Dog Boarding vs Kennels: Which Is Right for Your Dog?

TL;DR

Home boarding with a trusted sitter offers a quieter, more personalised experience that most closely resembles your dog's normal life. Commercial kennels provide structure and on-site supervision but can be stressful for anxious or sensitive dogs. The right choice depends on your dog's temperament, your budget, and the length of stay. For most dogs, home boarding is the less stressful option.

The Core Difference

When you book a commercial kennel, your dog stays in a facility designed to house multiple dogs, typically in individual runs or shared areas, managed by rotating staff. When you book home boarding, your dog stays in a real home — the sitter's — living as part of their household for the duration.

These are fundamentally different experiences for your dog. Understanding the implications of each will help you make a choice based on your dog's actual needs rather than convenience or habit.

Stress Levels and Emotional Wellbeing

The Kennel Environment

Commercial kennels are, by their nature, loud and stimulating. Even well-managed facilities have:

Constant barking: dozens of dogs in proximity means a persistent noise level that many dogs find stressful
Unfamiliar smells: industrial cleaning products, multiple unfamiliar dogs, and unfamiliar food all create sensory overload
Limited personal space: runs and enclosures are functional but rarely comfortable in the way a home environment is
Staff rotation: your dog interacts with different people across shifts, making it harder to form a bond or settle into a routine

Research published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior consistently shows elevated cortisol levels in dogs housed in kennels, particularly during the first 48 hours. While many dogs adjust, some never fully settle — they simply learn to tolerate the environment.

The Home Boarding Environment

Home boarding replicates something closer to normal life:

Quieter setting: one or two dogs in a home versus dozens in a facility
Consistent carer: the same person throughout the stay, allowing your dog to build trust
Home comforts: sofas, beds, garden access, and the rhythms of domestic life
Familiar routines: walks at regular times, meals in a kitchen, evening wind-down on the couch

For dogs that are anxious, elderly, or simply not used to being around many other dogs, this difference in stress levels is significant. A dog that paces and barks for three days straight in a kennel may settle within hours in a calm home environment.

Individual Attention

What Kennels Provide

Even excellent kennels have limitations on individual attention. A staff member responsible for 15-20 dogs during a shift cannot provide the same level of one-on-one care as a home sitter with one or two guest dogs.

Typical kennel care includes:

Scheduled feeding: meals at set times, usually twice daily
Exercise periods: group play sessions or individual yard time, often 30-60 minutes per day
Health monitoring: staff check for signs of illness, injury, or distress
Basic enrichment: toys, occasionally music, and interaction during feeding and cleaning

What kennels typically cannot provide:

Extended cuddle time or lap time for dogs that need physical comfort
Personalised exercise beyond the scheduled periods
Real-time medication administration with precise timing
Adaptation of routines to match your dog's specific habits

What Home Boarding Provides

A good home boarding sitter offers something fundamentally different: your dog becomes a temporary member of their household.

Walks tailored to your dog: if your dog needs two 45-minute walks a day, the sitter can accommodate that
Companionship throughout the day: your dog is not left alone for hours — they are with the sitter
Medication management: a sitter can administer medication at exact times and monitor for side effects
Personalised sleeping arrangements: your dog sleeps where they are comfortable, not in a run
Continuous monitoring: any changes in behaviour, appetite, or energy are noticed quickly

Cost Comparison

The cost difference between kennels and home boarding varies by location, but here are general ranges:

Kennels

Budget kennels: $25-40 per night
Mid-range kennels: $40-60 per night
Premium kennels (heated runs, webcams, play areas): $60-100+ per night

Additional charges are common for:

Medication administration ($5-15 per day)
Extra walks or play sessions ($10-20 per session)
Holiday surcharges (15-25% increase)
Multi-dog discounts (10-20% off second dog)

Home Boarding

Typical range: $40-70 per night
Premium sitters (extensive experience, specialised care): $60-90 per night

On The Pet Sitter, sitters set their own rates and keep 100% of what they earn thanks to our 0% commission model. This means sitters can price their services fairly without inflating rates to cover platform fees, and pet owners get transparent pricing without hidden service charges at checkout.

When you compare like-for-like — a mid-range kennel with extras versus a quality home boarding sitter — the costs are often comparable. But the experience your dog gets is markedly different.

