Dog Ranch

Q: Is there a weight or size requirement for the Dog Ranch?

For your dogu2019s safety, there is a thirty pound minimum.

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.

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

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)

Check out the Ranch!

Cream Labrador grinning up at the camera, framed by a hollow in stacked straw bales

Dog walker with backpack leading a pack of dogs across an open golden hillside

Black-and-white border collie in a yellow shirt sitting in a dry field, tongue out

Brown-and-white and black-and-white dogs playing in a field beside a blue pond

Husky with blue eyes and tongue out trotting toward the camera across dry grass

Fluffy black-and-white merle border collie standing in a field by a wire fence

Shaggy Australian Shepherd sitting atop a straw bale under an overcast sky

Black and white Border Collie and a tan dog resting in the sun inside a dirt pen

Husky lying in the grass with a brown-and-white border collie standing behind

Four dogs resting along a straw bale on a sunny hillside, tongues out

Fluffy black-and-white dog walking down a grassy hillside path toward the camera

White husky standing on straw against a clear blue sky, mouth open in a grin

Wet golden retriever lying contentedly on a straw bale on a sunny hillside

Happy brown Rhodesian Ridgeback mix standing in a dry field with tongue out

Brown-and-white and black-and-white dogs running across a dry field beside a blue pond

Yellow Labrador standing on a straw bale on a hillside with a blue and cloudy sky

Black-and-white border collie in a yellow shirt running in a field near a pond

Three dogs playing on straw bales, one tan dog mouthing another's paw, in an open field

Blue merle Australian Shepherd and a black dog lying together on straw by a pond

Three dogs lounging by a straw bale outdoors, a tan and black dog grinning in front

Cream-coated dog in a teal harness perched on a straw bale, nose lifted to the sky

Black-and-white dog standing on a grassy hilltop trail beside a wire fence under blue sky

Four dogs, including a husky and a black Lab, roaming a grassy hill beside a dirt road

Husky standing on a golden hillside overlooking farm fields, barns, and a pond

Pack of dogs playing together on a dry grassy hillside near a winding dirt road

Pack of dogs on a coastal hilltop trail with the ocean behind them

Group of dogs sniffing and playing on a green hillside trail

Yellow dog happily rolling on its back in green grass

Yellow and black Labradors running together through a green meadow

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