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Sleepydog Kennel We are a family owned business and live just across the driveway from our brand new kennel facility. We offer boarding, daycare, grooming, and behavior modification. Our daily daycare rate is $18, with discounts for pre-purchase and multiple pet households. Our boarding rates range from $22-$30 depending on accomodations.
Served areas
  • Northwestern Vermont
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Services
Sleepydog Kennel daycare and boarding options customized to the needs of your dog. Your dog sets the pace, whether it is lively play with other dogs, exploration of the yard, calm oversight of shenanigans, or snuggling! We want to be your dog's second home, a place where they feel loved and YOU feel confident about their well being.
Doggie daycare provides your dog with mental and physical stimulation, as well as critical socialization skills that will make their life - and yours - more rewarding! We take the time to really know your dog so that we can craft a daycare experience best suited for him or her. We observe them closely to identify any barriers to their successfully integrating with playgroups, such as anxiety, overstimulation, or poor communication skills.
Our strategy for calm nights at Sleepydog Kennel is plenty of access to fresh air, mental, and physical stimulation during the day. Our doggie boarders join our daycare groups on weekdays, and for 4 hours per day on weekends and holidays. Dogs from the same family are generally kenneled together or next to each other unless otherwise requested.
As great as it is, there is more to life than a romp in the yard or a good night's sleep! Sleepydog Kennel offers a variety of services that make your life easier and your dog's stay more enjoyable! We offer limited grooming services to our customers as a convenience. We are not professional groomers.
Inspiration for Sleepydog Kennel was born in the pages of the book, "Eat, Pray, Love".* I didn't even like the book, but at one point the author asks herself, while in Italy, "I can do anything I want today- what will make me happy?". She chose wine, cheese, and a good book under an Olive tree by the river.
People
Jen Fredette
Owner
Life-time dog lover.
Reviews (21)
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Laura Bowe
Jun 11, 2022
SDK is awesome! The people are great and my fur baby comes home happy and tired EVERY time!
Dr. Randy L. Gittess
Jun 06, 2022
As bad as the care my dog received in this Kennel the attitude of the absentee owner was worse. 1- I made online arrangement for a larger kennel for my dog for 5 days. They confined him in a box like kennel in a dark basement and my dog reacted by trying to get out and got injured. 2- The Kennel did not inform me of my dog's injury upon pick-up but his missing skin was obvious.

When I asked what happened and why I was not informed and the dog did not receive the care I paid for they blamed the dog. 3- When i wanted to speak with the owner, the employee on staff attempted to hide the owners presence but I went to the adjoining house and knocked on her door for minutes until she opened it. 4- The owner was arrogant, denied responsibility, was impolite and uncaring. This is a truthful report of an actual event from a new-to-the-area dog owner.
Caryssa Yates
May 27, 2022
We ❤️ sleepydog and so does our Dolly! Their online reservation system is so easy and user friendly. I love that the confirmation comes right to my email so nothing is missed. They take such great care of our girl! She always comes home tired! The daily pics are an added bonus!!
Emily Adams
Mar 17, 2022
My dog loves this place! The people here are very kind and considerate, and I appreciate that they take last-minute bookings. I will keep coming back!
Angela Brassard
Aug 31, 2021
I will never use this kennel again and I will make sure to NOT let anyone I know use it my dog lost 2 lbs. in 5 days and contracted Giardia and was very sick when I picked her up. I was told they have no control over contracting any diseases while my dog is there and giardia is caused by standing in or drinking contaminated water or fecal matter. This is a disgusting dirty place and I would keep your dog as far away from them as possible.
Austin Bodette
Jan 29, 2021
My day used to bring his dog here and owner is literally the best and super sweet. Recommend place for doggie daycare
Angela Pierce
Oct 28, 2020
I can't express how much I love sleepy dog kennel! My puppy was attacked by another dog a couple months back he has had the hardest time being around other dog's until I brought him to doggy day care here! He is now doing so well and I can't thank the staff enough for taking the time to help him get to where he is! Y'all rock! I love seeing how excited he gets when we pull in!
Garth
Nov 10, 2019
I took my two puppies to the vet the day before leaving them in this companies care and both of my puppies were according to my vets records at a good weight and had no parasites. My puppies after six weeks in their custody were returned starved, severely malnourished, neglected and HEAVILY infected with parasites. If I could leave zero stars I would because they are disgraceful and despicable.
Christopher T.
Jul 03, 2019
Experience: 5 night stay with two senior dogs; daycare with same dogs. Dog happiness: Both dogs were very happy. Pictures posted to Facebook feed. Good interaction with other dogs in stimulating environment. Other dogs leaving looked just as happy. They both were exhausted from playing all day. Staff: Very friendly. Easy access to owner. Able to handle difficult scenarios with ease. Visually demonstrated experience handling dogs. Facility: Other places feels like a prison.

