Dog Boarding in Auburn, AL

New to Boarding? Here’s What It Actually Is

If you’ve never boarded your dog, the word itself can sound worse than it is. Boarding simply means your dog stays overnight at our facility, in their own kennel, looked after by people who do this every day — instead of staying home alone, or relying on a neighbor to stop by when they can.

Is boarding bad for dogs? For most dogs, honestly, no — and many end up enjoying it. A typical day here is a rotation: time in our large fenced play yards with other dogs, individual attention from our team, and rest time back in their kennel to recharge. Nobody is crated all day, and nobody is forced into group play before they’re ready. Some dogs are nervous the first day — that’s normal, and it’s exactly why we don’t rush them or throw them into situations that overwhelm them.

What about anxious dogs? Mild to moderate separation anxiety is something we handle regularly. If your dog is a first-time boarder and anxiety is a concern, call us before you book — we’ll talk through your dog honestly and tell you straight if we think boarding is the right fit.

Family-owned since 2014, we’ve boarded Auburn’s dogs through game weekends, family vacations, and everything in between. The goal is simple: your dog has a good stay, and you don’t spend your trip worrying.

Room to Play, Room to Rest

Our kennels are large and climate-controlled, with in-and-out access so your dog isn’t boxed in. Outside, dogs rotate through our large fenced play yards during the day — room to run, sniff, and play with other pups, all supervised. Inside, there’s 3,000 square feet of climate-controlled space, so Alabama weather never cancels the day.

Dogs rotate between the play yards and the indoor facility throughout the day, mixing supervised group play with individual attention and proper rest. Up to three dogs can share a kennel, so housemates can stay together.

What Boarding Costs at Kiesel Bark

No guessing and no surprises — our rates are published:

• Boarding: $26 per night
• Additional dog in the same kennel: $15 per night
• Stays of 10+ nights: 15% off
• Medication administration: $1 per dose (capped at $3 per day)
• Food provided by us, if you’d rather not pack theirs: $5 per day

Daycare with outdoor play is $15 per day. For the full breakdown, including grooming prices, see our complete pricing page — and if you’re comparing costs around Auburn, our boarding cost guide walks through what’s included.

Boarding or a Pet Sitter? Which Fits Your Dog

People ask us this a lot, and the honest answer is: it depends on your dog.

A pet sitter — someone who stays at your home or drops in — keeps your dog in familiar surroundings with one-on-one attention. That can suit a dog who truly can’t handle new places. The trade-offs: your dog is still alone for most of the day between visits, everything depends on one person’s schedule, and there’s no one there overnight if something goes wrong.

Boarding with us puts your dog in a staffed facility built for dogs: supervised play, other dogs to socialize with, medication given on schedule, and set hours with people on site. The trade-offs: it’s a new environment (most dogs settle within a day), your dog needs to be current on Rabies, Bordetella, and DHPP vaccinations, and drop-off and pick-up happen during our posted hours.

If your dog loves other dogs and you want them active and supervised while you’re away, boarding is usually the better fit. If your dog is elderly, medically fragile, or deeply anxious in new places, a sitter may be kinder — and if you call us, we’ll tell you that straight rather than take a booking that isn’t right for your dog.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Boarding in Auburn

Is boarding bad for dogs?

For most dogs, no. A boarding stay here means supervised play in large fenced yards, individual attention, and rest in a climate-controlled kennel — not all day in a crate. Some dogs are nervous at first and settle in; if your dog has separation anxiety, call us before you book and we’ll talk it through honestly.

How much does it cost to board a dog at Kiesel Bark?

Boarding is $26 per night. A second dog sharing the same kennel is $15 per night, and stays of 10 nights or more get 15% off. Medication administration is $1 per dose, capped at $3 per day.

What’s included in the boarding price?

Your dog’s kennel, supervised group play and individual attention rotated throughout the day, and access to our fenced play yards and 3,000 square feet of climate-controlled indoor space. If you’d like us to provide food, that’s $5 per day — most owners bring their dog’s own food, which we’d recommend to keep their stomach settled.

What vaccinations does my dog need?

Dogs must be current on Rabies, Bordetella, and DHPP vaccinations before boarding.

Can my dog stay if they need medication?

Yes. We administer medication for $1 per dose, capped at $3 per day. Tell us the schedule when you book and we’ll keep it on track.

Can my dogs share a kennel?

Yes — housemates can stay together, up to three dogs per kennel. The additional dog is $15 per night.

Do I need to book in advance for Auburn game weekends?

We strongly recommend it. Home game weekends are some of our busiest of the year, and kennels fill up — the earlier you book, the safer your spot.

What are your drop-off and pick-up hours?

Monday to Friday, 7am–6pm; Saturday, 7am–12pm; Sunday is pick-up only, 8–8:30am and 4–5pm.

My dog has never boarded before. What should I do?

Call us. First-timers are welcome, and a quick conversation lets us plan for your dog — especially if they’re anxious. We don’t rush dogs or force them into group play, and we’ll be honest with you if we think a different option fits your dog better.