FAQ

How do I get my dog into daycare?

The first step in the process will be to fill out our New Client form. Please include vaccination records that clearly indicate when the next shot is due. We do not accept pet passports as valid forms of documentation. Once all proper forms of documentation have been submitted, we will schedule a pre-screening call so we can get to know each other a little more, and we can let you know what to expect on your dog’s first day here. During this call, we will book a 2 hour assessment to see if your dog is comfortable in a daycare environment.

How do I make sure my dog gets in?

There is no guarantee your dog will get into our daycare. Even if your dog is well socialized, they may not be a fit with our existing play group. Their play style may be too rough, or they may not tolerate being separated from the group to decompress well. Not every dog is a daycare dog, and it is also not a place to socialize an under socialized dog (this is like throwing somebody who doesn’t know how to swim into the ocean). There are many great care alternatives available such as dog walking and pet sitters that may be a better fit for your dog’s needs.

That being said, there are some dogs who start off daycare doing well, and eventually grow out of it, or start to show behaviors indicating stress or discomfort. Much like humans, a dog’s needs will change throughout their lifetime and we will always make sure you are the first to know if anything changes with your dog.

What’s a probation period?

A 2 hour assessment is not enough time for us to determine if your dog is truly a fit for our daycare. It usually takes a few visits for us to really get to know your dog. For the first month after the initial assessment, dogs will be on a probationary period where we will continue to assess their behavior with each visit. During this period there is a minimum of 2 half days (this may be more depending on your dog’s needs), and a minimum of 4 visits within the first month. Any dogs who do not meet this requirement will either not be accepted or need to be re-assessed. 

Do I still need to pay the assessment fee if my dog doesn’t get in?

Yes. When applications are open, it is a very busy time for us at the daycare. The fee is for the time put in to schedule the dog and run the assessment itself.

How do you manage “problem” behaviours?

We are a positive reinforcement daycare. This means, we do our best to manage the environment to set every dog up to succeed. This involves separating play groups, decompression times for dogs who are overstimulated and using treats to redirect and modify behaviour. There are certain behaviours that are simply triggered by the environment itself and as a daycare running with up to 40 dogs daily, there are cases where the best solution is to remove the dog from the environment.

Can my dog wear their bark collar at daycare?

No. We do not allow use of aversive tools such as bark/shock/e-collars, prong collars, choke chains or slip leads.

Why does my dog need to be dropped off by 12:30pm?

We run a tight ship around here, and with various services scheduled daily, dogs being dropped off in the middle of the day can disrupt a settled play group.

Why does my dog have to do half days? When can they do a full day?

Jumping from a 2 hour assessment to an 8 hour day can be quite overwhelming for a new dog. Petite days (2 hours or less) and half days (5 hours or less) are designed to slowly integrate your dog into their regular schedule. Please plan ahead for this. Some dogs are only able to do half days in the long run as anything longer can be quite tiring and/or overstimulating for them. There is no guarantee your dog will be able to do a full day.

Can I bring my dog 5 days a week?

No. There can be too much of a good thing. Daycare environments are incredibly stimulating and we recommend having at least a day’s break between visits to decompress. Each dog’s “maximum visits” per week will vary depending on their needs, and their needs may change as they get older. We will always let you know if we start to see behavioural issues arise and if your dog’s schedule will need an adjustment.

Will my dog be walked?

Daily walks are provided for all dogs. Generally a dog will go out for a short walk 1-3 times a day depending on their needs. We walk the dogs in harnesses, two at a time.

Can my puppy attend daycare?

We have a minimum age requirement of 7 months, and all dogs must be spayed or neutered prior to attending. We do not recommend daycare for young puppies as the environment can be overwhelming and stressful. Puppies require positive experiences in small play groups. If you are looking to socialize your puppy prior to bringing them to daycare, we recommend taking them to puppy socials/play groups monitored by a certified dog trainer. 

Raintown Dog Training runs puppy socials and puppy kindergarten classes at the Petite Paws facility. This is a great way to get your pup acclimated to our space while you are there before starting daycare with us. Please visit Raintown Dog Training’s website to find out more.

Does my dog need to be vaccinated?

Yes. All dogs must be up to date on their Rabies, Distemper and Bordetella vaccinations.

Why does my dog have to be spayed/neutered?

Unaltered dogs cause a behavior shift in the group dynamic. Many neutered males do not tolerate unneutered males. In the same way, unspayed females become a target for males. Being constantly mounted their entire day here is not a very pleasant experience! For safety reasons, and to ensure your puppy has a positive experience at daycare, we implemented this policy as a precaution.

What happens if my dog is sick?

If your dog is experiencing symptoms such as coughing, diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy or limping please do not bring them to daycare. If dog’s begin to show symptoms during daycare, we will contact you to pick them up.

What is the maximum capacity?

The maximum capacity is 40 dogs per day. Our staff to dog ratio is 1:10.

Do you accept large breeds?

No. We are a small dog daycare and only accept breeds up to 30lbs full grown.

Will my dog get fed at daycare?

Most full grown dogs do not need lunch. If however, your dog did not eat breakfast or has special dietary needs, you can bring your dog’s food and feeding time is provided at 11am daily. Other than that, we are big believers of treats for nothing! Snacks are provided here and there for any takers.

What is the Fitness Program?

The Fitness Program is a 10-15 min add-on available to all attending daycare dogs, booked in advance. Each one-on-one session works on building confidence, strength and problem solving skills. Working with various pieces of agility and physiotherapy grade canine equipment, dogs will learn how to weave, jump, work, build core strength and much more! Ask us more for details.

Do you provide grooming services?

No. We do, however, provide force free nail trims. There is never a guarantee we will trim every nail, but this method ensures your dog has a positive experience getting their nails trimmed through minimal handling (we do not restrain dogs), providing consent checks, while getting lots of yummy treats. 

For those who may have had negative experiences and are fearful of nail trims, or for puppies who are new to the whole experience, we offer nail acclimations to slowly desensitize and counter condition their feelings towards nail trims. We work on building a positive association to paw handling and the equipment, and never force the dog to keep going when they don’t want to.

Do I need to schedule my dog in advance?

Yes, in order to keep our numbers at a safe capacity we require advanced bookings. Please see details in our Policy Reminders tab.