A pet sitter looks after your dog at your home or theirs, a dog walker takes it out for a few hours, and a dog hotel has it day and night. Which one suits you depends on how long you're away and what your dog is like: this guide helps you decide.
What each one does
All three look after dogs, but they don't cover the same things. The biggest difference is who is with your dog at night and how many hours a day it has company.
| Option | What it includes | Where your dog sleeps |
|---|---|---|
| Pet sitter at your home | Someone comes to your home to feed it, take it out and keep it company; some stay overnight | At your home |
| Pet sitter at their home | Your dog stays at the sitter's home, sometimes with their own pets | At the sitter's home |
| Dog walker | Short walks, alone or in a group, to burn off energy | At your home: you or someone else covers the night |
| Dog hotel | Day and night stay, with supervision, a routine and other dogs | At the hotel |
When a pet sitter makes sense
- Short trips of one or two nights.
- Older dogs, or dogs very attached to their home and routine.
- Dogs that don't get on with other dogs and prefer to be on their own.
- Homes with other pets, such as cats, that also need looking after.
What to check: how many hours a day they will really spend with your dog, what they do if it gets sick or runs away, and who steps in if something comes up.
When a dog walker is enough
A dog walker helps with everyday life, not with a trip. It's a good option if you work away from home and your dog spends many hours alone, or if it needs more exercise than you can give it.
What a dog walker doesn't cover
The night, meals while you're away and company for the rest of the day. If you're travelling, a dog walker on its own isn't enough.
When a dog hotel makes sense
- Long trips or holidays of several weeks.
- Sociable, energetic dogs that enjoy playing with others.
- When you want someone with your dog all day, not just on visits.
- When having a vet nearby gives you peace of mind.
Not all dog hotels work the same way: in many, dogs spend much of the day in a kennel, while in others they play freely as a pack. It's worth asking before you book.
Five questions that work for any option
- How many hours a day will my dog have company?
- Where, and with whom, will it sleep?
- If it gets sick, which vet will see it and who will tell me?
- How often will you update me?
- Can I meet the person or see the place before leaving my dog?
If you choose The Place's
We're a countryside dog hotel in Chicureo, north of Santiago, with no cages or kennels. During the day the dogs play freely as a pack on natural grass, with shade, and at night they sleep indoors in a gallery with beds and blankets. Your dog is always looked after by the same person, Joshua or Cristina, we send you photos and videos every day, and there's a vet on site.
If your dog is calmer or finds other dogs hard, we have separate spaces, small groups matched to each dog's personality and home-style areas with sofas. Before the first stay we always hold a meet-and-greet, and we require up-to-date vaccines and spay/neuter. We board dogs only. We speak English and Spanish.
Frequently asked questions
1.What's best for a weekend away?
For one or two nights, a trusted pet sitter may be enough, especially if your dog is older or a homebody. If it's sociable and energetic, a cage-free hotel gives it company and exercise. If it would be its first time with us, remember we hold the meet-and-greet first.
2.Will my dog miss home at a hotel?
What helps most is that at The Place's it always sees the same person, Joshua or Cristina, and that we meet before the first stay. Most dogs run in playing and don't even say goodbye.
3.Do you board cats?
No. At The Place's we board dogs only. If you also have cats, a pet sitter who comes to your home is usually the better option for them.