magine going to a resort destination where the setting feels welcoming and familiar, the activities are engaging and enriching, and the staff is attentive from the moment you arrive until the moment you leave. That’s the kind of experience the dogs at Top Dog Training & Resort in Hillsborough, North Carolina, enjoy every day.

Owner and lead trainer, Jennie Fuller, believes that every dog who walks though her doors should leave more confident, well-behaved and mentally fulfilled than when they arrived. And that philosophy is rooted in something Jennie has believed for more than two decades: Dogs need both mental and physical engagement to truly thrive.

Top Dog’s success didn’t come from simply following basic industry standards for safe boarding, supervised daycare and good customer service. It came from developing an entire program around Jennie’s passion for providing enrichment and her belief that a thoughtfully designed environment can transform a dog’s experience in boarding, daycare and training.

Rather than building a traditional commercial kennel environment, Jennie chose to create something entirely different. Top Dog is situated on five acres and operates from a beautiful 4,300-sqaure-foot home that has been thoughtfully designed and carefully up-fitted to serve as a training and boarding resort.

“I really wanted my facility to be a house,” Jennie explains. “I felt like that would make it easier for the dogs to transition here, and then back to their own homes. It also allows us to create training scenarios that are real-life.”

Jennie emphasizes that facility design can directly influence a dog’s emotional comfort and behavior. When dogs feel relaxed and secure, they are naturally more receptive to learning and less likely to develop stress-related behaviors during boarding stays.

“I firmly believe that a nurturing environment is an essential foundation for both learning and wellbeing,” she adds.

Even the language used inside the facility reflects that philosophy. At Top Dog, they refer to the individual suites as “bedrooms.”

“The ‘bedrooms’ are designed for comfort and safety, featuring elevated orthopedic beds, soothing music, and a clean-air environment supported by UV filtration, air purification systems, and climate control,” explains Jennie.

Long before it became a widely discussed concept in pet care, Jennie has been working with dogs and implementing enrichment training.

“I am a certified trainer and have been doing enrichment for 22 years,” she shares. “When we opened Top Dog, most people were not yet aware how important enrichment was for dogs.”

Free play has long been a staple of daycare environments, but Jennie saw its limitations.

“While exercise can tire a dog’s muscles, it does not necessarily engage their mind,” she explains. “That difference is my passion and has become the foundation of Top dog’s entire program.”

Through carefully structured activities, the dogs are encouraged to solve problems, navigate obstacles, practice impulse control and build confidence. These experiences challenge both their minds and their bodies while helping the dogs develop important life skills.

The Day School program is Top Dog’s most popular service—and for good reason. Instead of unstructured all-day play, the dogs participate in a thoughtfully planned schedule that combines physical activity, mental enrichment and ongoing training.

“Although we have indoor play yards available for when the weather is bad, we try to keep the dogs outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine as much as possible,” says Jennie.

“We put a lot of time and money into our outdoor yards to make an ideal environment for the pups,” she continues. “We have multiple areas which are all covered with artificial turf. They feature lovely shaded pavilions, fun cooling misters, and splash pools to help keep the pups comfortable during warm weather.”

Each dog participates in three enrichment sessions daily, rotating through different training yards and activity areas designed to keep them mentally engaged. Agility equipment, obstacle courses, scent games and interactive challenges encourage dogs to think, explore and learn while they play.

Training is seamlessly incorporated into these activities as well. The dogs practice foundational behaviors such as sit/stay, down/stay and coming when called while working in group environments with distractions.

“Even everyday routines are turned into learning opportunities,” Jennie explains. “The dogs receive continuous training, such as sitting before going in and out of any door. This approach helps reinforce polite behaviors in real-life situations, which translates directly to better manners at home.”

Another key factor that contributes to Top Dog’s success is its strong commitment to communication and transparency with pet owners.

“We post pictures every day so the pet parents can see their dogs in action,” says Jennie. “And, we give them report cards. These daily updates allow owners to see their dogs learning, playing, and progressing. It builds trust while also reinforcing the value of our program.”

Top Dog has introduced subscription-based service packages for their Day School, along with shuttle pick-up and drop-off services throughout the region. These options make it easier for busy families to incorporate services for their dogs into their routines.

While Day School may be the most popular offering at Top Dog, the facility’s Board and Train program has also become a signature service. Dogs enrolled in the program live at the facility for three, four or six weeks while receiving daily instruction from professional trainers.

“During their last week of training, we take them on field trips to local dog-friendly public places,” Jennie shares. “They get environmental awareness and learn to listen everywhere—not just at Top Dog. Training in these varied environments helps the dogs reinforce learned behaviors in busy settings filled with distractions.”

The program also places strong emphasis on educating each dog’s family. In addition to written instructions, Top Dog creates custom video tutorials starring the client’s dog. These videos demonstrate exactly how owners should give commands and reinforce behaviors once their dog returns home.

Every Board and Train program concludes with a graduation session, where families work one-on-one with trainers and their dog to practice the newly learned skills.

“Support continues even after the program ends,” adds Jennie. “The Board and Train program comes with free lifetime coaching and follow-up. That long-term commitment not only helps clients maintain results—it builds lasting relationships and trust.”

Jennie is quick to credit Top Dog’s team of professionals for helping to bring her vision to life every day, and says she believes that prepared teams create safer environments for both dogs and staff.

“Most of our staff is cross-trained, which allows them to support multiple areas of the operation,” Jennie explains. “I am also a big believer in continuing education. Our staff members are thoroughly trained on the day-to-day operations and also emergency protocols.

“We regularly conduct ‘dog down’ practice drills,” she continues, “which simulate emergency scenarios so staff members can respond quickly and work together effectively if a real crisis occurs.”

But at the heart of Top Dog Training & Resort is Jennie’s life-long passion for helping dogs and their families live better lives together. By combining structured training, enrichment-based daycare and a nurturing home-like boarding environment, she has created a facility where dogs are challenged, encouraged and supported in ways that help them grow into more confident, balanced companions.