FAQ

Meet Natalia | Owner

I'm a dog mama to five rescues—four dogs and one cat! I'm an outdoor enthusiast, animal lover, pet pawparazzi, and most importantly, a dog sitter.
I currently volunteer for local rescues and have fostered plenty of dogs, three of whom I ended up adopting!

I have been around dogs since I was three years old and haven’t spent a single day away from a dog since. Growing up, I dog-sat for family members and was known in my neighbourhood as the girl who was always out walking the family dog. That's how I began my first dog-walking gig as a teen! When I turned 20, I started dog walking professionally and launched my own dog walking business. Since launching this in 2014, I have built my career (and life!) around this since that day and have not looked back.

With over 10 years of professional experience, I am committed to providing top-quality care for your dog and continue to provide your dogs favourite second home here at Wilde K9 Club.

For me, safety is my top priority when caring for your dogs. That's why I have obtained Pet First Aid certification from St. John's Ambulance. I have years of experience with various daily pet routines and topics related to pet health, including insulin administration, dental care, skin and fur health, exercise, rehabilitation exercises, fitness, strength training, arthritis, administering oral medication, pet nutrition, and post-surgical recovery for procedures like TPLO and Total Hip Replacement.

I love being out in nature and enjoy having 4 legged pals alongside with me, so you can count on your dog being spoiled and enjoying plenty of outdoor adventures. During our time together, your dog will experience lots of playtime, sniffs and fresh air, and affection. If you're working on any training techniques, I will follow your lead and keep up with your training technique and tactics. And, of course, cute photos and videos are included for the proud pawrents!

Our facility is located conveniently between Barrie & Angus, in a small rural town on a 10 acre property, in Utopia, Ontario.

Nestled on 10 scenic acres of forest trails, a peaceful pond, and natural greenery.

The  building area has 1200sqft of indoor space, which consits of our small office, a grooming room, bathroom, kitchen, an indoor hang out/play area and 7 individual bedroom suites for our guests. There is also a fully fenced 2500+ sqft outdoor area for dogs to run and play, which is our favourite part!

The facility is fully equipped with HVAC, along with ceiling fans for extra circulation.

Find photos of the facility under "Boarding + Daycare" tab > Photos!

Overnight Boarding
Each dog spending the night with us will have their own private bedroom where they eat their meals and sleep. There are 7 bedrooms available – and dogs from the same household are able to share a bedroom.
The live feed to your dogs private bedroom may also be accessed by owners (additional fee).

REQUIREMENTS BEFORE BECOMING A WILDERK9'ER:
1) assessment / meet + greet ($20)
2) day trial ($40)

You can rest assured that every dog in our care has also passed our thorough screening assessment! 

ASSESSMENT / MEET & GREET
We schedule every new dog in for a meet & greet + assessment. 

Was your assessment successful? We hope so! If so, your dog is ready for their day care visits!
A minimum of 1 trial day is required before your dog is able to spend the night with us (please note, the total amount of days required before boarding can vary depending on your dogs behaviour - are they nervous? vocal? anxious? unsettled?) I strive to have this experience be as comfortable as possible for your dog, so that they are able to feel comfortable and settled.  It may require some more time and patience for some dogs to adjust and get accustomed to being away from their home, so please note that it may take a few day trials for your dog to adjust. Some dogs do perfectly fine right off the bat, are comfortable and are immediately loving their new space and surroundings, it just depends on your dog! :)
I strive to make my place every dogs second home- where they can be at ease, relaxed and enjoy all their days with us!

WHAT DOES THE ASSESSMENT / MEET + GREET CONSISTS OF?
Assessment involves showing you around the facility, and getting to know you and your dog(s) needs. 
Once it is time for you to step out while we asses your dog, your dog will be on a slip leash while we are getting to know their unique personality! Our outdoor area is fully fenced, and the slip leash is a safety precaution tool we use.

If your dog is dog-social and you would like your dog to be socialized, they will be slowly introduced to another dog one at a time, and their behaviour and temperament will be evaluated to ensure they are a good fit for the social setting.

If your dog is a TLC dog (meaning they are unsure or nervous around other dogs, dog selective, or not dog friendly) they will spend the remainder of the assessment exploring the area at their own pace and hanging out with us and having a great time as we get to know each other!

Fecal Testing
It is a requirement for all dogs attending Wilde K9 to have a fecal test done once a year to ensure they are clear of parasites and Giardia. More information can be found here

Assessment
All new clients require an assessment. If the assessment is successful, your dog is ready for their day care visits, starting at half day before graduating to full day to ease them into their stay, allowing them to get comfortable with us!
There are a minimum of 2 day trial days required before your dog is able to spend the night with us. Please find more info about this under the “Assessment” tab

Flea & Tick Preventative
Although not required, it is HIGHLY recommended that your dog is on flea and tick prevention throughout April – November to prevent fleas or a potential tick disease.
If your dog arrives with fleas, they will be asked to be picked up immediately and you will be requried to pay the full invoice for the reserved dates.

