Where is Solo Dogs Located?
Solo Dogs is located in Edmonds (Snohomish County) in the north part of Greater Seattle / Seattle Metro area, outside of the Seattle city limits. Once an application has been received and approved, I’ll send you the address in advance of the Meet and Greet session.
Do You Do Any Training? Does my dog need to be trained?
I don’t do any dog training. The only training I may do is to teach visiting dogs how to use a doggie door if their mobility is good enough to do this safely. However all dogs must be crate trained, and trained in basic manners, the most important: come. I need to have dogs come inside from the back yard, despite distractions such as birds, squirrels, rabbits, buses, etc. Your dog needs to have a reliable recall so I can get them back inside without too much effort.
Do You Walk Dogs For Exercise?
No. The only reason that I will take a dog off my property is in the case of an emergency. While I am home, dogs have supervised access to a large fenced back yard. Dogs that need exercise to relax are not a good match for SoloDogs. I’m really looking for couch potatoes. Having said this, boarding is stressful for dogs, and the environment is so rich here – most dogs don’t nap per their usual routine and so they’re generally more tired and require less intense physical activity to get sleepy versus when they’re in their own familiar home environments.
Where Will My Dog Be When You’re Not Home?
It depends on your dog’s personality, training, and your preferences. I have a small room that has access to a doggie door that leads to a locked enclosed dog run (6′ x 10′). The room can be outfitted with an extra large crate that is 31″ high x 28″ wide x 42″ long. The crate has a 4″ thick orthopedic memory foam mattress. Your dog will be separated from my dog when I’m away, so it’s important he/she can be contained calmly within a crate, or within a room behind a baby gate. Options include:
- Crated
- In small room with baby gate
- In my kitchen with baby gate
Where Will My Dog Sleep?
These are some of the details we’ll work out after your application is approved and when we schedule a trial overnight stay. My goal is to replicate the sleeping arrangements in your household as much as possible while still getting a good night’s sleep. My dog is very sensitive to the sounds of dogs moving around at night, or snoring, so dogs do not sleep inside my bedroom. I have a square hallway area just outside my bedroom that most guests sleep in – with a babygate across my bedroom doorway. Some guest dogs like sleeping in the living room. All dogs with incontinence issues must sleep in the laundry/kennel area off my kitchen.
My Family is Comprised of Two Dogs, Will You Board Them Both?
No, since I’m by myself, having two guests and my own dog is more than I want to manage.
My dog is not “aggressive” but frequently barks at dogs on walks. Will you take her?
Unfortunately no, I can’t board any dogs who are reactive to dogs (or humans) in any way. People often say “my dog is not aggressive she’s just fearful (or excited)”. Aggression (moving towards an trigger the dog needs more distance from) is a behavior, while fear, is an emotion that may be at the root cause of aggressive behavior. Excitement, being over aroused, can often tip over into aggression. Regardless, if your dog barks or lunges at other dogs on walks, he or she isn’t a good match for SoloDogs. I go to great lengths to avoid having my own sensitive dog barked at, and so I don’t board dogs with any type of reactivity, regardless of what you feel the underlying emotional state may be.
Some of your photos show your dog with dogs over 30 lbs, what’s up with that?
Yup, she does have some longtime very calm and gentle doggie pals who are over 30 lbs. But as she’s matured into an adult, she’s clearly developed a preference for dogs her size or smaller. And since I’ve aged as well, in the event I need to pick up a guest dog, having smaller lighter guest dogs makes a difference to me as well. That’s why I’m limiting all new boarding clients to a 30 lb weight limit. Exceptions are made for dogs who are elderly.
My Dog is not “Special Needs” – Will You Give Me A Discount?
No. Solo Dogs is a unique boarding business and because I only board one client at a time, my availability is limited.
Why Do You Need My Dog Food and Treats to be Gluten Free?
I have Celiac Disease, and my house is strictly gluten-free. Since I handle dog food and treats, it’s easier and safer for me if they don’t contain any gluten. If this conflicts with your dog’s dietary restrictions, let me know.
What does “Gluten Free” mean?
Gluten Free means no wheat, no barley, no rye. Because oats are often cross-contaminated with gluten, no oats either. If a dog food is “grain-free”, then it’s also gluten-free.
If a dog food is “Grain-Free” is it “Gluten-Free”?
Yes!