11 Questions to Consider
when considering dog daycare and boarding places
Ask any place you are considering — including us.
11 questions to ask any daycare or boarding place
the list we’d use ourselves
1. Will my dog be safe and watched at all times?
- Our answer: We have skilled staff on site around the clock. No remote monitoring, day or night. Your dog is always with people paying attention. Staff always present, dogs never left stuck in crates
2. Is it calm — or is there constant barking?
- Our answer: Constant barking means stressed-out dogs — and people who don’t know how to help them feel secure. With us, dogs know they are safe and play freely without stress. Quiet energy, relaxed dogs, no anxious barking
3. Will my dog actually make friends here?
- Our answer: Every dog starts with a careful introduction to the group — not a free-for-all. Over days and weeks, we help them find dogs they click with, learn the social rules, and settle in. That confidence comes home with them. More social, more settled, less anxious, more secure
4. Are dogs allowed to be dogs?
- Our answer: Real dog play is wrestling, chasing, bowing — and cuddling and resting when needed — with “referees of play” always nearby. Not scheduled activities made to look good on Instagram. Genuine play, nothing scripted
5. Will my dog become a better trained, happier dog?
- Our answer: Many places manage dogs from the outside with treats. We teach from the inside — build up their confidence, train their minds, nurture self-control, and show how social cues work. Dogs truly learning and listening
6. How do I know what’s actually happening there?
- Our answer: You see for yourself. Everyone gets live cam access. We’ve always provided this and always will. You’ll see how your dog is playing and resting and how we care for them. Live cams, nothing edited, nothing hidden
7. Do the staff really know what they are doing?
- Our answer: We hire less than 1% of applicants and train them intensively. Many team members have been with us for years — longer than some places have been open. Not just dog lovers, but experts in dog care and behavior
8. Can the owners afford to put my dog’s happiness first?
- Our answer: Ien and Jen started the business 15 years ago and still fully own it. Zero corporate or investor pressure. Our clarity of purpose and long-term horizon means we can and do prioritize what matters most. Dog happiness first, not short-term profits, not learning as we go
9. Does it fit with my busy life?
- Our answer: We’re one block from the Vernon/Jackson 7 train, and open 7am to 8pm on weekdays and 8am to 6pm at weekends. Pick-up and drop-off available whenever needed. Making your routine easier and smoother, not more hectic
10. Do other dog parents go to bat for this place?
- Our answer: Ask a neighbor! We have 1,000+ five-star reviews, but what we’re most proud of is parents sending friends unasked. Genuine word of mouth
11. How will I know if my dog is happy?
- Our answer: Among our favorite things is when dog parents tell us their dogs pull toward our door in the morning, come home happily tired at night, and over weeks and months become more secure, more confident, more social, and better trained. Seeing the happiness, knowing it’s all worth it
