If you need a dog boarding facility, make sure to give enough advanced warning to the location that you will be coming by. During the holiday season and at some points during the summer, they book up very quickly. Calling on them as soon as possible is the best way to secure your place for your pet.
Before you consider leaving your dog at a dog boarding facility, make sure that you stop in and do an unexpected tour of the location. You want to know what the day to day location will be like for your pet, not what it would be if they knew you were coming. Any location should allow you a tour.