Dog Boarding in Waterford, MI | Clever Canine Dog Training

Dog Boarding in Waterford, MI — Serving Metro Detroit

Boarding That Feels
Like Family —
Because It Is.

24-hour care by the people who know and love your dog. Not a kennel. Not a stranger. A trainer-owned facility that limits guests to just 10 dogs per night so every single dog gets the individual care they deserve.

✓ 24-hour staffing ✓ Max 10 dogs per night ✓ VIP option for trained clients ✓ We welcome difficult dogs
Happy dog enjoying boarding at Clever Canine Dog Training in Waterford Michigan
24/7
Always Staffed
Max 10
Dogs Per Night
Never
Left Alone Overnight
Trainer
Owned & Operated
Boarding Options

Three Ways We Can Care for Your Dog

Whether you’re a Clever Canine client, a first-time boarder, or a dog owner who has been turned away somewhere else — we have an option for you.

Standard Boarding

Overnight Boarding & Day Academy

A safe, enriching stay for your dog while you’re away. We intentionally limit overnight guests to just 10 dogs so every single dog gets the individual attention and care they deserve — not lost in a crowd.

  • Max 10 dogs per night — intentionally limited
  • 24-hour staffing — never left alone overnight
  • Clever Canine Day Academy included
  • Group play with other dogs
  • Structured rest & private space
  • Basic manners reinforcement daily
  • Daily updates & photos
Available to all well-socialized dogs. New clients may require a brief temperament screening prior to first stay.
★ Exclusive Perk

VIP In-Home Boarding

Exclusive to clients who have trained their dog with Clever Canine. Instead of our facility, your dog stays in the home of one of our trainers — a familiar face, a family environment, and the same training language they already know.

  • Stays in a trainer’s home — not a facility
  • One-on-one attention in a real home environment
  • Trainer reinforces everything your dog has learned
  • Your dog is calm and comfortable — no kennel anxiety
  • The ultimate peace of mind while you’re away
Available exclusively to Clever Canine training clients.
Been Turned Away?

We Welcome Dogs Other Facilities Won’t

If your dog has been turned away by other boarding facilities — due to reactivity, anxiety, size, breed, or behavior — call us before you give up. We handle dogs that most facilities can’t or won’t.

  • Experienced with reactive & anxious dogs
  • Trainer-led care — not just attendants
  • Individualized management & supervision
  • Safe, controlled environment
A phone call and temperament assessment are required before we can confirm availability. Not every dog is a fit, but we’ll always be honest with you.
★

Did You Know? Train With Us — Unlock VIP Boarding.

Every family who completes a training program with Clever Canine earns access to our exclusive VIP in-home boarding option. Your dog stays in a trainer’s home, surrounded by familiar people and familiar language. It’s one of the most meaningful perks of being a Clever Canine family — and one more reason to start training sooner rather than later.

Why It’s Different

Not Just Boarded. Actually Cared For.

Most boarding facilities meet the basic needs of your dog — fed, let out a few times a day, and not much else. At Clever Canine, the bar is higher because we believe your dog deserves better.

24-Hour Staffing

Other facilities send staff home at night, leaving dogs alone. Our team is here around the clock — every night, no exceptions.

Max 10 Dogs Per Night

We deliberately limit overnight guests so we can treat every dog like it’s our own — not like a number in a full kennel.

Trainer-Owned Facility

This isn’t a commercial kennel run by attendants. It’s owned and operated by certified dog trainers who understand dog behavior at a deeper level.

Day Academy Included

Your dog’s day is enriched with play, socialization, and basic manners reinforcement — so they come home better, not just rested.

Dogs enjoying boarding at Clever Canine Dog Training in Waterford Michigan
Dogs enjoying Day Academy at Clever Canine Dog Training in Waterford Michigan
A Day in the Life

What Your Dog’s Day Actually Looks Like

Don’t be surprised if your dog comes home looking forward to coming back. Their days with us are genuinely fun.

✓
Group play with other dogs in a supervised, structured setting
✓
Obstacle enrichment — climbing, exploring, physical and mental stimulation
✓
Basic manners reinforcement — sit, stay, come, door manners
✓
Structured rest time with their own private space for downtime
✓
Individual attention for dogs who prefer a calmer, more one-on-one experience

“Don’t be surprised if your dog can’t wait to come back for another vacation.”

What Boarding Clients Say

Dogs Who Stay Here Love It Here

★★★★★

“The adorable suites they stay in overnight look like tiny cottages with little toddler beds. Another place we go to puts them in kennels. This alone is such a piece of mind for me. They post on their Instagram daily and at the end of her stay I received an email with photos of her. It was a wonderful experience.”

Jennifer G.
Metro Detroit
★★★★★

“The girls at Clever Canine Stay & Play were so helpful answering all my questions when I dropped my boy off for daycare the first time. They told me he was nervous at first and they took the time to slowly introduce him to the dogs. I love that! I have already told friends about how wonderful the experience has been.”

Stephanie K.
Oakland County
★★★★★

“Vegas loves his friends at Clever Canine! After visiting several other places we chose Clever Canine. We love it there — the staff is friendly and the pups are great. He can’t wait to come back every time.”

Robyn C.
Metro Detroit
Check Availability

Check Availability & Pricing

Fill out the short form below and a member of our team will contact you within 1 business day to discuss your boarding needs, confirm availability, and answer your questions.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Because we believe every dog deserves to be cared for like it’s our own — not lost in a facility with 50 other dogs. By limiting overnight guests to 10, our team can give each dog genuine individual attention, catch any issues early, and make sure every stay is a good one. It’s a deliberate choice that reflects how we feel about the dogs in our care.
Possibly — and we encourage you to call us before giving up. We handle dogs with anxiety, reactivity, and behavioral challenges that most facilities won’t take on, because our team has the training background to manage them safely. We do require a phone call and temperament assessment before confirming. We’ll always be honest if we’re not the right fit.
VIP boarding is an exclusive perk for clients who have trained their dog with Clever Canine. Instead of staying at our facility, your dog stays in the home of one of our certified trainers. They’re with a familiar face, in a real family environment, and the trainer reinforces the same commands and boundaries your dog already knows. It’s the ultimate boarding experience — and one of the many rewards of completing a training program with us.
Never. Many boarding facilities in the area send their staff home in the evening, leaving dogs alone overnight. Clever Canine is fully staffed 24 hours a day. Your dog always has a human present — every night, no exceptions.
We require current vaccinations for boarding guests for the safety of all dogs in our care. Please call us at (248) 618-3258 or fill out the availability form and we’ll walk you through the specific requirements for your dog’s stay.
Fill out the availability form on this page and a member of our team will contact you within 1 business day to confirm availability, discuss your dog’s needs, and get you set up. Existing clients can also log in directly to our client portal to manage bookings.
Where We Serve

Dog Boarding Near You — Metro Detroit & Oakland County

Based at 4396 Dixie Hwy #3 in Waterford, MI — serving Oakland County, Macomb County, and all of Metro Detroit.

Waterford Clarkston White Lake Commerce West Bloomfield Auburn Hills Troy Rochester Hills Milford Birmingham Farmington Hills Novi Metro Detroit
Ready to Book?

Check Availability & Reserve Your Dog’s Stay

Space is intentionally limited to 10 dogs per night. Fill out the form above or call us to check availability for your dog’s dates.

Check Availability & Pricing →
Questions? Call or text (248) 618-3258