The Great Debate: Dog-Sitters vs Boarding Kennels?

Traveling is one of the joys of life, and while we would love to take our dogs everywhere, there are some occasions when that just doesn’t work out. When this situation pops up, you are left with a big choice: to hire a pet sitter or set your pooch up in a boarding kennel. There are plenty of pros and cons to each, and a lot of it will depend on the temperament of your dog. Here in Houston, you can find great options for either and we’re here to give you all the information you need to make an informed decision.

Livin’ That Kennel Life

Choosing to go with a boarding kennel for your dog is a great option for when you want to pamper your pet. Prestonwood Kennels in Houston makes it a full-on pet resort vacation for your furry best friend with all kinds of amenities and activities. Here are the pros and cons of boarding your dog while you have to be away:

• Pros
1) It’s usually less expensive than a pet sitter.
2) Your pup gets a chance to socialize with many other dogs for the stay, keeping them socialized and happy with plenty of playtimes.
3) The people watching your dog are qualified pros, especially at Prestonwood Kennels. They are all fully trained and ready to handle any and all situations that may arise with your dog while they’re at the kennel.
4) Most boarding kennels stick to a solid schedule for their dogs, which can help limit any stress your pet may feel while being in a new environment.

• Cons
1) Some dogs just aren’t meant for boarding. If your dog doesn’t play well with others, a boarding kennel won’t be the best thing for them or for others.
2) Dogs react differently to new environments, and it will cause them a bit of stress if it’s their first time in boarding. Sights, sounds, smells, or even just being around new animals can make dogs nervous. Prestonwood Kennels does its best to make sure all of our doggy guests are comfortable, but stress will be a factor.
3) It won’t be all about your dog all the time. Since many pups are being housed, it won’t be as dedicated when it comes to one-on-one focus on your pet.
4) There’s a higher risk of chance accidents. With so many animals in one space, the employees can’t be watching all of them at once, especially at night.

Pet Sitter Security

Having someone come to your home to watch over your beloved four-legged family member can be a great way to keep your baby taken care of while letting them stay in the comfort of their own home. Here’s our list of pros and cons when it comes to having a pet sitter:

• Pros
1) Your dog gets to stay where they’re comfortable! All of their familiar smells and favorite toys are around them, keeping them more relaxed while you’re gone.
2) You can set up specific care instructions for your pet sitter to follow with your pet. Anything from training work to playtime to scheduled meals can be set up to keep your pup in their routine.
3) Your dog is the center of attention with a pet sitter. One-on-one quality time is a guarantee.
4) Lastly, an added perk: your pet sitter can also double as your house sitter. When they come by to take care of your pooch, they can check on your house and let you know whether everything is ok or if something’s gone haywire.

• Cons
1) Pricing can be more expensive. This is fair, though, given that it is a very personalized experience.
2) If your pet is highly territorial, maybe having a stranger come into their home isn’t the greatest plan. They may be better off in a boarding facility since it’s not “their” turf.
3) You are not guaranteed a professional doggy caretaker unless you specifically look for one.

When you need to make this choice between pet sitters or boarding kennels, the biggest thing is to do your research and understand your dog’s temperament. We hope this has been helpful!