Deciding who will look after your dog while you’re away is a big decision for most owners. Whether you need care while you’re on holiday, working or away for another reason, choosing a boarding facility takes more thought than picking a date and making a reservation.
A good boarding facility gives your dog a safe, comfortable place to stay, keeps their daily routine as close to normal as possible, and makes sure they get the care and attention they need. There are plenty of options around Auckland, so before you book, take a close look at how each one houses and looks after dogs, how the day is structured and who the staff are.
If you’re comparing dog boarding in Auckland, here’s what to check. Our guides on choosing the right dog kennels in New Zealand and finding the right dog and cat boarding facilities in Auckland go into more detail on some of these points.
1. Look at the Boarding Environment
The place your dog stays affects how well they settle. Every dog reacts differently to new surroundings, so look for a facility with enough room for your dog to rest, sleep properly, play and adjust to the change.
When you compare dog kennels around Auckland, look at the condition of the facility. It should be clean, safe and well maintained, with enough space for sleeping, meals and play, along with secure fencing and sheltered areas.
At Brookby Lodge, dogs stay on ten acres of countryside surrounded by farmland. The purpose-built facilities include air-conditioned private “hotel rooms”, communal lounges, splash pools, and indoor and outdoor play areas, so dogs have room to relax as well as burn off energy.
2. Check the Level of Daily Care
Boarding facilities vary in what they offer. Some provide a kennel and little else, while others plan their care around each dog.
Before you book, ask what your dog’s day would look like, including when they’re fed, how much activity and rest they get, how often they play and how closely they’re watched. The answers will tell you whether the facility suits your dog.
At Brookby Lodge, care is tailored around each dog’s food, medication and routine, and owners are asked to share these details before the stay. Staff provide round-the-clock care and regular health checks, which you can read more about on our services page.
3. Ask How Much Exercise Your Dog Will Get
Exercise is a central part of a dog’s day and affects both their physical health and their mood. A dog that’s used to regular walks and play can become restless in a new place if that activity stops.
When comparing facilities, ask how much exercise dogs get each day and whether there are safe, secure areas for them to run and play.
Regular exercise helps your dog keep to a familiar routine and feel more at home while you’re away. Dogs at Brookby Lodge get up to six hours of supervised play and exercise each day, which is one reason owners often find their dog comes home tired and relaxed.
4. Think About Your Dog’s Individual Needs
Every dog has their own temperament, health needs, diet and habits. Some are energetic and social, while others are shy and prefer their own company. Puppies, senior dogs and large breeds can all need extra care.
That’s why choosing a boarding facility involves more than comparing price and location. Think about your dog’s:
- age and breed
- energy levels and excitability
- exercise needs
- feeding schedule
- behaviour around other dogs
- sleeping habits
- medication requirements
- comfort around people they don’t know
- past experience of boarding
The right provider will listen to you and take the time to understand what your dog needs. Brookby Lodge cares for dogs of all ages, breeds and sizes. Entire males are accepted up to eight months old, and bitches in season can’t be boarded, so check these points early if they apply to your dog. If you have a young dog, our guide to puppy daycare in Auckland covers what to look for.
5. Consider the Experience of the Staff
The facilities matter, but so do the people looking after your dog. Staff should have plenty of experience handling dogs and be able to spot and respond to unusual behaviour. That skill counts most when a dog is unwell, and you can ask any kennel how it handles emergencies or illness.
When you visit a boarding facility, talk to the staff and watch how they interact with the dogs. The way they handle and speak to the animals tells you a lot about their experience and their attitude.
You should also feel free to explain your dog’s routine and ask as many questions about their care as you like. At Brookby Lodge, Graeme and Ruth have been caring for dogs since 2007, and the staff are fully trained in pet care. You can meet the team on our About page.
6. Check Cleanliness and Security
Cleanliness and security are two of the most important things to check when choosing boarding kennels.
The facility should be clean and safe, with secure areas for dogs to sleep and play. Look at the food and water areas, and check that the sleeping areas are comfortable.
Security is important because some dogs behave differently away from home. Fences and gates should be secure, and dogs should be supervised throughout their stay. It’s also worth asking what happens after hours. At Brookby Lodge, Graeme and Ruth live on the premises, so someone is on site 24 hours a day, and there’s a detailed emergency plan in place.
The best way to judge all of this is to see it in person, and section 11 covers what to look for on a visit.
7. Ask About Feeding Routines
Keeping to a regular routine helps dogs feel at ease, and that includes having their meals at the usual times.
Before your dog’s stay, ask the facility what food they provide, how often dogs are fed and how they handle dietary restrictions. If your dog is used to a particular food, ask whether you can bring your own. Brookby Lodge provides Royal Canin and Butch food, and you’re welcome to bring your dog’s regular food. Medication you supply is given at no extra charge.
A consistent routine makes a new environment easier for nervous dogs to cope with.
Give the staff detailed instructions about meals, allergies and any restrictions.
