When do we come? What do we bring? What happens first? What happens if....?
Rest assured, it really is stress free! Our client’s owners (the human component) tell us that “They had NEVER thought of using a day care for their dog before, but someone suggested us and they thought they’d give us a try. And now they’re GLAD they did! They can go out without the guilt of leaving their dog alone for hours and hours (or days & days) without a walk!
Even if you only want to use us for that ‘one big event’, you may find that we are so convenient and inexpensive that you find us indispensable. We have many repeat visits from those who only needed to use our service “just this one time”. Of course, if you find that you need full time day care, we are here for that too! Five days a week, Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. through until 8 p.m. and by reservation on Saturday, 10 a.m. until 6 p.m..
Before you bring your dog for their first visit, (be it the 1-1/2 hr free visit; or for a longer period), we suggest you stop by and complete the registration forms in advance. It’s so much easier to do this without your dog, who would probably be tugging your arm out of the socket trying to get in here with all the other dogs, and you having to repeatedly tell them to, “Stop-it! Behave! Aaarrgggghhhhh!”
For the registration we require a copy of your dog’s current vaccination record. Your pet must have their 'regular' vaccines, along with the Bordaetella, (Kennel or K-9 Cough), vaccine and it MUST be administered nasally (up/in the nose). This vaccine MUST be up-dated every SIX (6) MONTHS and proof of compliance is required. Dogs who are more than 2 weeks overdue for this vaccine will not be admitted until proof is brought in. Discuss with your vet any extra vaccines they may feel are valuable in protecting your pet from diseases or illnesses. (Such as Giardia, Lyme, Rabies etc...) This is another reason we ask that you pre-register your pet; If these records, (that you were so SURE were up-to-date), don’t verify that the vaccines are current, you will have time to have them updated or to get the correct, current, copy of the record, without the frustration of telling your pet, “Sorry, you can’t play this time, but maybe next time.”
We have two forms (compiled from the former 4 we had) that we ask you to read and sign. You are welcome to take them home and fill them in, returning with completed forms.
The Registration Form:
This basically involves contact information; emergency info; and information about your pet specifically. You will need to have an emergency contact. This person does not necessarily need to be able to get to the day care ‘at-the-drop-of-a-hat’, this is more so that if you do not return to retrieve your pet, this person will most likely know the reason why, or be able to find out! (Ie: if you’ve been involved in an accident and are currently in the hospital, your emergency contact will be one of the first people in your circle of friends to know this. They will also be trusted by you to pick-up your dog, if it becomes necessary.)
You will also need your Veterinarian’s name, address and phone number. (This is usually on the front of the vaccine record.)
We prefer that your dog has been “Bob Barkered” (spayed or neutered.) If your pet has NOT been ‘altered’, (spayed or neutered), please call before EVERY visit, to ensure a spot will be available. (Check the F.A.Q. page.)
The Release Form:
This form has been re-written & included with the Registration Form now. This is the legal agreement between us and you. It tells you what you may be held responsible for, (financially, or other), and what we will accept responsibility for. We ask that you leave enough time to READ this form; being sure you understand it, before you sign it. There is no small print, it is straight forward without ‘legal-eze’. It protects you, your dog, us and our facility. (If you find the original print too small, we can enlarge the font for you.)
The Grooming Release:
“Why,” you might well ask, “do I need to sign this? I don’t want you grooming my dog!” The reason for keeping a signed copy of the grooming release form on hand, is to save you getting a really lovely smelling dog back in the evening. (You’re thinking, “But, I WANT a really lovely smelling dog back!”) Uhm... no, you don't.
Occasionally the dogs will roll in a ‘present’ that we hadn’t been able to clean up yet. The smell is not really wonderful. If you have signed the form, we can (at no charge to you) bathe your dog and send them home smelling REALLY wonderful, instead of “EeeewwwwwwwEEE!” Of course, if you request a bath (or grooming services), when bringing your dog in, we do charge a fee.
The Overnight Release: Again, I can hear you, “Why?”
Remember the reason we needed an emergency contact? You may need to occasionally use our overnight service. It’s easier if you have already filled in the form. And if an emergency does occur, you will not have to worry anxiously for your dog, they will be in good hands until you are able to retrieve them, or until your emergency contact is able to pick them up.
The alternative (if you are unable to pick them up, and you have decided not to sign the overnight release form) is that you MUST find someone who will pick up before 8 p.m.. (Or incur very hefty overtime/emergency charges.) This form has been re-written & included with the Registration Form now.
