A wonderful place for your dog to play or stay.
Smilin Dogs offers a tremendously fun environment for your dog to enjoy while you are at work or out of town. We form personal relationships with our four legged clients and work hard to ensure their comfort, safety and happiness while under our care. And we work with our human clients to ensure you have peace of mind, knowing that your beloved friend is in the best of hands.
COVID Updates – We are open for ALL services! Learn more >
Doggy Daycare
Have your dog join us in our 17,500 square foot facility for a day of playing.
Boarding Club
An alternative to traditional dog kennels! Your dog will have the freedom to mingle and play or sleep, inside or out, day and night.
See our Smilin Dogs in action!
26 Years of Happy Dogs
Smilin Dogs was founded in 2000 by Konrad Thaler and Diana Ungersma, two people who believed dogs deserved more than a kennel run and a food bowl.
It started with just the Dog Ranch, a simple idea: take a small group of dogs out to a real outdoor space where they could run, explore, and just be dogs. The response from the community was immediate. Families on the San Francisco Peninsula had been looking for exactly this.
In 2009, Konrad and Diana added their current facility in San Carlos: 17,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor play space designed to give dogs room to move, rest, and socialize on their own terms. The Boarding Club followed, built around the belief that group-style, cage-free overnight care is simply better for most dogs than isolation in a traditional kennel.
Today, Smilin Dogs serves the Peninsula from Burlingame down through San Mateo, Redwood City, and into Palo Alto and Los Altos. The team has grown but the mission is the same: form real relationships with every dog and client, earn their trust, and send them home with a smile.
Here’s why Smilin Dogs is the best daycare and boarding facility for your dog:
- A 17,500 sq foot facility with large indoor/outdoor play areas
- Daycare playgroups separated by size, play style and energy level
- Supervised playing, socialization, belly rubs and exercise for daycare boarding
- Committed and caring dog handlers who love the ‘pack’ as if each dog were their own
- Transportation to/from home or work for our Dog Ranch
- Positive (R+) training and dog management skills
- A clean, safe and fun day for your dog
How We Keep Every Dog Safe
Our standards are not a checklist. They are the foundation of everything we do. We are in the trust business.
Every dog who comes through our doors has earned their spot. Before joining daycare, boarding, or the Dog Ranch, each dog passes a free temperament screening where we get to know them individually, observe how they interact with other dogs and people, and make sure the group dynamic will be safe and enjoyable for everyone.
All dogs must be current on their core vaccinations including Rabies, Bordetella, DHPP, and Canine Influenza (CIV). We ask for documentation either from you or directly from your veterinarian. Dogs must also be in good general health, free of parasites, and spayed or neutered by one year of age.
Inside our 17,500 square foot facility, playgroups are separated by size, play style, and energy level. Our handlers use positive reinforcement (R+) techniques and are trained in pack management to keep play fun and free of stress. Staff is on site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including overnight during boarding stays.
Standards at a Glance
Meet Our Dog Care Experts
Smilin Dogs has been run by the same founding team since 2000. Our managers have years of hands-on experience, and every handler is trained in positive reinforcement and pack management.
Konrad & Diana
Co-Founders
Konrad and Diana built Smilin Dogs from the ground up in 2000, starting with just the Dog Ranch. Diana brings a background in Silicon Valley product management; Konrad is an organic dairy farmer who brings a lifelong passion for animals and customer service.
Susana
Manager
Vet Tech graduate (2020), with Smilin Dogs since 2016. Susana has worked every role in the building before stepping into management.
Becca
Manager
Joined in 2022, worked up to team lead, left and came back because working with dogs is her calling. She's the owner of multiple dogs and foster dogs as well.
A Day at Smilin Dogs
Here is exactly what your dog's day looks like from the moment they arrive.
We know it takes trust to leave your dog with someone else for the day. So here is what actually happens.
Morning Drop-Off
You drop off between 7:30 and 10 AM. Your dog is greeted by a familiar handler and checked in. New dogs get a gradual, calm introduction to the group.
Playgroup Time
Dogs are sorted into groups by size, energy level, and play style, not just size alone. Handlers actively manage the group using positive reinforcement to keep energy positive and play safe.
Rest & Enrichment
Dogs naturally rest when they need to. Our program balances stimulation with downtime so your dog comes home tired but not stressed.
Afternoon Play
More time in the indoor and outdoor play areas. Belly rubs included. Each large play area includes both indoor and outdoor space so dogs can move freely.
Evening Pickup
Pickup is between 4 and 7 PM. Your dog goes home exercised, socialized, and ready to settle in for the night.
For Boarding Stays
Boarding dogs enjoy the same daycare day their friends do, with the option to join a Dog Ranch outing. After dinner and evening cuddles, handlers put out pads and blankets on cots and in open crates, turn on the quiet time music, and let each dog choose their own spot to settle in for the night. Staff is on site through the night.
Dog Ranch Days
Ranch days are something else entirely. Your dog is picked up from home in an air-conditioned van and driven to our 25-acre private coastal ranch, where a small group of 10 to 15 dogs runs off-leash together through open land. Fresh air, sights, smells, and real space to move. They are home by late afternoon.
Our happy dog parents say it best.
“My pupply loves coming here!”
“My puppy loves coming here, he doesn’t even want to get in the car to go home. The people who work here are friendly and they love dogs. This is a great way to socialize your dog and get them some exercise when you have a busy day.”
– Alison B.
“Everyone has been so accommodating”
“Your employees and business in general is a pleasure to work with. Everyone has been so accommodating with my crazy schedule, fitting Lucy into the roster whenever I asked and always greeting us with smiles and positive attitude.”
– Lucy and Kelly
“I know she is in good hands!”
“My dog goes to Smiling dogs since 4month old and loves it! I use both daycare and boarding services and never worry about my pup, since I know she is in good hands!”
– Alfiya