Dog Boarding vs Pet Sitting: What’s Right for Your Dog in Montreal?
Going away means choosing who looks after your dog: a dog boarding facility, or a sitter who comes to your home. Both can be great. The right choice depends on your dog’s personality, health and routine, and on how long you’ll be gone. Here is an honest comparison to help you decide.
The Paw CrewOctober 11, 20266 min read
01Boarding and pet sitting, side by side
- Supervision: at a dog hotel like Sam’s Lodge, staff are on site 24/7; with a sitter, it depends on whether they stay overnight or only drop in
- Safety: a facility has cameras, trained staff and an emergency plan; at home, everything rests on one person
- Social life: boarding includes play with other dogs (at Sam’s Lodge, daycare is included); a sitter offers one-on-one company
- Environment: boarding is a new place with a routine; with a sitter, your dog stays in a familiar home
- Backup: if a sitter gets sick or has an emergency, there may be no one to replace them; a facility always has a team
- Cost: prices for overnight sitters and boarding vary, so compare per night; drop-in visits cost less but leave your dog alone more
02When boarding is the better choice
- Your dog enjoys other dogs and gets bored at home
- You’ll be gone for more than a weekend
- Your dog needs someone present at night, or medication on a strict schedule
- Your dog is a puppy or a young dog with lots of energy
- You want daily updates and photos, and the peace of mind of a team
At Sam’s Lodge, every dog sleeps in a private room, never a cage: condominiums from $70 a night, Suites at $90, Deluxe Suites at $110 and Private Care Suites at $115, with daycare included. Staff are on site 24/7, the building has 50+ cameras, and you get daily pictures of your dog.
03When a pet sitter is the better choice
- Your dog is very anxious in new places, even after a trial
- Your dog is very old or frail and travel itself is stressful
- You have other pets, like cats, who need care at the same time
- Your dog doesn’t enjoy other dogs and you’d rather they stayed home
One more option: dogs who are senior, anxious, recovering from surgery or who prefer no contact with other dogs can board in a Private Care Suite at Sam’s Lodge, with one-on-one care and a custom routine.
04Questions to ask, whichever you choose
- Who is with my dog overnight?
- What happens in an emergency, and which vet do you call?
- Which vaccines do you require from other dogs?
- How do you give medication, and how do you write it down?
- Will I get updates and photos?
- What do recent reviews say?
- What are the deposit, peak-season and cancellation rules?
05Do a trial run before a long trip
A short trial shows how your dog handles the new routine while you’re still close by. For boarding, a daycare day or one night a few weeks before the trip works well.
- Book the one-time $80 behaviour evaluation, required before the first stay
- Upload vaccine records: Bordetella (within 6 months), DA2PP and rabies
- Pack pre-portioned food plus 2 extra portions, medication in pill pockets, and a collar with a name tag
- For stays of 6 nights or more, a departure bath is required (10% off)
Boarding vs pet sitting FAQ
Written by
The Paw Crew
The Paw Crew is the team that cares for every dog at Doggieville MTL: boarding, daycare, grooming and pool staff who are First Aid certified and spend every day with dogs of all sizes and ages.
Meet the team behind Doggieville MTL
