5.0

Dogs are a huge part of my life, and because I care deeply about providing a safe, low-stress environment, I intentionally keep my boarding environment calm and structured. My goal is to give well-mannered dogs a place that feels like home, not a kennel. To make sure every dog, including my own dog Bennie, stays safe and happy, I only accept dogs that are a good fit for my home and lifestyle. The dogs I board must be friendly and non-aggressive toward people and other dogs, with no history of aggression, biting, resource guarding, or serious reactivity. They should also be comfortable sharing space with Bennie and enjoy appropriate, respectful play. Any signs of aggression or unsafe behavior during a stay may result in an early pickup request. Dogs must be fully house trained with no ongoing accidents indoors. I understand an occasional accident can happen in a new environment, but dogs that regularly mark, urinate, or defecate indoors are not a good fit. If repeated accidents occur during a stay, I may request early pickup. Dogs should be comfortable in a home environment without excessive or persistent barking. Occasional alert barking is understandable, but they must be responsive to redirection and not fixate on people, sounds, or movement outside the home. They should also be able to relax quietly indoors without excessive vocalizing, as I have neighbors and tenants I respect. Dogs that bark continuously when I leave or struggle to settle with normal household noise are not a good fit. Dogs should be able to stay home alone for short periods, such as while I run errands, without destructive behavior or severe separation anxiety. For safety, they should also ride comfortably in a vehicle if transportation is ever necessary, have reliable recall, and respect physical boundaries. Dogs with a history of escaping, climbing, or jumping fences are not a good fit for my property. Bennie is always at the top of my mind, and safety is my number one priority. I have a fully fenced, dog-proof yard with a secure gate that is always kept closed, along with cameras on the property to monitor for wildlife or anything unsafe outside. My back door is almost always open, allowing the dogs to freely move between playing in the yard and relaxing inside on the cool tile floor, so they can choose where they’re most comfortable throughout the day. Inside the home, I use non-toxic, pet-safe cleaning products and avoid harsh chemicals. I’m very mindful of anything dogs could be sensitive to, including what they’re exposed to, what they play with, and what they’re given. I only use safe toys and bones that are appropriate and supervised. Chewing must be under control. I provide plenty of appropriate toys and chew options, but dogs that chew furniture, household items, or damage property may result in an early pickup request. I also reserve the right to request reimbursement for any damage or excessive cleaning caused during a stay. I spend most of my days at home working on my property, gardening, hiking, or enjoying the outdoors with Bennie, so visiting dogs receive plenty of companionship, supervision, enrichment, and exercise. Safety is always my top priority, and I carefully screen each booking to make sure it is the right fit for everyone involved. I understand these requirements may not fit every dog, and that’s okay. My goal is not to accommodate every pet. It is to provide exceptional care for dogs that thrive in a calm, structured home environment.

I'm fortunate that my days are centered around my dog, Bennie. I get up, let her out right away, then prepare her breakfast, and she eats while we start the morning together outside. I’m home most of the time and spend my days in the yard gardening, doing yard work, or working on projects around the property, so she’s with me and supervised throughout the day. I also always make sure there’s some form of engagement or mental stimulation so dogs are never bored or over-energized, whether that’s training, enrichment activities, or interactive play. If I need to run errands, Bennie usually comes with me and stays in the car if the weather is safe. If it’s too warm, she stays home in her calm, familiar environment instead. I’m typically only gone for short errands and make a point of never leaving her alone for long. When we’re not at home, we’re usually outside doing something active- swimming at the lake, going on hikes, going for runs, or taking long walks. Our lifestyle is very outdoors-oriented, and she’s included in almost everything I do