Dog Boarding vs. Daycare: What’s the Difference and Which Should You Choose?

The difference between daycare and boarding

• Daycare: You drop your dog off for a day of activity and socializing, then take them home the same day. Mini Boarding House charges daycare in 6-hour blocks; anything over 12 hours is charged as boarding.
• Boarding: Your dog stays overnight with us, and each day is counted as 24 hours from the actual check-in time.

When to choose daycare

• You don’t want your dog home alone all day while you’re at work
• Your dog has lots of energy and needs exercise and socializing
• You want your dog to get to know the place before a future boarding stay

When to choose boarding

• You’re traveling abroad, on a business trip or going home for the holidays and need overnight care
• You’re renovating, moving or otherwise unable to care for your dog for a while
• For longer stays, you can use our 15-day and 30-day packages

Why daycare comes before a first boarding stay

At a cage-free dog hotel, dogs spend time together, so daycare first lets us get to know your dog’s personality and social skills. At Mini Boarding House, dogs with separation anxiety, dogs that are nervous or timid, dogs with little social experience, dogs with a history of aggression, charging or mounting, dogs that react strongly to new environments, unneutered males, and large dogs with anxious tendencies must complete a daycare assessment before boarding can be booked. Learn more about dog daycare and dog boarding.

FAQ

How is daycare priced differently from boarding?

At Mini Boarding House, daycare is charged in 6-hour blocks (0–5kg, up to 6 hours, from NT$300), while boarding counts each day as 24 hours (0–5kg from NT$730).

Do you offer pickup for daycare?

For daycare, owners handle drop-off and pickup themselves; our pickup service across Taipei & New Taipei is mainly arranged with boarding stays.

Does my dog have to do daycare before a first boarding stay?

Not always. But dogs with separation anxiety, timid dogs, dogs with little social experience, dogs with a history of aggression or mounting, unneutered males and anxious large dogs must complete a daycare assessment first.