Every year, the same thing happens across New Zealand. Flights are booked, the bach is reserved, the Christmas shopping is underway, and then someone realises that nobody has organised care for the dog. By then, many of the boarding kennels around Auckland are already full for the dates people need most.

If you’re heading away this summer, booking your dog in early is one of the most useful things you can do for them. This guide explains why Christmas and summer are such a busy time for kennels, what you risk by leaving it late, and how to get your dog ready for a happy holiday stay.

Why Christmas and Summer Are the Busiest Times for Boarding Kennels

For many Kiwi families, summer means travel. School holidays, the Christmas and New Year break, Auckland Anniversary weekend and long summer weekends away all happen within a few weeks of each other. This summer the long weekends sit close together. Auckland Anniversary Day falls on Monday 1 February 2027, and because Waitangi Day lands on a Saturday, that holiday moves to Monday 8 February, which gives Aucklanders two long weekends in a row. Whether you’re flying to the South Island, visiting family overseas or heading to the Coromandel, your dog can’t always come with you.

That puts a lot of pressure on boarding kennels. Everyone needs a place for their dog at the same time, but there are only so many kennels and only so many staff. Good boarding facilities have limited space, and they can’t take more dogs than they can look after properly. That’s a good thing, because it means your dog gets proper attention, but it also means popular dates fill quickly. At Brookby Lodge, the summer high season runs from 20 December to 15 January. Every state school will have broken up by then, as their summer holidays start no later than Saturday 19 December 2026.

Dates that tend to go first include:

• The days leading into Christmas, from around 20 December
• The New Year period, between Christmas and 10 January
• Auckland Anniversary weekend, from Saturday 30 January to Monday 1 February 2027, as the school holidays come to an end
• Waitangi weekend, from Saturday 6 to Monday 8 February 2027

If your travel dates fall on or near any of these, book as soon as your plans are confirmed. Leaving it until the week before you fly can make it hard to find a space on these dates.

What Can Go Wrong When You Leave It Too Late

Leaving dog boarding to the last minute is stressful for you and harder on your dog. Here’s what commonly happens.

You may not find a place at all. The most obvious risk is that your preferred kennel is fully booked for your dates. Then you’re ringing around and comparing options under time pressure, or relying on a facility you haven’t visited.

You lose the chance to check the place out first. Choosing where your dog will stay should never be rushed. Ideally, you want to see the kennels, meet the people and ask questions before you commit. Brookby Lodge welcomes visits before you book. To keep disruption to the dogs already staying to a minimum, visiting and inspection times are 8 to 11 am and 3 to 5 pm. If you ring ahead, the team can give you a proper walkthrough and answer your questions. That’s much easier to fit in weeks before a trip than in the days before you leave.

Your dog’s vaccinations may not be ready in time. Brookby Lodge requires a current kennel cough (Bordetella) vaccination given more than 14 days before your dog’s stay. If you only check your dog’s records a week or so out and find the kennel cough vaccination has lapsed, there isn’t enough time for a new one to count, and your dog can’t be accepted. Booking early gives you time to sort this out with your vet.

Your dog’s circumstances could rule out your dates. Not every dog can board at every time. Brookby Lodge doesn’t take bitches in season or non-social dogs, and entire males are accepted only up to eight months old. If your female dog could come into season over summer, or you’re unsure how your dog will cope around others, booking early gives you time to talk it through with the team and make other plans if you need to.

The Benefits of Booking Dog Boarding Early

Booking ahead is about much more than securing a spot.

1. You get your preferred dates

Early bookings mean you can choose the dates that suit your holiday, instead of shuffling flights or accommodation to fit around a kennel’s availability. This matters most for the high season and February long weekend dates listed above.

2. You have time to share your dog’s needs

Every dog is different. Some eat twice a day, some need medication, some are nervous around other dogs, and some are seniors who need extra rest. The more notice the team has, the better they can plan, and no number of emails or phone calls is too many while you’re working out the details. At Brookby Lodge, care is tailored around each dog’s food, medication, routine and individual needs, and you can read more about these customised care plans on our homepage. Playgroups are divided by size and temperament, and older dogs are protected from their bouncier, younger playmates. Medication you supply is given at no extra charge, and the staff looking after your dog are fully trained in pet care.

