The Best Dog Boarding Centres in Edinburgh Keeping Our Pups Cosy!
Heading abroad is always a bit of a faff when you’ve got a dog. Blake couldn’t come with me, obviously, and no one I know was free to look after him on short notice. Bit of a nightmare, especially because I wasn’t keen on leaving him somewhere random either.
Luckily, I found a proper dog boarding place that actually knew what they were doing. He got fed well, had space to play, and the folks there properly looked after him.
Blake being well looked after took a huge load off me. Here’s a quick roundup of Edinburgh’s top dog boarding centres to help you do the same for your furry friend.
How much does dog boarding cost in Edinburgh?
Dog boarding usually costs around £24 per night in Edinburgh. Take note that this is only the average, and your price may vary depending on the size of your dog, the type of service provided, and your preferred dog boarding centre.
1. Bark n Fly
Services offered: Dog daycare, dog boarding, behaviour correction, puppy training, and more
Address: Hallyards Farm House, Kirkliston EH29 9DZ
Phone number: +44 131 333 1222
Business hours:
8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (MON-FRI)
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (SAT and SUN)
I left Blake with Bark n Fly while I was away, and they turned out to be a good pick. They’ve been around for over 40 years and are based right near Edinburgh Airport, so the location alone made things easier.
What really sold me was their facilities. There’s a spacious indoor arena with agility gear and a proper outdoor paddock where dogs can stretch their legs. Blake is more of a napper, so the leather sofas probably won him over quickly.
It also helps that they feed dogs raw food instead of the usual processed stuff, which feels like a healthier choice. I noticed they also provide pick-up and drop-off services, which could be a useful service for those who are too far from their location.
However, they’re not exactly cheap, as they charge £29 a night for a boarding kennel.
Fantastic day care and boarding centre
“Fantastic day care and boarding centre. Very friendly and helpful staff, and super convenient pick up / drop off service.
When our dog was a puppy we really liked that we could get her acclimated to being away by starting with a half day at day care, progressing to a full day, and then to overnight stays.
Our dog always loves her time there and comes home very sleepy from all the playing!”
– Anna Asher, Google Reviews
The staff seem genuinely interested in our dog’s well-being
“We regularly use Bark n Fly to kennel our active crossbreed. He really enjoys his time there, mixing with other dogs and running around the paddock. He comes back to us fit and healthy and kids on he’s now the alpha male! The staff seem genuinely interested in our dog’s well-being. He likes them too!”
– Allan J Robertson, Google Reviews
2. Walk & Train
Services offered: Dog training, walking, and boarding
Address: Lower Cairns Building, 1 Summerhall Square
If you want your dog to come home calmer and better behaved, Walk & Train is worth considering. Run by Linnea Lyckberg, a trainer with a PhD in psychology and over a decade of experience, the centre offers a boarding program that focuses on long-term progress.
It costs a whopping £3,550, but it includes a structured training plan to improve your dog’s behaviour and social skills. During their 6-week stay, your dog lives in Linnea’s home, receiving constant supervision and hands-on guidance.
After the program ends, you’ll receive lifetime support through messages and video feedback to help maintain your dog’s training.
Unfortunately, the price isn’t the only issue. They don’t offer short-term or one-off boarding, so if you’re just looking for a quick solution, this setup can feel a bit restrictive.
Literally a life saver!
“We have tried many of the top trainers in Edinburgh and Lothian and Linnea is the best for a challenging dog. The only one that truly understood our dog and how to manage behaviours. She knew exactly what to do in any given circumstance, excellent at what she does, literally a life saver! THE BEST”
– Kerry Anne, Google Reviews
My dog is much more relaxed, confident and happy
“I am so grateful to Linnea of Walk & Train Edinburgh for giving me a better understanding of my sweet whippet Flo and her particular behaviours. She worked patiently with us, building our confidence and providing me with the ‘tools’ I needed to handle difficult situations when my dog was feeling unsure and frightened. She also helped me to gently modify some of my dog’s unwanted behaviours in our home. As a result, my dog is much more relaxed, confident and happy and I can definitely say the same for myself! Thank you Linnea!”
– Elizabeth Stewart, Google Reviews
3. Dogs at Spencerfield
Services offered: Small dog boarding and dog wedding chaperone service
Address: 4 Spencerfield Rd, Inverkeithing KY11 1PQ
Phone number: +44 7703 173539
Business hours: Available 24/7
Dogs at Spencerfield is another solid option if you want your dog to stay somewhere that feels more like home than a typical kennel. Since 2012, they’ve offered a home-based setup where dogs get to lounge on sofas, stretch their legs in a secure garden, and enjoy outdoor walks.
