Dog Ranch
A fun alternative to doggie day care!
This is an ideal service for medium to large high energy dogs that need regular exercise and socialization in a fun, dog friendly and safe environment. Your dog will enjoy this alternative to doggie day care as s/he gets fresh cool air, sunlight, exploration, and freedom in a natural environment. As they run, s/he will have friends to play and interact with.
Family Owned
Founded by Konrad and Diana and still owned by them today.
Established in 2000
More than 25 years of caring for dogs.
Rooted Here, Growing With You
From our original Dog Ranch to our San Carlos facility, serving dogs here ever since.
More Freedom for Dogs. More Flexibility for You.
Pickup & Drop-Off Included
Home or work transportation is included with every Ranch visit.
Flexible Scheduling
No fixed weekly schedule required. Book Ranch days when you need them.
An Established Home Base
Our long-established Dog Ranch and San Carlos facility give dogs and owners places they know and trust.
More Than a Dog Walk
A full day of off-leash exercise, exploration, and social time.
Ranch Transportation
- Pick-up and drop-off at your house or office is included in our price for the ranch.
- Transportation in air conditioned vans in individual kennels
- North until Burlingame and south to Los Altos including Half Moon Bay.
- Pick-ups are in the morning from 8:30 to 10:30 am and drop-offs are from
3 to 5 in the afternoon. (For longer hours, you may drop-off and pick-up your dog at our facility from 7:30 AM to 7 PM)
Our Dog Ranch is perfect for:
Dogs who need more space to run than daycare
Dogs who enjoy the sights and smells of nature
Adding variety to your daycare days
Owners who need pickup/dropoff
How it Works
- Approx. 10 – 15 dogs play and run together off-leash at our 25-acre private coastal ranch.
- Pickup/Dropoff at home or work Monday – Friday
- This service is limited to dogs over 30 pounds
- Dogs must attend one day of daycare prior to visiting the ranch so that we can get to know them and ensure we are a good fit. See our Pricing and our Policies.
- Committed and caring dog handlers who love the ‘pack’ as if each dog were their own.
- Positive (R+) dog management skills
- $64/62* (includes pickup/dropoff)
* 2 dogs per household receive $2 off for each dog on dog ranch days
Don’t Just Take Our Word for It
We love Smilin Dogs! Our dog has such a wonderful time when he goes to doggy ranch. I love that we have the option of a more “traditional” daycare experience or a more “adventurous” one. What drew us in the first time was the round trip transportation, and what keeps us coming back is a great experience every time!
Smilin Dogs has taken great care of my dog ever since he was a puppy (he’s 14 now). They take him for hikes and they board him. They even give him a bath so he’s squeaky clean at the end of his stay. The best part is they pick him up at my home and I don’t even have to wake up!
Close and convenient with a super friendly staff. Very accommodating too. We use both their daycare and boarding. I have two dogs, one who is super social, and one who prefers humans. They are able to accommodate both. My super social one would go every day if we let him, he loves it there!
Check out the Ranch!
So Much More Than a Dog Walk
A walk around the neighborhood is a nice break in the day. A day at the ranch is something else entirely. Your dog gets 25 acres of open country to run and explore off-leash, with a group of dog friends and an experienced handler looking after them.
A Dog Walker
- Thirty to sixty minutes
- On-leash, on the sidewalk
- One dog, or a few dogs on leashes together
- The same neighborhood route most days
- Home again before your dog is really tired
Doggy Daycare
- A full day of play and socialization
- 17,500 sq ft of indoor and outdoor space
- Playgroups separated by size, play style and energy level
- Supervised all day by handlers who know your dog
- Off-leash with a pack of friends
The Dog Ranch
- ✓A full day out in a natural setting
- ✓Our 25-acre private coastal ranch
- ✓Approx. 10 to 15 dogs playing and running off-leash
- ✓New spaces to explore throughout the day
- ✓Pickup and drop-off at home or work, included
Like Daycare, With a Lot More Room to Run
The ranch is similar to daycare in that groups of dogs play together, supervised by an experienced handler who knows them well. It is different in that the area is so much larger, so your dog can really run and get their energy out. It’s also a natural environment, which makes it wonderful for more independent dogs who love to sniff and explore. The ranch is divided into different spaces and the dogs move between them during the day, so there is always somewhere new to go.
Pickup and drop-off are included, so you don’t have to drive anywhere. We collect your dog from your house or office in the morning and bring them home in the afternoon, riding in an air-conditioned van in their own kennel. We cover Burlingame down through Los Altos, including Half Moon Bay.
Ranch days run Monday through Friday and are best for medium and large active dogs over 30 pounds. Every new dog spends one day at daycare first so we can get to know them and make sure the ranch is a good fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Smilin Dogs Dog Ranch and how is it different from daycare?
Our dog ranch is similar to dog daycare in that groups of dogs play together supervised by an experienced human. It is different in that the area is much larger, so they are able to really run and get their energy out. It's also a natural environment, so it is great for more independent dogs who enjoy sniffing and exploring.
How big is the ranch and how many dogs play together?
The ranch is 25 acres and is divided into various spaces. There may be up to 15 dogs playing together in each space. Dogs move throughout the ranch spaces during the day so they get to explore new areas.
What type of dog is the Dog Ranch best for?
The ranch is best for medium and large active dogs who want to run and play in a large natural area.
Is there a weight or size requirement for the Dog Ranch?
For your dog's safety, there is a thirty pound minimum.
Is pickup and drop-off included with a Dog Ranch visit?
Yes, pickup and drop-off are included in the ranch experience. Alternatively, you may choose to bring them to us in San Carlos if that is preferred.
What areas do you cover for Dog Ranch transportation?
We pick up for hiking ranch visits in Palo Alto, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Menlo Park, Atherton, Woodside, Redwood City, San Carlos, Belmont, San Mateo, Burlingame, Hillsborough, Redwood Shores, Foster City, and East Palo Alto. We also pick up in Half Moon Bay and parts of the mountain areas between the bay and the coast. Please contact us to find out if your exact address is in our pickup area.
Does my dog need to do daycare before visiting the ranch?
We require a dog to do a day of daycare before visiting our ranch so that we can get to know them and make sure they are a good fit. We're looking for dogs who will be ok riding in a crate in our van, are not skittish around humans, and get along with other dogs.
Our happy dog parents say it best.
"I want to tell you that without Smilin Dogs, Starlight would be a totally different dog. I believe that since she spent so much time with the other dogs, she learned how to behave. She got her share of running and exploring with you during the day, so when I spend time with her I could always enjoy her."
– Melinda and Starlight