By Susan Hornik
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 10/31/25 – With the holidays almost here, you may be headed out of state to travel! If you are looking for a place to board your dogs, check out Whitaker Dog, their team makes dogs feel at home!
“A home is not just a place; it’s where relationships are formed, reinforced, and nurtured,” acknowledged owner Ethan Whitaker. “The fundamental difference between Whitaker Dog and the competition lies in our business model. Our process of picking up and dropping off dogs directly from their homes allows our individual employees to foster deeper relationships with both the customers and their dogs.”
Because they visit their homes every day, employees gain a deeper emotional connection with these dogs, understanding their preferences and quirks, noted Whitaker.
“Scientifically, dogs have more loyalty toward the person who takes them out to explore the world rather than the one who feeds them. Our team becomes that person for the dogs, and this relationship positively affects how the dogs feel with us.”
He continued: “At the facility, this bond continues to grow because our staff already knows the dogs so well. This enables us to love them, understand their preferences, and assess their comfort levels accurately, making them feel truly at home.”
Whitaker Dog has an amazing team of compassionate workers who are very kind to their dog guests.
“We are always on the hunt for conscientious, compassionate, and intelligent people to nurture relationships with our customers and provide excellent care for their dogs. Paying attention to a dog’s needs requires expertise and education. For example, how does one determine if a dog is stressed during its first boarding stay or identify symptoms of anxiety? Whitaker Dog’s trained staff has the knowledge and ability to assess these situations and act accordingly.”
For instance, if a senior dog needs extra care, it might spend the day in a manager’s office on the couch. Similarly, a stressed or anxious dog may receive individual attention or even spend time with their board-and-train clients. This level of personalized care ensures the overall well-being and comfort of every dog.
Currently, Whitaker Dog has two facilities:
Frogtown: Located near Atwater Village, this was Whitaker’s original location. It is currently under construction to become Los Angeles’ best exclusive board-and-train and dog training facility. This location will complement their daycare services by offering additional emotional support and training resources.
Glendale: “Whitaker Dog was fortunate to acquire the former Glendale Humane Society building, an institutional space built specifically for dogs. This facility includes 7,000 square feet of outdoor AstroTurf playgrounds and 5,000 square feet of interior space for daycare, boarding, training, and grooming.”
Their next expansion will be in the San Fernando Valley near the 405 freeway. This location will allow the dog facility to better serve clients in the valley and eventually provide access to the west side of Los Angeles.
Whitaker Dog also offers enrichment add-ons to enhance a dog’s experience, including Group Walks: Outdoor adventures for sniffing and exploration; Treadmill Exercises: for high-energy dogs needing extra activity; and Interactive Treats: Frozen KONG toys for a sensory experience.
“These options are designed to provide additional assurance to our clients that their dogs are happy and enriched,” Whitaker enthused. “Alongside these, we offer daily training sessions and top-notch grooming services, which we are expanding to reclaim our dominance in the Los Angeles market.”
Boarding is often necessary for effective dog training, Whitaker pointed out.
“Board-and-train programs are crucial because they allow us to reset the relationship between the dog and its owner. Many behavioral issues arise from a codependent or unstructured dynamic at home, where the dog may not be receiving proper guidance.”
During boarding, the team removes the bad habits and establishes positive routines through consistent messaging and guidance.
“Training a dog is like building a new habit—it takes time and effort, especially since dogs don’t speak English. This immersive approach ensures that dogs develop the right behaviors, which they maintain when they return home.”