That’s it! Once your dog is registered, they may use all the programs and services offered, (unless they are, for some reason, excluded from participating.) You need to continue bringing in updated copies of your dog’s most recent vaccination record showing the vaccines have been ‘boosted’ each year. (Or provide a copy of a blood test, called a Titre Test, showing their natural immunity. NOTE: They will still need the Bordaetella Vaccine. Also note that the Titre Test numbers are arbitrary and do not accurately reflect your pets protection against contracting one of the diseases regular vaccines protect against. If their numbers are adequate and satisfy your vet, they should be protected from getting the diseases. Be sure to discuss this alternative method thoroughly with your vet to be sure you understand the risks.)
As of August 2008, you must provide verification the Bordaetella (K-9, or Kennel, Cough) Intra-Nasal vaccine has been administered, every six (6) months.
When bringing your dog in we ask that you take a few minutes to take them to the side yard, (behind/beside the dumpsters) to relieve themselves before coming in. Trust us. They do have to go! (If you are unsuccessful in having them use this washroom, please let us know so that we can try again sooner, rather than later!)
We ask that your dog be on a leash when in the parking lot or in the lobby. The parking lot gets very busy at times, also, some other dog owners are very particular and they do NOT want to greet your pet, or have your pet’s large friendly tongue bathe them as they wait for their own dog to be brought out. Some owner’s are really upset when another dog, be it a tiny breed or not, jumps on them. So, to avoid nasty confrontations, we ask that owner’s respect this small request.
When you come in to the day care, (at least ours!), you will usually be greeted by any number of pups happily calling out their greetings. (Ie: It can/will get VERY loud!) This sometimes upsets nervous dogs (and owners!). Rest assured, the barking only SEEMS to go on forever, they will eventually quiet down and play, they are just excited: another dog is coming to play!
If this is your FIRST visit with your dog, and you are waiting in the lobby, we ask that you be patient, we will be with you as fast as we can. (We might be in the washroom; on the phone; or cleaning up a mess...)
If this is your second, or subsequent visit, and you are very rushed and cannot wait 2 or 3 minutes, you may place your dog BEHIND the picket gate. Leave their leash on; open the gate; place your dog in; close the gate. (ENSURE THE GATE IS CLOSED AND LOCKED!!!) Please DO NOT open any other gates. You may put any food you are leaving for your pet on the counter, we will make sure they get it. If there is a dog already waiting in the hall, we are sorry, but we request that you wait. We KNOW which dogs get along, and which have issues, you may not be so lucky, so please don’t take the chance.
For first time visitors, (after your ‘free visit’), we ask that you pay when you drop off your pet. Second, and future visits, do not have this requirement. You may pay at drop off or upon pick up. (Or take advantage of our 10-Visit card.) Just remember that we do not accept cash after 5 p.m. (Plastic only; Credit card/Interac etc...) Overnight visits are always pre-pay.
Now, when we meet/greet your dog for the first time, we will perform a SIMPLE flea test, ensuring that they are flea free, and helping to keep our facility flea free as well.
Then, we will bring them in and slowly introduce them to other dogs. Generally we clear a section, and allow your dog to sniff and snort their way around, getting used to the smells and sounds for the first few minutes. Next we let one dog in with your dog, (usually Flower, our “General Manager”). After they are settled with that dog, we bring in another and another and so on until they are comfortable with a large group, then we open the gates and let ‘em go! (This does not mean we let all the dogs play together. Small dogs and puppies are kept separate, as well as older, more fragile dogs. All have their own play space! Of course, some days everyone is ok with everyone else and we DO open the gates and let them all play together!)
You may want to stay for this introduction, but we recommend that you don’t. (“Why?!?” you ask, indignant.) Your dog will be more concerned with where you are and what you are up to and we may not get an accurate ‘read’ on your dog. Also, if you offer suggestions, while well meaning, you might be very insulted if we don’t take your advice, after all, it IS your dog. However, we know the OTHER dogs, and we have to see the whole picture. We will give you an honest report following your pet’s visit, be it their first ‘free visit’ or their 400th visit.
We will also try to take a lot of photos (unless you have requested us not to) so you will have visual evidence of your pet’s first day at day care! (NOTE: Sometimes we don’t have the opportunity to get as many photos as we’d like due to unforseen occurrences such as a dead battery or a full memory card, but we do try!)
For your pet’s first (and subsequent) full or short day visit, we suggest that you supply a small amount of food as a snack for them. Depending on their age and motion abilities, they could become quite hungry and need a little ‘pick-me-up’ in the afternoon. Most puppies need something, especially if they are here for more than 6 or 8 hours. It does not need to be a large amount of food, and indeed, unless you request us not to, we will monitor the amount your dog gets as a snack, and if we notice a rotund dog, we will cut back on the amount we serve them at snack time. It is not mandatory that your pet get a snack. If you would prefer not to send a snack, this is ok too.
