Leaving your dog with someone else for the first time is hard, and most of the worry comes from not knowing what happens once you've driven away. A good boarder can answer that before you book, and the answers tell you far more than the photos on their website.
A directory like ours helps you find places to consider. The last check has to be yours, in person, with your own dog in mind.
Seven questions to ask any boarder
Take this list with you. The sections below explain what a good answer sounds like.
See where your dog will sleep
The actual room, not the play area. Then ask who is there at night.
Ask to see the room or kennel your dog will be in, not the play area and not the reception. Look at how clean it is, how much space there is, whether it's cool enough and how noisy it gets. If the answer is "we'll decide on the day", ask what the options are.
Then ask who is physically there overnight. This is the question that matters most and gets skipped most often. Some places have staff on the premises all night. Others lock up at 9 pm and come back in the morning. Neither is wrong for every dog, but you should know which one you're paying for.
How many dogs, and who else lives there
Ask how many guest dogs will be there with yours, and whether that number goes up during festivals and holidays.
For home boarding, ask whether the host has pets of their own and how new dogs are introduced. A good host keeps resident pets and guests apart at first and introduces them slowly. "They'll sort it out" is the wrong answer.
If your dog is nervous with other dogs, say so plainly. The right boarder will either have a way to manage it or tell you honestly that they're not the right place.
Medicines, food and records
- Medicines. Ask who gives them and whether each dose is written down. A missed or doubled dose is easy when several people share a shift. Bring the medicine in its original packaging, with the dose written clearly.
- Vaccination and tick treatment. Most good boarders ask to see the card and proof of recent tick treatment. If a place doesn't ask, ask what it requires of everyone else's dogs, since yours will share space with them.
- Food. Bring your dog's own if you can. A sudden change of food on top of a change of home is a common cause of upset stomachs.
Updates, and what happens if something goes wrong
Agree how you'll hear from them: a photo each evening, a short WhatsApp message, a call if anything changes.
Then ask the harder question. What do they do if your dog falls ill? Which vet do they use, how quickly would they go, and at what point would they call you? A boarder who has clearly thought about this is one you can relax with.
Try a short stay first
If you can, book a daytime visit or a single night before the real trip, while you're still in town. It tests the whole thing: whether your dog eats, how they come home, and whether the updates arrive when promised.
What it costs, and where to look
For nightly rates and the extras that push the price up, see our guide to dog boarding costs in Bengaluru. You can browse boarders in Bengaluru, Pune, Delhi, Noida and other cities in the directory.
Common questions
Quick answers to what people ask most.
How far in advance should I book?
For festivals and school holidays, four to six weeks. Popular places fill up early and some set minimum stays over peak dates.
Is it better to board or to get a sitter at home?
For anxious or elderly dogs, a sitter at home is often less stressful. Confident, sociable dogs usually do well at a good boarding facility.
Should I send my dog's bed and toys?
Something that smells of home, like a worn T-shirt or their usual blanket, helps many dogs settle. Ask first, since some places limit what you can leave.