3. You can do a trial run

Booking early leaves time for some doggy daycare before the stay. A day or two at daycare lets your dog get used to the surroundings, the people and the routine, so that a longer stay feels familiar when it comes. Daycare at Brookby Lodge is currently $28 a day or $260 for 10 days. If you’re unsure which option suits your dog, our guide Paws and Think: Daycare or Boarding, What Suits Your Dog? compares the two.

4. You can plan for holiday pricing

When you plan ahead, you can check boarding prices well before your trip and build the cost into your holiday budget. Holiday stays at Brookby Lodge carry a few extra charges worth knowing about. A surcharge of $9 per day applies across the summer high season mentioned above, and public holidays are $16 extra. Bookings that fall between 25 December and 10 January also need a $300 deposit per pet, which is non-refundable and non-transferable, and all booked dates must be paid for. That’s a good reason to lock in firm travel dates before you book. Payment in full is due when you collect your dog, and all charges include GST. Discounts may apply, so ask the team when you enquire. Prices can change, so check our pricing page for current rates.

5. You can switch off while you’re away

Worrying about your dog can take the shine off a holiday. Once your booking is confirmed, Brookby Lodge sends an email with your booking details, drop-off and pick-up times, opening hours and vaccination expectations. Having everything in one place before you go means you can relax and enjoy your time away.

What to Look for When Choosing Boarding Kennels

Not all kennels are the same, so it’s worth knowing what to look for before you book. We’ve covered this in detail in our guide on how to choose the right dog kennels in New Zealand, but here are the essentials:

• Check that someone is on site at all times. Dogs can have emergencies at any hour. Where the owners live on the premises, there’s always someone close by to respond, and it’s worth asking any kennel how it handles emergencies or illness.
• Look for comfortable, clean accommodation. Secure kennels and good ventilation matter, and in an Auckland summer, so does air conditioning.
• Ask about exercise and play. Dogs left with nothing to do can become stressed and unsettled, so daily supervised exercise matters.
• Make sure they’ll follow your dog’s food and medication needs. The facility should be happy to stick to your dog’s usual diet and care requirements.
• Find out how they keep you updated. Updates and photos while you’re away make a big difference to how relaxed you feel.
• Check their reputation. Look at reviews from local dog owners and ask how long the business has been operating.

Why Countryside Dog Boarding in South Auckland Suits Holiday Stays

Many people assume the best option is the closest one, but a bit of distance can be well worth it. Set on ten acres of countryside in Brookby, South Auckland, Brookby Lodge offers a calm, spacious setting surrounded by farmland. There’s room to run, fresh air and a quieter atmosphere, which suits many dogs, especially during the noisy, busy festive season.

Graeme and Ruth have been caring for dogs since 2007, and they live on the premises, so there is someone on site 24 hours a day. Dogs enjoy up to six hours of supervised play and exercise each day. The private “hotel rooms” and other indoor boarding areas are fully air-conditioned, with access to indoor and outdoor spaces. There are also communal lounges and splash pools, so your dog can stay comfortable even on a hot Auckland summer day. You can find out more about the people behind the business on our About page.

Brookby Lodge is on Brookby Road, about 5 km west of Clevedon and 5 km south-east of Whitford. It offers affordable boarding for dogs of all ages, breeds and sizes.

How to Prepare Your Dog for a Holiday Boarding Stay

Once your booking is confirmed, a little preparation helps your dog settle in quickly.

Sort out vaccinations early. Proof of vaccination is required for boarding, and you’ll be asked for it at check-in. Brookby Lodge requires dogs to be vaccinated against parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis, adenovirus 2, parainfluenza, leptospirosis and Bordetella (kennel cough). The kennel cough vaccination must be less than a year old at the time of the stay and meet the 14-day rule covered above, and dogs must also be flea and worm free. Check your dog’s records as soon as you book so there’s time to see your vet if anything is due.

Write down your dog’s routine. Note feeding times, portion sizes, medication doses, walking habits, and anything that worries or excites your dog. If your dog has any history of aggression towards adults, children or other pets, the team needs to know about it before the stay. Brookby Lodge provides Royal Canin and Butch food, and you’re also welcome to bring your dog’s regular food. Let the team know about any special feeding instructions so your dog’s diet stays the same as it is at home.

