Question 1

What makes Five Happy Tails different from a traditional kennel?

Accepted Answer

We provide structured, in-home care in a comfortable, dog-proofed enviroment. Dogs stay in our home with supervised play, structured rest times, and a routine. We intentionally keep our numbers smaller than traditional kennels so every dog gets individual attention and care.

Question 2

What does a typical day look like?

Accepted Answer

Dogs enjoy multiple supervised play sessions throughout the day in our fenced yard and in thoughtfully matched groups.

Morning begins with potty time and breakfast (fed individually in kennels), followed by a scheduled rest period to allow proper digestion before returning to social time. We intentionally build in structured breaks throughout the day to support balanced energy levels and prevent overstimulation.

Indoor time is calm and structured, and may include decompression breaks or individual attention depending on each dog's needs.

Dinner is fed separately in the evening with another quiet period after eating. We end the day with playtime and a final potty break. Then all dogs are kenneled individually for safe, restful sleep.

Our balanced routine keeps dogs active, social, and mentally engaged - while ensuring safety, structure, and proper recovery. Dogs go home happily tired after a full, balanced day with us.

Question 3

Do you offer meet and greets?

Accepted Answer

We do offer meet and greets. While they are not required, we are happy to schedule a meet & great upon request. Please keep in mind that we have our dogs and boarding dogs inside our home, so they will likely be noisy when they hear new voices!

Question 4

Will I receive updates?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We send occasional photo/videos updates so you can relax knowing your dog is safe and having fun.

Question 5

How many dogs do you take at once?

Accepted Answer

We accept up to ten guest dogs at a time from different families. Keeping our group small allows us to closely supervise play and maintain a balanced, safe enviroment.

Question 6

Do boarding dogs interact with all of your personal dogs?

Accepted Answer

The short answer is no, your dog will not interact with all of our dogs. The longer answer is that each of our dogs have different play styles that work with different dogs' personalities. Due to this, we learn your dog's personality and comfort level to determine which of our dogs (or current boarding dogs), if any, would be a good match. We always pay close attention to the signals that all of the dogs in our home give to make sure everyone is having a woofing time! All play is supervised and interactions are done thoughtfully.

Question 7

Are dogs ever left alone during boarding?

Accepted Answer

Since we operate as a home-based boarding environment and work from home, dogs are supervised for the majority of the day.

On occasion, we may step out briefly for errands or scheduled appointments. During those times, all dogs are safely kenneled individually to ensure security and comfort. We do not leave dogs loose or unsupervised in our home.

Any time away is typically limited to a few hours, and dogs are comfortably resting in their individual spaces.

Our goal is to provide a structued, secure environment with consistent supervision and thoughtful care throughout each stay. If you have specific concerns about separation time, we're always happy to discuss them prior to booking.

Question 8

What are your drop off and pick up times?

Accepted Answer

We do our best to offer flexible drop off and pick up times for our clients whenever possible. When booking, please communicate your preferred times so we can plan accordingly.

Because we operate as a structured home environment, we ask that you notify us as soon as possible if your plans change or if you anticipate arriving earlier or later than scheduled. Clear communication helps us maintain a smooth routine for all dogs in our care.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation!

Question 9

Is daycare all day play?

Accepted Answer

No. Our daycare is set up in a similar way to boarding. It includes supervised play balanced with structured rest breaks. Dogs need downtime just as much as activity to stay regulated and comfortable.

Question 10

What do drop-in visits include?

Accepted Answer

Drop-ins are 30 minutes per drop in visit. Each drop-in visit includes a potty break, fresh water refill, feeding if requested, and dedicated playtime or companionship based on your pet's needs.

For cat visits, we can also clean and maintain litter boxes during each scheduled drop-in.

We follow your pet's normal routine as closely as possible and can administer medication if discussed in advance. We also perform a quick home check during each visit (such as bringing in mail/packages or ensuring doors are secured).

Our goal is to provide dependable, structured care and to make sure your pet feels comfortable and well cared for while you're away.

Question 11

Are you insured?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! We are insured through a pet care insurance policy for Five Happy Tails, LLC, which provides coverage for our pet care business so families can feel confident while their dogs are in our care!

Frequently asked questions