I've never boarded them, and they've never been away from home (without being with us..like going to the cottage)

I would board if needed though. My dad never leaves the island so he really doesn't stay away from home so the dogs always have someone there with them. If he happens to go out for work or golf (over night) or something then I'm almost always home for them. If I do happen to travel, which I do, they just stay at home with him