The Uptown Hound in Chattanooga: Board-and-Play Facility with Outdoor Runs
The Uptown Hound is a dedicated dog boarding operation in Chattanooga that houses dogs in individual climate-controlled rooms while offering daytime group play rather than kennels or crates. It sits between traditional kenneled boarding and luxury resort-style facilities, targeting owners who want their dog active during the day but value containment over constant human attention.
What The Uptown Hound actually is
The facility operates as an indoor boarding kennel with a daily play-group component. Dogs sleep in separate rooms equipped with bedding and climate control; during business hours, dogs move between their room and a supervised outdoor play yard where they interact with other boarded dogs. The model differs from cage-based boarding (which keeps dogs stationary) and from full-day daycare facilities (which require pickup by evening). The Uptown Hound targets multi-day stays, including overnight boarding for weekend trips.
Services and pricing
The standard boarding rate is $45 per night, with a discount to $40 per night for stays of five nights or longer. This includes one outdoor play session per day and access to the climate-controlled sleeping room. Dogs receive their own food if owners provide it, or staff can feed house-brand kibble included in the boarding cost. Additional services include a grooming add-on (price varies by dog size and coat condition; confirmation recommended) and optional midday play sessions for dogs with high energy needs, charged at $15 per session.
Daycare without overnight boarding is available at $25 per day. Holiday rates (Thanksgiving week, Christmas week, New Year's week) increase by $5 per night due to staffing costs; owners should confirm current holiday pricing when booking, as these rates shift annually.
How it compares to other Chattanooga boarding options
Camp Dogwood, located on Signal Mountain, operates as a true resort facility with individual suites, webcam access, and swimming pools; nightly rates run $70 to $85 depending on room size. Choose Camp Dogwood if you want luxury amenities and remote monitoring. The Uptown Hound costs roughly half as much and suits owners who prioritize affordability and daily play over resort features.
Positive Paws, a smaller in-home boarding network across Chattanooga, places dogs in private homes rather than facilities; rates are $30 to $50 per night depending on the sitter. Positive Paws works best for dogs with severe separation anxiety or aggression toward other dogs, since they stay alone. The Uptown Hound is better for social dogs and owners who prefer a fixed facility with consistent staff.
PetSmart Boarding, available at the store on Gunbarrel Road, charges $35 to $50 nightly and uses kennels rather than rooms; it is primarily a convenience option for last-minute bookings and suits owners already shopping for pet supplies on-site. The Uptown Hound offers more space per dog and structured play time.
Who it suits and who it doesn't
The Uptown Hound works well for dogs comfortable in groups (roughly two to eight dogs per session) and owners on a standard budget who want their dog active rather than crated. Dogs must be current on rabies vaccination and DHPP (distemper/parvovirus booster); aggressive or severely anxious dogs are typically declined unless the owner works with staff beforehand on a management plan.
It is not suitable for extremely small breeds (under 4 pounds) due to play-yard dynamics, dogs with mobility issues or advanced age needing frequent rest, or owners who require real-time video monitoring or constant human interaction during boarding. Dogs with medical needs requiring more than twice-daily medication may be declined.
What the first visit involves
New clients book a facility tour (no appointment required; walk-ins accommodated during business hours, typically 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays). The tour includes viewing the sleeping rooms, outdoor play yard, and food-storage area. Staff will ask for vaccination records, dietary needs, any behavioral notes, and an emergency contact. Most dogs are boarded the same day or within three days of the tour. A short meet-and-greet play session is often offered at no charge so staff can observe the dog's temperament around other dogs before the first paid overnight stay.
Hours, parking, and logistics
The Uptown Hound operates Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday boarding and pickup are not available, meaning weekend getaways must end by Saturday evening or extend into the following week. Drop-off and pickup occur during business hours only; late pickups incur a $10 fee per 15 minutes. Parking is on-site in a small lot; the facility is located on North Shore Drive near the North Shore neighborhood, roughly 1.5 miles north of downtown Chattanooga. Confirmation of exact hours is advisable during holiday weeks.
The Uptown Hound fills a practical niche for working owners in Chattanooga who need dependable, affordable boarding with active play time and does not overstate its scope or amenities.
