Leaving your dog for 7 days requires a secure place and someone who will stick to your exact feeding and walking 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 a new “home” or seeing strange dogs behind the wire.
Below, you’ll find a breakdown of each option and the exact steps you need to take to prepare your dog for a week away.
Staying Home: Friends and Family
A pup or an adult dog stays much calmer in his own yard, sleeping inside and eating on his normal schedule.
The friend who comes over must do more than just “fill the bowl” and leave. Walking inside and spending some time there lets the dog know someone is still around.
Check the gate latches and secure the bottom of the fence before driving away. Hand the keys to your friend while the dog is watching.
Opening the gate together shows the pup that this person is allowed inside.
Professional Boarding Kennels
A professional kennel must have a fence at least six feet high. Before leaving the dog there, walk past the runs and smell the air. It should smell like disinfectant or clean water – never old urine.
Check if the chain link on the runs is rusted or broken at the bottom where a paw can get caught.
Ask the staff if they let unfamiliar dogs run together. A good boarding kennel keeps dogs separated to prevent fights and injuries.
Look at the water bowls – they must be full and firmly attached so they can’t get knocked over.
A clean concrete floor and a solid wooden resting area matter far more than fancy decorations.
Dog Daycare for Busy Owners
Dog daycare works great when you don’t have time for long walks during the workday
A good facility must have separate play areas for small and large dogs to prevent injuries. Before signing up, ask to see the ventilation and how often they clean the floors.
A tired dog at the end of the day is great, but a pup coming home with scratches or bite marks is a clear sign of poor supervision.
Make sure the daycare requires proof of vaccinations.
Hiring a Pet Sitter
A pet sitter is a solid option if the dog is too old or too anxious for a boarding kennel. They come right to your home so the pup can eat on his normal schedule and sleep in his own bed.
The main thing is making sure the sitter knows how to handle a large dog if something goes wrong while you’re away.
Before you leave, have the sitter come over while you’re still home. Watch how the dog reacts to their voice and movements.
A professional sitter will always ask for your vet’s contact info and exact food portions.
If you use indoor pet cameras, set them up where you can see the water bowl and the main doorway
In-Home Boarding
In-home boarding is a good option if the dog is used to living indoors. Just make sure to check if the host has other pets.
A good host will never leave a guest dog alone in the same room with their own pets. That’s how you prevent territorial fights and injuries while you’re away.
The house needs to be secure and free of small objects on the floor that an anxious dog could swallow.
A secure fence and someone who knows how to read dog body language matter far more than a cozy couch.
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 dropping him off, hand over a clear list of medications with exact dosages.
Ask how often the staff takes the pup out, since vet clinics usually have limited outdoor space.
This option is strictly about medical safety, so only use it if your dog’s health actually requires constant medical care.
Traveling
Taking your dog along takes real planning, not just packing treats. Before you hit the road, check your hotel’s pet policy – “pet-friendly” places often have 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 apps and meet them in a public park before handing over the leash.
On the drive, use a secure crate or a seatbelt harness for safety. Never leave your pup in a parked car – even with the windows cracked, temperatures shoot up to dangerous levels in minutes.
Stop every two hours so the dog can drink water and stretch his legs.
Conclusion
Pick the place based on your dog’s temperament and health, not just the price. If he’s used to a big yard, he’ll struggle in a small apartment.
An anxious pup won’t handle a loud kennel with twenty other dogs barking around him. The main goal is preventing stress, fights, and injuries while you’re away.
I saw this in Spain with one of my Sarplaninac males. He was 18 months old when his owners left him at a boarding facility for just four hours. The staff was shocked by how much attention he drew. A few older hunting dogs were bothering him, and he wasn’t about to stay quiet.
What’s your experience with boarding? Has your pup ever surprised the staff with his behavior? Drop a comment below and share your story!
