Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the requirements for my dog to engage in group/pack play?
Dogs that participate in play with other dogs are expected to behave in a friendly manner towards both dogs and staff. Dogs should respond to their names, and know basic commands. We are willing to work with dogs that are still learning or struggle in a group setting using tools such as long lines, as well as modifying their pack time. We report to owners in full on how they did in the pack, and ask owners to understand that pack play can be intense, and if their dog needed breaks, that’s totally okay!
Are reservations required for boarding? Daycare? Grooming?
Yes! In order to ensure that we have the space availability as well as appropriate staffing, we ask that you make reservations in advance for our boarding, daycare, grooming, and training services. When you book boarding, consider if you want your pet groomed by the end of their stay, and add that right when you book! If you ask when you drop your pet off, we might not be able to fit them in.
What should I bring for my pet’s overnight stay?
The most important thing for you to bring for your pet is their food, and any necessary medications! Please pack an extra night’s worth of food and medications, in case of emergency! We provide blankets and bowls for food and water, and you are more than welcome to bring your pet’s belongings from home, such as beds, treats, toys, etc.! We just ask that you leave the rawhide chews at home, along with other choking hazards to your pet. Please be aware that we are not responsible for any damage or loss of anything left in your dog’s room at owner’s request; as most pet owners are aware, dogs can and may destroy their own bedding material and other belongings.
What’s the deal with canine cough?
Canine cough is essentially the common cold for dogs. Dogs with the bordetella vaccine can still get canine cough, and young dogs/dogs that haven’t been exposed to group settings with other dogs are also more likely to get it. It will present as a hacking cough, and dogs may cough up a little foamy phlegm. We will always report an outbreak of canine cough. Boarding dogs and upcoming daycare appointments will get a call from us and it is up to owners to decide what they want to do next. In an effort to prevent the spread of the cough, we disinfect all play spaces, clean rooms frequently, clean water buckets daily, and have installed air filtration systems. We are as careful as we can be, but daycare for dogs is a lot like daycare for kids: they’re exposed to a lot of new things. Most dogs that attend daycare on a regular basis build up an immunity, but there are different strains, so be aware that if your dog is just starting daycare, they may pick up a cough. Most often, it’ll go away on its own, but you can contact your vet for antibiotics. Check here for more information on canine cough and other upper respiratory infections.
What materials do you use in your yard?
We utilize astro-turf retired from football fields, with a drainage system below, so we are able to sanitize with Wysiwash spray nightly to keep your dogs safe!
What types of play options are available for my dog?
If your dog enjoys pack play, we offer several different package options! Please visit our boarding page here to learn more about our package play options.
What is medically necessary for my dog to board, play, or be groomed?
Dogs must be up-to-date on their rabies and distemper vaccines. We also recommend bordetella vaccines, as well as have a negative fecal sample result. Exceptions and waivers are available on a case-by-case basis.
What types of collars/harnesses do you allow?
Any harness or collar of your choice is allowed for walking your dog into our facility; however, we do not allow martingales (without buckle) or choke/chain collars while playing in the yard with other dogs, due to our inability to remove the collars promptly in an emergency situation. We would greatly appreciate if you would provide a flat collar for your dog to wear during group play, so that we’re able to catch them in an emergency, though it is not required.
Can my dog play with other dogs?
Ask yourself honestly; does my dog like other dogs? Do they enjoy the company of other dogs? Do they respond to their name when called? Upon attending either our daycare or pack-play boarding services, dogs will go through a “compatibility evaluation.” This evaluation allows us to determine if your dog will be a good fit for our pack play environment. Our pack leaders are highly skilled in helping to develop a dog’s social skills while in our play groups; however, some dogs are simply not pack dogs. This doesn’t necessarily mean that Fido doesn’t like other dogs, but a group setting can sometimes be too much for certain dogs. If we determine a dog to be incompatible with one of our packs, we are doing so with the safety of all dogs and staff in mind. On the other hand, if you are unsure of your dog’s interest in other dogs, or would like us to gauge your dog’s ability to be in a pack, we are happy to do an evaluation accordingly! Many dogs have come to us with owners who believed their dog was not dog friendly (either from lack of observed social interaction, or previously witnessing poor reactions on leash), and have come to find out that their dogs do phenomenal in a pack setting! We understand that every situation and dog is unique. Whether your dog is considered a “pack dog” or not, you can be sure they will be given the loving attention and care they deserve.
What are the room accommodations like?
You won’t find caged boarding here! Our dog boarding rooms have solid walls, so there is no nose-to-nose touching between your dog and their neighbor! Room sizes are determined by your particular dog’s size, which helps aid in their comfort while staying overnight. Even our smallest rooms are larger than most large-sized dog crates, so rest assured, your pooch will have plenty of space to spread their legs!
