OverDog: Dog Daycare & Boarding Business Tips

Ever wonder how mega-brands like Apple, Nike, and Disney build such loyal followings—and how you could channel that same magic into your dog daycare or boarding business? In this episode, Fern dives into what makes these iconic names tick, uncovering the branding strategies behind their cult-like fanbases. From Taylor Swift's superfan engagement to In-N-Out Burger's laser-focused simplicity, you'll hear fresh ideas t...

Get ready to go behind the curtain of one of the pet care industry’s most influential yet often misunderstood organizations—IBPSA. In this episode, Fern brings on Carmen Rustenbeck and Brian Remo to share the real story of how this trade association came to be, what it actually does for your business, and why now might be the most important time to get involved. It’s not just about standards and certifications—this is about communi...

Are you so busy eyeing the competition that you’re missing what’s really stalling your pet business? In this episode of the Overdog Podcast, Fern digs into a surprising truth: it’s not the new dog daycare down the street that’s threatening your success—it’s your own complacency. Tune in to hear why staying stagnant is the real danger and how obsessing over what others are doing might be costing you valuable growth opportunities.

In this episode of the Overdog Podcast, we're diving into the often-overlooked blind spots that could be silently sabotaging your pet care business. From failing to follow up with new leads to treating clients like fleeting transactions, Fern lays out seven common mistakes he's seen time and time again in dog daycares and boarding facilities. These aren't just minor issues—they're growth blockers that could be c...

What if growing your pet care business wasn't about guessing your way through it, but following a step-by-step formula that’s already been proven to work? In this episode of the Overdog Podcast, Fern dives into what he calls the “algorithm of success”—a repeatable path built from patterns he’s seen in the most successful entrepreneurs. From vision and mindset to resilience and strategy, this episode walks you through what it r...

Think you're asking the right questions about your business? Think again. In this episode, Fern and Overdog’s own Director of Operations, Kasey Jervis, dig into the questions dog daycare and boarding businesses should be asking—but usually aren’t. From understanding the lifetime value of your clients to uncovering why customers quietly drift away, this conversation challenges you to take a deeper look at your business operatio...

Is your dog business just a set of services, or is it a brand that people feel something about? In this episode of the Overdog Podcast, we're taking a deep dive into the crucial difference between running a business and building a brand. If you've ever thought your logo and color scheme were the extent of your branding, think again. This conversation unpacks how to truly become unforgettable in your community and the indu...

In this episode of the Overdog Podcast, we're diving into what it really takes to make your pet care business stand out in a crowded market. It’s not just about looking professional — it’s about being unforgettable. You’ll learn why simply having “satisfied customers” isn’t enough, and how creating bold, emotional, and consistent branding can leave a lasting impression on your clients. From logos to taglines to the tone of you...

Today we're diving into the big debates shaking up the dog daycare and boarding world. From whether you should offer discounts, have seven-day-a-week daycare, or let employee dogs join playgroups, Fern lays out the pros, cons, and his personal takes to help you make the best calls for your business. You’ll get a straight-shooting look at topics where strong opinions fly—and where there's no one-size-fits-all answer.
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Thinking about starting your own dog daycare or boarding business? In this episode of the Overdog Podcast, Fern brings on two seasoned experts from The Dog Gurus, Shawnte and Amber, to break down what it really takes to set up a pet business for long-term success. From the big essentials like business planning and defining your core values, to the often overlooked (but critical) pieces like building the right team and creating syst...

To celebrate the 200th episode of the Overdog Podcast, Fern is joined by Patrick and Dana Lyons for a quick recap of the recent Overdog Business Retreat—an event designed to help pet business owners reset, recharge, and rethink what’s possible. But the real meat of this milestone episode is all about mindset, and specifically, the beliefs that are quietly holding you back.

If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking “I can’t,” “That won...

If you think enrichment is just about tossing a few toys into the play area, think again. In this episode, Fern sits down with Kim Buchanan of Fetch Dog Resort to dig into the creative and wildly effective world of sense-based enrichment. Kim shares how she transformed her traditional daycare setup into a fully immersive experience that’s as rewarding for the dogs as it is for her staff—and yes, it’s been a game-changer for her bot...

In this episode of the Overdog Podcast, we're diving into one of the most frustrating challenges pet care businesses face—keeping up with client vet records. If you're tired of chasing down vaccination updates and wrestling with outdated systems, you're not alone. But what if there was a seamless, automated way to handle it all? That’s exactly what today’s guest, David Servodidio from VetVerifi, is offering. He share...

Feeling overwhelmed in your pet business and wondering how to keep up with all the tech talk flying around? You're not alone. In this episode, Fern pulls back the curtain on one of the biggest shifts hitting the business world today—AI—and what it actually means for dog daycare and boarding businesses like yours. From the messy reality of running a small business to the excitement (and hesitation) around new tools, this is a r...

In this episode of the Overdog Podcast, it’s all about answering your biggest questions. Fern not only dishes out valuable advice for dog daycare and boarding business owners, but also brings on a special guest you probably already know—Kasey Jervis, Overdog’s behind-the-scenes powerhouse. If you’re wondering how to attract more customers, where your marketing dollars should go, or why your Facebook ads are flopping, you’ll want to...

The pet care industry is evolving fast, and staying ahead means being open to change. In this episode, we sit down with Michelle Sarwas from Bark Avenue Day Camp to talk about how she’s pivoted her business over the years—constantly innovating, adapting, and pushing the industry forward. 

From transitioning to an enrichment-based daycare model to introducing solo play options and a scent room designed for canine mental sti...

Running a pet care business is stressful—there’s no way around it. But what if you could change the way you experience stress instead of letting it wear you down? In this special episode, Fern sits down with someone who knows a thing or two about handling high-pressure situations—his dad, Dr. Fernando Camacho Sr. As an oncologist for over 40 years, he faced some of the toughest emotional and mental challenges imaginable, yet he rem...

If you don’t have a crystal-clear vision of where you want your business and life to be in the next few years, how do you expect to get there? In this episode, we’re diving into the concept of a vivid vision—a powerful tool that helps you define your future in detail so you can take the right daily actions to make it a reality. If you’ve ever felt stuck, unsure of what’s next, or caught up in the day-to-day grind, this is exactly w...

Raising prices—it’s one of the most dreaded tasks for pet business owners, but it’s also one of the most necessary. How do you do it without scaring off customers? How much is too much? And what’s the best way to communicate the change so clients actually understand the value behind it? In this episode, we’re tackling all of it.

You’ll learn the right and wrong ways to raise prices, how to handle customer pushback, and why...