We have snack time after nap time; just after their ‘wake-up p-run’, between 2 and 3 p.m.. Nap time starts at noon and the dogs generally sleep for all, or most, of the two hours set aside for rest time.
Wake-up time can be one of the busiest periods at the day care. The dogs are waking up; they have to get outside before they go inside; then we do the ‘feedings’, (this can take a half hour, or more, depending on the number of dogs that actually have to eat!) Then we have to change the water buckets, cleaning buckets and clean-up the mess they made when they didn’t want to wait to go out. This is also the time we start baths, if needed.
The afternoon is spent playing at a much slower pace. The dogs are tired but still have energy to play, just not so rambunctiously. Sometimes. Occasionally we have “Toy-less Tuesday’s.” As the name implies, we collect the toys before nap time, and don’t return them afterward. It makes for a different kind of play and has help several dogs learn to play with others instead of only with a toy.
When picking up your dog, for the first few times, you may be asked to provide photo ID. This is just to protect your dog, eventually we will recognize you, (even though you have only two feet and change your clothes all the time!) If you ever need to send someone else to pick up your dog, make SURE you call us to let us know, and remind that person they will need to bring photo ID with them or we will NOT release the dog, (and this could involve extra charges to you, so make sure they have ID!) Also, if there are changes to your marital status, and there is a problem with one spouse picking up the dog, we request that you give us a letter, signed and dated, to the effect that the other spouse may no longer pick up your pet. We will make every attempt to comply with this request.
Now, what should you expect after your pet’s first full day at day care?
A tired pup! They will probably be so tired they have trouble staying awake to eat their supper! They may not wake up throughout the night. You may even have trouble getting them up the next day! Don’t worry. Even though we monitor them all the time, if they are having a great time, they tend to overdue it the first few times they come. Their stamina will build. (Of course, some dogs have so much energy that even though they play non-stop, they are still buzzing by the end of the day. We try to rest these dogs more often for short periods, so they will learn how to ‘relax’.) Hopefully, within a short period of time, your dog will get excited and start thumping their tail when you mention that they’re going to ‘puppy day care!’
As a reminder: Overtime Rates are in effect.
If you are later than our normal closing times you will be charged overtime fees.
Each half hour (30 minutes) OR PORTION beyond normal closing time is $5.00
If we do not hear from you within one hour after closing we will assume your dog is overnighting with us. (Please note: This can cause major space issues if we are already full with overnighters.) (Check the F.A.Q. page.)
And three last things...
For your information, we do NOT recommend leaving young puppies (under 6 months) for longer than a 'short-day' for the first week of their visits, and no more than 3 visits per week until pups are over 6 months old. It can be overwhelming for them.
To make a reservation for Saturday, you need to call before 7 p.m. on Friday of the week that you need the care for. We do not have standing Saturday dates, nor do we allow booking weeks in advance. (This has been a problem in the past with no shows, so we regret that you must call during the week you need care for any Saturday) Note: We are not available for Saturdays that fall on a long weekend, and some other dates as well; check to be sure we are open before making unchangable plans!
To book for overnight care you must first check with us to see if your dog is eligible for this service, (most registered clients are), then it is recommended that you book as soon as you know the dates you'll be requiring this service. To confirm your reservation you'll need to pre-pay at least half of the fee, which is non-refundable. Bookings are limited, so if you are considering a holiday weekend, we suggest you confirm early. (We usually fill up most holiday weekends.) (Click here to see how overnight fees are structured.)
Overnight care is done in our home, where the dogs have free reign of our almost 2000 sq. ft. house, and approx. one-third acre of fenced green space. We have bedding, dishes and toys, so you only send food (enough for at least one more day than your dog will be staying. MEASURE CAREFULLY!!! More is better than too little!), and anything your dog cannot live without. (Ie: If they will NOT go to sleep without a specific blanket, please, send it. If, however, they do not need ‘things’ please, don’t send them.)
The dogs come back to the day care for the day, and return to our home again in the evening. Someone is with them at ALL times, they are NEVER left on their own. We do not garner your trust and then crate your dog while we go out for the evening. You have trusted us to take care of your dog; that’s what we do. Your dog will be crated only for time outs, (and then for short periods), unless they prefer to sleep in a crate!
So, that’s the scoop. We hope this helps you in deciding to send your pet to day care. We look forward to meeting them!