Daycare · Boarding · Enrichment · Small Groups
Small groups, a certified team, twice-daily photo updates, and a fenced half-acre yard in Northwest Portland. Daycare and boarding done properly.
Our Philosophy
Bramble & Biscuit started in 2019 when our founder, Nora Holt, brought her shepherd mix Briar home and spent three months trying to find a daycare that did not feel like a kennel. The groups were too big, the yards were concrete, and nobody could tell her what Briar actually did all day.
So she got certified in canine behavior, leased a house with a half-acre yard on Thurman Street, and built the place she could not find. We run two groups of six dogs. We never exceed twelve at once. Every dog does a meet and greet before their first stay. You get two photo updates per day, every day, without asking.
We are small on purpose. That is not a limitation. It is the service.
If you cannot name every dog in the yard, the group is too big.
What We Offer
Full-day small-group play in our fenced yard. Drop off between 7 and 9am, pick up by 7pm. Two photo updates sent mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Dogs sorted by size and play style, not breed.
Ten prepaid day passes at a reduced rate. No expiry within twelve months. Same small-group experience, same photo updates. Best for owners with a regular weekly schedule.
Your dog stays in our home overnight, not in a run. They sleep in the main living area, get a 6am walk before breakfast, and join the daycare group the following day. Maximum four boarding dogs at once.
Multi-night boarding for travel weeks and longer trips. Includes daily enrichment activity, one bath before pickup, and a written behavior note summarizing how your dog did. Book at least two weeks out for holiday periods.
Meet the Team
Founder and Lead Handler — CPDT-KA Certified
Nora founded Bramble & Biscuit in 2019 after twelve years working in animal shelters and a CPDT-KA certification from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. She runs the morning group and handles all new dog assessments personally. Her shepherd mix, Briar, still shows up most days.
Afternoon Handler and Enrichment Lead
Marcus has worked in dog care since 2017 and completed his Fear Free Certification in 2021. He runs the afternoon group, designs the weekly enrichment rotations, and is responsible for the sniff garden we put in the south corner of the yard. He has two rescue mutts, Pepper and Fig.
Operations and Client Coordinator
Suki manages scheduling, sends the daily photo updates, and is typically the first voice you hear when you call. She holds a veterinary technician certificate from PCC and handles any health questions that come up during the day. Her cat, Juniper, disapproves of her career choice.
Life at Bramble & Biscuit
From the pack
We have tried four daycares in Portland. Bramble is the first one where our dog, a three-year-old border collie named Opal, actually calms down when we pull up instead of shaking. That tells you everything.
Two photo updates a day sounds small but it is huge when you are traveling. I know what Gus did at 10am and 3pm every single day of our trip. Nora also sent a note when he was feeling a little off one morning and handled it before I even had time to worry.
The meet and greet felt a bit much to schedule before we went, but it is the reason we trust them. Nora watched how Cleo played for twenty minutes and told us things about her that we had not noticed ourselves.
Marcus remembered that Hank does not like the water station and redirected him every time without us having to remind them. Small thing. Huge thing.
Before you book
Rabies, distemper-parvo, and bordetella (kennel cough), all current. We ask for documentation from your vet before the first visit. Dogs that are overdue on any vaccination cannot attend until records are updated.
You bring your dog, we spend about thirty minutes watching how they play and interact with staff. We are looking at body language, not obedience. Most dogs pass without issue. On rare occasions we will suggest modifications, like starting with a shorter half-day visit or holding off if the dog is going through a stressful transition. We will always be honest with you.
Twelve dogs maximum across two groups of six. We do not go over that number. On busy weeks we maintain a waitlist rather than add dogs to an existing group.
Intact dogs six months and older are evaluated case by case. We have successfully integrated intact dogs into our groups. Contact us with your dog's age and we will have a conversation.
Your dog's regular food portioned by meal, any medications with written instructions, and one item from home (a blanket or a shirt you have worn recently). We have beds, bowls, and leashes on site. Please do not bring toys, as they can cause resource guarding in a group setting.
Yes. Holiday boarding rates are posted on our pricing page in September each year. We give existing clients first right of refusal on holiday slots in October before opening them to the waitlist.
We have a relationship with NW Veterinary Clinic two blocks away for anything that needs same-day attention. You will hear from us before any treatment beyond basic first aid. We carry liability insurance and will share certificate of insurance on request.
Ready to get started
We meet every new dog and their owner before the first stay. Tell us a little about your pup and we will get back to you within one business day to schedule a 30-minute visit.
Contact
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