Your dog deserves more than a kennel run. On four private acres just north of Knoxville in Corryton, Majors Elite accepts just four guests at a time — ensuring every dog gets the attention, structure, and care they deserve.
Traditional boarding facilities were designed around volume — crates stacked in climate-controlled warehouse spaces, rotating teams of handlers, and schedules built around staff efficiency rather than dog wellbeing. For a large breed dog, especially one with social or exercise needs, that environment creates stress rather than resolving it.
At Majors Elite Canine Retreat, we do the opposite. Four acres means space to move, explore, and be a dog — not just exist between walks. Our pack size is capped at four guests at any given time, which means every dog receives genuine individual attention and structured social time calibrated to their temperament. We don't operate on a one-size-fits-all schedule; each dog's day includes pack play, enrichment activities, and dedicated rest in our calming nap rooms.
We specifically serve large breed dogs — 40 pounds and up. Smaller dogs have different social dynamics, energy levels, and play styles, and mixing them with breeds that outweigh them by 30, 40, or 80 pounds creates unnecessary risk and anxiety on both sides. Our environment is built for big dogs: the space, the structure, the supervision ratios.
Every guest at Majors Elite receives our complete daily enrichment package — not an add-on or upsell. Structured pack play with matched playmates, at least two outdoor sessions on our four-acre property, research-based calming enrichment during midday rest periods, and temperament-appropriate social integration with our resident pack dogs. Our resident pack — Major, Duke, and Bella — have been screened, trained, and integrated over time, providing stable social models for new guests.
We don't send dogs home after a weekend and call it a success. Our boarding program is structured around our membership model: dogs who stay with us regularly become part of the pack culture. They know the property, they know the routines, they know the humans. That continuity is what reduces anxiety on both ends — for the dog and for you.
Boarding at Majors Elite isn't transactional — it's a membership. Owners apply, complete a temperament evaluation with their dog, and, if accepted, choose a monthly, six-month, or annual enrollment tier. This means your dog has an established spot in the pack and you have ongoing access to quality care without scrambling every time you need to travel.
The application process includes a $20 evaluation fee (credited toward your first membership payment upon acceptance). We meet every dog before welcoming them into the pack — this is non-negotiable. Our screening isn't about breed restrictions; it's about ensuring your dog is a good fit for a pack environment and that the pack will be a good fit for them.
Our property gives dogs the space to run, explore, and burn energy naturally — not on a leash, not in a 10x10 run. Outdoor sessions are a daily minimum, not a weather-permitting bonus.
With a maximum of four boarders at once, we maintain a dog-to-human supervision ratio that allows us to catch stress signals, manage play dynamics, and give each dog individual attention.
Every dog completes an in-person temperament evaluation before joining the pack. We match play groups by size, play style, and energy level to ensure positive social experiences every day.
Our three resident dogs — Major, Duke, and Bella — provide stable, trained social models for new guests. The pack culture is established, not ad hoc, which means less chaos and more predictable dynamics.
Large breeds need rest — particularly after active play. Our nap rooms use calming environmental design and research-backed protocols to ensure dogs recover properly between activity sessions.
Enrolled members have consistent access and a reserved spot in the pack. No last-minute scrambling, no availability anxiety — your dog's place in our program is guaranteed by your commitment.
Boarding at Majors Elite is by application only — we evaluate every dog before acceptance to protect the pack environment. The process takes 5 minutes.
4 private acres in Corryton, TN. Tours are free and take about 20 minutes.