Pet Boarding and Daycare Podcast with Dominic Hodgson

Ever wondered what happens when your staff start learning just as much from elephants as they do from industry expos? Think enrichment only works if you’ve got 10,000 square feet and a scent space that looks like a Hogwarts classroom? Or maybe you’ve been wondering how to actually  build a business  that works around your life – not the other way around? In this inspiring first hal...

Not ready to host a kennel lock-in or parade through town with costumed dogs just to get press? Do you wish you could make the news without making a scene (and without losing out on profit)? Looking for a fool-proof way to grab attention and turn yesterday’s headlines into tomorrow’s bookings? Then this follow-up to last week’s episode will help, because host Dom reveals how to borrow the news &#8...

Are you getting buried in the algorithm – while your competitors somehow keep popping up everywhere? Still staring at a blank screen, wondering how to create content that isn’t just another cute dog video? And are you tired of watching other businesses get media coverage… when you’re the one doing all the work worth shouting about? In this (mostly) solo marketing masterclass, Dom reveals how...

Still scrambling to fill gaps in your summer schedule—while silently dreading Q4? Is your inbox overflowing, your to-do list never-ending, and your bookings still unpredictable? And are you relying on a glorified calendar app instead of a real system to grow your business?  In this packed episode, Dom shares how a week off in Menorca – with no emails, no Slack, and no distractions &#821...

What happens when AI picks up the phone at your pet resort – and never misses a call again? Could the biggest leap in daycare efficiency come from hospital wards and HVAC vans? And why are the smartest pet care facilities ditching all-inclusive chaos for themed enrichment bundles that sell themselves? In this tech-centric episode, Dom sits down with Garret Tadlock – CEO of FetchDesk Ai...

Are you still offering “just enough” to new hires – and then wondering why they ghost you? Could an increase in prices help you land that five-star staff member who actually sticks around? And how can enrichment services help you pay better, retain more, and build a dog daycare your team actually loves? In this episode, Dom is joined by recruitment expert Joe Latona from Walker Scout for a n...

Are you attracting the right kind of pet parent – or just anyone with a wallet and a dog? Ever feel like your marketing is falling flat, no matter how much time and money you spend on it? What if you could build your business around clients who already want what you offer – and are happy to pay a premium price for it? In this episode, the world’s leading Pet Business Coach, Dom Hodgson...

Are you juggling bookings across multiple channels, hoping nothing slips through the cracks? Wondering how to reduce chaos, reclaim your time, and still grow your revenue? Curious what smart pet pros are doing to offer next-level upsells and client experiences? In this episode, Dom sits down with Sarah and Pete Stevens – daycare owners, Elite U.K mastermind members, and creators of the PawPa...

Are you still relying on spreadsheets and sticky notes to run your daycare? What would your business look like if your software actually saved you time (instead of stealing it)? Could one system really solve your scheduling headaches, pricing problems, and staff miscommunication? This week, Dom is joined by Chris Tilson and Drew Brinkoetter, co-founders of Goose, a modern operating system for pet...

Is attending an Expo really worth it for your business growth? Can a single event really change how you price, promote, and plan your pet care business? What are real facility owners saying about their experience at Expo West, and why do they keep coming back? In this special recap episode, Dom brings you another exclusive behind-the-scenes conversations from the Pet Boarding & Daycare Expo We...

Can attending one industry event really change your business trajectory? What happens when you step away from your business in order to find out where you’re going wrong with it? And is it possible to raise your prices, sell more extras, and supercharge your revenue – before breakfast? In this Expo West recap episode, Dom shares inspiring stories and interviews recorded live in Las Vegas. Yo...

What’s the real ROI (return on investment) of showing love to your best clients? Can dinner, drinks and a friendly conversation really drive customer loyalty in your  pet care business? And how can you build a leadership team that actually frees you up to work on the business instead of in it? Then stay tuned, because in this episode, Dom chats with Mike McIntyre from Fetch Family Pet Resort...

