About Family Dog Center

Family Dog Center is a La Crosse business that runs boarding, daycare and a training schedule out of one facility. Its own account of the founding is specific: "Founded in 2001 by lifelong dog lover Laurie Haake, Family Dog Center was built on a simple belief: dogs aren't just pets, they're family. With 25 years of experience, Laurie has created a place where every dog receives the same care that she'd expect for her own pet." The staff page adds that she "Founded the Family Dog Center / The Dawg Haus in 2001, relocating to our current location in 2015" and "is actively involved in the day to day operations."

What is offered

Three service lines are published. Boarding is framed as care rather than kenneling: "When your dog stays with us, they're more than just boarded – they're cared for like family. At Family Dog Center, our experienced team provides a safe, comfortable, and engaging environment, so you can travel with confidence knowing your dog is in trusted hands." Daycare is described as enrichment-based: "Give your dog a day full of play, socialization, and care. As an enrichment-based daycare, our structured schedule provides a supervised environment where dogs stay active, build confidence, and go home happy and tired." Training is sold as a combined lane with fitness: "Build better behavior while keeping your dog active and healthy. Our training and fitness programs combine structured exercise with proven training methods to improve obedience, boost confidence, and support overall well-being."

Where the detail lives

The home page keeps the training description short and routes owners to a dedicated Training & Fitness section, which is where the class schedule, the board and train option and the agility lessons are set out in full. Puppy classes, beginner and advanced obedience, private and group lessons, drop-off day trains and agility from foundation work up to competition all sit on that page rather than on the home page; the home page itself only promises "structured exercise with proven training methods."

Team and milestone

The site publishes short introductions for its kennel staff rather than a roster of trainers, including a returning kennel manager it says "previously worked at Family Dog Center for about 5 years." The home page is currently carrying an anniversary announcement – "Cheers To 25 Years!" – and invites clients to a party on June 12th, 2026 at the La Crescent Event Center, with RSVPs required.

Worth checking before you book

The class descriptions on the Training & Fitness page carry their own age and eligibility conditions, and at least one obedience class is restricted by the temperament of the dog, so owners of reactive or aggressive dogs should read the individual class listing before enrolling.