1. Sociability- Dogs are assigned playgroups based on their size, weight, and style of play. However, if we notice your dog is more selective with their playmates than what we are able to accommodate, it may be determined that our facility is not an appropriate match for your dog. 

 

2. Self Restraint- Enthusiasm is always welcomed, but excessive jumping, nipping, barging through gates and doorways, and barreling over other dogs and staff is a safety concern. The staff needs to provide equal attention to all dogs, so some self moderation is required during daycare. 

 

3. Downtime- We often provide periodic moments of rest throughout the day, this provides much needed structure and time to decompress and recharge during a longer day of daycare. Dogs must be able to settle and take a moment to slow down and part from their friends without causing destruction to kennels and beds, and doing so without being overly stressed or causing stress to calm dogs around them. 

 

4. Sharing- For safety reasons, we do not have toys out with our larger dogs during daycare- however, some dogs may become possessive over their favorite staff member(s), water bowls, friends, and other available resources which is not safe behavior for daycare. 

 

5. Ability to read other dogs- To keep interactions safe, we expect dogs to have prior knowledge of how to read social cues and respect each other's boundaries. If we notice your dog is persistent and not responding to cues from their playmates OR verbal cues from daycare staff, they may be required to complete training prior to returning to daycare for a potential re-evaluation. 

 

6. Comfort away from home- We always give dogs with anxiety some extra TLC during their evaluation, and provide them with the chance to adjust at their own pace. Occasionally, some dogs show signs of significant discomfort even after a trial period. If this is the case, we will advise you to start with shorter, ½ day playdates and smaller group outings (not provided through our daycare) away from home. 

 

7. Appropriate Greetings- Some dogs may become frustrated when they are unable to sniff/greet dogs on the other side of the fence. This can cause tension and sometimes aggression (barrier frustration). The staff must be able to quickly redirect dogs away from the fences if they become too fixated on dogs in separate areas. 

 

If your dog struggles or lacks any of the behaviors mentioned above, we reserve the right to ask that your dog be removed from the facility. If your dog is exhibiting any of the behaviors listed above, we will handle the situation using a 3-strike rule. We will first speak with you about the issue. If it continues, we will give you a written warning that outlines the issue(s). If the behavior continues and we are not able to find a solution, we will ask that your dog does not return to our daycare. 

 

If your dog displays extreme aggression that results in themselves, other dogs, or staff members being put in danger, we will ask that your dog is removed from the facility immediately. 

 

Thank you for understanding and helping keep our daycare a safe and fun environment for your four-legged best friends!