Just like starting a new job or the first day of school, your dog’s first of doggy day care can be both exciting and scary. And like a new job or kindergarten, parent’s hanging around is discouraged. Your dog will be able to acclimate to his new surroundings easier and faster if he is allowed to concentrate and take stock of his surroundings while in the care of our experienced staff and without the distraction of Mom and Dad nearby.

During his first day, your dog will be slowly introduced to new friends. He will be rotated through the various indoor and outdoor play areas, taking his time to get used to all the new sights and smells. He will also have the option of being put in for a nap if he gets over-stimulated or overtired. We don’t feed the dogs during day care so please have your dog on a feeding schedule that allows him to go all day without being hungry. An am and pm feeding works for most of our campers. Of course our overnight guests get fed as per their normal routine at home.

In order to expedite the check in & out process, we require a few things:

Prior to coming to day care, we ask that you allow the dog to relieve himself before entering the facility.

Please be sure to bring your dog to day care on a leash that is clearly marked with his name.

If your dog is sick, kindly call us to let us know what’s wrong and please don’t bring him to day care until he’s back on his paws.

For accounting purposes we strongly recommend buying daily, weekly or monthly pre-paid packages. If you choose single days or nights, we require all bills to be settled on the final day of your week. We do also require reservations as our facility fills up very fast. If you have any questions just ask!

Day care is designed to be challenging both physically and psychologically for the dogs. DON’T BE ALARMED if your dog comes home and sleeps for hours on end and appears lethargic. He isn’t sick; he’s worn out from all the playing!

You may notice your dog has minor scratches on him. Again, DON’T BE ALARMED. He was just interacting and playing with his new friends the best way he can – with his paws and his mouth.

We have a variety of floor surfaces at day care. Concrete, rubber, beach gravel, asphalt, dirt, just to name a few. Your dog may have sore feet or abrasions for a few days if he’s accustomed to carpet or soft surfaces. They will toughen over time.

It is also not unusual for your dog to be limping or favoring one side for a few days. Like any athlete, he just has sore muscles from all the exercise.

By the end of a busy week at day care or after an overnight visit, your dog may smell a little “doggier” than usual. We run bath specials for our customers. Call for details.

When You Get Home

The excitement of being home may make your pet pant and appear very thirsty. While we always provide fresh water, give your dog ice chips initially to head off over-drinking and potential stomach upset. He’s excited to see you!

Do not feed your dog within three hours of being home and then put him back on his normal routine. Excessive eating and drinking after a period of over-excitement may lead to temporary digestive upset and bloating.

Walk your pet or give him access to an outside area when you get home. The thrill over his stay with us and seeing his parents could cause a temporary change in his normal elimination schedule.

Give your pet personalized attention after he settles down. Petting or brushing will help him relax and settle back into his normal routine. If he is a regular day care visitor these excited periods will lessen as he realizes day care is part of his schedule. Dogs love schedules; they derive a great deal of security from them. Please read our FAQs for more answers to your daycare and boarding questions!