Dogs do need to be big kid friendly if they are boarding in our home. We don't have babies or toddlers around, but our 11 year old son is home after 3:30pm some days during the week and on weekends. My dog is very excited to meet another dog initially , but she always does calm down and give her new friend space.. We have great compassion for your dog adjusting to a new space and needing extra comfort to settle in, however your dog must be able to sleep through the night, be house trained, be adaptable enough to handle a stay away from you, and be able to be on their own for up to 4 hours. They also must be ok with older kids and other dogs. We are doing this mostly for joy of dogs, and want this to be enjoyable for your dog and for us. If your dog has not been away from you, might not be reliably house trained, is not socialized or has anxiety , this is not the right setting for your dog.

We play fetch in the yard, go down to the beach or on a trail or just walk in the neighbourhood. We have a sand pit in our yard for dogs that like to nest and dig ( with owners permission, or I can easily block it) Dogs can also lie at my feet or wherever they are cozy while I work. If they are allowed, treat breaks are such fun! If there is a storm or a reason to be outdoors a bit less and the dog is very active, I throw toys up and down the stairs and furry buddies love it. I also have a dog puzzle with treats for dogs that need the mental stimulation like my dog.