For Daycare:
1. Please fill out the contact form below.
It helps us to stay organized, having your information alongside your dog's information, and helps us move forward to getting your dog's visit set up.
2. I will reach out to get things scheduled.
Sometimes my response ends up in the spam folder, so just a heads up - I normally respond very quickly, and I definitely will respond if I receive your form. I'll answer any questions or concerns, and ask any questions I might have, and we will work together to get your dog's interview onto the calendar.
3. Doggy Interviews
Daycare dogs planning to come on a regular schedule are required to do an interview before their first day. You'll get to bring your dog in and see the space, they can smell around and get familiar with everything, and we can discuss whatever needs discussing! Interviews typically take place on Saturdays, and normally last less than 30mins.
Dogs coming for drop-in daycare, an interview is recommended if you're coming specifically for group play, or if you have an anxious dog, so that we are able to have them set up for success as much as possible!
4. Registration Form & Vaccination Records
We have a registration form to keep essential contact info organized, as well as an informative waiver to be signed. We do require vaccination records, showing they are up to date on their rabies, parvo, distemper and bordetella vaccines. You're welcome to send a photo of the vaccination records if that's easier, as we don't require an official copy.
4. Set to Begin!
Paperwork done, your dog is ready to start daycare! For weekly daycare dogs, we can schedule their first day, where they'll meet the boss, and then the pack. If all goes smoothly and they're loving it, we can continue forward to them coming regularly. Most dogs are on a weekly schedule, which is what we recommend. Dogs get their routine down, and especially the more active dogs are able to pace themselves better, knowing they come regularly. Whatever schedule works best for you, just let us know!
Drop-in Daycare - Daycare dogs coming on a drop-in basis are not guaranteed group play. We will get to know your dog, and make sure they're as happy and safe as we can make them! Sometimes that means they're in with the group, sometimes it's a smaller group, and sometimes it's a comfortable spot with their own space and a view! But either way, we will be communicating with you on how they're doing throughout. It's a process getting a dog settled into the pack, and every dog is different! The welfare of the group as a whole is the priority, and if your dog isn't ready to jump right in, or if the dynamic that day is throwing the pack's vibe off, we will shuffle dogs around until everyone is as happy and settled as possible.
5. Being Introduced to the Pack - First Visit
All new dogs are introduced slowly, and only one new dog is introduced to the pack per day. When your dog arrives for their first day, we'll have them in a private pen at first, so they can adjust to being dropped off while all the other dogs arrive. Once everyone has been dropped off, and we won't be interrupted, I'll first introduce your dog to my dog, Jack. This is Jack's place, and he's the boss, and for the dog pack, those two facts are very important to know! It allows all other dogs to relax, knowing they don't have to be the boss here because Jack is, and also flushes out any would-be challengers, coming to try and overthrow the regime. Once everyone is on the same page, we can assume everybody is ready to get along as a pack. So, as long as nobody is trying to fight Jack, and your dog seems like they're ready, we can move forward with the rest of the introductions. Your dog then meets the pack, first through the fence so all the initial craziness can get out of the way, then one at a time, so they can sniff and get to know each other without your dog being overwhelmed by everyone at once. Once everyone has met individually, and your dog seems ready to join the group, they're let loose into the space, to sniff around and get their bearings, make friends, start playing, etc.
I will text you and update you every step of this process, because I know what it's like to sit and wonder how your dog is getting along!
If your dog has met everyone, and still seems too anxious to have fun after a few hours, I will let you know. We can usually cut the first visit short, assuming it's been as productive as it's going to be. First visits are the hardest, because you can't tell them they haven't been abandoned here, you have to show them. Once a dog has come once and been picked up, they seem to get it, and the second time they visit they are much more relaxed!