Can you administer medications to my pet?
Our staff are appropriately trained to handle the administration of most medications while in our care. If it is something you are able to handle at home, we can handle it here, provided you bring the medication and necessary supplies. Please be aware that while your pet might normally take medication from you easily, we like to have alternative methods (such as using peanut butter or pill pockets) to help aid in pill administration in case of lack of cooperation.
Can siblings room together?
Absolutely! In fact, we prefer to keep siblings together (provided that they get along well!) in an effort to help reduce any potential separation anxiety from not only you, but also their housemate! Bonded dogs tend to do better when kept together; however, we do caution against keeping dogs together who may not always get along well. Due to the added stress of being in a new environment, coupled with being in the same space as one another, it could cause tensions to rise if they already exist. Our goal is to make your pets as comfortable as possible and we want to do what will make them the happiest, whether it’s be with each other, or to have a break from their “other!” Let us know ahead of time if your dogs can’t eat together, and we’ll accommodate them during feeding times.
What if my dog doesn’t like other dogs?
That is perfectly OK! We understand that not all dogs enjoy the company of their like-minded counterparts, and as such, we’ve created a separate routine for dogs that prefer to have their own time. Dogs that do not go with the pack, we refer to as “Le Pooch” meaning “the dog” in French. Le Pooch dogs have their outside times separate from the pack dogs. A dog can be Le Pooch either by request, or through being determined to be unsuitable for pack-play (reasons could be due to injury, handicap, aggression, etc.).
Am I able to visit my dogs while they are boarding?
Yes! If you are in the area while your dog is boarding with us, you are more than welcome to come visit your furry friend! We ask that you take your pet off-site, in order to help with some of the anxiety that may come with your visiting. You’re welcome to take your pup for walks, day-trips, etc. We do warn that in some cases, the coming and going of a dog’s parents can cause additional anxiety, while to others, it’s just one more thing to get excited about! Every dog handles things a little differently!
What are the pick-up and drop-off times?
Our public operational hours are between 7:00am and 6:00pm. Dogs must be either dropped off or picked up by 5:30pm. Drop off for boarding dogs can be anytime between 7:00am – 5:30pm. Pick up from boarding is to be before 12:00pm, however, later pick-ups are available for an additional daycare fee of $35 ($25 for cats). The fees are imposed for the same reasons that hotels and inns have to; having departing guests occupying rooms holds up the process for our incoming guests, as these rooms need to be cleaned and setup prior to the next arrival.
Do the daycare dogs get breaks?
Daycare dogs have downtime, typically between 12:00pm-2:00pm for “nap time.” During this time, all daycare dogs are brought into the indoor play area, where we turn most of the lights off, and make an effort to calm the dogs down (believe it or not, this usually works!). Some dogs, depending on their energy levels and play styles, will be given additional breaks.
Do I need to bring anything for my dog attending daycare?
Nope! Aside from puppies who may be used to eating lunch, most dogs will not eat lunch while in daycare, even when offered, due to being over excited or preferring to be back with their friends.
What happens if my dog is injured?
Unfortunately, injuries are part of life. While we make every effort to prevent injuries, we have to accept a certain level of risk associated with dogs in group-play environments. It’s important that owners of dogs understand these risks as well. Just like kids on the playground, or while playing sports, their risk of injury increases with their participation in such group activities. Dogs, unlike kids, play with their mouths, paws, and bodies, so the risk is obvious; however, the rewards from this unique experience of social interaction tend to far exceed potential risk. Considering how dogs play, injuries are not common, but minor cuts and abrasions do occur on occasion. Sore paws may also occur with dogs who are not use to the level of exercise they exert here, and/or the unfamiliar play surface (although our rubber mulch is a much better alternative than many other play yard surfaces).
What if my dog is symptomatic of a transmittable illness?
Please do not bring your pet in with any transmittable illness. Due to dogs being in close contact with one another, transmittable illnesses can spread very quickly in such an environment, despite every effort to maintain exceptionally high standards for cleanliness and disinfecting. Illnesses like bordetella or “canine cough” are spread through the air, making eradication difficult and incredibly costly for us. If we notice a dog to be symptomatic of any transmittable illness, we unfortunately cannot accept your dog at that time for boarding, daycare, grooming, or training.
What happens if I forget my pet’s food or if they run out of food before my return?
If your pet runs out of food while in our care, we will attempt to reach out to the owners before proceeding with alternative food, in case of allergies or other specific medical needs. Typically, we will resort to using our brand of choice, Taste of the Wild, which is a top rated dog food brand, specializing in providing a natural-based diet with premium ingredients.