09/04/2026
“Oh, I wish I got to play with dogs all day!” 🐶🤍
And believe me, I wish that was all it was too. 😂 But owning a dog boarding business is SO much more than cuddling puppies and playing with dogs all day.
It’s letting dogs outside first thing in the morning, and then again… and again… and again. It’s feeding every dog on their own schedule, making sure they have fresh water, giving medications when needed, cleaning kennels, doing laundry, picking up messes, answering messages, scheduling stays, doing meet & greets, giving baths, keeping up with vaccines, and making sure every single dog is safe and comfortable.
It’s dealing with anxious dogs who are missing their families and doing everything you can to help them feel safe. It’s dealing with barking, accidents, muddy paws, dogs who don’t want to eat, dogs who are nervous in a new environment, and all the unexpected things that come with caring for animals.
even the sweetest dogs can become scared, overwhelmed, or stressed in a new environment. Sometimes you get scratched, stepped on, knocked over, or bitten. It’s part of working with animals, and it’s something you learn to handle and respect because their behavior can change when they’re away from home.
It’s also realizing you can’t always just make plans and leave. Your schedule revolves around the dogs. Early mornings, late nights, weekends, holidays there is always someone depending on you. You’re never really “off the clock.”
There are days I’m exhausted, covered in dog hair, and I’m wondering how I’m going to get everything done. 😂 But then I look around and realize I get to spend my days loving animals, meeting so many amazing dogs, and giving them a safe, comfortable place to stay while their families are away. And somehow, it makes every long day worth it. 🥹🐾
So the next time you drop your dog off with a boarder, remember there is SO much more happening behind the scenes than you see. Your dog boarder isn’t just “watching your dog.” They are caring for, protecting, comforting, feeding, cleaning up after, exercising, supervising, and loving your baby while you’re away.
Appreciate your dog boarders. 🤍🐶
We truly love what we do, but it takes a LOT of time, patience, responsibility, and dedication. And to all of my clients who trust me with your dogs thank you. I’ll never take that trust for granted. I’m so grateful I get to do what I love 🐾🤍
