When you look for a place to leave your dog, the first difference between hotels isn't the price: it's where your dog spends the day. In many places dogs stay in small spaces or kennels for much of the day. In others, like The Place's, they play freely as a pack and rest indoors. Here's what changes for your dog and how to tell what suits it.
How a traditional kennel hotel works
In a traditional hotel each dog has its own kennel or run. It goes out to a yard or for walks at set times and spends the rest of the time, including the night, in its space.
The good and the not so good
- Control: every dog is kept apart, which helps with dogs that can't share space.
- Less contact between dogs that don't know each other.
- But dogs move little: many hours shut in, and bored.
- More barking and stress for some dogs, especially active or sociable ones.
- Less socialization with other dogs and people.
How a cage-free hotel works
In a cage-free hotel dogs spend the day loose, in a group and supervised: they play, run, roll in the grass and rest in the shade whenever they want. At The Place's, at the end of the day they sleep in a safe indoor gallery with beds and blankets.
For this to work, the hotel needs to meet each dog first, build groups by personality and have separate spaces for dogs that prefer quiet.
What a serious cage-free hotel asks for
A first meeting or evaluation, up-to-date vaccines, spay/neuter (it prevents conflicts, marking and stress in the group), constant supervision and separate spaces for dogs that need them.
Which one suits your dog?
Sociable, energetic dogs usually do better cage-free: they come home tired and happy, with their routine intact. If your dog is calm, older or doesn't get along with others, it doesn't have to be shut in: what matters is that the hotel has separate spaces and small groups.
At The Place's we have separate spaces and keep small groups based on each dog's personality. Calmer dogs have home-style areas with sofas and beds. We also take difficult dogs that other places don't accept.
Seven questions to ask any dog hotel
- Where does my dog spend the day, and where does it sleep?
- How many hours is it loose, and with how many dogs?
- Who supervises, and is it always the same person?
- What happens if it doesn't get along with other dogs?
- Is there a vet on site or nearby?
- Will you send me photos or videos during the stay?
- Can I see the place before leaving my dog?
How it works at The Place's
By day the dogs play freely as a pack on natural grass, with shade and play structures. At night they sleep in an indoor gallery with beds and blankets. The same person, Joshua or Cristina, always looks after them, and during the stay we send you photos and videos. There is a vet right on site.
Before the first stay we hold a mandatory meet-and-greet to get to know each other, see how your dog reacts and make sure you feel at ease.
Frequently asked questions
1.Is cage-free boarding safe?
It depends on how it's run. At The Place's we hold a mandatory meet-and-greet, require up-to-date vaccines and spay/neuter, keep small groups based on each dog's personality and have separate spaces for dogs that need them.
2.What if my dog doesn't get along with other dogs?
That's fine. We have separate spaces and small groups based on each dog's personality. If your dog is calm or needs its own space, there are also home-style areas with sofas and beds.
3.Where do the dogs sleep at The Place's?
In a safe indoor gallery with comfortable beds and blankets. By day they play freely as a pack on natural grass.