Business Details
Your Pet's Home Away From Home in Sweet Valley, PA
Southwind Kennel has been dedicated to providing exceptional care for dogs since our founding. Our journey began with German Shepherds, which we owned and showed for 32 years, before transitioning to Golden Retrievers in 1990. Our founder's experience with Cody, our first Golden Retriever, laid the foundation for our unique training methods centered on positive reinforcement and play. Over the years, we have developed a reputation for raising multi-talented dogs excelling in obedience, fieldwork, therapy, and competitive events.Our facility combines decades of canine expertise with state-of-the-art amenities to ensure pets receive both physical and mental stimulation during their stay. We prioritize creating a stress-free environment for both pets and owners, offering personalized attention and specialized programs for therapy dogs, hunting training, and obedience competitions. Our commitment to excellence is demonstrated through our extensive experience, proven methodologies, and the well-being of every dog entrusted to our care.
Services
Pet Boarding
Therapy Dog Programs
Obedience Training
Hunting Dog Training
Special Events
Highlights and features
- We have 32 years of experience raising and training German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers
- Our therapy dogs participate in national reading assistance programs
- Climate-controlled facilities with 12-foot ceilings and outdoor play areas
- Specialized training methods developed through decades of competitive obedience experience
- 24/7 monitoring and stress-free vacation environment for pets
Services
Pet Boarding
Our climate-controlled boarding facility offers individual runs with private patios, 12-foot ceilings, and 3/4-acre play areas. Each dog receives four daily exercise sessions, media entertainment, and personalized attention. Special accommodations include allergy-friendly snacks and extra playtime options for active pets.
Therapy Dog Programs
We develop therapy dogs through specialized training programs that prepare them for medical facility visits and reading assistance initiatives. Our dogs, like Hailey and Hunter, combine obedience excellence with temperament screening to ensure they provide effective emotional support in therapeutic environments.
Obedience Training
Drawing from 32 years of competitive obedience experience, we implement positive reinforcement methods using play-based motivation. Our training programs address basic commands, advanced competition skills, and behavior modification while maintaining dogs' natural enthusiasm and energy.
Hunting Dog Training
Our field training program develops natural hunting instincts through structured exercises in surrounding fields and woods. Specialized instruction covers bird retrieval, tracking, and environmental conditioning, producing skilled hunting companions like our award-winning dog Logan.
Special Events
Weekly Saturday night events feature music, special treats, and extra playtime for boarding dogs. Customizable options include alternative snacks for dietary restrictions and personalized attention packages, ensuring every pet enjoys their 'vacation' with social interaction and mental stimulation.
Questions
What makes Southwind Kennels different from other boarding facilities?
Our facility combines 32 years of canine experience with climate-controlled accommodations, 12-foot ceilings, and 3/4-acre play areas. We offer specialized programs for therapy dogs, obedience training, and hunting development.
Are therapy dog services available for medical facilities?
Yes, we train certified therapy dogs like Hailey who participate in national reading assistance programs and provide emotional support in healthcare settings.
How do you handle dogs with special dietary needs?
We accommodate food allergies by using approved alternative snacks during regular feedings and special events like Saturday night parties.
What training methods do you use?
Our positive reinforcement approach uses play-based motivation, particularly tennis balls, to teach obedience and complex tasks while maintaining dogs' natural enthusiasm.
Can I schedule extra playtime for my pet?
Yes, we offer 30-minute extra play sessions (up to three daily) for active dogs in our spacious outdoor areas.
