sarplaninac males. He was 18 months old when the owners left him in a boarding facility for only four hours. The staff was shocked because he caused so much attention. Several older hunting dogs were annoying him, and he didn’t stay quiet.
What is your experience with boarding? Did your pet ever surprise the staff with his behavior? Leave a comment below and share your story!
