Choosing a boarding facility comes down to ten questions: where dogs sleep, whether you can see everything unannounced, how play is supervised, how feedings and medications are documented, whether vaccines are enforced, whether rest is structured, what the emergency plan is, whether you'll see photos, what the review history shows, and what the all-in price really is. Ask all ten everywhere — including here.
- 1
Where does my dog actually sleep?
Ask to see the exact space. The industry default is a chain-link run with a concrete floor; better facilities offer private rooms with solid walls and a raised bed. Solid walls matter because dogs that can see and hear every neighbor all night don't sleep — they bark.
- 2
Can I tour without an appointment?
A confident facility lets you walk in during business hours and see everything — sleeping areas, play yards, the works. If tours require scheduling days ahead or skip whole sections of the building, ask yourself why.
- 3
How is play time structured, and is it supervised?
Look for playgroups matched by size and temperament with a trained handler actively in the yard, not watching through a window. Ask how many hours per day are included in the base rate — at many facilities, play is a paid add-on.
- 4
How do you document feedings and medications?
The right answer is a written or electronic log for every feeding and every dose — ideally verified by a second person. 'We just remember' is how mistakes happen across a building full of dogs on different schedules.
- 5
What vaccinations do you require — and do you enforce them?
Rabies, DHPP, and Bordetella should be mandatory for every dog in the building, with Bordetella given enough days before the stay to be effective. Strict vaccine enforcement protects your dog from everyone else's shortcuts.
- 6
Is there a structured rest period?
Dogs that play for ten straight hours come home wrecked, not happy. Good facilities build in a midday nap in a quiet space. Ask what the daily schedule actually looks like, hour by hour.
- 7
What happens if my dog gets sick or hurt?
There should be a clear answer: which vet they use, who decides, and how fast you're contacted. Hesitation on this question is a red flag — emergencies are exactly what you're paying professionals to handle.
- 8
Will I see my dog during the stay?
Photo or video updates during the stay aren't a gimmick — they're evidence. A facility that shows you dogs mid-play every day is making a public promise about what your dog's day looks like.
- 9
What do the reviews say — and how many are there?
A 5.0 from 15 reviews is a coin flip; hundreds of reviews at a high average is a pattern. Read the negative ones specifically: how the business responds to a complaint tells you more than the complaint itself.
- 10
What's the all-in price for MY dog?
Get the total nightly cost with your dog's feedings, medications, and play included. Facilities that advertise a low base rate and add fees at pickup count on you not doing this math. See our Minnesota cost guide for typical ranges.
How Ruffin Inn answers these
We built this checklist because it's the conversation we want every family to have — with us or anyone else. Our answers: private suites with solid sheetrock or glass walls, an open-door tour policy, size-matched playgroups with 5+ hours of included daily play, every feeding and medication logged electronically and verified, strict vaccination requirements, a noon-to-2 nap built into every day, frequent Facebook photo updates, 5.0 stars across 360+ Google reviews, and one all-inclusive $49/night rate.
Frequently asked
What should I look for when choosing a dog boarding facility?
The big five: where dogs sleep (private rooms with solid walls beat chain-link runs), whether you can tour unannounced, supervised playgroups matched by size, documented feedings and medications, and strict vaccination enforcement. Then compare all-in prices, not advertised base rates.
What are red flags in a boarding facility?
No-tour policies or appointment-only tours that skip areas, vague answers about emergency vet protocol, no documentation system for feedings and meds, dogs visibly unsupervised in groups, and pricing where every basic need is an add-on fee.
How far ahead should I book boarding?
Two to four weeks for normal weekends, six to eight weeks for major holidays and peak summer weeks. Good facilities fill up first — if you've found one you trust, book before you book the flights.
Put us to the test
Bring this list. Walk in during business hours, ask everything, see every room.