Socialisation

Kennel Socialisation

Some kennels offer group play sessions where dogs interact in supervised environments. This can be beneficial for social, confident dogs who enjoy canine company. However:

Group play is not available at all kennels
Dogs are typically grouped by size, not temperament
Shy or reactive dogs may find group play overwhelming
The risk of disease transmission increases in group settings (kennel cough, gastro)

Home Boarding Socialisation

Home boarding socialisation is more controlled. Your dog interacts with the sitter's own dogs (if they have any) and possibly one or two other guest dogs. This smaller-group dynamic is:

Less overwhelming for sensitive dogs
Easier to monitor and manage
More natural — dogs meeting in a home setting rather than a facility
Safer from a disease transmission perspective

If socialisation is a goal for your dog, consider whether they are the type to thrive in a busy group environment or a smaller, calmer one.

When Kennels Are the Better Choice

Home boarding is right for most dogs, but kennels have genuine advantages in specific situations:

Medical needs: if your dog has a condition requiring veterinary oversight, some kennels are attached to or affiliated with veterinary practices
Large or reactive dogs: some dogs are too large, too reactive, or too destructive for a home environment, and a purpose-built facility is safer
Dogs that need complete separation: dogs that cannot be around other dogs at all may be better served by a kennel with individual runs and no shared spaces
Last-minute bookings: kennels often have availability when home sitters are booked out, especially during peak periods
Very long stays: for stays of several weeks or more, some kennel facilities have better infrastructure for extended care

When Home Boarding Is the Better Choice

For the majority of dogs, home boarding offers a superior experience:

Anxious or nervous dogs: the quiet, consistent environment is far less stressful
Senior dogs: older dogs benefit from soft sleeping surfaces, climate control, and gentle, personalised care
Puppies: young dogs need consistent socialisation and routine, which a home environment provides more naturally
Dogs on medication: precise medication timing and monitoring are easier in a home setting
Dogs used to home life: if your dog has never been in a kennel, the transition to home boarding is far gentler than the transition to a facility

You can browse dog boarding sitters in your area on The Pet Sitter to find someone whose home and experience match your dog's needs.

Making Your Decision: A Framework

Ask yourself these five questions:

How does my dog handle new environments? If they shut down in unfamiliar places, home boarding is likely better. If they are adaptable and curious, either option may work.
How does my dog behave around other dogs? If they love other dogs, both options have social benefits. If they are selective or reactive, home boarding with a sitter who has no other dogs (or compatible dogs) is safer.
Does my dog have medical needs? Simple medications are well-handled by home sitters. Complex medical needs may benefit from a facility with veterinary support.
What is my budget? Calculate the total cost including extras and surcharges. A kennel that looks cheaper on the nightly rate may cost the same as home boarding once you add medication fees and extra walks.
How long is the stay? For short stays of one to three nights, either option works. For longer stays, the personalised attention of home boarding becomes increasingly valuable.

The Hybrid Approach

Some pet owners use a combination of both. They book home boarding for regular weekends and holidays, and use a kennel for last-minute needs or when their preferred sitter is unavailable. There is no rule that says you must choose one forever.

The most important thing is that you have met the people caring for your dog, you have seen the environment, and you are confident your dog will be safe and comfortable.

FAQ

Is home boarding safer than a kennel?

Both options are safe when properly managed. Home boarding reduces disease transmission risk (fewer dogs in close proximity) and escape risk (home environments rather than runs with latches). However, home boarding safety depends heavily on the individual sitter — their fencing, their experience, and their supervision. Always inspect the sitter's home during a meet-and-greet before booking.

Will my dog be lonely in home boarding?

This is a common concern, but most home boarding sitters are with their dogs throughout the day. Your dog gets more one-on-one human interaction in home boarding than in a kennel. Many sitters also have their own dogs, providing canine companionship in a calm setting. If companionship is important to your dog, discuss the sitter's daily routine during the meet-and-greet.

How many dogs should a home boarding sitter take at once?

Most responsible home boarding sitters limit themselves to one to three guest dogs at a time, depending on their space and experience. A sitter taking five or more guest dogs simultaneously is operating more like an unlicensed kennel than a home boarding service. Ask the sitter directly how many dogs will be present during your booking, including their own.

Do kennels have cameras I can watch?

Some premium kennels offer webcam access so you can check on your dog during the stay. This is a nice feature but can also increase your anxiety — watching your dog sleep in a run is not the same as watching them sleep on a sitter's couch. In home boarding, most sitters send regular photo and video updates, which gives you a curated but genuine view of how your dog is doing.

Can I visit my dog during a kennel or boarding stay?

Kennels generally have set visiting hours and may discourage visits because they can unsettle dogs who then have to watch their owner leave again. Home boarding sitters vary in their approach — some welcome visits, others prefer a clean separation. Discuss this during the meet-and-greet and respect whatever policy the sitter or facility has, as it is usually based on what works best for the dogs in their care.