Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a long-time member of the Canine Retreat family, here’s everything you need to know about dog boarding and dog daycare in the South Bay.
Getting Started
Dog boarding means your dog stays overnight cage-free at our facility while you’re away — think of it as a vacation for your pet. Unlike a pet hotel or a dog kennel, every boarding stay also includes our cage-free dog daycare program during the day, so your dog is active, social, and happy around the clock. Our staff actually sleeps in the park right alongside your dog every night — your dog is never left alone.
Yes — Canine Retreat offers cage-free dog daycare serving Palos Verdes, Torrance, San Pedro, Rolling Hills, Lomita, Carson, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and the greater South Bay area. Dogs play all day in our expansive indoor parks, grouped by size and temperament. You can even check in via our live webcams anytime during the day.
Every new dog must complete a social evaluation before their first stay. This is how we ensure Canine Retreat is the right fit for your dog — and that your dog is the right fit for our pack. During the evaluation, we gradually introduce your dog to our existing guests and observe their behavior, temperament, and play style. This helps us place your dog in the ideal playgroup from day one. The best way to get started is to visit our Get Started page — new clients receive a complimentary first night of boarding.
To keep all of our guests safe and happy, we require the following:
- Temperament — Well-adjusted with no signs of aggression toward other dogs or people
- Vaccinations — Up to date on Rabies, Distemper/Parvo (DHPP), and Bordetella
- Spayed/Neutered — Required for dogs 7 months and older
- Flea-Free — Dogs must be on a regular flea prevention program
All dogs must pass a social evaluation before their first visit.
Yes. Our Feline Retreat is a private, cage-free cat boarding sanctuary completely separate from the dog parks. Cats stay in their own home-style suites — not in cages — in a calm, quiet space. We serve the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Torrance, San Pedro, Redondo Beach and the South Bay.
Dog Boarding
Please see our Rates page for current pricing. Every boarding stay includes full access to our cage-free daycare program, so your dog spends their days playing, socializing, and exploring — not anxiously waiting in a run for you to come back.
Yes — every night. This is one of the things that sets Canine Retreat apart. Our staff members sleep in the park alongside the dogs, ensuring your pet is never alone and always feels safe and secure throughout the night.
No cages, no kennels. At Canine Retreat the dogs sleep together in our indoor park areas just like they would at home — on comfortable beds, surrounded by friends. This creates a much calmer, happier experience for your dog compared to traditional kennels.
Your dog’s safety and health are our top priority. If your dog shows signs of illness or injury, we will contact you immediately. For emergencies, we work with nearby veterinary clinics and will seek professional care right away. We ask all clients to provide emergency contact information and veterinary details at the time of enrollment.
Canine Retreat is built for exactly that. While you travel, your dog spends the day in cage-free play and sleeps overnight with an attendant right in the park — no cages, no crates. You can check in every day of your pet’s stay on the live webcams, and we serve the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Torrance, San Pedro, Redondo Beach and the greater South Bay.
Holidays are our busiest time and new clients fill the calendar fast, so we hold space for our existing families so we can accommodate their last-minute boarding reservations.
New to us? It’s tough to get in right before a holiday — we recommend starting registration at least a couple of weeks ahead. Before a first overnight, every dog needs current vaccinations and a social evaluation, and if time allows we highly recommend a day or two of daycare prior to boarding so your dog becomes comfortable with the facility.
Dog Daycare
Dogs at Canine Retreat spend their days socializing, playing, and resting in our large indoor park areas. They’re grouped by size and temperament to ensure everyone plays safely. Throughout the day, our staff facilitates play, monitors interactions, and makes sure every dog gets the attention and rest they need.
Yes! We have live webcams set up throughout our facility so you can check in on your dog anytime during the day. It’s a great way to see your pup having fun and give yourself peace of mind while you’re on vacation, at work or running errands.
Injuries can and do happen. In any group setting of canines, risk is always present as dogs regularly play with their teeth. A dog bite can occur in a fraction of a second which can be much too quick for even the most skillful dog handler to prevent. However, serious altercations are rare as we are well-prepared to handle any issues that arise. Our staff is trained in dog behavior and knows how to de-escalate tension before it becomes a problem. If dogs are playing too rough, they’re given a 3–5 minute cool-down break before returning to the group. In the rare event of a serious altercation, the aggressor is removed from play for the remainder of the day and — depending on the circumstances — may not be invited back.
Dogs are social animals that thrive on interaction and stimulation. Regular daycare helps reduce separation anxiety, destructive behavior at home, and excess energy. Dogs who attend daycare regularly tend to be calmer, better socialized, and happier overall. Doggie daycare helps dogs tremendously improve their communication and social skills with other dogs. It’s also a great way for your dog to build and maintain friendships.
Some dogs — especially those new to daycare — may experience mild anxiety during the first few visits. This is completely normal and usually resolves quickly once the dog becomes familiar with the environment and the other dogs. Our staff is experienced in helping new dogs settle in comfortably. Most dogs are running and playing within minutes of arriving.
Health & Safety
Kennel cough is a highly contagious respiratory illness that can spread in any environment where dogs gather — including dog parks, vet offices, and boarding facilities. We require all dogs to be vaccinated against Bordetella (the most common cause of kennel cough) and we maintain a clean, well-ventilated facility (we use hospital grade disinfectants and cleaners to ensure the highest level of cleanliness). If a dog shows any signs of illness, they are immediately separated from the group and their owner is contacted.
Rubber flooring is much easier on dogs’ joints — especially for puppies, seniors, and larger breeds. The rubber flooring is more comfortable for dogs to rest on and it is easier to keep clean and sanitized. The rubber also provides better traction, reducing the risk of slipping during play. However, there are some drawbacks that come along with the better traction. Sometimes it can take the paw pads a little time to get used to the flooring. It’s kind of like when you start using a garden rake and your hands feel tender and may even form a blister before you don’t think about it anymore.
About Canine Retreat
At Canine Retreat, your dog is never in a cage — not during the day, not at night. Our staff sleeps in the facility every night alongside your dog, providing constant supervision and companionship. We keep our groups small and carefully managed, and every dog must pass a social evaluation before their first visit. We genuinely care about each dog as an individual, and it shows in everything we do.
We are located at 25930 Belle Porte Ave, Harbor City, CA 90710 — in the heart of the South Bay. Our clients come from all over the area, including the Palos Verdes Peninsula (Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, and Rolling Hills Estates), San Pedro, Torrance, Lomita, Long Beach, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and beyond. We’re easy to get to and offer flexible drop-off and pick-up times to fit your schedule.
New clients are invited to experience Canine Retreat with a complimentary night of boarding. Your dog must first complete a social evaluation to ensure they’re a good fit for our environment. The free night offer is for new clients only and is valid for 1 month from the successful social evaluation with a minimum 2-night stay. It’s our way of letting you and your dog experience the Canine Retreat difference. Visit our Get Started page to get started.
Still have questions? Contact us — we’re happy to help. Or go ahead and claim your free first night and experience Canine Retreat for yourself.