Frequently Asked Questions

YES. As hard as we work to make our doggie daycare a home away from home for your best friend, things happen and we need to make sure all parties understand this. Injuries and illness can come with the territory of fully interactive doggie daycare, and it’s important that customers understand this before bringing their dog to daycare.

I’ve heard that dogs can get too much exercise, is that true?

FORCED EXERCISE (long runs beside a bicycle, running on a treadmill) has been speculated to be dangerous for dogs. If a dog isn’t allowed to take a break or is made to keep a certain pace for prolonged periods of time, injury can occur. However, unlike sled dogs or working dogs, we don’t require that dogs move or play if they do not want to. If they chose to nap or lay down, they may do so freely. There is always fresh water available in each playroom and outside.

 If a participant appears ill or over stimulated, a member of our staff may put your pet in for a time out or nap. However, dogs generally have more sense than humans and know not to get over-stimulated, particularly in the warmer months. 

 In order to keep the pack balanced, we require that all dogs be spayed by 6 months old or neutered by 9 months old, whether they are coming for interactive doggie daycare or overnight boarding. 

 All applicants are given a no-cost temperament evaluation. This involves an introduction of your dog to our pack. Although this is a good indication of the dog’s personality, scuffles can and do occur, but RARELY result in serious injury. The staff is trained to intervene and separate fighting dogs safely and efficiently. Additionally, we place dogs in playgroups according to size and temperament. However, because they are living creatures and can have an off day, their behaviors are sometimes unpredictable  (not unlike humans) and in the rare instance, a fight may take place. The families of all parties involved will be notified immediately 

 It depends. Some dogs that show signs of fear or leash aggression do well in an interactive environment. Since we are a fully interactive doggie daycare, all dogs need to be able to socialize with other dogs and our staff without showing signs of aggression. We require a no-cost temperament evaluation to assess your dog and make sure he will do well in our environment. 

Before enrolling your dog in daycare, you will be required to fill out an application, complete with emergency contacts and your veterinarian’s information. In the unlikely event of an emergency, if you cannot be reached, we will contact whomever you assigned as your emergency contact. Then we will attempt to contact your vet. If all else fails and we cannot reach anyone associated with the dog, we will use our own discretion and either transport your dog to an emergency vet or have our mobile vet come to us to assess the dog at the owners’ expense. 

 On any given day, we host 20-50 dogs in our facility. Having customers walking in the back and through the playrooms and kennel area greatly disrupts the energy of the packs. For insurance reasons, we also cannot invite customers in certain areas of the facility,  you can have a look through the viewing area in the lobby, please remember if your dog sees you it is highly likely that they will remain focused towards you. If you are concerned about how your dog is during their daycare or overnight boarding stay, you are always welcome to call the facility and check-in on your pup.  Keep an eye out on social media for our open house days. 

 We request that all our townies be placed on a flea and tick preventative. Although it is impossible to enforce this, history has shown that our pet owners are very conscientious and maintain a high level of health care for their dogs. In addition, due to our high standards of cleanliness, and the fact that our facilities are over 90% solid surfaces with nowhere for fleas and ticks to live, it’s rare for us to find a flea or a tick on a dog. If we should find one, we notify the owner immediately. 

 Yes,  in addition to security cameras we will have a human pack member on site overnight and on holidays  We know you wouldn’t leave your dog alone all night in your own home and we feel the same way here at great woof lounge. 

 Generally, we do not feed dogs who are attending daycare. Introduction of food in a pack environment can trigger unwanted behavior in even the most placid of dogs. We ask that you place your dog on a twice daily feeding schedule: in the morning before daycare and in the evening after daycare. If you have a younger dog (under 6 months) or a note from your vet, we can feed a mid-day meal when requested. Your dog will be separated from the play group for 90 minutes to eat and digest. 

Having said that we are not opposed to handing out the odd healthy treat to everyone that is allowed!

 Absolutely!   Feel free to call and check on your dog during the day, just remember that our main focus is being present with the pack so keep the calls limited for genuine concerns. Don’t forget to follow us on facebook and Instagram to see whats happening all day at great woof, you can request a highlight day on your pup. 

 Although we strive to maintain the safest and most sterile environment, like all things in life, the potential for illness and injury does exist, especially in a fully-interactive environment. Whether it is at school , on a vacation resort or in the workplace, we are exposed to germs on a constant basis. Like humans, both the very young and the very old dogs are more prone to illness. With all of the visitors we have all year, there will inevitably be a handful instances.We will do our best to prevent as much as possible.