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A small household
Six guests at a time.
We keep home boarding deliberately small, so your dog joins a manageable household rather than a large, anonymous kennel environment.
Dog boarding near Durham · South Hetton
Dog boarding in County Durham.
A small, kennel-free home where dogs live like family while their people are away. Wild at Heart is based in South Hetton, with up to six guests, secure fields and proper walks every day.
Durham County Council Licensed · Fully Insured · DBS Checked · Maximum 6 Guests
Home dog boarding in County Durham
A calmer alternative to the kennel.
If you are looking for dog boarding near Durham, Wild at Heart is a family-run home boarding service in South Hetton. Your dog stays in a real home, shares the day with a small number of other dogs and gets the kind of individual attention that is difficult in a large boarding environment.
This is dog boarding in South Hetton with a simple idea behind it: keep the group small, keep the routine familiar and give every dog room to be themselves. We welcome owners who want kennel-free dog boarding near Durham without losing the reassurance of experienced, fully insured care.
- Location
- South Hetton
- Group size
- Six guests max
- Exercise
- 90 mins minimum
Secure fields, supervised activity and a minimum of 90 minutes of proper exercise every day.
What a stay looks like
Kennel-free care, with room to roam.
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Home, not kennels
Part of the household
Boarding dogs live alongside us in our family home, with comfortable places to settle, plenty of attention and Bella and Daphne, our resident Golden Retrievers, as part of the household.
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Proper exercise
Proper exercise, every day
Every boarding dog gets a minimum of 90 minutes of proper exercise each day, with secure fields and supervised activity to make the most of their time outside.
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While you are away
Updates that keep you close.
Owners receive picture updates and app updates during their dog's stay, so you can see how they are settling in from wherever you are.
Before the first stay
The right care starts with a hello.
We do not take a booking before meeting your dog. A free meet & greet gives you the chance to see our home, meet Bella and Daphne, and decide whether Wild at Heart feels right.
Arrange your meet & greet →01
Meet us first.
Every booking starts with a free meet & greet. Come and see where your dog will be staying, meet us and Bella and Daphne, and ask as many questions as you like.
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Take it at their pace.
If a trial stay would help before a longer booking, tell us at the meet & greet. We can talk through a gentler first visit that gives your dog time to learn the household routine.
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Bring what feels familiar.
A familiar bed or blanket can help a first stay feel easier. We provide cold pressed food as standard; for fussy eaters or specific diets, bring enough for the stay.
More than overnight care
A proper home from home in County Durham.
Alongside home boarding, we offer doggy day care and confidence sessions for dogs who would benefit from a calm, supportive environment. Explore the options, check the details and find the kind of care that suits your dog.
Ready when you are
Find a kinder place for their next stay.
Tell us a little about your dog and the dates you have in mind. We will arrange a free meet & greet before anything is booked.
Get in touch →