Picture this: A world-class Italian villa decorated with porcelain tile flooring, grandiose flat-screen TVs, and a California King—swimming in white goose down bedding. Sounds pristine, right? But for a man’s best friend? No. Dogs simply don’t appreciate these types of luxurious human amenities. It’s time for us all to start thinking like a dog.

An extreme example, but the point is that we tend to confuse what dogs want for what we think they want, or what the owners would want. Instead, channel the dog’s perspective. What makes them relaxed and comfortable? What surroundings do they prefer? What makes them tick?

From physical design elements to natural sounds to eating and sleeping habits, here are a handful of pet care hospitality tips to keep in mind when building your next pet resort.

Embrace the Space

Business owners tend to utilize every single inch of square footage. But when it comes to a pet care center, you want to do the opposite: Embrace open space. Opt for warehouses or other large structures with high ceilings; consider space for large play yards; and remove any unnecessary T-bar and ceiling panels from indoor rooms to utilize the natural height of the ceiling. The larger the rooms and the higher the ceilings, the less stressed the dogs will be and the less likely they will be to deliver a “fight or flight” response.

Factor in the building materials as well. Instead of luxurious stone flooring surfaces such as tile (remember, this isn’t an Italian villa) which can make their feet tense and head anxious, select rubber. Avoid all exposed drywall and wires wherever dogs are allowed to roam, play or sleep unattended. Dogs can chew through them in no time and the results can be devastating.

Compassionate Boarding

When it comes to dogs and their psychological nature, there are activities that are best done in private spaces versus open, shared spaces. Temperament testing, socializing with other dogs, moving around on a leash or entering (and exiting) the facility should all be done in open areas. On the other hand, individual needs, such as napping, feeding and sleeping are best met in private bedrooms or “dens.”

Dogs should be able to play and socialize with other dogs, but then be able to retreat to a secure and safe den to enjoy personal time. This balance is key. Don’t default to a “cageless boarding” facility, which may seem like a great idea on the surface. You think, “Hey, it sounds great, looks good, is super hip and marketable right now, and it saves me thousands of dollars in kennel costs!” But this where you’re not thinking like a dog. With no area of their own for the dogs to retreat to, in times of heightened stress, these dogs may feel the urge to defend themselves, their space, a possession or their food—which can lead to altercations.

When dogs encounter stressful or potentially dangerous situations, they immediately enter an instinctual “fight or flight” mode. And there’s the rub – if we take away a dog’s ability to retreat safely from the perceived stressor or danger (i.e. “flight”), then all that remains in that dog’s toolbox is “fight.” In the veterinary and pet care hospitality industry, the acceptable death rate should be zero; therefore, it should become obvious that we would never purposefully create an environment that increases the chances of such physical injury or even death!

Dog-Luxury Suites

Dogs don’t want a themed luxury suite, nor an imprisoned cell block either. Keep these helpful tips in mind when it comes to building the den area:

Decorate the bedrooms with canine comforts like soft stable flooring, blankets, a raised cot, and/or a large soft pillow for the dog to lie on.

To ensure the dogs have some privacy, build these bedrooms with three sturdy walls and a secure entry door. Smaller and/or less confident dogs often appreciate an additional lid to cover their “blind spot.” Build non-transparent walls using materials that dogs cannot dig or chew through—and make sure the walls are at a decent height so the dogs can feel safe when people walk by or neighboring dogs jump up alongside them.

If possible, align the bedrooms peripherally around a room so the dogs have an opportunity to see all of the activity going on outside of their bedroom and match it to the noises they hear. Try to avoid placing bedrooms in long corridors immediately across from one another. Although space efficient, this design will on occasion lead to increased anxiety and even “cage fighting” in some of the guests (once again, the possibility “flight” will have been removed, thereby leaving them with only one perceived option: “fight”).

Unlike the solid walls used for the dens, build a security door made of glass that separates the den area from the entrance; this way dogs can peer through the front of the room and see all the activity around them. Another benefit to glass doors is that it eliminates many, if not all of the injuries that can occur using “cage bars” or “chain link.”

Create scheduled times for feeding, napping and sleeping. Your guests will appreciate the structure and routine, as it translates into a sense of security and comfort.

Sound Off

Certain music can dramatically affect a dog’s mood, regardless of the words or even if the music is catchy – which is why a facility should always cater to the dogs’ needs. Rock tunes with aggressive and harsh lines or melodies can get dogs ramped up (especially when in packs), whereas a little bit of classical Chopin and Bach can calm them. Music to a dog’s ears? Go au natural and include sounds such as the wind in the trees, running water and birds chirping.

Many dogs are also comforted by the sound of the human voice—even if it’s “Days of Our Lives” on TV in the background. Remember, comforting sounds can significantly reduce altercations; simply changing the TV channel or music station can immediately change pack dynamics as well as individual behaviors.

Calm Dog or Anxious Dog?

No two dogs are exactly the same, so it’s important to incorporate temperament testing into your boarding facility’s operating system. Designate at least one person on staff to perform an initial evaluation of the dogs, and create an environment around his or her analysis. Once your staff has established appropriate packs and break out groups, they’ll need to be keenly attentive to any developing stressful situations between your guests. When they see anxious behaviors developing, they can immediately distract and redirect behaviors, change the dog’s environment, or even initiate socialization and training efforts to help facilitate a safe, happy and comfortable stay.

By simply splitting a play yard into two yards, you can often accommodate nearly 80 percent of the dogs to play in one of the two packs. This leaves your handlers to work with the remaining 20 percent, who will need either individual attention or small breakout play groups tailored to their specific needs. Acknowledge that some dogs—even after having them temperament tested, overseen by well-trained handlers in a professionally designed nurturing environment—may still have behavioral issues. Work to socialize them using positive, sensible training methods to help these dogs relax. Continually evaluate them throughout each and every day, checking their physical features and their emotional state so that you can truly optimize their stay and personalize their experience while at your facility.

Nature and Nurture

At the end of the day, it’s about nurturing the nature of the dogs—finding out what surroundings and spaces make them comfortable, happy, social and playful. It’s about noticing their instincts, tending to their well-being and socializing them within their temperament threshold. By doing this, you can create the perfect “day in the life” for your guests at your facility.

Dr. John Boyd, DVM, CEO and founder of Dr. Boyd’s Pet Resorts and Veterinary Centers, is considered a leader in the emerging veterinary hospitality industry and intends to take his successful model of “whole-istic” pet care nationwide. Dr. Boyd attended the University of Southern California as an undergraduate before earning his doctorate in veterinary medicine from the University of California-Davis in 1986. Dr. Boyd has been an active member within numerous veterinary associations at the local, state and national levels. Prior to creating Dr. Boyd’s Pet Resort, Dr. Boyd founded Pacific Petcare Veterinary Hospital of Carmel Valley in 1992, Dr. Boyd’s Foundation for Pets in 2004, and in 2007 Dr. Boyd developed a 25,000 square foot integrated veterinary hospital / boarding facility that Dr. Boyd now fondly refers to as his “practice business model.”

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