Dog Boarding Near Bedfordshire
Fully licensed by North Herts District Council and awarded their highest service level of 5 stars.
A home from home stay for your doggy near Bedfordshire
Should you need to leave your dog for an overnight stay or for a holiday, you want to know that your dog is happy, relaxed and having a great time in a home environment.
We offer dog boarding from our family home not far from Bedfordshire. Our home away from home in Hitchin, Hertfordshire offers a loving and safe environment, as well as complete peace of mind, whilst you are away.
We are a licensed dog boarder in Hitchin and have clients who use our services right across Bedfordshire.
Getting the right care for your dog with at-home boarding
We appreciate that finding the right care is the most important factor when looking for a suitable home boarder. You want to know your dog will be safe and happy when you are away.
You want to know that your dog is happy, making new friends and enjoying a holiday of their own, rather than being anxious about being left.
We treat all our guests as family members while they are staying with us and living in our home.
A personal dog boarding service
You provide their bed, some of their favourite toys and food. We will give them lots of walks, play opportunities with other dogs and time to relax. As well as cuddles and belly rubs on demand. Your dog can chill out in a favourite armchair or sofa or they can crash out in my office, we really don’t mind. As long as they are happy and relaxed!
Got a fussy eater? We’re used to it, one of ours needs a lot of tempting at times. We spend time coaxing your dog to eat and offering hand feeding in a quiet environment if that helps.
Should your dog need to see a vet during their stay with us, we try to contact you first with our concerns. If it’s an emergency ,we will put the dog’s welfare first and arrange a consultation, making sure we contact you to let you know what’s happening.
We offer a very personal service, attending to their needs and take our responsibilities as their guardians very seriously.
Find dog boarding near Bedfordshire
Preparing for boarding
The first step before we accept any dog for boarding is for your dog to meet ours. I will arrange to meet you for a short walk to check your dog is going to get on with mine, as there’s no point in proceeding if the dogs do not get on. Dogs are very social animals but it doesn’t mean they get on with every single dog they meet.
This meet and greet walk will give us a chance to have a chat and for you to find out more about me and I can learn more about you and your dog. If you would like to go ahead, I offer a half day trial visit, (up to 4 hours) or a full day, it depends on your dog and their confidence levels, but also if you’re travelling any distance. If you are based in Woburn or Kempston for example I’ll recommend we do a couple of full days to make better use of your time. If all goes well, we then progress to an overnight trial.
I will also need you to complete a long questionnaire before you drop your dog off for the first time. This gives me all the information I need to look after your dog. You also need to provide copies of up-to-date vaccination records, which I ask for on an annual basis.
We want to make sure your dog is going to settle with us and come running up the steps wagging its tail before you leave them for a holiday.
Reassurance
I am licensed by North Herts District Council and have been awarded their highest service level of 5 stars. I hold insurance covering me walking, transporting and boarding your dog.
I’m a qualified canine first aider. I am also qualified in canine behaviour and management (Ofqual L3 and L4).
FAQs
Your Questions Answered
My dog has never stayed away from home before, how do you know he/she will settle?
We don’t always know if your dog will settle. But this is why, depending on your dog’s temperament, we go through a habituation process normally of a half day and at least one full day trial before your dog stays overnight.
The main reason dogs will not settle is because they are anxious and we need to alleviate the stress of being in a new environment, so we have a number of ways to make your dog feel more comfortable.
What do I need to bring, along with my dog?
I always ask you to bring their bed or at least (for a trial period) a blanket or rug that smells of home.
You will need to bring their food, any treats if they are on a special diet, bowls and poo bags are always gratefully received! If they are on medication you will need to bring this, along with detailed instructions about what to give and when.
You can bring their favourite toys, but I will move these out of the way if we have dogs who may destroy them.
Will you walk my dog off lead?
That’s up to you. I will walk your dog off lead, providing you give your written consent. One of the questions on the form is select off lead/off lead only in enclosed space/on lead walking. If you are happy for me to walk your dog off lead, I will only ever do this where I consider it is safe to do so.
Will my dog be boarding with other dogs?
Yes. Apart from our own family pets, your dog will be boarding with our other guests. If your dog needs to be the only dog, we are not the right people to look after your dog. There are home boarders or pet sitters who are more suited to your dog’s needs.
What happens if my dog needs the vet while I'm away?
If we believe your dog needs to see a vet, we will do our best to contact you in advance. If we cannot reach you, we will make the decision in the interests of the dog’s welfare.
We will do our best to get your dog to his/her normal vet but in the event that this is not possible, we are registered with Hitchin Veterinary Surgery for our boarding clients. We are not trying to run up vet’s bills on your behalf, but we take your pet’s health very seriously.
What are your opening hours for drop off and collection?
We are very flexible and we agree in advance what times work for you. We may ask you to drop off or collect at a slightly different time, if possible, to fit in with our other guests. We do have a couple of ‘rules’ and don’t generally accept drop off before 07:30 (later on Sundays) and do not accept collection after 20:30. We live in a quiet cul-de-sac and are mindful that excited barking dogs are unfair on our neighbours. We also only accept drop off with at least one hour before dusk because we will walk your dog on arrival to help them relax.
How will I know if my dog is having a good time?
You are more than welcome to contact us, at any time, during your dog’s stay with us, to find out how they are enjoying their visit. We also have a Facebook page and providing you give us written consent we will publish photos and videos.
Fully Licensed
I am licensed by North Herts District Council and have been awarded their highest service level of 5 stars.
Canine First Aider
I am a fully qualified canine first aider and carry an extensive first aid kit on every outing.
Comprehensive insurance
We hold insurance with one of the leading animal business insurers that covers walking, transporting and boarding your dog.
Happy House Guests
Molly stayed with Carol for a week while we had a super half-term break, but I honestly think that Molly had an even better holiday than us! We kept up with her antics through Wagalot’s Facebook page, and it was great to see her having such a great time. She came home looking well fussed, fed and walked!
Thank you Carol, I know Molly’s looking forward to us going away again in the future!
Very impressed with my 5 year old labrador’s “weekend break” with Carol! She was well looked after and made to feel like part of the family, getting on well with Carol’s own lovely and gentle dogs. We met up for a walk before trying dog boarding to make sure the dogs would get on and then I was very happy to leave my dog in the caring hands of such a dog-friendly place. I felt very reassured that she would be well looked after, go on nice long walks and have fun! Thanks Carol
We are new entrants to the Wagalot family and have nothing but good things to say! Our spaniel has a great time with Carol and really enjoys being with the other dogs. It’s reassuring that he’s in a home setting and can settle in his own bed each night.
