Are dog boarding kennels safe?

January 5, 2026

Are Dog Boarding Kennels Safe? A Clear, Honest Guide for Pet Parents

Leaving your dog behind while you travel is one of the hardest parts of being a pet parent. Whether it’s a weekend trip, a holiday visit, or a longer vacation, one question almost always comes up:

Are dog boarding kennels safe?

The honest answer is: they can be, but not all boarding environments are created equal.

Safety depends on how a facility is designed, how dogs are supervised, and whether emotional well-being is treated as seriously as physical care.

At Logan’s House in Gurnee, IL, we talk to pet parents every day who are trying to make the safest, kindest choice for their dog. Many come to us after experiencing traditional kennels that felt overwhelming or stressful for their dogs. Others want to understand their options before booking.

This guide will help you understand:

What dog boarding kennels are
where traditional kennels can fall short
What actually makes boarding safe
How daycare, grooming, and training support better boarding experiences
and how Logan’s House structures boarding for safety, comfort, and peace of mind

What Are Dog Boarding Kennels?

Traditionally, a dog boarding kennel refers to a facility where dogs stay overnight in individual enclosures or runs, often separated by bars, doors, or walls. Dogs are typically taken out on a schedule for potty breaks and short exercise sessions.

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), boarding kennels can be safe when they are clean, well-staffed, and properly managed. However, safety goes beyond physical containment — it also includes emotional comfort, routine, and stress management.

For some dogs, kennel-style boarding works just fine. For others, especially small dogs or highly social dogs, the experience can feel isolating or overwhelming.

Common Safety Concerns with Traditional Kennels

Understanding potential risks doesn’t mean all kennels are unsafe — it simply helps you ask better questions.

Noise and Overstimulation

Many large kennels house dozens of dogs at once. Continuous barking, unfamiliar smells, and visual barriers can create long periods of stress.

Veterinary behavior research referenced by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) shows that prolonged stress can lead to:

appetite loss
anxiety behaviors
pacing or shutdown
difficulty settling even after returning home

Limited Supervision

In some facilities, dogs spend long stretches alone with only periodic check-ins. Without active supervision, early signs of stress can go unnoticed.

Safe boarding requires trained staff who understand dog body language and can intervene early when a dog feels overwhelmed.

Emotional Isolation

Dogs are social animals. While some prefer solitude, many struggle with long periods of isolation — especially dogs who attend dog daycare in Gurnee, IL, or are used to home environments.

Emotional well-being plays a major role in how safe a boarding stay truly feels.

Are Kennels Ever the Right Choice?

Yes — for the right dog.

Traditional kennel-style boarding may work well for:

dogs who prefer quiet, independent spaces
dogs with medical needs requiring separation
dogs who are reactive or uncomfortable around other dogs
dogs accustomed to crate-based routines

The key is matching the boarding style to the dog, not forcing the dog to adapt to an environment that doesn’t suit them.

How Logan’s House Approaches Safe Dog Boarding

At Logan’s House, boarding isn’t a one-size-fits-all service. We offer three boarding options, each designed around safety, structure, and your dog’s individual comfort level.

Standard Boarding: Safe, Calm, and Secure

Our Standard Boarding option provides dogs with a cozy, secure space to relax during their stay.

Each dog receives:

a comfortable kennel designed for rest and security
a calm environment that supports sleep and decompression
attentive care and consistent routines

For dogs who benefit from extra activity, we offer an optional add-on of 3 hours of supervised playgroup time per day. This allows dogs to socialize and stretch their legs safely under staff supervision.

Whether your dog is staying overnight or for an extended visit, Standard Boarding focuses on comfort, predictability, and care.

Price: $59 per day

Deluxe Boarding: Daycare + Home-Style Evenings

Our Deluxe Boarding option is ideal for dogs who already attend dog daycare in Gurnee, IL, and thrive on familiar routines.

This option includes:

daycare from 8 am to 8 pm at the shop
up to 3 feedings per day
evening and overnight care at Tasha’s family home
backyard playtime each evening
24-hour supervision
access to a fenced-in yard when the weather allows

To maintain safety and calm energy:

Maximum capacity is 5 dogs per night
Only current daycare clients may utilize this service
dogs must have attended at least 2 daycare days within the prior month

These requirements ensure dogs are familiar with the environment, staff, and expectations — which greatly reduces stress.

Price: $72 per day

VID (Very Important Dog) Boarding: Extra Comfort & Enrichment

For dogs who benefit from additional attention and enrichment, VID Boarding offers everything included in Deluxe — plus special extras that turn boarding into a true vacation.

VID Boarding includes:

daycare from 8 am to 8 pm
up to 3 feedings per day
overnight stays with Tasha’s family
supervised backyard playtime
24-hour care

Plus daily enrichment such as:

frozen yogurt treats
interactive puppy puzzles
treat options including peanut butter & honey or blueberries & honey

Just like Deluxe Boarding:

Overnight capacity is limited to 5 dogs
available only to current daycare clients
Requires 2 daycare days within the prior month

This option is ideal for dogs who thrive on mental stimulation, familiarity, and extra care.

Price: $85 per day

Why These Options Support Safety

Each boarding option at Logan’s House is intentionally designed to address the most common risks associated with traditional kennels:

overcrowding
excessive noise
isolation
unfamiliar routines

By limiting capacity, requiring daycare familiarity, and maintaining structured routines, we create an environment where dogs can relax, settle, and feel secure.

This approach aligns with guidance from the AKC, ASPCA, and AVSAB, all of which emphasize predictability, supervision, and emotional comfort as pillars of safe boarding.

How Daycare Supports Boarding Safety

Dogs who attend daycare:

transition more easily into boarding
experience less separation anxiety
Already trust the staff and space

That’s why boarding at Logan’s House is closely connected to dog daycare in Gurnee, IL — familiarity is one of the strongest safety tools we have.

The Role of Grooming in Boarding Comfort

Grooming plays a bigger role in boarding safety than many people realize.

Professional dog grooming packages help boarding dogs:

stay comfortable
avoid matting
maintain skin and coat health
transition home calmly

Many families schedule grooming before or after boarding so their dog returns home relaxed and refreshed.

Training Helps Dogs Feel Safe Away From Home

Training isn’t just about commands — it’s about confidence.

Dogs with training support:

adapt better to new routines
handle transitions calmly
Respond well to staff guidance

At Logan’s House, training complements daycare and boarding by supporting emotional regulation and confidence.

Real Logan’s House Client Experiences

“This didn’t feel like a kennel at all.”

— Amanda, Gurnee

“Our dog slept, ate, and played normally — something we never saw at traditional kennels.”

“The daycare connection made boarding stress-free.”

— Brian, Waukegan

“Because our dog already attended daycare, boarding felt familiar instead of scary.”

“VID boarding was worth it.”

— Melissa, Libertyville

“The enrichment and home environment made a huge difference.”

Final Thoughts: Are Dog Boarding Kennels Safe?

They can be — when safety is built into every decision.

The safest boarding option is one that understands your dog’s personality, emotional needs, and routine. At Logan’s House, boarding isn’t just a place to stay — it’s part of a complete care system that includes: