Both options work well for the right dog. This guide compares them on the points owners actually ask about, so you can decide with the facts in front of you.
Where a sitter shines
A sitter keeps your dog in the home he knows, with his own bed, smells and walking route. For a senior dog with a fixed routine, or a dog who gets stressed in new places, that familiarity is a real benefit. A sitter also waters plants and brings in the mail. The trade-off is that coverage is usually visits or a stay in your home, and you are trusting one person with your house and your dog.
Where a kennel shines
A kennel gives your dog a dedicated space built for the purpose, and a defined routine of feeding, walks and cleaning. Because a licensed facility requires vaccine records, every guest has the same baseline of protection. At Happy Paws the 100 indoor/outdoor runs are heated in winter and air-conditioned in summer, every run has a Kuranda bed and blankets, and dogs have a large fenced play area and a grass field on about 10 acres.
California sets minimum standards for facilities that board four or more pets for pay, including daily enrichment, water at all times and written policies for emergencies and evacuation. Those rules are in Health and Safety Code sections 122380 to 122388.
What each one costs, side by side
Sitter rates vary by person and by the number of visits, so ask for a quote. Kennel pricing is easy to read: Happy Paws charges by the night, and the 2026 rates for one dog are $52 in Economy, $59 in Business Class and $72 in First Class. Walks, medications and house food are included. Seven nights in Business Class is 7 x $59 = $413.
Compare totals for your dates, not nightly numbers alone, and add whatever a sitter would charge for extra visits, holiday days or a second dog.
Questions to settle it
Does your dog get anxious in unfamiliar places, or does he love to be around other dogs and activity? Does he need medication? Is someone available to check on the house? Is your trip over a holiday, when sitters are often booked? A short trial helps: a weekend stay shows how a dog handles a kennel before you commit to a long trip.
If you want a closer look at the other side, read the kennel boarding vs an in-home sitter comparison and the guide on stress in boarding dogs.