Transparency, trust and tail wags: the challenges of dog boarding
Let’s talk about the tough part of working with animals.
At BARC Boarding Center, we believe that dogs are more than pets—they’re family. That’s why every decision we make is rooted in one mission: to provide a safe, enriching, and trustworthy environment for the animals in our care and peace of mind for their people.
We’re proud to be a small, locally owned and operated center in Price, Utah, and over the years, we’ve built deep relationships with the dogs and families we serve. That’s why it breaks our hearts to share that we recently experienced a rare and deeply upsetting incident: a dog-on-dog altercation that led to treatable injuries.
What Happened
Two dogs, both long-time clients of BARC, both of whom we love and have spent countless joyful hours with, were in a supervised playgroup together, as they have been many times before without issue. Neither had shown behavioral concerns in the past. But in an unexpected and heartbreaking moment, one of the dogs targeted the other.
Thanks to our trained staff, the fight was stopped quickly and efficiently before it escalated further. The injured dog sustained surface-level wounds that required five stitches and some antibiotics. We are incredibly thankful this wasn’t worse, especially knowing that dog fights can sometimes lead to far more serious injuries. Immediate care was given, and both families have been contacted and involved every step of the way. We are eternally grateful for our loyal clients such as these two, and we are deeply impacted by what happened.
While this incident was rare and unpredictable, we won’t minimize it—and we won't let it stop at an apology. This is our opportunity to not only be transparent but to improve.
Moving Forward
We believe that trust is built not by perfection, but by accountability. We are truly sorry that this incident occurred, and we’re taking immediate steps to strengthen our safety practices and staff readiness, including:
Enhanced Behavioral Training for Staff: Our team will undergo additional training in canine behavior and early stress signals to increase our ability to identify subtle red flags before they escalate. While sometimes fights are truly unpredictable, we want to arm ourselves with as much knowledge as possible, especially in times like this.
Refined Playgroup Assessments: We are reviewing and updating our playgroup compatibility processes and will be adding more behavior-based evaluation steps before group interaction.
Environmental Upgrades: We already utilize fear-free techniques, including visual barriers and customizable kennel options, but we’ll be expanding those tools to help dogs feel even more secure in our facility if needed.
Flexible Care Options: We continue to offer alternatives to group play, including one-on-one enrichment sessions, extra potty breaks, and our most popular—escape-proof and spacious private kennels—designed for dogs who prefer a calm, quiet environment.
What You Can Do, Too
Dog behavior is complex and constantly evolving. Even well-socialized dogs can have a bad day or be triggered unexpectedly. As pet parents, here are a few ways to help reduce stress and lower the chances of aggression:
Provide mental enrichment: Puzzle toys, sniff walks, and training games can help meet your dog’s mental needs.
Honor their emotional state: If your dog isn’t a fan of other dogs, that’s okay! Not every dog is meant for playgroups. One-on-one time is often better suited to their temperament.
Advocate for your dog: Be proactive in letting us know what your dog needs. We're here to work with you and your pet's unique personality.
Learn fight safety and first aid: Just like us, dogs can have off days or fearful moments. We’re trained to break up fights and treat minor injuries—and you can be, too, in case your dog ever finds themselves in an unexpected situation. Reach out for behavior questions, training tips, or recommendations. We’re here to share the love!
Turning Pain into Progress
We won't pretend this wasn’t hard. It was. Our staff loves every dog that walks through our doors. This situation shakes us to our core. But this is also the part of working with animals that people don’t talk about enough: the hard moments, the unexpected ones. The ones where your heart breaks because you know how much these dogs mean not just to their families, but to us.
We’re committed to turning this moment into meaningful change, not just for our business, but for the community that supports us. Thank you for continuing to trust us with your beloved dogs. Here’s to showing up better each day for the ones who need us most.
With gratitude,
The BARC Boarding Center Team
