Trusted Dog Boarding near Merrillville, IN
For over 25 years, Bittersweet Pet Resorts has been a go-to home-away-from-home for pets whenever their families are traveling. We bring together veterinarian-recommended care and a team of experienced pet professionals within a warm, inviting space crafted to help every pet feel safe and comfortable. Our dog boarding near Merrillville, IN upholds the same outstanding level of care that pet owners and their dogs throughout the region have relied on for decades.
Merrillville area dog owners are served by our Northwest Indiana location at 19 West US Highway 6, Valparaiso — just 20 minutes east via US-30 — where your dog will enjoy well-appointed private accommodations, attentive care from our compassionate staff, and a variety of stimulating activities to keep them entertained. Our expansive indoor and outdoor play areas ensure your pup has all the space they need to run, play, and thrive while you’re away.
What Sets Our Dog Boarding near Merrillville, IN Apart from the Rest
- Always-on security systems and vigilant around-the-clock monitoring for total peace of mind.
- Seasonally consistent, climate-controlled environments that prioritize your dog’s year-round comfort.
- Veterinarian-guided cleaning standards that keep our facility sanitary, safe, and fresh at all times.
- Advanced indoor air management systems designed to sustain clean, well-circulated air throughout.
- Regular daily health observations conducted by experienced team members who truly know your pet.
- Thoughtfully tailored care routines built around the individual needs, habits, and quirks of your dog.
- Four or more outdoor potty breaks worked into every dog’s daily schedule without exception.
- Creature-comfort details including elevated feeding stations and soft, cozy sleeping accommodations.
- An approachable, home-inspired setting with gentle lighting and décor that puts even anxious pets at ease.
New Client First Night Discount!
Ask us about your First Night Discount for New Clients.
New Clients receive a special discount on their first night when booking a minimum stay of 3 nights!
This promotion does not include activity packages or room upgrades and must be mentioned at checkout to apply. Pets must be current on vaccinations and registered before arrival.
Offer not available during Major Holidays and Spring Break.
Enrichment Activities at Our Dog Boarding near Merrillville, IN
Heading out of the Merrillville, IN area for work, vacation, or anything in between? Bittersweet Pet Resorts is committed to making your dog’s boarding experience as engaging and comforting as possible. Our dog boarding near Merrillville, IN features a variety of enrichment options you can mix and match to suit your pup perfectly:
- Group Play — For dogs who love the company of others, group play offers a lively, social environment full of new friends and shared adventures — all carefully monitored by our vigilant, trained staff.
- Private Play — Dogs who prefer a quieter, more intimate experience will thrive with this option, which includes dedicated walks, fun one-on-one activities, cuddle sessions, and individualized attention from our team.
- Puppy Package — Our youngest boarders benefit from added playtime and increased potty break frequency, giving them the structure and encouragement they need to grow into well-mannered, happy dogs.
- Old Soul Package — Senior dogs receive the thoughtful, gentle care they’ve earned, featuring orthopedic bedding, soft mobility exercises, medication management support, and an abundance of extra affection.
- Bedtime Pampering — At day’s end, our caregivers wrap up the evening with a cozy tuck-in and a peaceful bedtime story, ensuring your pup drifts off feeling safe, loved, and completely at ease.
A Safe, Healthy Haven: What to Expect from Our Dog Boarding
Bittersweet Pet Resorts’ dog boarding near Merrillville, IN is built on a simple but powerful belief: every dog deserves to feel secure, cared for, and completely at ease while their family is away. Our full suite of veterinarian-recommended services reflects that commitment at every level:
- Comprehensive temperament and behavioral screenings for incoming guests to build a safe, well-matched social community.
- Diligent, ongoing observation from a seasoned team of pet care professionals who never miss a detail.
- A passionate, highly capable staff that takes immense pride in the quality and consistency of care every dog receives.
- Non-negotiable vaccination standards maintained in full alignment with respected industry protocols.
- State-of-the-art climate regulation and security measures ensuring a protected, comfortable space in all seasons.
- Active fresh air and ventilation systems that keep indoor air quality clean, crisp, and healthy around the clock.
- Stringent, detail-oriented cleaning and disinfection practices that preserve a safe and sanitary boarding environment.
New Client First Night Discount!
Ask us about your First Night Discount for New Clients.
New Clients receive a special discount on their first night when booking a minimum stay of 3 nights!
This promotion does not include activity packages or room upgrades and must be mentioned at checkout to apply. Pets must be current on vaccinations and registered before arrival.
Offer not available during Major Holidays and Spring Break.
Dog Boarding FAQ
What vaccines does my dog need to stay?
For the safety of all our guests, we require dogs be up to date on their vaccinations for rabies, DHLPP (distemper), and Bordetella.
Starting July 1st, all dogs will be required to have the leptospirosis (lepto) vaccine in addition to distemper/parvo, rabies, and bordetella. Many veterinarians include lepto within the distemper/parvo combination (often listed as DHLPP), though it may also be administered separately (DHPP).
When can I drop off and pick up my pet?
Check-in can be any time during our operating hours. We recommend dropping off a bit before closing so your pet has time to settle in. You can also check-out any time during business hours, but if you pick up before 12 noon Monday-Saturday you won’t be charged the nightly rate. On Sundays, the day charge always applies.
Our operating hours are:
- Monday-Friday 7:30 am-7:00 pm
- Saturday 8:00 am-4:00 pm
- Sunday 3:00 pm-6:00 pm
How do I make my pet’s reservation?
To make a reservation at Bittersweet Pet Resorts, please call us directly at (269) 684-7361.
Can I tour the facility?
Absolutely, we’d love for you to see our home! Facility tours can be done any time during our operating hours Monday-Saturday.