This place feels more relaxed and focused on dog happiness. Offered grooming services which we used and satisfied with. A little far away from Burlington. Price: Affordable, a little lower than other Chittenden County kennels. Recommend again: Daycare, yes. Boarding, yes.
Greg E.
Apr 27, 2019
My dog Riker loves going here. We only board but during the day he gets to play and socialize with the daycare group. He always comes home well adjusted and exercised. Maybe a little dirty too, but to me that just says he has enjoyed himself! My cat has boarded here as well, and is well cared for. When he comes home there is no obnoxious meowing because he gets the attention that he thinks he deserves while he is there!
Julie Webb
Mar 16, 2019
I don't know what we would do without sleepydog kennel. The staff is friendly, caring and will accommodate just about any requests, even same day. And my Jack LOVES going there. After nearly two years he still can't contain his excitement when we pull into the parking lot. Thank you sleepydog, you're the best!
Mia S.
Mar 06, 2019
My pup Atta and I love this place! She fell asleep within 2 minutes when I picked her up on her first day (at her old daycare she was rolling around so energetic after a full day.). They are so caring and you can tell it's a great environment. She got a "First visit report card" on her first day and they provide parents with all info on how a new dogs first day will go on their website! Highly recommend :)
Lenita Wells
Jan 20, 2019
They have been great with Miles he comes home exhausted. They are willing to take him on short notice. Have been willing and helpful on our training plan. The whole team is pet friendly, people too
Jeffery P.
Apr 05, 2016
My dog spent six nights here and was supposed to have is bath and his nails trimmed, both of which they neglected to do. My dog was filthy when I picked him up. The receptionist said I could come back later and they would actually bath him and trim his nails which is not practical being a 20min drive each way from my house! He'll never stay here again. ***** UPDATE 4/6/2016 ***** Sleepydog Kennel has since contacted me to make this right and offered a credit for my dog's bath and nails.

Thank you Sleepydog. Other than the previously mentioned lack of bath/nail trimming Sleepydog Kennel was very good about posting pictures of my dog playing with others and provided a detailed report card of how my dog did while there.
Evan S.
Jun 28, 2015
I typically do not write reviews about places, but felt that it was warranted here. I brought my dog here for the first time based upon a couple of reviews from acquaintances, and wish that I hadn't. My dog was there for a Saturday - Tuesday stay, then a brief overnight at home (out of the kennel for 14 hours), and then back for another stay from Wednesday to Thursday.

He was fully vaccinated at the time that he went there. When I picked him up on Tuesday he was supposed to have been hosed off so that he wasn't muddy, they forgot, no big deal, but he was pretty dirty (yay, he played hard!). When I got home I found a day or two old puncture wound about 1" below his left eye. It was a bit puffy, but didn't appear to be infected, however the same eye did have some drainage coming out of it.

I asked the staff about the puncture the next day, and I was told that she would "ask the nurse" about it. She brought my dog out back, and didn't come back. Dogs do play rough, and injuries do occur, but I expect that a dog would be given a "once over" at least once a day, especially since I was told that my dog had been hanging out with the staff a lot, and got plenty of human loving.

I picked him up again on Thursday night, and despite me telling the person at the front several times on Wednesday that I wanted him to be given a full bath by the time that I picked him up, he wasn't given one, nor was his now filthy bedding laundered, which was to be done along with a bath, as per their website. Why would their staff member ask me what time I would be picking him up "so that he stays clean after his bath" if they weren't going to give him one? Again, a minor annoyance.

The big problem arose on the ride home, when the dry coughing began, and I noticed the green goop coming out of his eye. I got him into my vet the next day, and found out that he had caught kennel cough, and had a blocked tear duct as a result of the puncture wound on his face. I immediately called the kennel to let them know about the kennel cough, which is highly contagious, and the woman who answered the phone wasn't concerned at all, and told me "ok, thanks", and hung up the phone.

My dog hadn't been around other dogs in several months prior to going here, and the only form of transmission is dog to dog. Now I have a dog that is on mega antibiotics and doesn't feel well, and a $150 vet bill to fix something that my dog must have picked up at their facility. and they do not care. Had they appeared to show any concern at all when I called I would have accepted their appologies, presumed that they would have sterilized things at the kennel, notified other owners who had dogs at the facility, and dropped it.

