My home in East Dallas is set up for dogs to have fun! I have a pool, a big yard, and "dog-friendly" furniture. I have toys, dog-puzzles, and chickens to watch! I have some training experience and can reinforce appropriate behaviors while discouraging negative behaviors. I only utilize positive reinforcement while training. My home is set up to be a comfortable place for dogs to stay, and there are great walking trails just around the corner! While here, there are several dog parks we can go to (if your dog is a dog-park kind of dog) and the Katy and Santa Fe Trails are close by! Most of the time, our backyard provides enough room to play and have a great time with other dogs. For dogs who prefer to be outside in a space without a pool, we do have an outside dog run with no access to the pool. We are extremely cautious about pool safety, and the pool is fully fenced. My sons have been raised with dogs and are very helpful with the dogs. Someone is typically at home all of the time. Your dog will have plenty of fun while you are away! We have private rooms available upstairs, or downstairs options as well including any combination of kennel/liberty that works for you and your dog. We prefer that your dog wear a collar with an ID tag on it, and we insist that dogs are current on flea/HW protection. When packing for your dog, feel free to bring any items that you feel will make your dog more comfortable and "at home" (a T-shirt you slept in the night before, beds, toys, treats, etc., but we do provide sanitized bowls, bedding, and toys. Please let us know if your dog has a sensitive stomach, as we sometimes offer peanut butter filled kong toys, or bully sticks to dogs. We never provide any treats with sugar, soy, corn, or wheat. We also only allow food and treats when dogs are separated. There is never an opportunity to gain access to another dog's food or treats, nor is there an opportunity to squabble over whose toy/treat is whose! If you need to drop your dog off before 6 am M-F, or before 8 am on weekends or holidays, I can be flexible, but there will be a charge of $25.00 for early drop off. You are encouraged to book the night before to make it less rushed for you and your dog. I am home almost every evening, but I have choir practice on Monday evenings (one of my sons will be home then). For pick-up times, I am more flexible on F and S, but I prefer to have pick up completed by 10 pm S-Th. Let me know if you are running late, and we will make a plan. I offer a discount for more than one dog in a family, but generally do not offer discounts during the holidays. Please contact me with any questions regarding my rates. I have worked with dogs for over 30 years and I have worked with dogs who have special needs as well. I have experience caring for deaf dogs, as well as geriatric dogs or dogs with chronic illnesses. I have done obedience training with my own dogs, and I only interact positively with dogs. I have crates in every size to accommodate you if your dog needs one, but they do not have to stay in a crate, although they may eat their meal in a crate if they are sharing a space. We can discuss those details when we do a meet-and-greet. I look forward to meeting you and your dogs! I am frequently booked far in advance, but please do reach out to me with your travel plans, even if it appears that I am unavailable. People change plans and I can often accommodate you, even if the calendar appears to be booked up. Please try to stick to prearranged drop-off times and pick-up times as closely as possible. I build my day around these times, and when dogs are late for drop-off, it causes delays later in the day. Usually, a text or phone call when you know you will be late (or early) is sufficient notice for me to adjust my schedule. ***COVID-19 Information*** We are vaccinated and do not mind if you do not wear a mask if you are vaccinated. I have a way to do a "contact free" drop off and pick up, so if that is what you want, let me know. It is safe for you and your dog. I am OK with you dropping off and picking up as usual if that is what you prefer. Several of us in the household work from home, so you may meet Joe, Eamon or Liam when you drop off and pick up. These are my sons and they often help me when my schedule does not allow me to be at the house at the time that works best with your schedule. We are very careful with dogs and doorways. Please do not stand in our open doorway at drop off and/or pick up-you may let a dog out! We have double gates at every exit in the backyard, which is securely fenced. Our pool is also completely fenced.