Home Dog Boarding: A Day in the Life
Barking Mad Plymouth have been offering home dog boarding in Plymouth, South Devon and South East Cornwall since 2008. During this time hundreds of dogs have had fantastic holidays on the South Coast being looked after by our dedicated host community. For this month’s blog post we wanted to share a typical ‘day in the life’ showing what dog home boarding and being a dog host is really like.
Ready for my holiday.
Getting Started with Dog Home Boarding
Before any of our dogs get packed up ready to go on their holidays, we will set-up a registration meeting. This is really important so we can get to know your dog and understand important details like their daily routine, any requirements they may have and what they love to do.
Once we’ve met your dog, they will be ready for a trial stay with one of our home dog boarding hosts. If their first holiday with us will be more than 7 days we usually set-up a little sleepover with the host family to make sure everyone is happy. From there the fun really begins!
What Happens with Dog Home Boarding?
So many of our dogs get excited as soon as they hear or see the Barking Mad car pull up on the driveway. One of the great things about Barking Mad is that we offer a door-to-door service. This means that we come and collect your dog and drop them off for you with their dog home boarding family. At the end of the holiday we will drop them back too, right to your door.
Our hosts are usually at the door waiting to greet their new holiday guest. After saying hello and making sure your dog is settled in, we will leave them to it with their host family. Your dog is now on their very own holiday with a dedicated host family who can’t wait to enjoy their company.
Time for a walk!
As our hosts know your dog’s routine, they will be able to follow it as closely as possible. Usually a morning or evening walk is on the cards and our hosts are only too happy to take your dog our exploring in the local area. If they have stayed with the host family before they will more than likely know your dog’s favourite spots already. Bilbo loves streams and his host families always try and find one for him to play in.
Dinner and Bedtime
Although we do provide our hosts with money to pay for expenses while their new guest is staying with them, we always ask that owners pack food, toys and bedding. It’s really important for dogs to have items that are familiar to them while they are staying away from home.
Usually after a walk it’s time for dinner and to settle in for the evening. The great thing about Barking Mad is that our hosts dedicate their time to looking after their new house guests. This is a huge benefit over a kennels where your dog may be left alone for long periods of time. We make sure that our dog home boarding experience is as close to how you dog is at home, so curling up on the sofa is definitely okay with us!
At the end of a long day that’s been filled with walks and playing there really is only one thing left to do, and that’s sleep! Dogs that stay with Barking Mad hosts like Bilbo are so relaxed that sometimes they find the strangest positions to sleep in.
Bilbo is ready for his snooze.
The Benefits of Dog Home Boarding
Dog home boarding comes with so many benefits for your dog, for you and for our hosts. To start with the dogs that stay with our hosts are looked after 24/7 and someone is always home to play with them. They get to stick to their routine and have all of their special requirements met.
As an owner you can sit back and enjoy your holiday knowing that your dog is being looked after by a loving family. All of our hosts undergo a strict on boarding procedure to check that their homes are suitable and that they have secure gardens. We also match dogs to the perfect hosts too.
Finally, as a host you get to enjoy the experience of having a dog without the full-time commitment and the financial responsibility. Our hosts love opening their homes up to our dogs. Becoming a dog home boarding host is perfect for young people who work from home through to retired people. Contact us if you would like to know more about becoming a dog sitting host.
Barking Mad Plymouth, Torbay and South Hams Dog Sitting Local News July 2019
Places To Take Your Dog In Plymouth
Places to Take Your Dog in Plymouth
At Barking Mad Plymouth, we love meeting new dogs and matching them with host families for the summer. Dog owners and dog hosts alike are always asking us for new places to take explore with their doggy companion so we’ve put together a lovely list of places to take your dog in Plymouth that are dog friendly.
Saltram Park
Saltram is a National Trust house and gardens located about 15 minutes from the centre of Plymouth. It is a fantastic place to take a dog, especially in the summer with over 500 acres to explore including farmland, beaches, meadows, woodland and estuary. There’s also an 18th century known as the Amphitheatre.
Plymouth Hoe
A statue of Sir Francis Drake takes pride of place at Plymouth Hoe where he is considered a local hero. It’s a great place to take your dog in Plymouth due to the grassy walks that provide extensive views across Plymouth Sound. Of course, there is also Smeaton’s Tower Lighthouse which you can climb right to the top!