Unfortunately if they didn't care about kennel cough in their facility, then would they notify owners whose dogs had been around mine (who would most likely also come down with kennel cough), and would they care enough to perform any additional sterilization methods to stop it from spreading further? My dog will not be going back to that facility.
Karen Z.
Aug 07, 2013
We've taken our dog here 3 times because it is closer to our house than the kennel we previously used. I now realize that convenience isnt always worth it. The time before last I was frustrated because I would ask questions like "was _________ a good boy?" and was replied with a "yup." No details, no telling me what he did, which makes me wonder how well he was taken care of.

The last visit he came out when I picked him up with a large spot right above his nose. When I asked if it was just dirt (which is fine because I know dogs get dirty) she didn't know. I wasn't offered a paper towel so I took one myself and started scrubbing off what I thought was dirt. It wouldn't come off so I asked if it was maybe sap.

She said "yeah it probably is." But after scrubbing it, it was clear that it was a large sore. I asked if it was a hot spot and got the same answer as before - "yeah it probably is." It came off to me as if she was just agreeing with whatever I said. I wonder if it was treated. I wonder when it was noticed. I don't know. When I was checking out it felt very impersonal with very little words exchanged, which is a concern for me when I have just left a family member with them. Needless to say, we won't be coming back.
Shane B.
Jun 20, 2013
I have 3 dogs with very specific needs, a great dane-yellow lab with knee issues, an old appenzell, and a chow mix. They have board here several times since it opened and attend daycare once a week. They love it! The kennel manager is amazing with dogs and unlike most places that "store" animals for their owners. Sleepydog offers a play-based environment that really puts the excersize and happiness of the dog first.

They even make concessions for the the great-labs knee, allowing her quiet time when she needs it. They even let me bring my own food, but I don't have to. Unlike other care facilities in the area which refuse human contact to the dogs for some reason. The employees at Sleepydog Kennel actually treat your dog like it was raised and loved from birth by them.

That being said, they do let the dogs play with each other and fights do happen. My appenzell has come home with a scratch or too occasionally but he is a rambunctious old boy. They have have come home with a cold once. But so does my 2 yo when she goes to daycare and plays with a bunch of other kids. I knew this could happen when I picked this style of care. The staff always call me immediately if there is any issue. I couldn't ask for a better way to let my dogs play.
Annie H.
Jun 13, 2013
I love this place so much! When I adopted my dog, I was worried about him getting the level of exercise he needed, because I have a full time job. Fortunately, Sleepydog is very close to my work and their pick-up/drop-off times are perfect, even nights I have to work late. I love that once I friend-ed them on Facebook, I can see pictures and sometimes videos of what my little guy is up to.

That definitely helped out in the beginning, when I was nervous about him interacting with other dogs. Sleepydog is also so great about letting owners know if something is making it's way around the kennel. This winter when kennel cough was making its way around daycares, they had an announcement on the desk as soon as you walked in that let you know a bit about kennel cough, and then at that point I felt the decision to leave your dog there/take him out for a bit is up to the owner.

They also post announcements about adoptable dogs, shelters in need of donations, or group events benefiting various shelters, which I believe is a great thing. Most of all, I love how true to the name this place is! Without fail, every time I pick up Perry from Sleepydog and he hops in the backseat of my car, he is asleep before I have pulled out of the parking lot.

We get home, and he will eat/drink a bit, and sleep the rest of the night away. Sleepydog has made my dog parenting life so much easier! I would absolutely recommend this daycare to anyone!
Sally
Jul 18, 2011
My dog comes home tired every time we drop her off! It really is a "sleepy dog" kennel!
Sallyanne Smith
Mar 24, 2011
I take my dog to Sleepydog Kennel and she loves it there. Prue, my dog, comes home exhausted. She recovers, but boy is it nice to have her quiet and exercised. She usually sleeps on the way home in the car. The daily cost is reasonable.
Dalz R.
Mar 15, 2011
I had high hopes for this brand new facility. The owner was personable and a tour of the kennel showed that it was clean and organized. I gave this review two stars b/c my dogs contacted serious viral infections from this place, after the owner failed to notify clients that dogs were calling in sick. There are no experienced dog handlers on site (it is run by the owners teenage kids and elderly father).

They also take in shelter dogs/foster animals and allow them to be intermingled with all the other dogs. (Huge no!- was not aware of this at time of pet-sitting and is how infections probably started) When issue was brought to owners attention nothing was done to resolve the situation except pushing blame on everyone else. I would not recommend this facility to anyone and from what most dog-owners in the area are saying the feeling has spread throughout the community.