To board or not to board? That is the question.

Looking forward to a vacation that is just around the corner makes life a little more bearable, right? 

Issues at work don’t bug you as much, and you’re in a better mood because you know you will soon be escaping the parts of life that you need a vacation from.

However, if you have a dog, planning for a vacation is a little stressful. 

So many questions run through your head when you’ve come to the decision to board your dog while you are away.

Who will look after them?

Will my pooch be happy?

It’s going to cost how much?

I made the choice to board my dog when I lived in Alberta and I was flying home to Ontario for Christmas with my three kids. I knew there was no way I would be able to handle the airport by myself, with a dog and the kids.

I did a lot of research on the various kennels in Red Deer before picking one, but I wished there was a comprehensive guide to point me in the right direction.

That’s what I want this article to be, a guide to help you choose the right place to board your pooch. 

I know I was stressed out picking a boarding facility because I had never left my dog before and I wanted him to be happy while we were away.

Honestly, I’m not sure if I picked the right place or not, the experience was so stressful that I am not in any hurry to repeat it. 

Luckily, I am in a position now where we can leave him with family, but I know that is not the case for all pooches.

Without further ado, here is a list of what I consider to be the best places to board your pooch in Northumberland County based on reviews from their actual customers.

All Pawz Inn

All Pawz Inn has a climate-controlled (heated and fully airconditioned) building to have large dog suites, small dogs suites, a grooming room, a separate room for feline friends, and 2 large play yards outside. 

Clients can have the peace of mind of knowing that the facility always has someone on the property and an emergency backup generator system so that even in the worst Ontario weather, your pets will still be safe and warm.

Reviews

The reviews for All Pawz Inn on Google were overwhelmingly positive! At 4.9 stars and with 33 overall reviews, it sounds like a great place for your pooch.

What I personally like about All Pawz Inn is that they take the time to respond to each and every comment. That may not seem like a big deal, but it’s part of good customer service and shows that they really care about their clients.

Here are the highlights from the reviews on Google:

“Organized”

“Asked detailed questions upon booking”

“Fantastic staff, facilities, and owners”

“Excellent Job”

“Our dogs had the best time, love getting pictures every day”

“My lab loves it there”

I think you get the picture. I mean, their lowest rating is 4 out of 5 stars, and no comment was left so I think it is safe to say that All Pawz Inn is an excellent choice to board your pooch.

You can check them out on Facebook, too.

Location: 426 Crandall Rd., Colborne

Rates: $35.00 PER DAY + HST

CJ’s Dog Resort & Spa

At Cj’s Dog Resort & Spa, pampering your pet is what they do best!

Cathy and Malcolm are a husband and wife team that cares for your fur kids as their own. Each dog receives personalized care and attention so you can go away and not worry.

They have a beautiful country setting with large fenced and shaded play areas. Groomed walking trails pass through pumpkin patches, apple and pear trees. They are equipped for playing and walking in all types of weather.

Features

• Cage-Free
• 24-hour supervision
• Lots of attention and TLC
• Short and Long term stays
• Dogs are kept on regular routines
• Medication is given with no extra charge
• Dogs are treated as if they are in their own home

Reviews

The reviews on Facebook for CJ’s Dog Resort & Spa were overwhelmingly positive. With 21 reviews and an average of 4.8 stars, CJ’s is highly recommended by their clients. 

Here are some highlights from those comments:

“Great place. Dog loves it”

I can not say enough great things about CJ’s!!!”

“We would like to highly recommend Cathy and Malcolm. Our dog loves going there and was well taken care of while we went on holidays the last 10 days.”

I only found one negative comment, and the owner Cathy responded with her side of the situation. Looks to me like some miscommunication of sorts was happening, did not have anything to do with the care of the pooches.

CJ’s also has a very active Instagram account, so be sure to check out the pics there as well.

Location: 9883 Danforth East, Cobourg 

Rates: One dog: $35 + HST per day

Two dogs: $55 + HST per day

Three dogs: $80 + HST per day

(Dogs must be from the same family)

Tucked Inn Kennels

I feel like I saved the best for last. Tucked Inn Kennels sounds so warm and welcoming that I want to stay there!

Tucked Inn Kennels offers a premier boarding experience for your canine family member. Their luxury facility offers a variety of suites for any size dog.

They can stay in the Deluxe Suites (5’X7′) where their small to large guests enjoy a comfortable stay.

You can also opt for one of their Premium Suites, with 45 square feet of space, offering lots of legroom for larger boarders, or multiple guests.

Finally, the Private Studio Suite includes comfortable lounge chairs, TV with DVD player, wood stove, and a queen-sized bed where a human sleeps with them at night — this is perfect for guests who may experience separation anxiety, senior dogs, puppies, or dogs that just prefer a quieter setting.

Every stay at Tucked Inn Kennels includes continuous outdoor play sessions in their fully fenced courtyard, daily linen changes, suite cleaning, medication administration, and copious amounts of interaction with their staff.

If you would like to enhance your pet’s experience, they even offer an a-la-carte menu that allows you to customize your pet’s stay with extra amenities and activities.

Sign me up! Honestly, I want to stay here! Sounds so luxurious! 

I don’t want to sway your decision in any way, but I have a good gut feeling when it comes to Tucked Inn Kennels.

Reviews

The comments are so positive – 5 stars – and all about how much they care for the dogs at Tucked Inn. 

This is definitely a “frills” place for your pooch, but if your pooch is anything like mine and has some separation anxiety, this may be the best place for them.

Here is what the reviews on Facebook say:

“By far the best kennels we have ever used.”

“The owners here seem to very much care for the animals. The love and concern for the dogs is very evident. What more could you ask for?”

“Great place run by super people.”

“Very friendly. We will be going back to them for sure.”

Location: 247 King Road, Grafton, ON, K0K 2G0

Rates: 

Recommendations

A good tool to use for recommendations is local FB groups. Just ask if they have any recommendations of kennels to board dogs, and you will get a ton of responses.

Local people like helping other locals. It’s great! More than likely, there will be one or two kennels that will have more comments than any other place. Check them out for yourself and make a decision.

Also, ask your friends and family, there is nothing better than a referral from someone who has actually used the facility to board their own dog.

Always go and check out a kennel before sending your pooch there, you want to see with your own eyes that they will be in good hands while you’re away.

Honestly, trust your gut. You will know which facility is right for you and your pooch. 

I hope this article helped you make an informed decision about where to board your pooch when you’re away.

If you have any more kennels to recommend in Northumberland County, please let us know in the comments below.

Also, if you have had experience with any of the boarding facilities mentioned, please let us know what you thought of them. Thanks!

Want to know the good hiking trails around Northumberland County to take your pooch? Check out this article.