What’s also nice about them is that their staff is trained in canine first aid, and the service is backed by Petplan insurance, so they’re well prepared if anything unexpected happens.
They also offer a dog wedding chaperone service, where your pup gets picked up, pampered, and looked after throughout your big day, right through to the photo sessions.
The catch is that they only accept small dogs. There’s also an extra charge of £35 for bookings during holidays, which adds up if you’re planning a longer stay.
Our dog is always happy to be left off in this home
“We have been using “ Dogs at Spencerfield” for a couple of years and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it. Our dog is always happy to be left off in this home from home environment.
It is definitely our number one choice. Thank you Catrina and family.”
– D Sime, Google Reviews
Our dog has stayed with Catrina and family many times and seems to love it!
“Our dog has stayed with Catrina and family many times and seems to love it! Catrina regularly sends pics and “pupdates” on how our dog is doing when staying over which always helps when you’re missing them!”
– Sarah & Fraser, Google Reviews
4. Clan Canines
Services offered: Dog walking and boarding
Address: Robb Place, Castle Douglas
Phone number: +44 7392 939146
Business hours: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (MON-FRI)
If you’re worried about your pup missing out on exercise while you’re away, Clan Canines might be just the thing. They’ve been around since 2016 and offer a cosy, home-based boarding setup where dogs stay with their handlers instead of being sent to a kennel.
To keep the pups properly engaged, they run six-hour weekend adventures called Clan Chieftain’s Crusades. These outings include scent work, recall practice, and countryside exploration.
For poodles and doodles, there’s their Curly Crusade, which is a shorter walk that’s focused on improving their socialisation and mental skills.
However, one issue I have is that their boarding option is only for clients who have availed of the regular walking service. I guess they do that to keep things familiar among the dogs and prevent any tension.
We absolutely love Clan Canines!
“We absolutely love Clan Canines! Our dog loves going out with Tammie and doggy pals for walks and we love seeing the photos Tammie posts everyday. The organisation and communication with clients is excellent and we feel really confident that our dog is well looked after.”
– Claire Coulton, Google Reviews
Clan Canines provide a fantastic service
“Clan Canines provide a fantastic service. Tammie walks my dog Rafa, a border collie, and he adores her and loves his walks. He’s a pretty energetic dog so it’s great to have a service that gives him plenty of activity. It’s also nice seeing the pictures of all the dogs having a lovely time. The service is very reliable and professional. Also, as this is 2020, there are excellent policies and procedures keeping everyone safe during the pandemic! Highly recommend.”
– Ailsa Roddie, Google Reviews
5. Ingliston Cattery and Kennels
Services offered: Dog boarding, cat boarding, dog daycare, and pet grooming
Address: 7 East Mains Holdings, Ingliston, Newbridge EH28 8NB
Phone number: +44 131 333 1307
Business hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (MON-SUN)
Another dog boarding centre I came across near Edinburgh Airport is Ingliston Cattery and Kennels. Compared to the one Blake stayed at, their setup is a bit more basic, but it gets the job done.
The kennels are spacious, centrally heated, and include covered outdoor runs where dogs can exercise. Rates start at just £16.90 for small dogs, and they offer discounts for long bookings.
A nice touch is that their staff can give your dog oral medication if needed. They also allow visits outside regular hours, which is good if you want to pop by before a late-night flight.
Grooming services are available too, so your dog can look fresh and tidy before pick-up.
On the downside, they sometimes miss enquiries. Furthermore, payments are limited to cash or card, which might be a hassle for folks who rely on online transfers.
They look after dogs well
“We had our dog here for 10 nights. When we got him home it was like he was never away. I can tell that the people working here are a bit animal crazy.
When I was dropping and picking him up they let me into the kennels, it was clean in there. I think they look after dogs well.”
– David Beak, Google Reviews
Our dog looked happy and very healthy when we collected him
“We boarded our elderly labrador for 5 weeks as we had to travel abroad and they took incredibly good care of him. He got an ear infection which is a recurring issue with him and they got it treated and sorted in no time and kept us informed of all the steps they were taking. I found their vet really good as well, our dog looked happy and very healthy when we collected him. Really happy with the care he received.”
– C B, Google Reviews