About Us
About Love Dogs Camp
Love Dogs Camp was founded on a simple belief: dogs thrive in nature, not cages. We've created a unique haven in Arroyo Grande where passion for dogs meets professional care. Our spacious, fenced play yards and comfortable indoor areas provide the perfect setting for daycare, boarding, training, and grooming services.
Our experienced staff offers 24/7 supervision, ensuring your dog receives individualized care in a safe, stimulating environment. We prioritize positive reinforcement, socialization, and enrichment activities, complemented by healthy, homemade meals.
At Love Dogs Camp, we're committed to excellence in holistic, fear-free dog care. Our Better Business Bureau A+ rating reflects this dedication. Choose us for a tail-wagging experience your dog will love and the peace of mind you deserve.
Code of Ethics
1. Every minute a dog is here, we will teach and guide with kindness, patience, and understanding.
2. We will never do anything to harm a dog physically or psychologically.
3. We will treat every dog with unconditional love and respect.
4. All our policies and decisions will center around what is best for each individual dog.
5. Our staff will communicate with each customer with honesty and integrity.
6. We will unconditionally honor the confidentiality of all information shared with us about our dogs, customers, and staff.
7. We are committed to helping each dog develop their self-confidence so they can freely express their unique gifts and capabilities.
8. We will always choose principle over profit.
Our Team
The loving, trained, and professional staff at Love Dogs Camp are fully present and take the time to develop a strong bond of trust with each dog.
The staff are trained to listen to what each dog tells us they need, so your dog feels psychologically safe and well cared for when he or she is at camp. Love Dogs Camp is committed to the wellbeing and health of your dog.
Carolyn Leighton
Founder, Educator, Entrepreneur, Animal Lover
Carolyn Leighton founded Love Dogs Camp in 2002. After she moved to Arroyo Grande in 1998, she had difficulty finding quality dog care when she was away from home.
Carolyn’s work as the founder of WITI and Criterion Research required that she travel on business. The lack of quality dog care where she felt comfortable leaving her dogs made these frequent business trips stressful. “I knew leaving my dogs who I loved with all my heart in cages (kennels) was not an option.”
When Carolyn started Love Dogs Camp, she decided to draw from her previous training as a teacher. Carolyn acquired her teaching credentials at Pacific Oaks College that pioneered open education. “I decided to draw from teaching techniques to design the optimal environment for dogs. I recognized that dogs need to feel safe both physically and psychologically. Once a dog feels well taken care of, we can discover their unique gifts.”
“The most rewarding part of our work at Love Dogs Camp has been seeing so many dogs who come to us with abandonment, anxiety and trust issues transform into happy, balanced dogs because of our open, loving, and positive environment.
Carolyn appreciates the amazing dogs and their families that come to Love Dogs Camp. She creates an open, loving, and positive environment. “The most rewarding part of our work at Love Dogs Camp is seeing so many dogs who come to us with abandonment, anxiety and trust issues transform into happy, balanced dogs.”
Brett Nelson
Director of Training & Enrichment
My name is Brett Nelson and I am the dog trainer here at Love Dogs Camp. I have over 15 years of experience in dog training, grooming, boarding, and overall care of your canine family on the Central Coast. I recently came to Love Dogs Camp from training local service dogs for Military Veterans and First Responders.
Every dog needs a balance between on leash and off leash training. By working with your dog we can build confidence so they make good choices.
My goal is to teach emotional confidence while providing a safe, motivational, and supportive activity that creates positive attachments they will truly learn from. Instead of limiting them to one thing NOT to do, we should give them a list of ALL that they can do.