Each canine guest is assigned a rank (1 to 5), and we cap the numbers of certain personalities and breeds based on this.

Ranks help the purple people make appropriate yard placement decisions and playmate selections. They sometimes feel like an octopus playing eight chess games simultaneously as they continually plan, consult, move, and monitor.

Rankings aren’t designed to be ‘personal’ or a form of punishment—they are simply a practical instrument in our toolbox that helps us manage our grounds in the best possible way.

Rankings can change as a dog matures, so its rank may fluctuate as the snout gradually greys.

Just like humans, dogs can have good and bad days! We remember this in our rank deliberations.

Ranks

Here is how we define our ranks.

Rank 1: Easy mixers.

Rank 2: Easy mixers but with a few quirks (e.g., shyness, deafness, blindness, geriatric, basic medical needs, dislike of a breed, etc.).

Rank 3: Good to mix but have minor social behaviours that require particular planning for buddies and yards. (eg. Humping, herding, nipping, high medical needs etc)

Rank 4: High-maintenance, loveable and engaging characters who might possess characteristics that their friends might dislike, and this takes extra resources and time to manage. They might:

• Shout obscenities at their neighbours – non-stop.
• Run the fence ALL day – possibly with limited spatial awareness.
• Act like the king or queen of their realm.
• Poke and prod friends for reactions.
• Stir emotions when a new dog is introduced to the pack or a friend is removed.
• Guard things like gates, toys, or water.
• Continuously hump, herd or nip.
• Misinterpret queues or messages from their mates.
• Plot escape routes – like a ‘Houdini’ hound.
• Dislike certain breeds or sizes of dogs.
• Give off super anxious vibes (easily misread).
• Renovate our yards or rooms.
• Require empty rooms or yards between themselves and other dogs.
• Need yards close to the kitchen for close monitoring.

Rank 5: These dogs are usually human-friendly but cannot be mixed with other dogs (or only with a family member).

Rank 4 & 5

In a nutshell:

• We always clarify why we rank dogs 4 or 5. Explanations are provided verbally and via email.
• Each rank is capped so we can safely and effectively manage our grounds.
• We have limited spaces (yards and kennels) suitable for these ranks.
• Nightly rates are higher to reflect the extra labour and resources required to care for these dogs.
• If your dog is a rank 4 or 5, we suggest scheduling in advance for your boarding requirements.

We no longer accept new dogs with behavioural issues which require a private yard. This will allow our current customers greater accessibility to the few yards available for this purpose.

Capped Breeds

Given the right circumstances and triggers, ANY dog, regardless of size or breed, can fight or bite.

However, jaw size and muscle strength can, in a heartbeat, turn a minor disagreement into a vet dash. When we think about powerful jaws, bully breeds instantly come to mind. This statement does not judge or criticize; it is just fact.

We work conscientiously and consistently to create an environment that minimises potential tiffs and decreases adrenaline to a manageable level.

Our regular bully dogs are very reliable in their behaviour when with us. However, we must always respect their jaw strength when planning yards. This is because when a bully becomes triggered to respond to stimuli (e.g., snap or fight), it is alarming how quickly they react—like a mousetrap. They suffer from adrenaline deafness and locked jaws – which is a hairy situation when trying to intervene. Thankfully, due to our restrictions and management (next paragraph), occurrences are hens-teeth-rare.

Our highly successful practice is to mix one friendly bully in a pack and never (as far as possible) place another bully as an immediate neighbour. This method effectively reduces excitement and adrenaline, the underlying cause of fissures between friends. Of course, we cannot host too many at any one time due to space limitations.

At this juncture, it is essential to note that many boarding establishments refuse to host bully breeds. We choose to do so but at a manageable level.

We love them, truly

We love all dogs, regardless of their breed. However, maintaining a safe working environment is our foremost priority, which means capping bully breeds, rank 4s and rank 5s.