Welcome to the Best Little Dog House in Georgia!
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you and your pup! We want you to get to know and trust us as we know your pup is family to you, and we consider all of our guests part of the Best Little Dog House Family.
We Are a Family
We are local family owned by Dr. Kathy Baker (veterinarian) and DJ Baker who have lived in Smyrna for over 20 years. Dr. Baker owns and practices veterinary medicine at Lucy’s Veterinary Care (onsite in the same building). The Bakers also own Lucy’s Pet Grooming which is a mobile pet grooming business that services Smyrna/Vinings. The Bakers care deeply about our pups, our customers, and our team. We are a family!
Guiding Principles
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Health & Safety
Your dog’s health and safety are at the center of everything we do. Our facility is equipped with a high-end air purification system designed to continuously circulate and filter the air, helping reduce airborne contaminants and maintain a fresh, clean environment. We pair this with modern, commercial-grade cleaning systems and protocols that allow us to thoroughly sanitize play areas, suites, and common spaces throughout the day.
Our team is trained in dog behavior, playgroup management, and first aid, ensuring pups are not only safe, but also engaged appropriately based on their individual needs and personalities. And with Lucy’s Veterinary Care onsite, professional veterinary support is available if needed—providing an added layer of confidence and care.
From thoughtfully selected materials to advanced systems and training, every detail is designed to support a safe, hygienic environment—so you can feel confident your pup is not only having fun, but staying healthy too.
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Personalized Care
Every pup with us is known, understood, and cared for as an individual. We take the time to learn each dog’s personality, preferences, and unique needs—so their experience feels comfortable, familiar, and tailored just for them.
Playgroups are thoughtfully curated based on temperament and play style, ensuring your pup spends time with the right companions. For lodging, we assign suites based on your dog’s specific needs, with options available to match your preferences. Dogs requiring medication receive detailed, customized care instructions to ensure consistency and accuracy.
Behind the scenes, each pup has a comprehensive profile that helps our team deliver a truly personalized experience—from favorite activities to ideal accommodations. And for an extra-special stay, you can enhance your dog’s visit with add-ons like cuddle time, extra walks, and more.
Because with us, personalized care isn’t an add-on—it’s the standard.
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Convenience
We know your schedule is busy, so we’ve designed every part of our experience to be simple, efficient, and stress-free. From quick, streamlined drop-offs and pickups to flexible communication options, we make it easy to fit your pup’s care into your day.
Booking a reservation is just as convenient—you can reserve online through our customer portal, or connect with us by phone, email, or in person. Our team is here to help every step of the way, making the process smooth and hassle-free.
Because exceptional care should also be easy.
Our Team
We Care About Your Pup
We know your pup by name and very quickly learn all about them - what they do and don’t like, how they typically act, which pups are their besties, and more. Your pups quickly become part of our family.
Experienced Leadership
Dr. Kathy Baker has been a veterinarian for over 20 years including the Medical Director at a multi-doctor practice for several years before starting Lucy’s Veterinary Care. She’s been a dog owner and lover for her entire life and currently has two rescues - Tundra, a ‘Texas Heeler’ - Australian Cattle Dog / Australian Shepherd mix, and Forest, a Border Collie - and Montana, a Standard Poodle. She won the Gentle Doctor Award which was voted by her veterinary colleagues as the Doctor they would most want to see their own pet.
DJ Baker has over 6 years of pet industry experience with responsibilities such as Practice Manager for Lucy’s Veterinary Care, Owner of Lucy’s Pet Grooming, and Co-owner of Best Little Dog House in Georgia. His prior experience was as a Senior Director at Floor & Decor corporate and previously with The Coca-Cola Company, InterContinental Hotels Group, Slalom consulting, and Accenture.
Journie Brown, Business Operations Manager, has a lifetime of pet industry experience as part of a family owned pet business along with prior roles as a veterinary assistant, kennel assistant, and groomer.
Well Trained
Our team is trained regularly on a variety of topics including safety, health, dog hygiene, and dog behavior. All team members have completed professional training on Dog Behavior, Play Group Management, and Customer Service. We often bring in professional specialists including industry experts, professional dog trainers, and our veterinarian Dr. Kathy Baker for health topics.