How do you stop your daycare going from calm to chaos in 30 seconds flat? Can staff training really reduce noise, improve behaviour and boost morale? And do you ever wonder what ripple effects are ruining your business without you even realising it? In this episode, Dom is joined by Mallory Poirier from PackPro to discuss their revolutionary approach to staff training. Mallory breaks down the key...

Could your hiring process be hurting your pet business without you even realizing it? Are you still relying on platforms like Indeed or LinkedIn to find your next great team member? How would your business change if you had a system that brought in passionate, qualified candidates, automatically? In this episode, Dom sits down with marketing automation expert and PetBizSuite co-founder Josh Highto...

What is the best way to launch a dog daycare to ensure maximum success? Can you be premium priced and offer profitable upsells from day one? How can you use enrichment to make a new facility stand out from the competition? In this episode, Dom is joined by Rainier Dog Resort & Spa owner Kelli McEntire, who shares the full story behind her facility’s spectacular launch. After a rocky start with...

Is your marketing working hard enough both on and offline? Are you tired of pumping out pointless Facebook and Instagram posts that feel like you are shouting into the social media void? Do you wish there was a way to attract more great clients who never complain about price and invest in all your enrichment extras?  What if there IS a better way… Could a paper and ink newsletter be the secret wea...

Is your business built to scale, or is it held together by duct tape and desperation? How do you maintain high standards as you grow your team and customer base? What services will your affluent clients gladly pay  extra  for? This week, host Dom Hodgson is joined by Alex Varney of Pinnacle Pets, a luxury pet resort in Ohio. Alex shares how her family built their business from scratch – with...

Are you leaving money on the table by not answering your phone fast enough? Wondering what’s the most cost-effective way to generate new leads quickly? And how can you stand out in an increasingly crowded pet care market? In this episode, host Dominic Hodgson is joined by Duane Carey, founder of Impact Marketing, a specialist digital agency working with over 70 pet care businesses across the U.S....

Are you making the most of every square foot in your facility? Could a simple change in your daycare setup transform dog behavior and boost profits? How can scent-based enrichment set your business apart from the competition? In this episode, Dom is joined by Tim Jackson to explore how adding a ‘Scent Space’ can revolutionize your dog daycare. They break down how incorporating structured scent wor...

Is your daycare just a playgroup, or is it a premium, structured experience that pet parents are willing to pay more for? Are you stuck in the pack mentality, offering the same overcrowded playrooms as everyone else—while clients demand something more personalized? What if you could charge more, fill your daycare with the right dogs, and create a truly standout pet care business? In this episode,...

Is your dog daycare an enriching environment that keeps dogs engaged, or is it just an expensive free-for-all where bad habits take root? What hidden techniques do zookeepers use to keep animals mentally sharp and stress-free – and how can they give your daycare the edge? What if a few simple changes to your daycare routine could transform your business, attract higher-paying clients, and cr...

Are you struggling to get daycare clients to commit to enrichment programs? Did you know selling premium ‘themed’ activities to your existing client base is the easiest way to boost profits? Could a perks based enrichment membership model be the answer to boosting loyalty and increasing revenue? In this packed episode, host Dom Hodgson sits down with Nora Rodgers from Wag...

Ever feel like you’re stuck on a hamster wheel in your pet business – working harder than ever but not seeing the growth you want? What if the fix for a more successful future isn’t in another course, certification, or social media hack – but in joining a mastermind? So, what exactly happens at a mastermind, and is it really possible to achieve years of growth in just a few short...

Is your pet business truly attractive to buyers, or are hidden inefficiencies hurting its worth? What are the key financial and operational factors that determine if your business will sell for top dollar? And how can you increase profitability today – even if selling isn’t on your radar yet? In this episode, host Dom Hodgson welcomes back Teija Heikkilä fr...

Have you ever thought about selling your pet care business—but don’t know where to start? Wondering how much your business is really worth or what buyers look for? Want to avoid the big mistakes that can hurt your chances of a profitable sale? Then you are in luck because in this episode, host Dominic Hodgson sits down with Teija Heikkilä, a leading expert in pet care busi...