I’m nervous about boarding my pet. How do I know my pet will be taken care of?
Here at Bittersweet Pet Resorts, we pride ourselves on offering the best pet care services in the Michiana area. Your furry loved one will be adored and showered in attention just like he or she would be at home. If you’re concerned about your pet’s daily routine, please give us a call at (269) 684-7361.
Do you offer a trial stay?
I have multiple pets. Can they lodge together?
Absolutely. We have large accommodations for multi-pet families to stay in together. Give us a call at (269) 684-7361 so we can set up your family’s stay.
Can you accommodate special needs pets?
Here at Bittersweet, we’re more than happy to accommodate many special needs including medications, special bedding or accommodation needs, vision or hearing impairment, and some aggression cases. Please call us to discuss how we can accommodate your furry loved ones.
My pet takes medication. Can you administer medication to lodging guests?
Can I bring my pet’s food?
Of course! We just ask you please bring it in a waterproof container.
Can my pet bring his/her favorite toy?
If my plans change, what is your cancellation policy?
Other Services We Offer:
Dog Daycare near Merrillville, IN
Running around Merrillville, IN and need a trusted place for your dog to spend the day? Bittersweet Pet Resorts’ dog daycare near Merrillville, IN offers the perfect solution — a safe, fun-filled, professionally staffed environment where your pup can play, connect, and thrive while you take care of business.
- Freedom to Move and Explore — Wide-open play yards blending natural grass with premium turf give dogs the space they crave to run, engage with toys, and enjoy thoughtfully designed play structures.
- A Safety-Centered Approach — Tall, fully secured fencing surrounds all outdoor areas, and our trained, vigilant team provides hands-on supervision during every moment of group activity.
- Comfortable No Matter the Weather — Dogs can unwind in our temperature-regulated indoor facilities between outdoor sessions, with splash pools and cool, shaded areas offering welcome relief on hotter days.
- Intentional, Well-Matched Groups — Every playgroup is assembled with care, taking each dog’s size, temperament, and social preferences into account to set the stage for positive, safe interactions.
- Individualized Attention When Needed — For dogs who need a more relaxed experience, private and small-group daycare options provide the calm, focused care that seniors and shyer pups truly appreciate.
- Monthly Themes That Keep It Exciting — Special themed programming changes throughout the month, adding an element of surprise and delight that dogs and their owners can look forward to together.
Your dog’s best day is just a phone call away — reach out today to reserve their spot at our Merrillville-area daycare!
Dog Training near Merrillville, IN
-
Lodge & Learn: Your dog’s boarding stay becomes so much more with our Lodge-n-Learn program — each day includes purposeful, structured training sessions led by our dedicated team of pet care professionals. We take care of all the necessary training equipment on-site and send you home with clear, easy-to-follow guidance so progress continues well beyond their stay.
-
Play & Train Behavior & Learning Profile – Our seasoned daycare staff kicks things off with a thorough evaluation of your dog’s temperament, current behaviors, and natural learning tendencies to shape a training approach that truly fits who they are. Rooted in positive reinforcement and consistent repetition, we work to build reliable responses to essential commands and encourage genuinely good manners within a nurturing, well-structured setting.
The rewards of consistent training extend well beyond the resort — it lowers stress, deepens the bond between pet and owner, and greatly reduces the chance of unwanted behaviors taking root. We wholeheartedly encourage all families to weave reinforcement practices into their everyday routines at home to keep their dog’s growth going strong.
Dog Grooming near Merrillville, IN
Our passionate grooming team blends extensive hands-on experience with an authentic love for every animal that comes through our doors, ensuring your pet departs every visit looking their finest and feeling completely refreshed. Our grooming services include:
- All-inclusive grooming and haircut packages
- Bathing and restorative coat conditioning
- Expert trimming and clipping
- Brush-outs and de-matting solutions
- Teeth brushing
- Nail trimming and grinding
- Optional nail polish application
- De-shedding treatments
- De-skunking services
- Tailored grooming approaches built around your pet’s one-of-a-kind coat and personality
- And more!
Testimonials
Pet Lodging Contracts
Please download our Kennel Contract for all pets being boarded and our House Rules.
About Merrillville, IN
Merrillville, Indiana, is a dynamic and rapidly growing community in Lake County, located in the heart of northwest Indiana just 35 miles south of downtown Chicago. As one of the region’s premier retail and commercial destinations, Merrillville is home to the bustling Southlake Mall and a wide array of dining, entertainment, and shopping options that draw visitors from across the region. Beyond its commercial appeal, Merrillville offers residents meaningful access to natural spaces, including the scenic Turkey Creek Golf Course and the expansive Lemon Lake County Park, which features trails, fishing, and open green space ideal for outdoor recreation. The nearby Indiana Dunes National Park draws nature lovers from far and wide, and the broader South Shore region offers easy rail access to Chicago for commuters and weekend travelers alike. Our dog boarding near Merrillville, IN upholds the same outstanding level of care that pet owners and their dogs throughout Northwest Indiana have relied on for decades.
For Merrillville dog owners, the area’s mix of parkland, open trails, and proximity to the Indiana Dunes means that adventures with a four-legged companion are never far away — whether it’s a morning walk through Lemon Lake County Park or a weekend road trip to the dunes along Lake Michigan’s southern shore. Merrillville pet parents are active, community-oriented, and hold their dogs’ care to an exceptionally high standard. Whether you’re commuting to Chicago, heading out on a weekend escape, or navigating a hectic work week, Bittersweet Pet Resorts is just 20 minutes east on US-30 in Valparaiso — providing the resort-quality dog boarding near Merrillville, IN that local pet owners and their pups can count on.
