One of the things that Brandon and Summer Gerhardt love most about owning Howliday Inn Pet Resort in Rogersville is watching the transformation in the dogs they train. “Sometimes, we are their last stop: If this training doesn't work, the dogs may never find a home or their owners might have to give them away,” Summer says. “We watch them get their second chance, see it click in their brains that they don’t have to be so aggressive or that people are not so bad.”
The Gerhardts know first-hand the importance of second chances. “People in our past gave Brandon and I second chances,” she says. “That idea hits home.”
As long-time employees of the business, which offers full-service dog training, dog boarding, dog grooming and doggie daycare, the couple felt a calling in this work to improve the quality of life for dogs and their owners. When the opportunity came to purchase the business in 2019, they jumped.
Although Summer says there was a bit of a learning curve in transitioning from coworkers to leaders, they were blessed with a solid team that was eager for more education and ready to help the couple take the business to the next level. “We’re like a small family,” she says.
Continuing education for the trainers is paramount, and Brandon leads by example: He is a gold graduate of the NePoPo training system, which trains dogs to be enterprising, innovative, and passionate partners; is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals and an American Kennel Club evaluator; and has worked under legendary trainer Cesar Millan.
Depending on the owners’ and dogs’ needs, Howliday Inn provides a variety of training options. Owners can drop their dogs off in the morning for trainers to work with them in the pack and one-on-one, tackling the basics and behavioral training to address jumping, chewing, barking or excitement. Trainers also offer individual private lessons. Another option is for owners to board their dogs for daily training in a setting that gives the trainers more time to reinforce the skills and build trust with the dog.
“The group class is more suited toward owners who want to do the work themselves. We teach owners how to help their dogs,” Summer says. “When our trainers work with the dogs, afterward, we have an appointment with the owners where we break down everything they need to know—dog psychology, how to have a balanced dog, how to live with their dog, how to correct the behaviors that they were brought to us for—and set up a follow up appointment. We are always available to help after training. Oftentimes, dogs will do great in training but when they get home will fall back into bad habits. In these cases, we help refresh their memory of the training in the home setting.”
Giving back to the community is important to the Gerhardt's, who are both from Springfield. Howliday Inn donates to causes like Willard Parks programs and the Willard Police Athletic League’s youth boxing program. They also help dog rescue programs, offering free boarding and training for dogs that would otherwise be unadoptable and fostering rescues.
As you might suspect, the Gerhardt’s are business owners who bring their work home, where two “really chill” English Mastiffs named Mama Louise and Pops, a Belgian Malinois named Demo and an Australian Shepherd puppy named Ducky mix it up with the couple’s sons Brayden, 18, Brandon Jr., 14, Jaxon, 13, and Lane, 7.
“My favorite thing in life is being a boy mom, I’ve always been a bit of a tomboy, so we vibe,” Summer says, noting that Brandon is a wrestler, and Lane can’t wait to start wrestling and flag football. “I love watching them play sports.”
This past year, the Gerhardt’s have put their feel-good vibes on the road with their Howliday Tail Wagon, an ice cream truck for dogs, offering treats such as pup-sicles, smoothies and even dog mocktails. “Everything is dog-safe and dog-approved,” Summer says. “The pumpkin latte is super-popular in the fall.”
Launched last September, the Howliday Tail Wagon originated when Summer began making treats for the dogs at the pet resort. “I loved watching them eat, getting whipped cream on their faces, and thought ‘Man, I wish their owners could see this!’ We created the Tail Wagon so that this could be an owner and dog experience,” she says.
The Tail Wagon donates a portion of its proceeds to nonprofits that support animals in need. Dogs can sniff out their treats at community events like Dog Fest, Bark in the Park, 5k runs, adoption drives, grand openings and the farmers market on Republic Road. “People are now creating events just for us to come,” Summer says.
Ready to build a better bond with your dog?
Explore Howliday Inn Pet Resort’s trusted training programs in Rogersville—just minutes from Springfield, Missouri.
Book a Class, Training or Boarding Appointment Stay at howlidayinnpetresort.com
Follow the Howliday Tail Wagon to an event near you!
Unleashing Transformation
At Howliday Inn Pet Resort in Rogersville, transformation goes deeper than obedience—it’s about giving dogs (and their owners) a better life. Owned by Brandon and Summer Gerhardt, the resort offers dog training, daycare, grooming, and overnight boarding—with a heart for second chances. Their tailored training programs meet dogs right where they are, from basic manners to reactivity and behavior issues.
Whether it’s group classes, private lessons, or board-and-train immersion, the Gerhardts focus on lasting results and confident ownership. “We believe a balanced dog equals a better life—for both the dog and their family,” Summer says.
They also give back: from fostering rescue dogs to offering free training to adoptables and partnering with local causes.
Catch their Howliday Tail Wagon at community events and treat your pup to a doggie pup-sicle or smoothie while supporting nonprofits.
Learn more or book training at howlidayinnpetresort.com.
Follow along on Instagram @howlidayinnpetresort
We watch them get their second chance... see it click that people are not so bad.