Pack a few familiar items. A favourite blanket or toy can help your dog feel at home. Label everything clearly so it comes home with them. Our guide on what to pack when boarding your dog for the first time has a fuller list.

Keep goodbyes calm. Dogs pick up on our emotions. A relaxed, cheerful drop-off helps them feel that this is a normal, positive experience.

Share emergency contact details. You’ll need to give your full name, address, email and contact numbers at check-in. If you’ll be overseas, also leave a back-up contact who can make decisions if needed.

Don’t Forget the Opening Hours Around Christmas

When planning drop-off and collection around the holidays, it pays to know the schedule. Brookby Lodge is open seven days a week, including weekends and public holidays, and is closed only on Christmas Day. Drop-offs and collections run from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm on weekdays and 7:30 am to 6:00 pm on weekends and public holidays.

Dogs staying over Christmas are still looked after as usual on Christmas Day, with Graeme and Ruth living on site, but there are no drop-offs or collections that day. If you’re leaving just before Christmas or returning just after, build that into your travel plans. The public holidays around Christmas and New Year also fall a little differently this summer. Christmas Day is a Friday and Boxing Day is a Saturday, so the Boxing Day holiday is observed on Monday 28 December. New Year’s Day is a Friday and 2 January is a Saturday, so the 2 January holiday is observed on Monday 4 January 2027. Check with Brookby Lodge how the 7:30 am public holiday hours and the $16 public holiday charge apply across those days.

It also helps to know how the first and last days are charged. The first day is charged in full whatever time you check in. On the last day, a morning departure is charged as a half day and an afternoon departure as a full day, so timing your collection around your flight home can make a difference to the final bill. For anything specific, get in touch with the team directly. Our terms and conditions are also worth reading before your stay.

What Happens While You’re Away

One of the biggest worries for any owner is what their dog is doing while they’re gone. At Brookby Lodge, your dog’s day is filled with supervised play, rest and regular meals. You can ask for updates by email or text, photos are available on request, and you’re welcome to phone to see how your dog is getting on. Regular updates about the dogs staying at the lodge also go up on the Brookby Lodge Facebook page. If your dog becomes unwell, staff will contact you promptly and arrange vet care if needed. Brookby Lodge works with trusted local vets and has a detailed emergency plan in place. Vet visits are charged at a $92 minimum plus vet fees, so it’s sensible to allow for this in your holiday budget.

When you collect your dog, the team gives you a verbal report on how the stay went, including who their best friend was, how they were eating, and how their walks and playtime went. Local owners often say their dogs come home tired and relaxed, which is what you want to see after a holiday stay.

A Simple Checklist for Booking Your Dog’s Holiday Stay

To make the process easy, here’s a quick timeline you can follow:

• As soon as your travel dates are confirmed: Check availability. If you haven’t been to Brookby Lodge before, arrange a visit within the next few days during the morning or afternoon visiting times.
• Straight after your visit: Make a booking so your dates are secured. If your dates fall between 25 December and 10 January, make sure they’re firm first, as the $300 per pet deposit is non-refundable.
• Once you’ve booked: Check your dog’s vaccination records. If the kennel cough vaccination is due, arrange a vet visit now so it’s done well ahead of the 14-day cut-off.
• A few weeks before: Consider a daycare day or two to help your dog settle.
• One week before: Write up your dog’s routine, including feeding and medication notes, and pack their labelled belongings.
• Day of drop-off: Bring your dog’s vaccination certificate and keep the goodbye calm. After that, you can head off knowing everything is sorted.

Book Early and Enjoy Your Summer

The Christmas and summer holiday period should be about relaxing with family and friends. Booking your dog in early means your dates are secured, your dog gets a gentler introduction, and you can enjoy your holiday knowing they’re well looked after.

Brookby Lodge also boards cats at $20 a day, so a household with a dog and a cat can have both stay in the same place. Our guide to safe and comfortable cat boarding in Auckland covers what to look for on the cattery side.

If you’re planning a trip this summer, don’t wait until the last minute. Explore our dog boarding and daycare services, check our pricing, and book your dog’s stay at Brookby Lodge today, online or by calling 09 530 8675. Our team looks forward to welcoming your dog to our little corner of Brookby countryside.