At Tin Woof! Inn Pet Retreat, we believe every dog deserves individualized care in a safe, comfortable, and enriching environment. Whether your companion is staying for a weekend, participating in one of our boarding programs, or learning through Canine Academy, our goal is simple—treat every dog like family.
Our St. Charles location offers boutique-style boarding and professional dog training focused on building trust, confidence, and lasting relationships between dogs and their owners.
At Tin Woof! Inn Pet Retreat, we believe every dog deserves individualized care in a safe, comfortable, and enriching environment. Whether your companion is staying for a weekend, participating in one of our boarding programs, or learning through Canine Academy, our goal is simple—treat every dog like family.
Our St. Charles location offers boutique-style boarding and professional dog training focused on building trust, confidence, and lasting relationships between dogs and their owners.
Chris Hrivnak & Amanda Gain-Meyer
Co-Owners • Trainers
Chris and Amanda are a husband-and-wife team dedicated to helping dogs and their families succeed. After years of training alongside Tin Woof! founder Gale Templeton, they combined their experience, passion, and love of dogs to create a personalized training experience unlike traditional kennel environments.
Working with a small number of dogs allows them to tailor every program to each dog’s personality, learning style, and family goals.
Boarding
Comfortable Boarding That Feels Like Home
Our boutique boarding program provides a calm, structured environment where your dog receives individualized attention instead of becoming just another kennel number.
Highlights include:
- Climate-controlled facility
- Small boarding environment
- Spacious outdoor play areas
- Individual feeding and care
- Personalized attention
Canine Academy
Customized Training Built Around Your Dog’s Needs
Whether you’re welcoming a new puppy or working through behavioral challenges, our Canine Academy offers customized programs designed around your dog’s specific needs.
Programs include:
- Puppy Manners
- Private Lessons
- Board & Train
- Day Training
- Continuing Education
Chris Hrivnak & Amanda Gain-Meyer
Co-Owners • Trainers
Chris and Amanda are the husband-and-wife team behind Tin Woof! Inn St. Charles. Their passion for dogs and commitment to helping families build stronger relationships with their pets has shaped everything they do.
Their journey began under the guidance of Tin Woof! Inn founder Gale Templeton—Chris’s mother and Amanda’s mother-in-law. Through years of working alongside Gale, they developed a deep understanding of canine behavior, effective communication, and the value of individualized training. Today, they are proud to continue the Tin Woof! tradition while bringing their own experience and perspective to every dog they work with.
Living with a household of terriers has given Chris and Amanda firsthand experience that every dog has a unique personality, learning style, and set of needs. That understanding influences every boarding stay and every training program they offer. Rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach, they work to create thoughtful, customized solutions that fit both the dog and the family.
Committed to lifelong learning, Chris and Amanda regularly pursue continuing education and seek opportunities to learn from some of the industry’s most respected trainers. By following L.I.M.A. (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) principles, they continue to expand their training toolbox while focusing on methods that build trust, confidence, and lasting results.
Whether your dog is staying for boarding or participating in one of our Canine Academy programs, Chris and Amanda share one goal: to provide personalized care, strengthen the bond between dogs and their families, and help every dog become the best version of themselves.
“We look forward to welcoming you and your dog to the Tin Woof! family.”
— Chris & Amanda
Boarding
Comfortable Boarding That Feels Like Home
Our boutique boarding program provides a calm, structured environment where your dog receives individualized attention instead of becoming just another kennel number.
Highlights include:
- Climate-controlled facility
- Small boarding environment
- Spacious outdoor play areas
- Individual feeding and care
- Personalized attention
Canine Academy
Customized Training Built Around Your Dog’s Needs
Whether you’re welcoming a new puppy or working through behavioral challenges, our Canine Academy offers customized programs designed around your dog’s specific needs.
Programs include:
- Puppy Manners
- Private Lessons
- Board & Train
- Day Training
- Continuing Education