POLICIES

To my wonderful client community,

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After 10 years of professional pet care, I am shifting my approach to ensure the highest standards of safety, quality, and well-being—both for your dogs and for myself.

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While I deeply love the work I do, managing a wide variety of dogs is incredibly demanding, both physically and mentally. To address potential safety risks before they happen, I am modifying my open-intake policy and establishing stricter size and obedience standards moving forward.

 

Key Changes Going Forward:

 

• Strict Size & Management Limits: I will now only accept dogs that I can comfortably handle, control, or physically lift in the event of an emergency.

• Reduced Capacity: I am lowering the total number of dogs I accept at any given time.

• Obedience Priority: Top priority will be given to dogs with proven obedience training. Moving forward, I will no longer accept dogs unless they have fully completed a training program with me and have consistently maintained those obedience standards.*

  • *See full Obedience Requirements below

 

These changes are entirely about emphasizing safety and ensuring I can provide the best, most secure environment possible for your lovely dogs. 

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Thank you so much for your understanding, loyalty, and cooperation as I make this necessary transition.

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Full Detail: 

As of June 1, 2026 you must submit an application to board your dog. If approved, you will then need to sign

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1. Agreement for Temporary Care of a Pet

2. Waiver & Liability Form

3. Dog Health Disclosure Form

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Only after completing all these steps can you request to schedule boarding. ​​

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Species for Boarding

• We only board dogs. We do not board wolves, foxes, coyotes, or hybrids of any of the above, regardless if the animal is legally obtained.

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Health Requirements​

• No dogs with apparent health conditions will be accepted. This includes:

  • No senior dogs on borrowed time (you may be asked for a recent blood test or vet note)

  • No dogs with dementia or other degenerative brain conditions

  • No underweight or overweight dogs. No dogs with BCS outside of 4, 5, or 6. Learn more

  • No dogs with severe illnesses or injuries, including obesity.  Diseases of joint, eye, tooth, bone, tissue, etc. We cannot possibly list every condition.

• Certain manageable conditions may be accepted so long as they meet other qualifications

  • Examples of "yes" include manageable Pannus, daily meds or supplements that maintain the health conditions, tripods, special diets

  • Examples of "no" include dementia, joint dysplasia, infected teeth

  • Situations like recent surgeries are case-by-case

• We can’t measure these things until you’re at the door; a clear note of health from a vet is the most promising measure.

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Quantity Restrictions

• Boarding is restricted to 4 dogs or a total of 200 pounds, whichever comes first. This equates to four 50 pound dogs or two 100 pound dogs, as examples.

• Proof of a vet visit showing the dog's weight within the last 6 months is required. All dogs are subject to re-weigh during their stay.

• This is a safety requirement in case of emergency evacuation.

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Obedience Requirements​

• Dogs must have basic obedience.

• "Basic obedience" means:

  • The dog has initiated or completed a training package with me or another approved trainer within the last 12 months and achieved a CGC level of obedience

    • OR

  • The dog has a Novice level title on record with proof. 

    • Titles like AKC Beginner Novice or Novice and AKC Rally Novice are accepted. UKC, GRC, ASCA, and similar, titles are accepted. These titles indicate a dog’s ability to safely exist around people, other dogs, and unexpected stimuli. 

    • Virtual titles will not be accepted, they must pe performed in public.

    • A passing AKC Novice Routine filmed outdoors in a public location in one single shot (no cuts or edits), no e-collar, no treats or toys, may be accepted as a substitution.​

 

See "What is Obedience."

 

If our schedule is open, we are always happy to accept dog training clients, but all we can provide is information. Remember, obedience is like staying in shape; showing up to a couple classes is not enough. You must work your dog often and live a lifestyle of discipline to maintain it.​

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Gear

• Dogs will wear any gear deemed necessary at any point during their stay. 

• Dogs will be confined to their own crates when not directly supervised. 

• Dogs will never be kenneled together, even dogs of the same household.

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Dog Walks

• Dogs over 80 pounds will not be walked. This is a safety issue. They instead have access to a sizeable yard and a slatmill.

• Dogs who are walked will be at our discretion and may be walked on any gear deemed necessary.

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Drop Offs and Pick Ups​

• No drop offs or pick ups on Sundays. 

• Limited drop off and pick up times. When booking, you must select your drop off and pickup times to book. Open hours are Monday – Saturday 7:30 AM – 7:30 PM​

  • Dog transfers outside of this window are not allowed.

  • We advise against scheduling immediately after returning from a trip. 

  • Every 15 minutes of tardiness is an extra $30. 

  • More than 30 minutes tardiness incurs an extra day to your cost and pickup must be rescheduled. 

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Pricing

• Boarding is priced per day. A "day" begins and ends at 12 noon.

• Dropping off before 12 noon is (1) day.

• Picking up after 12 noon is (1) day.

  • Examples: 

    • June 1 – 5, 50 pound dog

      • Drop off June 1 @ 8 AM

      • Pick up June 5 @ 6 PM

      • 5 days ($300) 

    • June 1 – 5, 50 pound dog

      • Drop off June 1 at 6 PM

      • Pick up June 5 @ 8 AM

      • 3 days ($180)

• Cost per day

  • Dogs 1 – 79 pounds: $60 / day​

  • Dogs 80 – 109 pounds: $80 / day

  • Dogs 110+ pounds: $120 / day

• Dogs with aggression or those who cannot be let out with other dogs, including intact males or females in heat, are $80–$120 / day (situation dependent). 

• No package deals for multiple dogs. ​

• Tardiness, no-shows, grooming, and parasites incur additional fees. ​

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Sanitation

• Do not bring harnesses, bedding, toys, kennels, or food/water dishes.

• Dogs requiring bathing, grooming, flea treatment, or other treatments, will incur additional fees. 

• Dog bowls are cleaned daily.

• Kennels are cleaned and sanitized between every dog. 

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Fees​

• Tardiness (15 minutes+)

  • Every 15 minutes of tardiness is an extra $30. 

  • More than 30 minutes tardiness incurs an extra day to your cost and pickup must be rescheduled. 

  • +/- 14 minutes is not penalized. If you selected 9 AM, anywhere between 8:46 AM and 9:14 AM is acceptable without fees. 

• No-Show / Late Reschedules and Cancellations

  • A No-Show is a failure to show for your booking.

  • Late Reschedules and Cancellations are those done within 24 hours of your booking start time.

  • Cost is 50% of the cost of your booking or $120 / dog, whichever is less.

• Grooming (by request or necessity)

  • Bathing:

    • $60 dogs 79 pounds and under​

    • $100 dogs 80+ pounds

  • Nails:

    • $15

    • Only for dogs who will tolerate​

• Training​

  • 30 min: $60​

• Parasites 

  • $500 / dog plus any applicable cleaning and extermination fees​

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To reserve boarding spots you must:

1. Comply with all terms above for every boarding dog

2. Verify the dates are available

3. Confirm drop off and pick up times

4. Confirm current vaccination status for Rabies, DHPP, and bordatella (required). Flea and tick meds are suggested. 

5. Confirm physical and mental health of the dog, medical records may be requested for verification. 

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Only after all 5 steps will you be allowed to schedule boarding. You may be asked to re-demonstrate your dog's obedience at any time. 

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Policies are subject to change at any time.

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Those who do not meet The Underdog boarding requirements may instead submit an application with Alexandra Stringfellow lonepeakpets@gmail.com

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Or check availability on the AMPSK9 calendar

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We are always looking for other dog sitters to refer out to. Please contact us if you feel you are a good fit.