5 New Year’s Resolutions for a Dog Daycare & Boarding Kennel

2025 was quite the rollercoaster of a year. What do we think 2026 has to offer? As a new year begins, it’s the perfect time for dog daycare and boarding kennel owners to reflect on their business practices and set resolutions for growth and improvement. Implementing fresh strategies and enhancing operations can lead to increased client satisfaction and business success. It's easy to fall into a lull where you just let the business keep chugging along. While this isn't a horrible idea, setting some yearly goals can be a great way to increase profit and keep the business going into the future. In today's blog post, I'm going to give you five potential New Year's resolutions that you can implement at your dog daycare and boarding business.

1. Enhance Customer Communication

Effective communication with clients is essential for maintaining strong relationships and ensuring satisfaction. Are you communicating with your clients enough? Do they feel like they have an active relationship with your business or are you just someone they call for the occasional appointment? Resolve to improve how you interact with pet owners by implementing regular updates about their dogs’ activities and well-being. Consider using digital platforms to send daily or weekly updates, photos, and videos of their pets enjoying their time at your facility. Additionally, invest in a user-friendly booking and communication system to streamline appointment scheduling and inquiries. It doesn't need to be hard to keep in contact with your clients.

2. Expand Your Service Offerings

Diversify your services to meet the evolving needs of your clients and attract new customers. In addition to traditional daycare and boarding, explore adding services to your current offering such as grooming, training, or special enrichment activities. You might also offer themed events or seasonal packages, such as holiday-themed play sessions or birthday parties for pets. By expanding your offerings, you can enhance the overall experience for dogs and their owners while increasing revenue streams. One of the easiest services that you can offer without much work is a pet taxi service. This is simply picking up people's pets and delivering them at the end of the day. If you have four pets that request this service per day, that could be an extra $100/day in revenue (if you charged $25 for the service). Not too shabby for very little extra work.

3. Invest in Staff Training and Development

Your staff is the backbone of your dog daycare and boarding kennel, and their skills directly impact the quality of care provided. Good employees makes good business sense. Resolve to invest in ongoing training and professional development for your team. This could include certifications in pet first aid, advanced dog training techniques, or customer service skills. Well-trained staff will not only improve the quality of care but also contribute to a positive and professional atmosphere, leading to higher client satisfaction and retention. Staff that feel that they are appreciated are also happier and will most likely stick around longer than those that feel they are being taken advantage of.

4. Improve Facility Maintenance and Safety

Maintaining a clean, safe, and welcoming environment is crucial for both the dogs and their owners. Resolve to conduct regular facility inspections and address any maintenance issues promptly. Has the air conditioner been acting up for some time now? Fix it already! The last thing you want to happen during next summer's heat wave is for the AC to finally crap out and then you have 20 dogs overheating because of your laziness. Update or replace any worn-out equipment and ensure that all safety protocols are followed. Implement routine cleaning schedules and invest in high-quality, pet-safe cleaning products. A well-maintained facility not only ensures the health and safety of the dogs but also enhances your business’s reputation.

5. Strengthen Your Online Presence

In today’s digital age, a strong online presence is essential for attracting new clients and retaining existing ones. Back in the day, it was a good idea to have a website, even though it really wasn't necessary (some still agree). Nowadays, a website is the BARE MINIMUM in terms of online presence. Maybe you don't need a TikTok, but having a Facebook page to share daily pictures and create online conversations is a great idea. Resolve to enhance your online marketing efforts by updating your website, engaging more actively on social media, and utilizing digital advertising. Regularly post engaging content, such as photos, videos, and success stories, to showcase your facility and the services you offer. Consider leveraging online reviews and testimonials to build trust and credibility with potential clients.

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