8. Ask About Socialisation
Some dogs love spending time with other dogs, while others prefer their own space. A good boarding facility understands this and doesn’t treat every dog the same way.
Ask how dogs are introduced to each other and whether staff supervise that process. Dogs should never be put in situations that could lead to stress or conflict.
For social dogs, playing with others can be good mental stimulation, while shy dogs benefit from quieter time. At Brookby Lodge, playgroups are divided by size and temperament, and older dogs are protected from bouncier, younger ones. Shy dogs are welcome at the lodge, although non-social dogs can’t be boarded, so talk to the team first if you’re unsure how your dog will cope around others. Our article on how pet lodging reduces stress in sensitive dogs has more on helping anxious dogs settle.
9. Think About Location and Access
Convenience matters too. Even a facility that offers excellent care can become a source of stress if it’s hard to get to.
Think about where the facility is in relation to your home, your work or your route to the airport.
Brookby Lodge is on Brookby Road in Brookby, South Auckland, about 5 km west of Clevedon and 5 km south-east of Whitford. Its countryside setting gives dogs a change of scene while you’re away. It’s open seven days, with drop-offs and collections from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm on weekdays and 7:30 am to 6:00 pm on weekends and public holidays, and it’s closed only on Christmas Day. If you’re moving overseas and your dog is travelling with you, Airport Pets, which is run by the same company, can handle their transport.
10. Read Reviews and Check the Reputation
Online reviews are a useful source of information, though they shouldn’t be the only one you rely on. They can show you common themes around cleanliness, communication, staff and the standard of care.
Look for patterns that come up across several reviews, since a single glowing or harsh review says little on its own. You can also ask friends, family and other dog owners whether they can recommend a boarding facility in Auckland. Our homepage shows Google reviews from Brookby Lodge customers.
A reputable boarding kennel should be happy to give you detailed information before you book. At Brookby Lodge, no number of emails or phone calls is a nuisance, and your booking confirmation email sets out drop-off and pick-up times, opening hours, your booking details and vaccination expectations.
11. Visit Before You Book
One of the best ways to judge a boarding facility is to visit before you book.
During the visit, look at:
- where your dog will sleep
- the exercise and outdoor areas
- how clean the facility is
- the security measures
- how staff interact with the dogs
- the general atmosphere
- the accommodation options
It’s also a chance to ask questions the website doesn’t answer. Pay attention to how the place feels and whether the staff take their work seriously.
Brookby Lodge welcomes visits before you book. To avoid disrupting the dogs already staying, visiting and inspection times are 8 to 11 am and 3 to 5 pm, and if you ring ahead, the team can give you a proper walkthrough. You’re welcome to look through the sleeping and play areas, along with the other facilities mentioned above. If you’re planning to travel over the busy summer months, it pays to visit early, as our guide to Christmas and summer dog boarding in Auckland explains.
12. Prepare Your Dog Before the Stay
Once you’ve chosen a facility, there are a few things to do before your dog’s stay.
First, give the facility full details of your dog’s diet, exercise routine, behaviour and any other needs. If your dog has any history of aggression towards adults, children or other pets, Brookby Lodge needs to know about it before the stay.
Check the vaccination requirements early. 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 and given more than 14 days before the stay. Dogs must also be flea and worm-free, and you’ll need to bring proof of vaccination at check-in. The boarding conditions are set out in our terms and conditions.
It’s also a good idea to keep your dog’s routine as normal as possible in the days before they go. If your dog has never stayed away from home before, let the staff know they may need extra attention, and consider booking a day of daycare first so the surroundings feel familiar. Our guide for first-time boarders has more on getting ready, and our packing guide covers what to bring. A familiar blanket or toy can help your dog feel at home, as long as everything is clearly labelled.
Finally, provide emergency contact details and up-to-date information about your dog. At check-in, you’ll be asked for your full name, address, email and contact numbers. The more information the staff have, the easier it is for them to look after your dog. While your dog is staying, you can ask for updates by email or text; photos are available on request, and regular posts about the dogs staying at the lodge go up on the Brookby Lodge Facebook page. When you collect your dog, the team will tell you how the stay went, including who their best friend was and how they ate.
Choosing the Right Dog Boarding Facility
Choosing dog boarding in Auckland comes down to finding a facility that suits your dog.
Price and location are part of the decision, along with the standard of accommodation, the experience of the staff, exercise, cleanliness, security and how well care is tailored to each dog. All of these affect how well your dog copes while you’re away.
For owners looking for dog boarding in South Auckland, Brookby Lodge offers countryside accommodation on ten acres, supervised play and exercise every day, and care from owners who live on site.
Before you book anywhere, visit the facility, ask your questions and make sure you’re comfortable with how your dog will be housed and cared for. Above all, choose a place where you know your dog will be safe and well looked after. To arrange a visit or talk through your dog’s needs, get in touch with the team, or make a booking when you’re ready.
