Your Dog Deserves Pampered Time Away Too!!!
Many people use the term “fur babies” as a catchphrase. But let’s face it—our dogs truly are smaller, furry members of our families. So when you go away, isn’t it only right that your dog gets some pampered time away, too?
Contender Canine Resort provides a safe & loving environment with outdoor play, personal care, and a strong emphasis on open communication. Our modern facilities, spacious accommodations, and attention to detail mean you’ll never have to worry or wonder how your fur baby is being treated. Enjoy your time away while we spoil your pup!
Unlike most boarding-only kennels, our facility is both state and federally licensed and inspected. Our breeding operation is regulated by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture, placing our facility under an additional level of professional oversight that most boarding facilities are not required to meet. These inspections help ensure that our housing, sanitation, animal care, veterinary practices, and recordkeeping meet established state and federal standards—giving our customers even greater confidence in the care their dogs receive.
We put a tremendous amount of thought into every detail of our facility, with a strong emphasis on safety, durability, cleanliness, and operational efficiency. Our kennels and sleeping areas are designed to be cleaned quickly and thoroughly, allowing us to spend less time on maintenance and more time providing personal attention to the dogs!
At Contender Canine Resort, your dog has room to do more than turn around in a 3′ × 6′ or even a 6′ × 6′ box. Each guest has a 3′ × 4′ indoor sleeping & resting area connected to a covered 5′ × 10′ outdoor run. That’s 62 square feet of connected space, compared with 36 square feet in a 6′ × 6′ enclosure. We also offer 5′ × 5′ indoor spaces for giant breeds.
After more than 30 years working with dogs, we’ve learned that a good kennel design is about the details you may not notice at first. Our indoor spaces give dogs enough height to stand comfortably on all four feet, while discouraging them from jumping up on their hind legs. Dogs get excited, water bowls spill, and "potty accidents" happen. Reducing the chance of a dog jumping on a slippery, wet floor is one practical way we designed our facility with injury prevention in mind.
The connected outdoor run also gives your dog the freedom to step outside for a potty break whenever they need one, without waiting for a staff member. For dogs that prefer a routine, we offer frequent supervised potty breaks in a fenced area throughout the day.
We could have easily used cheaper crates or fit more dogs into the building. Instead, we chose spacious, thoughtfully designed accommodations because your dog’s safety and comfort always come first.
The result....a premium facility tailored to the comfort and care of our mama dogs and their puppies, while also providing a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for every canine guest. With more than 3 decades of experience caring for dogs, we understand the genuine need for a dependable boarding facility that prioritizes exceptional care, cleanliness, safety, and open communication with every customer.
The hard work and dedication behind our breeding program has shaped the care we provide at Contender Canine Resort. The very same experience and attention to detail that helped us achieve success in retriever competition goes into making every boarding guest feel safe, comfortable, and cared for.
Our dedication to Labradors has also been recognized at the highest levels of retriever competition. In 2023, Jason Heffelmeier received the AKC Breeder of the Year by Sport award for Retriever Field Events. In 2021, a Labrador he bred—NFC-AFC Holland Cliff’s Play It Again, known as “Luke”—won the National Open Retriever Championship. We’re proud of these milestones and of the many other accomplishments of dogs we’ve bred and raised. We bring that same lifelong commitment to dogs into the care of every guest at Contender Canine Resort.
Experience
With over 30 years in dog care, our state-inspected facility ensures your furry friend receives the best care possible. Limited enrollment means your dog gets the care they deserve.
Updates
Stay connected while you're away! We provide regular daily updates on your dog's activities, ensuring peace of mind while you're away. It's our goal to help your pup feel comfortable, safe and pampered.
Care
Our home-away-from-home atmosphere guarantees your dog will enjoy their stay. We focus on individual needs, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable experience for every guest.
