Frequently Asked Questions
Peace & Protection
How do you know if my dog is a good fit for the ranch?
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We use multiple layers of protection to ensure each dog will be safe, secure, and well cared for while in our care. We verify each owner’s identity through a trusted third-party service, because our ability to keep every dog safe requires that we rely on accurate health and behavioral history from a verified source. We also cross-check every dog’s rabies tag with veterinary records to confirm that the dog arriving at the ranch is the same dog whose qualifications we reviewed during the reservation process. In addition, we solicit three electronic behavioral references from people who know your dog well to confirm they have no history of antisocial or aggressive behavior. Finally, you provide three short video submissions — showing your dog playing with others, walking calmly in public, and responding to basic commands — which give us a clear view of how they will acclimate to a group of well-socialized dogs. Once we have all of your information, we typically render our reservation decisions within three hours.
How do you keep dogs safe on the shuttle?
Each dog travels in a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van, secured in an Impact Dog Crate inside a climate-controlled cabin designed for comfort as well as safety. GPS tracking and telematics monitor every journey in real time, while eye-tracking software ensures our drivers remain focused on the road. These multiple layers of protection create a transport experience that is safe, reliable, and reassuring for both dogs and their families.
How do you keep dogs safe once they’re at the ranch?
The ranch is designed to give dogs freedom in an environment engineered for safety. Every dog passes a comprehensive onboarding process, so the community is made up only of well-socialized dogs equipped to interact with unfamiliar but equally well-socialized groups in ways that enhance the overall vibe of the property. This sets us apart from most commercial facilities and creates a calmer, more enjoyable culture. That culture is reinforced by a conservative dog-to-staff ratio, secure fencing, double-gated entries, and wide sightlines. With direct veterinary access and clear emergency protocols always in place, dogs can enjoy open play with confidence and protection.
Can I visit the ranch before booking?
Our facility is intentionally designed for dogs, not for humans, so we host only a small number of families each week for in-person visits when necessary. To provide broader access, we’ve created an immersive website and host weekly virtual tours of the property, offering transparency while keeping our focus where it belongs — on the dogs. In building the ranch, we committed to being good neighbors within our agricultural community, which includes minimizing traffic by keeping inbound visits limited to our shuttle vans and employees.
Health & Safety
What health and cleanliness standards do you use?
Health and hygiene are held to the same standard as safety. Every dog must be current on Rabies, Bordetella, and DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus) vaccinations, verified directly with their veterinarian. The ranch is cleaned daily with veterinary-grade products, parasite prevention is routine, and high-grade HVAC systems ensure constant fresh air and circulation. Residential quarters are designed for comfort yet easy to reset, allowing dogs to get muddy outdoors while always returning to a clean, refreshed space for meals and rest. Veterinary care is available whenever needed, either through telehealth consultations or immediate transit.
Can you handle my dog’s special needs or routines?
Yes, our technology-driven operations allow us to reliably manage individual requirements such as medication schedules, nutritional preferences, or specific care routines. This ensures that unique medical and dietary needs are met consistently, with the same attention to detail that defines every aspect of a dog’s stay at the ranch.
Experience & Culture
What does a typical day look like for my dog?
Dogs spend an average of eight to ten hours each day outdoors in expansive play fields across our agricultural ranch, immersed in nature where they can run, explore, and socialize in carefully matched groups. Feeding times, medical schedules, and enrichment activities guide the rhythm of the day, with breaks in the residential quarters where climate control, fresh air circulation, and clean bedding provide a restorative reset. This balance of nature-driven play and restorative rest keeps every dog healthy, relaxed, and content.
Where will my dog sleep?
Your dog rests in a private, minimalist suite designed for peaceful recovery, where every trace of the day’s play is swiftly refreshed. Each suite features a thoughtfully engineered bed that provides support, temperature regulation, and easy cleanliness, while quiet surroundings, controlled climate, and attentive supervision ensure restorative rest.
Who looks after the dogs, and how do you handle them?
Your dog is cared for by a team trained in canine behavior, group dynamics, and emergency response. We also keep a more conservative dog-to-staff ratio than most kennels, so every guest receives close attention. What makes us different is that the main characters here are not our staff. They are the thoughtfully designed elements of the ranch and the well-socialized dogs who share it. Our role is to support that environment. We guide dogs calmly and humanely, using positive reinforcement and careful observation. The result is a culture of safety and harmony where the property and the pack shape the experience.
How will you keep me updated on my dog?
Our team provides daily updates with photos, videos, and notes about your dog’s day, delivered with the same care and attention to detail that define their experience at the ranch, so you always feel informed and connected.
What does boarding cost, and what’s included?
Boarding is $85 per night for members and includes daily play, meals, nutritional supplements, and medical administration. Roundtrip curbside shuttle service is available for $65, with transportation provided in Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans equipped with climate control, GPS tracking, and secure Impact Dog Crates.
Memberships
What is the pre-launch membership?
Our Exclusive Pre-Launch Membership allows you to secure preferred rates for a full 24 months with a one-time enrollment of $50. Joining before our official opening locks in $85 nightly boarding and $65 roundtrip shuttle service, well ahead of the standard membership fee increasing to $250.
Is the membership a one-time fee?
Yes — your Founding Membership is a single payment with no monthly or annual fees, and your discounted rates are guaranteed for two full years.
How much can I save with membership?
Boarding for non-members is $135 per night and $120 for shuttle service — nearly double member rates. Most families see their $50 membership pay for itself in a single stay, and every visit after that extends the value.
Why is the pre-launch membership priced this way?
We created the pre-launch membership to thank early adopters who help us build the Open Sky Dog Ranch community from the very beginning. Joining now ensures preferred pricing for two years, no matter how demand grows.
What if my dog isn’t a good fit for the ranch?
Your dog’s safety and happiness always come first. If our temperament evaluation suggests that Open Sky Dog Ranch isn’t the right fit, we’ll refund your membership fee in full — no questions asked.
How do I sign up for membership?
You can secure your Founding Membership in just a few minutes online. Once complete, you’ll receive immediate confirmation and be among the first to reserve stays at exclusive rates when we open.
