The Big Backyard

The Big Backyard is a cage-free dog daycare and dog boarding operation in Denver, at 5310 East Pacific Place near I-25 and Evans. Dogs spend the day in supervised group play with other dogs and staff instead of waiting out the hours in a crate, and the same building takes overnight guests.

What the space is like

There are 8,000 square feet of play space here, and 3,000 of those square feet sit outdoors, reachable on the dogs' own schedule through doggy doors. The indoor areas are climate controlled, which counts for something in a city with hot Julys and cold Januarys. Pools go out in the outdoor areas during the summer.

Why owners pick it

The draw is the cage-free format: dogs move between the indoor rooms and the outdoor yard through the day rather than sitting in a run. For a young dog with more energy than the house can absorb, or one who does badly alone, that setup usually beats a quiet kennel.

Services

• Cage-free daycare with supervised group play
• Overnight boarding, available 365 days a year
• 16 individual runs and 4 family runs, plus Kuranda beds for overnight guests
• Baths, nail trims, and bath-and-nail-trim combinations
• Training

Staff also administer medication and handle special diets, which matters for a senior dog on pills or one eating prescription food.

Booking and hours

Reservations go through the phone at 303-757-7905. The kennel is open 7:00 AM to 6:30 PM Monday through Friday, and 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday. Published pricing for overnight stays is $25 per night. Overnight care runs every day of the year, so holiday travel is covered.