BOARDING

LIKE NOWHERE YOUR DOG'S BEEN BEFORE...

1) We LIVE here! There aren't many places that can say that. There are so many things that can happen when dogs are left alone when the average boarding facility closes for the evening -- fire, inclement weather, illness or other distress... We have lost count of the times we've moved the dogs to the basement during tornado warnings or run out in the middle of the afternoon to bring dogs inside because of a popup thunderstorm. And although we sleep peacefully through most nights, we occasionally are awoken by a dog that needs help and we are glad to get up and take care of it.

2) ALL dogs do well here! Why? Because we know how to take care of dogs of all shapes, sizes and needs. Older, geriatric dogs have their own spot in our home. Teacup and other tiny dogs have a special play area. Shy or nervous dogs are gently acclimated to the excitement and commotion of playtime. Boisterous and pushy dogs are controlled in a manner to keep them and other dogs safe. Everyone receives the attention and care they need to not only have a great time, but to stay safe, comfortable and relaxed.

3) We know what to look for! We can evaluate a dog's temperament, conditioning and other characteristics to manage their time here in their best interest. For example, overweight dogs will be given as much exercise as possible; but that exercise may be limited on hot, humid days to morning and evening hours. And at those times we would carefully monitor that dog. Dogs with orthopedic conditions, like hip dysplasia or other lameness, are monitored for discomfort. We let those dogs play as long as possible, but will remove them from playtime if they appear to be overdoing it. We will also administer any provided anti-inflammatories or recommend you consult your veterinarian or allow our veterinarian to administer them in some cases.

4) We KNOW dogs! Our playtime, sleep areas and kennel layout are all managed to provide your dog with the most peaceful, relaxed stay possible. We organize the dogs in the kennels to provide them all with appropriate neighbors. We organize them into playgroups based on temperament and size. Some of the more geriatric groups might be better called 'wander around and get pet' groups. :) Bottom line is that we group dogs together based on what we feel is the best experience for them, whether it's wide-open, high speed sprinting and chasing or loafing in the grass enjoying the sun and cool breeze.

5) We provide structure! Although most of the dogs that stay here are either trained or in training, we also board dogs that have not been through our training program. All dogs get some indirect training of sorts. For example, we make all dogs sit and wait to enter and exit gates and kennels. We also make them wait as we place their dinners. We require that they play safely -- they are not allowed to try to grab legs at full sprint or barge into unsuspecting dogs at full speed. While these things may seem "cute" and "fun" at first glance, they are actually very unsafe play practice and can result in both injuries and fighting. We do not allow any dogs to bully (and we don't board aggressive dogs) and our environment allows more submissive dogs to open up and really have a great time. It is this structure that keeps all the dogs here safe and happy!

6) Your dog's comfort and safety are our primary concerns! We monitor your dog's attitude, health and activity levels and appetite to make sure they are happy, comfortable and relaxed. We monitor the weather daily and throughout the day. In the case of inclement weather, we'll re-organize playtimes and move dogs inside as the weather passes. Any dogs that require special care -- extra or special feedings, staying inside all day because of age or physical condition, injections or medication, rehabilitation from recent surgeries, etc. -- will be given that care as required. As a result, we occasionally must forgo personal time and activities; we will always make sure every dog here is comfortable and safe first!