Your dog deserves better than ordinary! We’re proud to offer a higher standard of care beyond traditional doggy daycare and boarding.
OUR UNIQUE APPROACH
What Sets Us Apart
Carolyn’s K9 Retreat isn’t your average dog daycare — we’re something better! Our personalized, structured approach creates a safe, enriching, and home-like environment where dogs thrive socially, emotionally, and behaviorally.
At The Retreat, we are proudly cage- and kennel-free. Our dogs enjoy open, comfortable spaces where they can relax, play, and sleep just like they would with in-home dog sitting. Of course, we understand that some dogs are accustomed to sleeping in their own crate. We’re happy to accommodate that and use your own kennel — just bring it along for their boarding stay!
Cage-Free, Stress-Free
Our 24/7 on-site staff presence ensures your dog is never left alone. Unlike traditional kennels, we provide a home-like setting where dogs receive continuous supervision, personalized care, and space to move freely and naturally. From special diets to medication routines, our team is trained to meet each dog’s unique needs with attention and care.
True In-Home Care
Whether it’s a holiday, weekend, or weekday, Carolyn’s K9 Retreat is always open. We know life doesn’t pause — and neither does your dog’s need for care! You can count on us for reliable, year-round service whenever you need it most. Rain, shine, or snowstorm — we’re here with open doors and wagging tails.
Open 365 Days a Year
Our Study Hall program is a unique, daycare-integrated dog behavior training experience tailored to each dog’s individual needs. Built into our doggy daycare and boarding environment, Study Hall goes beyond basic obedience to address real-world social skills, confidence building, and pack manners. Using positive reinforcement, our expert trainers support everything from “sit” and “stay,” to helping your dog thrive in a high-stimulus, community setting – making Study Hall a great option for both behavior support and socialization.
Training in a Pack Setting
Getting Started At The Retreat
Meet & Greet: Your Dog’s First Step into Our Pack
We begin every relationship with a free Meet & Greet. This is you and your dog’s chance to explore our space, meet a few regulars, and get comfortable with the kennel-free boarding and daycare environment. It’s also an opportunity for our expert “Rufferees” to assess your dog’s behavior and answer any questions you may have about doggy daycare and boarding at The Retreat. Click here to schedule a Meet & Greet — we’d love to meet you and your dog!
Following a successful Meet & Greet, all new dogs complete a Daycare Orientation — typically four visits of at least four hours each. This gives our team time to observe and support your furry friend as they settle into a new space with new stimulus. Once Daycare Orientation is complete, we assign your pup an initial grade level to guide their care and community placement moving forward. For overnight stays, your dog must also complete a Boarding Orientation of one to two nights to ensure they sleep soundly at our puppy slumber party. After a successful Boarding Orientation, your pup is welcome to board with us for longer stays.
Orientation: Setting Up for Success
Our Unique Grade System: Tailored Care For Every Dog
At Carolyn’s K9 Retreat, we’ve designed a progressive, behavior-based Grade System unlike anything you’ll find at a traditional doggy daycare and boarding facility. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, we assign each dog to a “grade” based on their behavior, energy level, and social confidence. This helps ensure a safe, enriching experience for every dog while tailoring our care to meet your pup’s unique needs.
Because we’re a kennel-free boarding and daycare facility, your dog won’t be crated or kenneled (unless it’s a preferred part of their home routine). This creates a more relaxed, community-focused environment — and also means we need to evaluate your pup’s comfort and readiness before joining our unique doggy daycare and boarding setting. Some dogs need a little extra support, and that’s okay! Our Grade System helps us provide that support, while also fairly pricing based on the level of attention and training your pup requires.
Read below to learn what each grade level means and what services are available at each stage. You can also click here to view the full behavioral standards required for each grade level.
Preschool is the bare minimum behavioral standard for a dog to be allowed at The Retreat. This grade is reserved for pups who need focused Study Hall training support before they can safely join our larger community for doggy daycare and boarding services. Preschool dogs must attend Study Hall exclusively, be dropped off no earlier than 8:30 am, and picked up no later than 3:00 pm. Preschool dogs are not permitted to board until they are ready to graduate to the next grade.
Preschool
For dogs who need regular targeted attention or frequent time-outs to maintain a safe group dynamic. Middle School pups attend Study Hall regularly, but can be dropped off and picked up within our regular hours, and are allowed to attend doggy daycare and boarding according to their training plans and at the discretion of our staff.
Middle School
High School dogs require regular supervision and occasional intervention from our staff, which is normal for most dogs in a social setting. This grade is the most common for pups at our facility and many great dogs remain in High School throughout their time at The Retreat.
High School
Well-adjusted regulars who show strong social skills and self-regulation. College dogs are respectful, responsive, and well-mannered members of our dog community. They’ve become familiar with our staff, routines, and environment and are reliable in group settings.
College
Graduate School
Exceptional, long-term community members who help lead by example. Grad School dogs are seasoned pros and exemplify the spirit of Carolyn’s K9 Retreat — friendly, respectful, and community-minded.
Is kennel-free right for my dog?
At Carolyn’s K9 Retreat, dogs play, relax, and sleep freely in shared spaces – no cages, no kennels. Our unique kennel-free dog boarding and daycare environment is an ideal fit for social dogs who enjoy the company of others, as well as for puppies who are learning to make new friends. We offer five spacious outdoor pens, quieter indoor areas for senior or small dogs, and support for shy, anxious, or rambunctious pups through our Study Hall program.
Kennel-free is not the best fit for dogs who are aggressive or highly reactive with other dogs or people, or prefer their own space away from other pups. For the safety of our pack, we do not accept dogs with a history of aggression towards dogs or people. It also may not be the best space for elderly dogs with extensive care routines, or dogs with very limited mobility. If you are unsure if kennel-free is the right fit for your dog, we are always happy to work with you to assess your dog’s needs and determine if we are a good space for them.
We look forward to meeting you!
If it sounds like Carolyn’s could be a good fit for your pup, we’d love to meet you! Schedule a free Meet & Greet at The Retreat to visit our facility and introduce your furry friend to our staff.