HAYDEN — Dr. Tonia Gable, Diane Burgess, and Sydney Byrd all have experience working at doggy daycare and boarding facilities. 

They didn’t like what they were seeing.  

“We worked at these places, and we saw a need for knowledge (and) experience,” Burgess said.  

The women, connected through work in the pet industry, began to dream of opening their own facility. That dream manifested into Happy Dogs 4 Life, which opened around a year ago and offers daycare, boarding, training and grooming services.  

Happy Dogs 4 Life reflects decades of combined experience. Gable has served as a veterinarian in the Coeur d’Alene area for more than 20 years. Burgess brings over 30 years in the pet industry, with experience as a veterinary assistant, dog groomer and dog trainer. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Byrd — Burgess’s daughter — has spent 12 years in the pet industry, including eight years specializing in dog training. 

Their philosophy? Prioritizing play and enrichment.  

In addition to both indoor and outdoor play, Happy Dogs 4 Life trainers introduce “activities of the day” to dogs in their care.  

Activities are typically agility-centered and vary from training dogs to jump through hula hoops or run through tunnels.  

Engaging with trainers eases anxiety and keeps dogs from fixating on one another, Byrd explained.  

“You get their mind off of it and work their brain,” Byrd said. “They love it.” 

Larger breeds enjoy a separate play space from smaller breeds and puppies, with at least one trainer with each group of dogs at all times.  

At pickup, trainers provide feedback to owners — an uncommon practice for daycare and boarding facilities, Byrd said.  

“Never is there going to be a dog that is absolutely perfect in a daycare setting,” Byrd said. “We build them up to be a better version of themselves in the play area.” 

Owners have reported seeing positive behavioral changes at home, Gable added, which in turn creates a more positive experience each time a dog spends time at the facility.  

“Anxious dogs come in and happy dogs leave,” Gable said. “It’s great to see.” 

For more information on booking services with Happy Dogs 4 Life, visit happydogs4life.com. Facility is located at 782 W. Buckles Road, Hayden.

Now the TidBits

New and Upcoming

• The 2026 North Idaho RV Show returns to the Kootenai County Fairgrounds Jan. 22-25. Show hours are Thursday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The show offers one of the region's largest selections of new and used RVs; admission and parking are free.

• Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers at the corner of U.S. 95 and Neider Avenue in Coeur d'Alene is anticipated to open in mid-March. The 3,368 square foot restaurant will be a first for North Idaho; the national franchise has over 700 restaurants in total across 42 states and five international markets. 

• An Idaho Central Credit Union (ICCU) branch location is under construction across from Super 1 Foods along Highway 53 in Rathdrum.

• Les Schwab Tires is under construction at the northwest corner of Highway 41 and 16th Street in Post Falls.

• Prime IV Hydration & Wellness opened recently at 204 W. Ironwood Drive, Coeur d'Alene.

• Post Falls Brewing Company is now pouring at its new location, Post Falls Brewing — CDA at 1327 E. Sherman Ave. Current hours are Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 9 p.m.

• Giuseppe's Pasta Posto Osteria is now open in the former Collective Kitchen space at 501 Sherman Ave., Coeur d'Alene. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 4 to 9 p.m. 

• Hyatt Place Coeur d'Alene / Post Falls is now open at 1213 E. Fourth Ave., Post Falls. The location marks the first Hyatt Hotel in the region.

• El Jefe's Grill in Coeur d'Alene is expanding with a new venture in Post Falls, called Jefe's Tacos and Tequila. An opening date is yet to be announced, but the restaurant is in the former Bullet Bar and Grill space.

• Wornflower is a new tea house located inside the Rockford Building at 504 E. Lakeside Ave., Coeur d'Alene. 

• A flex space development is planned for Schrieber Way in Coeur d'Alene. Plans include six separate spaces, with one to be used directly by Atlas Building Group, the project's developer. The spaces will be located in two separate buildings and will offer approximately 2,000 to 2,300 square feet of shop space, plus an office in each unit. Construction may begin as soon as the spring of 2026.

• Furniture Now is anticipating an opening date of Feb. 1, at 2267 W. Appleway Ave., Coeur d'Alene, in the space formerly occupied by Tuesday Morning. "Customers can expect a variety of value-oriented furniture selections carefully curated for living rooms, bedrooms and dining rooms," a spokesperson told The Press.

Ongoing Projects

• A Jiffy Stop is under construction at Highway 41 and Lancaster Road in Rathdrum.

• A state-of-the-art pickleball facility called The Flying Pickle is coming to The Pointe at Post Falls at 140 N. Beck Road. Opening is anticipated by mid-2026.

• An AutoZone auto parts shop is under construction at U.S. 95 and Dakota Avenue in Hayden, next to Dirty Birdy Car Wash.

• Spokane-based Golden Rule Brake is under construction at 3627 N. Government Way, Coeur d'Alene.

• The Habit Burger Grill is taking the place of the former Pizza Hut at 212 W. Appleway Ave. The chain, known for its "Charburgers," is eyeing an opening sometime in late spring or early summer 2026. This location will be a first for North Idaho.

• A McDonald's restaurant is under construction at the corner of Highway 41 and Poleline Avenue. The restaurant will neighbor the 7-Eleven and Grocery Outlet within the North Point Plaza and is expected to open sometime in the first half of 2026.

• • •

Have a tip on happenings in the local business world? Contact Hailey Hill at [email protected].

    A doodle and a Great Dane patiently await a treat at Happy Dogs 4 Life in Hayden.
  

    The Happy Dogs 4 Life founders from left, Diane Burgess, Dr. Tonia Gable, and Sydney Byrd.