The beach house in the Outer Banks is booked for the last week of June, and the kids have been counting down since March. Then, over spaghetti one night, somebody asks the question nobody thought about: what are we doing with Murphy? The neighbor’s 16-year-old offered to stop by twice a day. Your sister-in-law won’t stop talking about the kennel she uses. Murphy, a four-year-old lab mix with a known sock habit, is under the table waiting for a meatball and doesn’t care either way.
Truthfully, it depends on the dog, and a good kennel will tell you as much. Dogs who settle into new places without much fuss often do really well boarding, where they get a set routine, steady supervision and people checking on them overnight. Dogs who get badly homesick, homes with a few pets who keep each other company, and some dogs with separation anxiety can do better staying put with a sitter.
Should I board my dog?
The catch is that the sitter has to actually be there, not just pop in. Your dog’s personality, health and routine decide it, along with how long you’ll be away.
The quick comparison
| Boarding at a kennel | Sitter at your house | |
| Where your dog sleeps | A kennel set up for dogs | Their own bed |
| Who’s around | Staff on site, including overnight at many kennels | Whoever you hired, when they’re there |
| Daily rhythm | Fixed meal and outdoor times | Closer to what they’re used to |
| Who checks up on it in NJ | The town licenses it, local health inspects it | You do |
| Usually a good fit for | Dogs who adjust to new places | Homebodies, multi-pet homes |
Murphy is the kennel type
Think about what Murphy’s like. He’s friendly with strangers, he’s been to a groomer and a vet without falling apart, and if left alone for too long, he’ll find a sock and eat it. Dogs like him often do great at a kennel. The American Kennel Club points out that a good kennel can sometimes give a dog more structure than a home can, with the same meal times, regular trips outside and people around all day.
Overnight is where it really counts for a dog like Murphy. At Highland Kennel, someone on our staff actually lives on site and checks on the dogs through the night, so there’s no eight-hour stretch where nobody’s watching. That same setup helps dogs on medication. We give meds the way your vet prescribed them, so a dog who needs a pill at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. isn’t waiting on a sitter’s schedule. How Does a Dog Boarding Facility Deal with Medication Administration While Owner is Away? goes into the details.
And somebody’s checking on the kennel, too. New Jersey requires kennels to apply to their town for a license every single year, and the local health department inspects the place before that license gets issued, looking at the state’s sanitary rules for animal facilities along with local codes. With a sitter, there’s no inspector. That part’s on you.
Now picture Rosie next door
Rosie is your neighbor’s 12-year-old beagle. She’s shy, she’s never spent a night away from home, and she shares the house with two cats she’s very attached to. For Rosie, staying home might honestly be the better call. The AKC says some dogs get homesick the way kids do at sleepaway camp, and those dogs, along with some dogs with separation anxiety and homes with several pets, may be happier staying where everything smells familiar.
But here’s the thing about Rosie’s sitter. Somebody stopping by for 20 minutes in the morning and again at night isn’t the same as somebody living there. The AKC doesn’t recommend drop-in visits for longer trips, since a dog alone for most of the day can get lonely, anxious or destructive. For a week away, Rosie needs someone sleeping at the house, not a quick visit before work.
Checking out either option
If you’re leaning toward a kennel, go see it in person first. Look at where the dogs sleep and where they go outside, and watch whether the dogs already there seem relaxed. Ask how many times a day they get out, whether you can bring your own food and a blanket from home, and what they do about special needs. Any reputable kennel will want your vaccination records. Ours are laid out in Dog Vaccination Requirements: What NJ Kennels Need Before Boarding. Never boarded before? A one- or two-night trial stay before the big trip will tell you a lot.
If you’re leaning toward a sitter, get references and call every one of them. The AKC makes the point that a background check won’t tell you how somebody gets along with your dog. Set up a meet-and-greet before you leave, walk the yard together to look for gaps in the fence, and write down the routine, right down to which side of the street your dog likes to walk on.
What Murphy’s week would look like here
He’d get his own indoor suite with a covered outdoor run, and he’d be out in that run several times a day. He’d sleep up off the floor on a raised Kuranda bed, eat twice a day and hear soothing music playing around the clock, which helps the more sensitive dogs settle. If Murphy had a brother, they could share a suite. You’re welcome to tour before you book, and you can call during business hours to see how he’s doing.
Worried your dog won’t take to it? Start with How to Help an Anxious Dog Adjust to Overnight Boarding. Booking a first stay? First-Time Dog Boarding Checklist: Vaccines, Feeding Instructions, Medications and Drop-Off Prep covers what to pack and what to tell us, and Benefits of Dog Boarding in Howell, NJ: Why Pet Parents Choose Professional Care explains why families choose a kennel.
Frequently asked questions
Is boarding or a pet sitter better for my dog?
That depends on your dog. Easygoing dogs who handle new places tend to do well boarding, and very homesick dogs or multi-pet homes may be better off with a sitter who stays at the house.
Are dog kennels licensed in New Jersey?
They are. Each kennel needs a yearly license from its town, and local health staff inspect it before that license is issued.
Can a pet sitter just stop by twice a day?
On a short trip, maybe. For longer trips, the AKC advises against drop-in visits alone, because a dog left by itself most of the day can get lonely or anxious.
Can my two dogs board together?
Here, yes. Dogs from the same household can share a suite at Highland Kennel.
Planning a trip and trying to decide? Highland Kennel has been caring for dogs in Howell since 1978. Drop-off and pickup run Monday through Saturday from 8:30 AM to noon, and afternoons and Sundays are by appointment. Find out more about our Dog Boarding or contact us to set up a tour.
