Alternatives to Dog Boarding in San Rafael and Marin County
You've got a trip coming up, and the boarding facility search has begun. But if you've ever dropped your dog off at a kennel and spent the whole vacation wondering if they're alright, you already know there's got to be a better way.
For dog owners in San Rafael and Marin County, there are several alternatives worth knowing about.
Why Marin County Dogs Have Different Needs
Did you know that in a county of about 250,000 people, there are about 100,000 dogs? From Bodega Bay to Sausalito, we love our dogs. And chances are, if you’re living here, you and your dog love the great outdoors. Marin County is known for its dog-friendly beaches and breathtaking mountain trails.
We also have a lot of people working from home, some of the highest percentages in the state (second only to San Francisco County). This means that your dogs are used to getting a lot of time outdoors and even more attention from their owners.
So when you’re looking for pet care during a vacation or work trip, a boarding facility could be a harsh change of reality for your dog. Going from your backyard to a concrete enclosure can be confusing and sometimes triggers behavioral issues. For shyer dogs, boarding facilities can often be too loud and feel unsafe, potentially causing them to lash out.
You can learn more about boarding facilities in this article.
The Main Alternatives to Dog Boarding in San Rafael
If regular dog boarding isn’t meeting your standards, what’s the next step up?
Free-Range Dog Boarding | Some local boarders have fenced-in natural play spaces for supervised outdoor time and enough staff members to provide more one-on-one time with each dog. This could be a good option for adventurous dogs that like to make friends and be with lots of other dogs.
Drop-In Sitters | While this can often be the simplest to arrange with friends or family, it will leave your dog alone for most of the time. This could lead to increased accidents in the home or expressions of separation anxiety.
Professional, In-Home Pet Sitters | These sitters provide the highest level of pet care, which is most similar to the life your dog is used to. They’ll stay in your home overnight with the dog (or dogs), allowing them to keep to the dog’s normal routines — like those 7 am bathroom breaks.
How to Make the Most of In-Home Care
As we’ve talked about, owning a dog in Marin County isn’t necessarily the same as owning a dog anywhere else. That’s why our client application system gets to know the needs of you and your pets and lets you choose the sitter that’s right for you.
A Few Marin-Specific Tips for Dog Owners
We always recommend a “meet and greet” between you and your new sitter before the first sitting. That way, you can see the way they work with your dog and do introductions in a low-stress setting.
For Marin County owners, we recommend leaving detailed notes and discussing:
How much alone time your dog is used to
Your favorite walking routes and any exercise routines
Where other neighborhood dogs live (friendly or otherwise)
How to handle any supervised off-leash time
Trusted field trip locations (off-leash or otherwise)
Where your tick removal, burr removal, and dog first aid kit is
Never used a professional pet sitter before? G&G Pets has your back; check out our easy guides and resources:
Want to Make Sure Your Dog Has the Best Sitter in Marin County?
Well, what a coincidence, we happen to know the best pet sitters, and they would love to meet your dog! G&G Pet’s sitters know Marin County inside and out, so we know what local dogs expect and how to keep them happy and healthy while you’re away.
You can learn more about who we are here, or use the button below to let us get to know you through our pet application process and help you find your perfect pet sitter!
Our Sitters' Top 5 Dog-Friendly Beaches and Natural Preserves in Marin County
Not sure if your dog can come along on your next trip to a national park? Check out the BARK Ranger Program for the most up-to-date info.
The information provided by Grand & Graham Pets (G&G Pets) on https://www.grandgrahampets.com is for general informational purposes only. It does not represent medical or training pet care advice. All information on the blog is provided in good faith; however, we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, or completeness of any information on the blog. Under no circumstances shall we have any liability to you for any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of the use of the blog or reliance on any information provided on the blog. Your use of the blog and your reliance on any information on the blog is undertaken solely at your own risk. All text content of this blog is the property of Grand & Graham Pets and is therefore subject to copyright protection and not for reproduction or reuse. By accessing or using the website, blog, any materials, content, or intellectual property owned by the Owner, you acknowledge and agree to the terms of this Disclaimer. For more information, please see our full Disclaimer.
