Seven questions to ask before boarding your dog anywhere

Any boarding option — a facility, a sitter's home, a house sitter in your own place — should survive seven plain questions. If the answers are vague, keep looking.

The seven

1. Where exactly does my dog sleep? A room, a crate, a kennel run — you want a straight answer, not a brochure word.
2. Who is physically present overnight? «Checked on» and «slept next to» are different services.
3. How many other animals will be there? And what happens if two of them do not get along.
4. What is the plan for a medical problem? Which clinic, who decides, who pays, and how fast you get called.
5. Can I see updates during the stay? Photos with timestamps beat «all good!» texts.
6. What does the dog eat? Your food and your schedule should travel with the dog — sudden diet changes are the top cause of upset stomachs away from home.
7. What happens if I am delayed coming back? Flights slip. The answer should be a rate, not a surprise.

Why in-home sitting is often the calm option

For dogs that guard routine — seniors, anxious dogs, cats in general — a sitter staying in your home keeps the bed, the smells and the schedule in place. The dog does not travel at all; only the human changes.