Business Details
21 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Partner for Dog Boarding & Daycare in Detroit
Founded in 2005 by Liz Blondy, Canine To Five has grown from a single Midtown Detroit location into Metro Detroit's premier dog daycare, boarding, and grooming destination. Our commitment to exceptional care began with a vision to provide Detroit pet owners with a reliable, professional space where dogs could thrive. We operate four locations in Midtown, Ferndale, Commerce Township, and Eastside Detroit, each staffed with CPR and First Aid certified professionals dedicated to canine well-being. Our team maintains high staffing ratios, follows rigorous cleaning protocols, and understands animal behavior to ensure safe, enriching environments. We specialize in tailored services like Group Play Daycare, Pawsitive Enrichment, and Puppy Preschool, combining physical exercise with mental stimulation to reduce stress and prevent behavioral issues. Our facilities feature 7,000 sq. ft. of climate-controlled play space and outdoor areas with agility courses, pools, and shaded retreats.We prioritize transparency, offering live webcams for pet parent peace of mind and maintaining open communication about each dog's care. Our core values emphasize safety, flexibility, appreciation, and forward-thinking improvements, making us a trusted partner for over 18 years in the Metro Detroit dog community.
Services
Dog Boarding
Dog Daycare
Dog Grooming
Puppy Preschool
Pawsitive Enrichment
Details
- Year established: 2005
Highlights and features
- We offer 18 years of specialized dog care experience since 2005
- Our trained staff includes CPR and First Aid certified professionals
- We maintain high staffing ratios for personalized attention
- We provide tailored enrichment programs for individual dog needs
- We feature climate-controlled facilities with extensive safety protocols
What people say
Home away from home
Safe and reliable place
Well-being and comfort
Pawsitive Enrichment program
Off-leash fun
Services
Dog Boarding
Canine To Five offers supervised overnight boarding with group play or personalized enrichment options. Dogs receive 24/7 monitoring, hands-on wellness checks, and access to both indoor and outdoor play areas. Group Play Boarding includes social interaction with other dogs, while Pawsitive Enrichment provides tailored mental stimulation through puzzle toys and one-on-one sessions. Both options feature climate-controlled sleeping quarters with raised beds and soothing music. Boarding packages include optional upgrades like photo updates and bedtime treats.
Dog Daycare
We provide structured daycare programs for dogs of all temperaments, featuring Group Play with up to 14 hours of supervised socialization or Pawsitive Enrichment's personalized attention. Both options include access to outdoor play yards with seasonal activities like pools and foam parties. Our trained staff monitors dogs for appropriate social behavior while ensuring physical exercise and mental engagement through agility courses, training sessions, and enrichment activities. Daily wellness checks and allergy-friendly treat rewards maintain health and positive reinforcement.
Pawsitive Enrichment
This specialized program offers customized care for dogs preferring one-on-one interaction over group play. Enrichment activities include treadmill walking, scent tracking, food puzzles, and obedience training tailored to each dog's preferences. Dogs receive three scheduled enrichment sessions daily, with private outdoor access and quiet play areas to prevent overstimulation. The program accommodates special needs dogs through structured routines, resource guarding prevention techniques, and adaptive activity planning while maintaining socialization opportunities with compatible companions.
Puppy Preschool
Available exclusively at our Ferndale location, this socialization program combines basic obedience with confidence-building activities for puppies under 8 months. Structured curriculum includes exposure to medical equipment, various surfaces, and different human interactions to prevent future fears. Crate training establishes rest routines while resource guarding prevention develops sharing habits. Daily activities incorporate age-appropriate play with different-sized dogs and humans, creating a foundation for well-adjusted adult behavior through controlled, positive experiences.
Dog Grooming
Full-service grooming is available at three locations with experienced professionals handling all coat types. Services include bathing, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and breed-specific haircuts using professional-grade tools. Additional options like teeth brushing, nail polishing, and shed control treatments enhance pet hygiene. Our groomers maintain strict safety protocols, requiring vaccination compliance and conducting temperament assessments before procedures. We offer specialized care for first-time puppies with gradual introductions to grooming tools and positive reinforcement techniques.
People
Alison Balow
Facility Manager
With a decade in animal welfare and Equine Science background, Alison leads Midtown operations. She focuses on client communication and pet-owner relationships, bringing expertise from nine years in animal rescue. Active in Detroit's pet community, she manages a multi-pet household while enjoying outdoor activities with her dogs.
Samantha Hillmer
Chief Operating Officer
Overseeing all operations since 2017, Samantha combines 15+ years in animal care with leadership expertise. She develops training materials, manages reservation systems, and directs marketing strategies. With experience from veterinary clinics to border patrol K9 units, she implements policies enhancing both canine well-being and client experiences across four locations.
Melissa Daris
Human Resources Manager
Melissa manages staffing with dual expertise in HR and veterinary emergency medicine. She ensures proper training for all personnel while maintaining employee wellness programs. Her background in animal medicine complements HR responsibilities, creating a supportive workplace culture that retains experienced pet care professionals.
Kaitlin Lulofs
Canine Concierge Manager
Leading client relations since 2016, Kaitlin combines dog behavior expertise with customer service excellence. Her previous experience managing special needs pets translates to empathetic guidance for dog owners. She develops evaluation procedures ensuring safe daycare integration while maintaining strong community connections in Ferndale.
Lauren Blanchard
Groomer
With a decade of grooming experience, Lauren specializes in breed-specific cuts and pet hygiene. She implements safety protocols for nervous animals and educates clients on at-home care routines. Her tenure since 2013 has established consistent quality standards across all grooming locations.
Questions
What dog boarding options are available?
We offer Group Play Boarding with social interaction or Pawsitive Enrichment for personalized care, both with 24/7 staff monitoring and climate-controlled sleeping quarters.
What daycare programs do you provide?
Choose between Group Play with socialization or Pawsitive Enrichment's tailored mental stimulation, both including outdoor activities and structured wellness checks.
How does your enrichment program benefit dogs?
Pawsitive Enrichment offers treadmill walking, food puzzles, and obedience training tailored to individual preferences while preventing overstimulation through controlled social opportunities.
What grooming services do you offer?
Full-service grooming includes breed-specific haircuts, bathing, nail trimming, and ear cleaning with additional options like teeth brushing and shed control treatments.
How often should dogs attend daycare?
We recommend weekly visits to maintain social skills, though some attend daily. Dogs unvisited for six months require re-evaluation for safety and compatibility.
What safety protocols do you follow?
All staff are CPR and First Aid certified with rigorous cleaning standards, temperament evaluations, and constant monitoring to ensure safe dog interactions.
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