Rabies
We also accept titer tests as subsitite for vaccines for dogs who are allergic to specific vaccinations

Bordetella
Not required, but if your dog is vaccinated with this, please be aware dogs are still able to carry Kennel Cough even when vaccinated.

Spay & Neuter
We  accept intact dogs and they will require an assessment just like any other dog starting off with us. We have a boarding spots available for dogs who do best without dog-social interaction, or a spot for dogs who are dog-selective.
Note: If your female goes into heat right before/ or during her stay with us, they will be required to private board (no interactions with other dogs).  There is an extra $10 charge per night for female in heat (plus additional supplies if not provided ie. diapers)

**It is our priority to ensure the health of all our dogs – this means that if your dog is displaying any signs of an illness they will be asked to be picked up if to keep themselves and their friends safe. If your dog is feeling unwell prior to joining us, please let us know.
If your dog is boarding with us and we believe it is in their best interest to seek medical attention, we will reach out to you immediately and will bring your dog in to a vet. 

Some dogs prefer human interaction, while others prefer smaller social groups. Regardless of their preferences, we ensure they enjoy their stay with us through sniffing, enrichment, play, socializing, or one-on-one time with us!
Each guest will enjoy their own private suite for feeding schedules and rest.

SOCIAL STRUCTURED BOARDING:
This option is perfect for social dogs who love to play and interact with others. We keep our playgroups small and structured, with full supervision during all outdoor activities. This allows us to focus on each dog’s individual needs while giving them the chance to have tons of fun in a safe, enriching environment.
In our group setting, dogs enjoy play, fresh air, and social bonding—while also practicing good manners and learning to respect each other’s boundaries. This helps create a space where every dog can feel comfortable, confident, and truly thrive during their stay with us.

TLC BOARDING:
This option is for dogs who can be nervy/unsure/uncomfortable with other dogs in their space / dogs who are dog selective / dogs who do best with no interactions with other dogs, or for dogs do best with one other dog that has been carefully matched, screened selected by us / or if you just simply prefer your dog to not interact with other dogs during their stay with us! All dogs are different, and it's always best to select what's in your dogs best interest and what makes them feel most comfortable. Limited spots available for this program. Please book stays in advance!

We operate by appointment only

Drop off & pick up hours range from 7:30AM-10AM & 3PM-6PM. 

For your convenience, we are able to accomodate drop offs or pickups outside of these times upon availability, please contact to discuss. Additional fees may apply.

When your dog is spending the night(s) with us, please bring the following:

• LEASH + COLLAR (flat buckle collar)
• FOOD (with a label for feeding amount)
• TREATS
• BLANKETS / DOG BED
• MEDICATION (if any)
• TOYS – Any favourite toys they can keep in their room to provide extra comfort (as long as they are not a choking hazard to your dog)

Each dog is provided with a raised cot bed in their suite for comfort and rest. 
We supply water and food bowls; however, if your dog typically eats from a slow feeder, please include it in their packing bag.
 

Tip: Familiar items such as a blanket, bed, or favorite toy can help your dog feel more at ease during their stay by bringing the comfort of home along with them :)

The owner must provide dog food during the dogs stay with us. Dogs can be sensitive to changes in diet, so it is important that they continue with their own food. Additionally, bringing your dogs favourite treats can ease your dogs stress level while they are away from home!

Water and food bowls are provided by us! Only bring your pets bowl if your dog eats their meals in a slow feeder.

All dogs dine in their own private suite, free from concerns about other dogs invading their space.

Medication is administered at no cost to the owner. 

DAY CARE CANCELLATIONS
Wilde K9 reserves the right to charge a cancellation fee of 100% of the scheduled services if cancelled with less than 24 hours notice.

OVERNIGHT BOARDING CANCELLATIONS
Wilde K9 reserves the right to charge a cancellation fee of 100% of the scheduled services if cancelled with less than 72 hours notice (up to 3 nights)

HOLIDAY CANCELLATIONS
Wilde K9 reserves the right to charge a cancellation fee of 100% of the scheduled services during long weekends and/or holidays if cancelled with less than 5 days notice (up to 5 nights)

t Wilde K9, we proudly source all of our animal products from local, reputable farmers within Ontario. Our top priority is ensuring that the animals are humanely raised, and we remain committed to ethical sourcing practices. Many parts of the animal that are considered unfit for human consumption are often discarded—yet these very cuts are nutrient-rich, highly beneficial for our dogs. By working directly with local farmers and butchers, we help ensure that the whole animal is respected and put to good use, reducing waste while providing dogs with natural, high-quality nutrition. It’s a win for the farmers, for the environment, and most importantly—for the health and well-being of our dogs.

We are also proud to be allergy friendly. Because we work in small batches and hand-pick every ingredient, we’re able to offer a variety of single-ingredient treats and novel proteins that are ideal for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies. Whether your dog requires a limited ingredient diet or simply does better with certain proteins, we’re happy to accommodate their needs with wholesome, safe, and delicious options.

Please be mindful of your dog’s chewing habits and always choose size-appropriate chews based on their breed, age, and chewing style.

Supervision is essential—all pets should be closely monitored while enjoying chews to ensure safe consumption and prevent any potential choking or swallowing hazards.