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.

Plus, Fern shares a clever marketing tactic he picked up from his college tours that could give your facility an instant edge with new customers. It's a jam-packed episode designed to challenge the way you think and give you new ideas to level up your daycare or boarding facility. Tune in to hear it all!

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 systems that actually work — this is the insider knowledge you didn’t know you needed.

If you’ve ever wondered why some businesses thrive while others fizzle out, this conversation will open your eyes to the subtle but powerful strategies that make all the difference. Whether you're just dreaming about opening your doors or already knee-deep in operations, Shonte and Amber share lessons learned from years in the industry — the kind that can save you time, money, and a whole lot of stress. Tune in to find out the keys to building a business that stands the test of time.

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’t work,” or “I’m not ready,” this episode is your wake-up call. Fern and his guests dive deep into the sneaky nature of limiting beliefs—how they form, why they’re so convincing, and the steps you can take to break through them. This isn’t fluff. It’s the mindset shift that could change everything for your business.

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 bottom line too. From themed sensory rooms to pricing strategies that actually work, she’s reinventing the daycare model in the coolest ways.

You’ll hear how Fetch Dog Resort went from "just another daycare" to a place dogs literally line up to get into. Kim breaks down exactly how she built this program, got staff and clients on board, and turned enrichment into a major revenue stream. Whether you’re just curious or ready to overhaul your entire business, this episode is packed with inspiration and real-world takeaways. Trust us—you’ll want to hear what these dogs are doing every morning before daycare even starts.

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 shares the behind-the-scenes journey of creating a powerful tech solution that could totally transform how your business manages compliance and communication with vet clinics.

From real-time vaccine verifications to integrating effortlessly with your current CRM, this system doesn’t just simplify things—it could completely remove a major bottleneck in your customer onboarding process. Whether you're running a high-volume pet resort or a small grooming salon, David breaks down how this works, why it matters, and how it's already making life easier for pet business owners across the country.

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 real-deal conversation about how to stop fearing the future and start using it to your advantage.

Fern shares practical, tested ways AI can lighten your load—from smarter customer interactions to easier marketing—and even gives a sneak peek at some brand-new tools he's cooking up behind the scenes. This isn’t about replacing people; it’s about freeing you up to do the things that actually grow your business. Whether you’re curious, skeptical, or already dabbling with AI, this episode is packed with perspective and actionable ideas to help you stay ahead of the pack.

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 soak in every minute of this one.

Kasey brings her firsthand experience of owning a boutique dog daycare into the conversation, and together, she and Fern tackle the real-world challenges business owners are facing right now. They get into everything from boosting slow daycare days to getting more reviews and word-of-mouth buzz. Whether you’re just starting out or trying to scale, this episode is packed with insights you didn’t even know you needed.

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 stimulation, Michelle shares the strategies that have helped her business thrive, even in tough times.

If you’ve been wondering how to stand out in a competitive market, get clients excited about enrichment daycare, or turn challenges into opportunities, this is the episode for you. Michelle’s approach proves that embracing change isn’t just necessary—it’s the key to long-term success. Tune in and get inspired!