High Stile Boarding Kennel & Sheepdog Training

A dog with a brown, black, and white coat, walking on a pebbled shoreline next to a body of water with hills and mountains in the background at sunset or sunrise.

Welcome to High Stile Kennels, a home-from-home dog boarding facility in the Lake District, set on a traditional working hill farm in Buttermere. We offer personal, professional dog care for up to 4 visiting dogs, with stunning fell views, varied countryside walks, and tailored enrichment.

Our peaceful rural setting, experienced handlers, and structured routines make us one of the most unique dog boarding and training facilities in Cumbria.

Arrival & Collection

Arrival: 7:00–9:00 am (unless arranged otherwise)
Collection: Morning after your final booked day, 7:00–9:00 am

What’s Included – Dog Boarding in the Lake District

Private, walk-in, insulated, heated kennel (1.5 m × 1.5 m) with an attached covered (1.5 m × 2 m) run
Minimum two countryside walks daily, exploring lakeshores, woodland trails and mountain paths
Daily enrichment: sniffaris, puzzle feeders, gentle handling sessions and calm rest with Lake District views
Routine maintained: your dog’s feeding schedule followed exactly, with cosy bedding and a predictable daily structure

Our kennels offer a quiet, secure environment ideal for both family pets and working breeds needing mental stimulation.

Sheepdog Training Packages

We provide specialist sheepdog training in Cumbria, as well as tailored 1:1 training for companion dogs staying with us.

Each training package includes a minimum of 1 hour of 1:1 work daily, split into two focused sessions that suit your dog’s goals — whether that’s recall, loose-lead walking, impulse control, confidence building, or stock work for working collies.

Weekly Training Package includes:

Written weekly targets and a clear, measurable training plan
Daily video updates documenting progress
Optional 20-minute guided session on our sheep to transfer skills back to the owner
Access to our large round pen and multiple purpose-built training paddocks

We follow positive, reward-based methods to build clarity, confidence, and consistency for every dog.

A Typical Day in Our Kennels

Morning: Wake-up, first countryside walk, breakfast & settle
Mid-morning: First training session (short, high-quality learning reps)
Afternoon: Second training session (short, high-quality learning reps)
Late afternoon: Second walk & decompression sniffing
Evening: Dinner, enrichment and calm time before lights-down

What to Bring

Your dog’s regular food (labelled)
Lead, harness, and required medications
Optional comfort item such as a blanket or favourite toy

Health & Welfare Standards

Our facilities meet and exceed UK Animal Welfare Regulations for kennels and training establishments.

Kennel manager holds an OFQUAL L3 Qualification in Professional Care & Boarding (Canine Care & Canine Welfare)
Individual, well-ventilated, heated kennels
Each individual kennel contains a security camera.
Clean, disinfected runs with fresh water available 24/7
Stress-minimising handling and thoughtful separation policies
Full welfare monitoring logs (behaviour, appetite, toileting, rest)

We specialise in supporting high-drive dogs, collies, older dogs needing gentler care, and dogs requiring routine and structure.

Special Offer

Use code: FULLWEEK50 to receive 15% off full-week bookings.

Perfect for longer stays, working collies in training, or dogs needing consistent 1:1 sessions.

Our Sheepdog Training Facilities

Large round pen for controlled early-stage training
Multiple training paddocks, each offering different challenges
Access to our farm’s grazing land for dogs ready to progress
Real working Herdwick sheep on traditional hill ground

Cragg House Farm is one of the few Lake District farms offering both holiday boarding and authentic sheepdog training in a genuine fell-farming environment.