Places To Take Your Dog In Plymouth
Kingsand Beach
Nestled in the remote Rame Peninsula sits Kingsand Beach, a sand and shingle beach situated in the fishing village of Kingsand. Dogs are allowed on the beach all year round and it’s sure to take you back to your childhood with its numerous rockpools which are perfect for crabbing! It’s a very popular beach with families and there’s a good mixture of local pubs and shops around to explore too.
Seaton Valley Countryside Park
One of the most popular places to take your dog in Plymouth is the 53-acre Seaton Valley Countryside Park. The park has a fantastic mixture of attractions including a sensory garden, an outdoor gym, a river and a lovely picnic area with benches. It’s also really easy to get to being just 30 minutes from the centre of Plymouth.
If you’re not a dog owner and would like to explore these dog friendly places with a furry friend, speak to us about becoming a dog host in Plymouth. We’d love to tell you more!
Barking Mad Plymouth, Torbay and South Hams Dog Sitting Local News May 2019
It’s looking like Summer in Devon and Cornwall
Flynn the Doberman enjoying the view at Broadsands
Barking Mad in Plymouth, Torbay and the South Hams are enjoying the Summer weather we have at the moment, please let it last so we can all have fun in the sun. We’ve included some of our Barking Mad dogs enjoying the beaches around South Devon and Cornwall.
Amber, the Rough Collie paddling at Seaton in Cornwall
Rusty, the Welsh Springer, taking a rest on his walk at Goodrington in Paignton
Remember that the summer beach bans for dogs are now in place until the end of September. Below are beaches that allow dogs all year around.
South Devon beaches
Ansteys Cove Torquay, Babbacombe Torquay, Beacon Cove Torquay, Churston Cove Brixham, East Portlemouth, Elbury Cove Paignton, Elender Cove Prawle Point, Great Mattiscombe Kingsbridge, Hallsands, Lannacombe East Prawle, Ness Cove Shaldon, North Sands Salcombe, Seacombe Sand Salcombe, Slapton Sands, St Marys Bay Brixham, Thurlestone
More information can be found on https://www.thebeachguide.co.uk/south-west-england/devon/dogs-allowed
South East Cornwall beaches
Hannafore Looe, Lantic Bay Fowey, Par, Plaidy Looe, Seaton, Tregantle Whitsands
More information can be found on https://www.thebeachguide.co.uk/south-west-england/cornwall/dogs-allowed
If there isn’t a beach near you there are loads of lovely river or reservoir walks for your dog to have a cool down.
Upcoming doggy events in our area
May fair and dog show at Gables Farm Dogs and Cats home – Sunday 26th May from 11 am to 3 pm.
Summer fair and dog show at Gables Farm Dogs and Cats home – Saturday 27th July from 11 am to 3 pm.
More information can be found here – https://www.gablesfarm.org.uk/gablesfarm-events/
Barking Mad will be joining in with the fun at the South West Dogfest at Aston Court near Bristol on 22nd/23rd June. It includes a dog show and loads of fun things for your dog to enjoy. Meet up with other doggy-loving people.
More details can be found here – https://www.dog-fest.co.uk/bristol
Barking Mad Plymouth, Torbay and South Hams Dog Sitting Local News Spring 2019
Looking forward to Spring in Devon and Cornwall
Barking Mad in Plymouth and Torbay are looking forward to Spring. After a few days of Summer in February we are back to normality now. Make the most of taking your dog to the beaches along the English Riviera, South Hams and South Cornwall before the Summer bans come into place.
We’ve been taking a lot of bookings for doggy holidays in the Spring and Summer but still have host availability for all dates. If you want your regular host please don’t leave it too late to book your doggy friend in for his/her holiday.
We’ve just celebrated our 11th anniversary of homing holidaying dogs in Torbay and about to celebrate 10 years in Plymouth.
