I arrived at the wonderful White Squirrel cabin with my people and immediately the fun began! They love us dogs here, don’t you know, woof! They had a big fenced yard that surrounded our cabin and kept me safe, but gave me lots of room to run. I could race back and forth on all the decks if it happened to be raining without even getting my feet wet. The dog bed in the cabin was, oh so comfortable. I really needed it after a day of vacation fun at nearby DuPont State Forest. Everyone in downtown Brevard was so friendly and dogs like me were welcomed at the outdoor dining restaurants and local breweries. Oh, and DogWoods Retreat made sure my people were happy as well, by giving them luxury beds and a hot tub to relax in. I think my Mom and Dad are thinking of coming back for Christmas this year and I can’t wait!

We’d love to have you and the pups come enjoy an extended winter stay at DogWoods Retreat. We are offering deep discounts for a month or longer stay for January and February. Yes, if you are lucky, you might get to play in a bit of snow but don’t count on it. The most snowfalls we have ever received in a winter has been 3 and they usually melt by noon. But we sure have fun while it’s here. Contact us today to book your winter get away.

It doesn’t matter what breed, rescue or pure bred, or what kind of temperament, all dogs are welcome at our vacation rentals. Our cabins are completely surrounded by huge, and private, fenced yards for your best friend to enjoy during your stay. We include dog beds and bowls for them as well. If your pup has issues, or you just want to brush up on your training skills, we can help with optional dog training and consults. If you’re going to be gone all day, and want to leave them at home, we also offer optional dog care during your absence.

Experience the ultimate dog friendly vacation in the lovely mountains of Western North Carolina!

Come, and enjoy a vacation at ultra dog friendly, DogWoods Retreat. Pups can swim at DuPont State Forest after your hike, it’s only about 10 minutes from your cabin. Relax, in a hot tub under the stars, and get a dreamy nights sleep on our luxury mattresses, wake up the next day and repeat the fun!

Sneak peek interior of our new White Squirrel II cabin. Bring the pups and let them enjoy their own private, huge, fenced yard. It also features a Maxx Therapeutic hot tub (under the stars!), wood burning fireplace and luxury memory foam mattresses. We don’t discriminate against any breeds, so all are welcome here. Contact us soon to book your stay.

This is such a quiet, peaceful, and relaxing place. Extra touches have been put in place by Nan to make Dogwoods Retreat a home away from home for both you and your pet! We stayed at Tree Frog and would love to come back. The beds are so comfy and the hot tub has a view of the starlit sky. We could see the sunset, sunrise, moonrise, and Orion all from the deck and windows! Everything you need is fully furnished, from towels to coffee to dog bowls and dog beds!!! It is very close to many sites and Nan’s recommendations were great! We loved Dupont State Forest! All we can say is WOW and THANK YOU!

Sarah K.

How can we learn to walk with the dog?  Enriching our connection is the key.  Proper equipment can be helpful but is not the total answer.  I prefer to use front clip harnesses to help teach dogs to walk with out pulling, as they are less aversive than head collars and prong collars.  If I want to increase the connection with my dog on a walk, that needs to start even before we get out of the door.  It is good to teach dogs the word “wait”. That means stop until you are given permission to move forward.  If we let our excited dogs blast out the door then we are already disconnected from them.  If they have to wait, for permission, they will be looking at us in connection.  Once we are out the door we have to stop once again to close the door, and the dog connects with us again, asking to go forward.  So if we slow down the start of our walks, to get connected, we will have a better walk with our dogs.  I like to practice a few sits at the beginning or recalls if I am working on a longer leash.  Waits and u-turns are useful also.  Really “tune in the radio” before we set off on our hike.  Make it fun and rewarding to connect with you by bringing a pocket full of yummy treats to reward your dog if he comes back to you to check in of his own accord or does a nice recall.

Happy walking with your dog!

Ayla Long on the DuPont State Forest, Fawn Lake Trail

Nan Long, CPDT-KA
Now And Zen Dog Training

Winter is a great time to visit DogWoods Retreat and you might even get lucky and catch a bit of snow.  Take advantage of our off season rates, seasonal winter activities and the very best sunrises of the year.  You can enjoy solitude on the hiking trails and waterfalls during our quiet time.  Give us a call today for availability in our dog friendly vacation cabins and make your reservation for some winter fun!

We are pleased to announce that Nan Long has passed her boards and is now a Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed.   Book a training session during your stay at DogWoods Retreat and get the help you need.

The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), established in 2001, is the leading independent certifying organization for the dog training profession. The CCPDT is the leader in the development of rigorous exams to demonstrate mastery of humane, science-based dog training practices. Thousands of dog training professionals worldwide maintain the CCPDT’s certifications as a mark of high professional distinction.

We took a beautiful walk at DuPont State Forest Fawn Lake today and found Picasso’s paint brush had touched it.  A quiet, reflective place with only Ayla and us enjoying it. The colors are starting to peak and the results are nothing less than stunning!  Just 10 minutes from our wonderful dog friendly cabins.