AMENITIES
• Climate Controlled
• Kuranda dog beds
• daily status reports
• 24/7 access to our vet
• lots of tlc & belly rubs
• sealed concrete for cleanliness & sanitizing
• soothing background
music
• Fenced potty breaks
• secure 5' x 15' kennels
• 120 acres for walks
• kennel wall dividers
for privacy
Boarding Prices, Policies, and Guidelines
Below are the most important prices, policies, and guidelines to review before booking your dog’s stay.
We have worked hard to keep our policies simple, straightforward, and easy to understand. These guidelines help ensure that every dog receives safe, clean, and dependable care—and that everyone knows what to expect.
Hours
Monday–Friday:
Drop-Off: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Pickup: By 11:00
Saturday:
Drop-Off: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Pick-Up: By 11:00
Sunday:
Pick-Up & Drop-Off Only: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Boarding Rates
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One dog in one run: $30 per day
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Two dogs sharing one run: $50 per day
Our large runs are 10 to 15 feet long and can comfortably accommodate two large-breed dogs from the same household.
How Boarding Days Are Charged
The day your dog is dropped off is counted as a boarding day, regardless of the drop-off time.
If your dog is picked up before 11:00 AM, you will not be charged for that day. Because our Sunday hours begin at noon, Sunday is always counted as a boarding day regardless of pickup time.
For your convenience, we accept Visa, Mastercard, automatic debit, checks, and cash.
Outside-Hours Appointments
Need to drop off or pick up your dog outside our posted hours? We will do our best to accommodate you by appointment for an additional $15 convenience fee.
Outside-hours appointments must be arranged in advance. We may be caring for boarding dogs or providing other services during those times.
A $15 fee also applies to departures after closing. Dogs remaining at the facility after 6:30 PM will be checked into overnight lodging and charged the regular boarding rate.
Food & Feeding
We ask that every boarding dog bring its regular food. Keeping your dog on its normal diet helps prevent stomach problems and makes their stay more comfortable.
Please bring food in a container with a secure lid and clearly label it with:
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Your dog’s name
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Feeding amounts
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Feeding instructions
Please remember to bring your dog’s food at drop-off. If food is forgotten, we can provide food for an additional $3 per day.
We provide all food and water dishes. Using our dishes allows us to clean and sanitize them properly each day.
A refrigerator and freezer are available for food or medication that must remain chilled.
Medications & Supplements
All medications must include clear written instructions.
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Oral medications, daily chews, or supplements: $2 per day
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Medication administered by injection: $4 per day
Boarding Policies
Please make sure your dog arrives wearing a collar with identification tags.
Our kennels are equipped with Kuranda dog beds. You may also bring a blanket or other washable bedding. Please do not bring large comforters or dog beds without removable, washable covers.
Toys and bones are welcome. However, please do not bring tennis balls or other small toys that could fit into our floor drains.
Natural, rawhide-free chews such as bully sticks or hooves may be provided for an additional $3 per chew.
Vaccination Requirements
For the safety of your dog and every other dog staying with us, proof of current vaccinations is required before your dog may enter the kennel area.
For the safety of every dog in our care, current vaccination records are required before any dog may enter the kennel area or be boarded. This policy is strictly enforced and is one of the most important steps we take to protect your dog and our other guests. Records may be emailed in advance or provided at drop-off.
Required vaccinations include:
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DHLPP or DHPP
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Rabies
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Bordetella, commonly known as the kennel cough vaccine
Exercise & Kennel Care
We have two large, fenced exercise areas where dogs can enjoy fresh air, exercise, and bathroom breaks. Dogs are let outside approximately three to four times each day.
Behavior & Health
For the safety of our guests and staff, every dog will be evaluated at check-in to ensure that its health and temperament are appropriate for our facility.
Contender Canine Resort reserves the right to refuse boarding or require an owner to pick up a dog if we believe the dog’s behavior or health creates a safety concern or cannot be properly accommodated.
We may accept dogs with aggressive or reactive behavior, but approval and accommodations will depend on each dog’s individual circumstances. Please discuss your dog’s behavior with us before booking so we can determine whether we can safely meet its needs.
We DO accept dogs that have not been spayed or nuetered.