So, you’ve achieved all the necessary qualifications to start your home dog boarding business. You have done the proper marketing and have even gotten a few bookings, all with the correct booking and consent forms signed, of course. Insurance is all taken care of, and you’re ready to start.
Your first time hosting canine friends can be exciting and a bit nerve-wracking, but these tips will help you prepare your home to ensure a fun time all around.
Tips for Preparing Your Home for Dog Boarding
- Limit areas of your house that you’d rather keep your furry guests out of using baby gates or other partitions.
- Stow your houseplants away. Some plants are poisonous to dogs, which of course is a huge problem, but it’s also important to remember that some of your guests may be enthusiastic diggers.
- Make sure all electrical cords are either properly hidden, out of reach, or covered with plastic tubing. Some dogs, particularly puppies, can be chewers, and we don’t want any nasty shocks!
- Raise your blinds. Vinyl blinds in particular are easily damaged by overly enthusiastic dogs, and it’s best to keep them out of reach when possible.
- Protect your furniture. Using sheets or slipcases can help to keep your upholstery looking brand-new even after having had a few four-legged guests round.
- Put away expensive rugs. If you want to be able to enjoy those when you don’t have dog boarders staying, this is important. Nothing ruins a rug like muddy paws.
- Place any long hanging strings or cords out of reach. This includes the cords to blinds. Dogs can easily get their necks caught in the cords.
- Clear your floors as much as possible. De-cluttering your space will give your dog boarders more space to roam and play, and it will also ensure that your belongings don’t get broken whilst they do so!
- Depending on your type of flooring, you may want to put down plastic runners or other floor coverings to prevent any scratching from tapping paws.
- Remove any items that hang or dangle, such as long tablecloths or runners to prevent them being pulled down by your guests.
- Make sure your garden is clean and tidy with gardening tools and compost put safely away and any water features securely portioned for safety purposes.
- Secure any cleaning materials or other chemicals so they are out of reach from prying snouts.
On top of these tips, you’ll of course want to be sure your house has the space for the dogs you will be boarding. In order to get licensed and insured, you will already have had to show that your house has adequate space, but now you’ll need to arrange their sleeping area, make sure you have water bowls available around the house, and check that your garden fence is secure.
It can be incredibly exciting when your first few dog boarders show up at your home when you have just started your dog business, but keeping safety and functionality at the forefront in your mind when thinking about your home setup will alleviate stress. Preparing well in advance of their arrival will ensure that you and your four-legged houseguests can enjoy each other’s company, worrying about walkies and tummy rubs instead of other pesky concerns.
Are you thinking of starting a dog home boarding business? If so, check out the following courses to get started:
Home Boarding – Licensing Regulations, Flashcards, and Quizzes
Home Boarding including Ofqual Level 3 Award course in Canine Care, Behaviour & Welfare
From there, we can help you to decide which course(s) is/are right for you in starting your very own dog home boarding business.
And if you need a helping hand with all your paperwork, both for your licence application and for the operational aspects of your business, here’s help for you: