About Saugapaws Dog Resort – Dog Training and Boarding

About Saugapaws

Saugapaws is a board-and-train and boarding business run by Colleen and Elizabeth on a 14-acre wooded

property at "2435 64th Street, Fennville, MI 49408 (Off of Blue Star Highway)", in Saugatuck Township.

Contact is stay@saugapaws.com and (269) 205-3932; hours are "Monday – Sunday 8:30 am – 6:00 pm".

The about page explains the move: after "thirty-five years" working in the California tech world, "in

2025, we made our biggest move yet. We traded the city noise for 14 quiet, wooded acres here in

Fennville. We didn't move here to build a commercial facility; we moved here to open our home."

Who does what

"Colleen is our resident dog nerd and a fully certified professional dog trainer. With a degree in

behavioral psychology and years spent studying the work of industry leaders like Jean Donaldson, Trish

King, and the Karen Pryor Academy". Elizabeth "manages the emotional climate of the home" – schedules,

space and settling guests in.

Method

The site is explicit on tools: "As a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP), we don't

use fear, force, or painful tools like prong or shock collars. Instead, we use science-based, positive

reinforcement." Group size is capped: "we strictly limit our care to just five dogs at a time", and

dogs live "right in our home, cage-free, alongside us as part of the family." Premium programs "include

a full year of professional support".

Programs and published prices

– **Saugapaws Puppy Foundation (10-14 days), $1,850-$2,500** – two tiers: "The 10-Day Jumpstart (For

puppies 8 to 20 weeks old | $1,850)" covering house-training, crate comfort and early socialization,

and "The 14-Day Comprehensive (For puppies 4 to 6 months old | $2,500)" covering adolescent manners,

emotional regulation and focus around distractions. Includes "3 to 5 Short, High-Success Training

Sessions Daily", daily narrated video report cards, and "1 to 1.5 hours with you on drop-off day".

– **Saugapaws Essential Reset (7 days), $1,450** – for "the 'mostly good' adult dog (6 months or older)

who has simply slid into a few bad habits", covering re-engaging focus, loose-leash walking on the

property's wooded trails, and threshold manners, with an hour of go-home coaching.

– **Saugapaws Core Companion (14 days), $3,000** – "our flagship two-week residency" for adolescent and

adult dogs over 20 weeks, covering sit/stay, down, polite greetings, recall and loose-leash walking,

proofed on "structured 'Sniffaris' through our private 14-acre woods" and "guided training walks in

downtown Saugatuck or Douglas". Includes two 1-hour private coaching sessions, one at pickup and one

a few weeks later.

– **Saugapaws Custom Behavioral Stay (14+ days), $3,800-$4,000+** – for dogs "navigating adolescence,

deep fear, hyper-vigilance, overarousal, or mild reactivity", using "desensitization and

counter-conditioning", with two 1-hour post-stay coaching sessions.

– **Saugapaws Boutique Boarding, $85.00 per night** – cage-free home boarding with a daily guided

"Sniffari", dog-specific classical music and pheromone diffusers, 24/7 on-site presence and daily

narrated video updates.

The shop page also lists further package names and prices: "Saugapaws Serene Retreat (21-28 Days)

$5,150.00", "Saugapaws Signature (14 Days) $4,000.00", "Saugapaws Polished Companion (14 Days)

$3,000.00", "Saugapaws Premier Puppy (10 Days) $1,850.00", "Saugapaws Elite Foundation (14 Days)

$2,800.00" and "Saugapaws Puppy Manners (14 Days) $2,500.00". Every program ends with a bath before the

dog goes home.

Requirements before booking

"Every new dog must complete a free 4-hour Vibe Stay before we can book an extended stay or a training

package. This is not an 'obedience test.'" Vaccination records are required for rabies, DHPP/DHLPP,

bordetella and canine influenza, "administered at least 7 days prior to arrival". On neutering: "we

prefer that dogs over 9 months old be spayed or neutered. However, we welcome intact dogs on a

case-by-case basis following a successful Vibe Stay". Food must arrive "in a labeled, airtight

container" and medications "in their original prescription bottles".

Dogs with "a complex behavioral history, severe anxiety, or unique safety needs" are asked to disclose

this at enquiry so a custom plan can be discussed.