Country Inn Kennels

Thank you 🐾🥹

🏆 WE WON 3RD PLACE — BEST OF CARSON VALLEY! 🏆

Seriously though, THANK YOU to everyone who voted for us, recommends us, shares our posts, brings their pets to us, and continues to support our little business. Taking 3rd Place in Best of Carson Valley means a lot to us, especially because this business really is a team effort.

So naturally, some recognition is in order for the people who help make it all happen…

🐱 BECKY — Master Kitty Murder-Mitten Wrangler & Fluffy Dog Specialist
If it has murder mittens, strong opinions, and would rather not participate in its groom, Becky has a way of working with them. 😂 She’s also our go-to for the fluffy dogs and the impressive amount of coat that comes along with them. If your dog leaves looking 20 pounds lighter, Becky may have discovered there was actually a smaller dog hiding under all that fluff.

👵🐶 TASHA — Senior Pet Specialist & Shih Tzu Enthusiast
Fragile? Elderly? Needs a little extra patience and TLC? Tasha’s got them. ❤️ She has a special soft spot for our senior pets and is wonderful about giving them the extra time and gentle handling they need. And if there’s a Shih Tzu involved? Even better. 😂 There always seems to be room in Tasha’s heart — and somehow her schedule — for another little Shih Tzu face.

👋 JEREMY — Director of First Impressions & Resident Transportation Enthusiast
Jeremy is the primary face of the business and usually the first person you see when you come through our doors — whether that’s at the business or our home. He greets the clients, knows the dogs, keeps things moving, answers approximately 47,000 questions, and somehow remembers who belongs to whom.

And if you happen to enjoy planes, trains, automobiles, or pretty much anything with an engine, you’ve found your guy. 😂 A quick drop-off may come with a complimentary fun fact about an aircraft, locomotive, or vehicle you didn’t know you needed to know.

🚐✂️ NAILIN — Mobile Groomer, Trailer Hauler & Professional Valley Wanderer
While everyone else holds down the fort, I’m out hauling my grooming trailer around Carson Valley and the surrounding communities, going from house to house making dogs pretty and putting an impressive number of miles on my truck. 😂 If you’ve ever wondered, “Is she ever actually at the shop?”
The answer is… occasionally.

And together, somehow, we make this whole thing work. 😂❤️

We truly couldn’t have earned 3rd Place Best of Carson Valley without all of the people throughout Carson Valley and our surrounding communities who trust us with their dogs and cats year after year. Every vote, referral, review, appointment, and recommendation keeps a small local business like ours going.

From all of us at Shirley’s Valley Grooming Boarding & Daycare — THANK YOU! 🐾🏆

We appreciate you more than you know. We’ll be back tomorrow doing what we do best — caring for the seniors, wrangling the murder mittens, finding the dogs underneath all that fluff, squeezing in another Shih Tzu, hauling the grooming trailer around the valley… and probably learning something new about an airplane from Jeremy. 😂❤️🐶🐱✈️

Hiring ! 🐾

Lines are down!
Please text us if you need to get ahold of us 🐾

❤️🐾

We have the littlest one boarding with us this week! 🐹

Vaccine Shedding — What Dog Owners Should Understand

Not all vaccines behave the same.

Some—specifically live attenuated vaccines—contain a weakened form of the organism that can briefly replicate in the body after administration. Because of that, there is a short window where shedding of the vaccine strain can occur.

In dogs, the most relevant example in everyday settings is the intranasal or oral Bordetella vaccine (kennel cough). After administration, the organism can colonize the upper respiratory tract for a short period. During that time, dogs may shed small amounts of the bacteria and, in some cases, develop mild symptoms like coughing or nasal discharge.

This is well recognized in veterinary literature. For example, the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine notes that vaccinated dogs can still carry and spread Bordetella, even if they show minimal or no symptoms.

https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-information/bordetellosis

There is also documented evidence that vaccine strains of Bordetella can be shed after intranasal vaccination and, in rare cases, transmitted—particularly to individuals with compromised immune systems (including both animals and humans).

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10466264/

More broadly, the concept of vaccine shedding with live vaccines is well established:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaccine_shedding

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Why This Matters Around Other Dogs

In most healthy adult dogs, this isn’t a major issue. The risk is generally considered low.

But in certain situations, it becomes more relevant:

* Young puppies with immature immune systems
* Recently vaccinated dogs whose immune systems are still responding
* Immunocompromised or stressed dogs
* High-density environments like boarding, daycare, shelters, or transport

A recently vaccinated dog is not instantly protected. Their immune system is still building a response, which can make that overlap—shedding + exposure + stress—more significant.

This is one of the reasons why respiratory illness can still circulate in vaccinated populations. It’s not always a failure of the vaccine—it’s often a matter of timing and environment.

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The Practical Takeaway

This isn’t about avoiding vaccines. It’s about understanding how they work in real life.

With live vaccines like Bordetella:

* There can be a short shedding window
* Recently vaccinated dogs may still be vulnerable
* Close contact environments can amplify even low-risk factors

Good dog care isn’t just about what you do—it’s about when you do it, and who your dog is around when you do it.

Our boarding program is designed for dogs who benefit from structure, consistency, and individualized attention. We focus on providing a calm, controlled environment where each dog can relax, feel secure, and receive care tailored specifically to their needs.

Unlike large group-play facilities, we do not offer open-play daycare/boarding. Instead, we prioritize safety, stress reduction, and meaningful one-on-one interaction with our staff.

To maintain this level of care, we intentionally limit the number of dogs in our facility. This allows us to spend more time with each dog, closely monitor their well-being, and ensure they receive the attention they deserve throughout their stay.

Each dog enjoys their own private indoor/outdoor run, allowing them the freedom to move between spaces at their comfort level throughout the day.

Dogs must be people-friendly and comfortable being handled by staff in order to participate in activities outside of their run. We take our time with each dog in our care. Some dogs warm up to us faster than others. We don't push them past their limits. Dogs do not interact with other dogs unless they are from the same household and with owner approval.

What Your Dog’s Stay Includes

Every dog begins their stay with a temperament and handling evaluation to ensure we understand their comfort level, personality, and preferences.

Dogs who pass their evaluation receive:

Daily one-on-one yard time in a secure, private outdoor space or a 15–30 minute structured walk
Individual attention focused on engagement, decompression, and mental stimulation—not overstimulation
A consistent routine that supports calm behavior and reduces stress

Each dog is provided with:

A soft plush bed or elevated cot (based on your preference)
Clean bedding, blankets, and food/water bowls
A private space that is cleaned and sanitized daily

You are always welcome to bring bedding or items from home to help your dog feel more comfortable during their stay.

Our Approach

We understand that not every dog thrives in a chaotic, high-energy group setting. Many dogs do best in a quieter environment where they are not overwhelmed by constant interaction.

Our approach is ideal for dogs who:

Prefer human interaction over dog-to-dog play
Need a more structured or predictable routine
Are easily overstimulated in group environments
Benefit from a more personalized level of care

We take the time to get to know each dog as an individual, adjusting their daily routine to match their energy level, temperament, and comfort.