The Dog Stay in Baltimore: Overnight Boarding with Individual Attention in Canton

The Dog Stay is a small boarding facility in Canton that holds fewer than 15 dogs at a time, prioritizing individual attention over high-volume turnover. The operation runs from a residential setting rather than a large kennel complex, which shapes both its capacity limits and its pricing structure.

What The Dog Stay actually is

The Dog Stay operates as a limited-capacity, in-home boarding setup rather than a traditional kennel facility. Dogs stay in a house environment with access to a fenced yard. The owner, who lives on-site, manages playtime and feeding schedules directly. The model works best for owners seeking an alternative to cage-based facilities or large operations where their dog is one of 50 animals. It is not equipped for dogs requiring medical monitoring or extended medication administration beyond simple twice-daily pills.

Services and pricing

Overnight boarding runs $60 per night for a single dog, with a $5 discount per additional dog from the same household (so two dogs board for $115 combined). Rates hold year-round and do not spike during holidays, though holiday dates fill quickly. A daycare-only option costs $35 per day if you need drop-in coverage without overnight boarding. Multi-day stays are not discounted beyond the household multiple-dog rate. Confirm current rates by phone or email before booking, as small operations sometimes adjust pricing seasonally.

Dogs must be current on rabies vaccination and DHPP (distemper/parvo). The facility requests proof of vaccination at check-in. Aggressive dogs or those with a history of resource guarding are not accepted. A meet-and-greet visit is required before the first stay, during which the owner observes how your dog interacts with the resident dogs and assesses fit.

How The Dog Stay compares to other Baltimore boarding options

Baltimore's boarding market splits between three models: large kennels (Pets Are Inn in Canton holds 100+ dogs), small in-home operations (The Dog Stay, and a handful of similar setups), and cage-free facilities like Rover-booked sitters. Pets Are Inn charges $45 to $55 per night depending on room size, making it cheaper per night but offering less individualized oversight. In-home boarding at The Dog Stay costs roughly $10 more per night but means your dog is not crated and spends evenings and mornings in a house with one caretaker. Rover-booked pet sitters run $50 to $80 per day depending on the sitter and neighborhood, but your dog stays home rather than relocating. Choose The Dog Stay if your dog is social with other dogs and benefits from constant companionship; choose Pets Are Inn if cost is the primary factor and your dog is comfortable in a structured kennel environment; choose Rover if your dog has severe separation anxiety or medical needs that require someone in your home.

Who The Dog Stay suits and who it does not

This facility works well for dogs under 60 pounds who are social with other dogs and comfortable in a house setting. Dogs with minor anxiety often settle faster in a home than a kennel because the noise and activity level are lower. It is less suitable for dogs with aggression histories, severe resource guarding, or behavioral issues that require a separate space. Dogs needing insulin injections, multiple medications, or blood draws should go to a facility with veterinary licensing on staff. Dogs with separation anxiety bad enough to require pharmaceutical intervention during the stay will likely remain anxious in any boarding setup.

What the first visit involves

Owners typically schedule a 20 to 30-minute meet-and-greet at the house. Bring your dog and allow time for him or her to interact with the resident dogs off-leash in the yard. The owner watches for signs of stress, play style, and resource guarding. If your dog exhibits aggression or extreme anxiety, The Dog Stay will decline the booking. If the visit goes well, you will be given feeding instructions, emergency contact preferences, and a date to drop off your dog. Drop-off and pickup happen on a flexible schedule as long as notice is given 48 hours in advance.

Hours, parking, and logistics

The Dog Stay operates by appointment year-round and does not maintain posted business hours. Pickup and drop-off occur at the owner's home in Canton, where on-street parking is available but not guaranteed. The facility is not ADA accessible. Contact the business by phone or email to schedule a meet-and-greet or book a stay. Advance notice of at least three days is preferred, though last-minute bookings are sometimes possible if space opens. Holiday weekends (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, July 4th) typically book out six to eight weeks in advance.

The Dog Stay fills a specific need in Baltimore for owners whose dogs thrive in small-group, home-based environments and who are willing to pay slightly more for that setting.