Here are some photos of our dogs enjoying their holidays in South Devon
Ziggy the Springer x Labrador taking it easy after a busy walk in Torbay
Tilly, the Cockerpoo, enjoying her walk in Paignton
Maisie, the Collie puppy, smelling the daffodils in Plymouth
Upcoming doggy events in our area
Spring fair and dog show at Gables Farm Dogs and Cats home – Saturday 20th April from 11 am to 3 pm. More information can be found here – https://www.gablesfarm.org.uk/gablesfarm-events/
We will be joining the Hearing Dogs Great British Dog Walk at Haldon Forest Park near Exeter on 4th May 2019. It’s a great charity and a good excuse to meet other dog owners and have a great walk.
It’s getting very Autumnal in Devon and Cornwall
Eddie the Labradoodle trying to order a pint in a South Brent pub.
The bad news is that the sun appears to have disappeared over our beaches along the Torbay Riviera, South Hams, Plymouth and South East Cornwall. The good news is that most beaches will be open to dogs from October. Our lovely dogs are happy to go for a swim anywhere from Teignmouth to Looe whatever the weather.
Again here are a selection of dogs enjoying themselves on their doggy holidays.
Dave, the 13 year old Golden Retriever walking in Torquay.
Tommy, the Greyhound enjoying his walk at Brixham
And taking it easy afterwards at his holiday home in Paignton
Chester and Holly exhausted after their long walk in Teignmouth.
Upcoming dog rescue organisation events in our area
Howl-o-ween at Gables Farm, Merafield Road, Plymouth PL7 1UQ on 27th October 11 am – 3 pm
Gables festive doggy day out at Tavistock Pannier Market PL19 0AL on 4th November – Gables will have a fun dog show running there
Barking Mad Plymouth, Torbay and South Hams Dog Sitting Local News Summer 2018 – What a wonderful summer
Oscar the Bichon x Shih Tzu after his dip in the sea
All of our holidaying dogs are making the most of the fantastic Summer weather. Fortunately for us we have loads of dog-friendly beaches, woods and rivers where our four-legged friends can cool off.
Over the past few months we’ve had Bertie holidaying in Brixham, Charlie in Chudleigh, Karri with her dog sitting family in Kingsbridge, Sam having fun in the South Hams and Tilly spending her holiday in Teignmouth
Here are just a few of our recent dogs chilling on their doggy holiday.
Maisie the Border Collie enjoying her second Barking Mad doggy holiday at Goodrington.
Lenny the Bassett Hound finding the only shade available at a pub in Totnes
Karri, the Labradoodle walking home after her swim at Paignton
Archie, the 14 year old Golden Retriever swimming at Brixham.
Upcoming dog rescue organisation events in our area-
Labrador Rescue Trust – Family fun dog show at Duloe Recreation ground PL14 4PW on 12th August 12 – 4 pm
Autumn Fair and Dog Show at Gables Farm – Merafield Road, Plymouth PL7 1UQ on 15th September 11 am – 3 pm
Our 10 Year Anniversary – March 2018
We have just celebrated our 10th Anniversary of running Barking Mad in South Devon. During that time we have met 800 customers and their dogs.
Our 10th Anniversary Celebrations!
Some dogs who were registered in 2008 are still having regular holidays with us. We have taken dogs on their holidays nearly 3000 times, that’s a lot of happy dogs!! Here are just a few of our recent dogs on holiday.
Chester, the Wheaten Terrier, on his latest doggy holiday in Brixham. He was the first dog registered with us and still having holidays 10 years later.
Morgan the Irish Setter puppy on his dog holiday in Plymouth
Lenny the Bassett Hound enjoying the beach in Cornwall
Bilbo the English Bull Terrier taking a dip at Paignton during his holiday.
Doggy Coffee Morning for Gables Farm Dogs Home – December 2017
Please join Barking Mad Dog Care Plymouth and Torbay at the Seco Lounge in Royal William Yard for their Doggy Morning, all in aid of Gables Farm Dogs and Cats Home. We will be talking to local dog lovers about our dog home boarding service and of course everything to do with a happy caninie Christmas.
Tuesday 19th Dec 9 am to 12 pm – Royal William Yard, Plymouth PL1 3RP
There are prizes for the best dressed dog and best dressed dog and owner (parents also get prizes). It’s also Sid’s 12th birthday so he’d love you to come and wish him a happy birthday!
Sidney
To find out more about Barking Mad Plymouth and Torbay click HERE
