A Day of Home Boarding With Me
Wondering what your dog actually gets up to while you're away? Every stay follows the same settled rhythm, built around welfare checks, proper walks, rest and play, so dogs know what's coming next and can relax into it. Here's how a day usually unfolds.
TL;DR — key points
- Two proper walks a day, plus garden and agility course access in between
- Regular welfare checks throughout, morning, afternoon and last thing at night
- Rest and settle time built in, not just go-go-go all day
- Training, enrichment or structured play worked in for dogs who enjoy it
- The shape of the day stays consistent, but flexes around your dog's own needs
The rhythm of the day
There's no rigid clock-watching, every dog settles at their own pace and older or more nervous dogs are never rushed, but the day generally moves through these stages:
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Morning
Welfare check & toilet break
First thing, a check that everyone's settled and comfortable, followed by a toilet break to start the day.
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Morning
Breakfast
Your dog's own usual food, kept to their normal routine so there's no unnecessary upset tummy.
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Morning
The adventure walk
The main walk of the day, out and about locally, at a pace that suits your dog.
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Midday
Snacks & lunch
A little something after the walk, for dogs who have lunch as part of their usual routine.
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Midday
Rest & settle time
A proper wind-down, not every hour of the day is go-go-go. Time to nap, chew, or just be left in peace.
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Afternoon
Training, enrichment & structured play
For dogs who enjoy it, a bit of structured play, a puzzle feeder, or some gentle training to keep minds ticking over.
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Afternoon
Welfare check & a brush if they need it
Another check-in, plus a brush or comb for anyone who could do with one, part of keeping every dog comfortable, not a grooming service in its own right.
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Afternoon / evening
Second walk & garden time
A second walk or a proper stretch of garden time, with access to the garden and agility course for dogs who are up for it.
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Evening
Dinner
Dinner, again kept to your dog's own usual food and routine.
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Evening
Evening treat & quiet time
A treat and a calm wind-down as the day winds to a close.
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Bedtime
Last toilet break, bedtime & lights off
One last toilet break, then settled down for the night.
Training, enrichment and playtime look a little different for every dog, here's a couple of glimpses of what that actually looks like in practice:
Every dog is different: medication times, a favourite napping spot, a food quirk, or anything else specific to your dog is noted and worked into their day, instead of everyone being treated exactly the same. This is exactly the kind of thing covered at your dog's "Stay & Play" introductory session before their first overnight stay.
Curious what to bring along for a stay? Have a look at my guide to packing for a boarding stay, or the interactive packing checklist. Still deciding between home boarding and kennels? My home boarding vs kennels comparison might help. And if you've got a question about your own dog's routine, message me, I'm always happy to talk it through.
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