Daycare How Does It Work

If you are new to Camp Doggone Pawsitive Dog Daycare & Playschool Services

How does it work? It's easy - All you have to do is call our office or send us an email and we will send you an application form for your playful pooch. All applications will be reviewed and suitable doggy candidates will be invited to come for a trial day. From October 21st to November 18th, 2011 we are running a special fall promotion of a FREE DAY at daycare. After that time, trial days will be the same cost as a regular daycare day.

Our doggy trial days need to be pre-booked. If your dog is not ready for a daycare/playschool environment you will be asked to pick him/her up within 3hrs. If your dog is happy and has met his/her play match they will be invited to stay for the day! Then they become part of our exclusive doggy playschool club - with all sorts of fun activities like Christmas photos & crafts, Halloween contests, Prom day etc.

We will also require you to fill out a daycare parent information form & waiver and return them to us by the dog's first day at daycare. This is so we will have quick access to your dog's information.

Dog Requirements: Dog friendly, people friendly, non-aggressive dogs -A Vaccination Record showing up to date on vaccines DHLPP and Bordatella.

Owner Requirements: Positive dedicated owners who see their dogs as furry family members and who want to see their dogs spend time with people who love them just as much as their owners!

If your dog hasn't tried Camp Doggone daycare yet - come & see what you are missing! Your dog will thank you.... and you will thank us as a tired dog is a happy dog and that means a happy owner!

Who can attend daycare?

Daycare is an exclusive service we offer only for dogs that have met our rigid screening procedures. We evaluate each and every dog that comes to daycare both before their first day and during their first day so we can provide a professional, safe and controlled play environment for your furry family members while they are here.

In general, our criteria is that dogs must be friendly with other dogs and with people. It is important to note that not all dogs all suitable for daycare - some dogs are too shy, other dogs get over-stimulated and don't play well with others in groups. This is the reason we evaluate all dogs that attend daycare first before accepting them as regular clients.

Dogs can start daycare any time from age 8 weeks and can keep attending as long as they are still playful. We have some dogs who are 3 or 4 years of age and other long time Doggone daycare family members who are 8 & 9 years old. There is no definite age cut off - as long as your dog is still having fun he or she is welcome to keep coming. Please do keep in mind that most dogs as they mature grow more selective with their friends and they can grow out of daycare. This is not bad - it is a normal part of a dog's growing up. Many of our daycare dogs are puppies between the ages of 8 weeks and 2 years of age. This is the most active period of time in a dog's life.

How Often Should Your Dog Attend Daycare

If you are a busy working family and you have an active breed of puppy you may need daycare up to five days a week to stay on top of your furry family member's energy.

How often your dog attends really depends on your needs. We have some families who bring their dogs three times a week and others twice a week and some dogs come come once a week for a special treat.

We recommend for maximum benefit that your dog comes at least twice a week - and ideally on regular days so they get to know their playmates. Attending regularly keeps your dog's social skills fresh and it is a nice way of balancing off your dog's energy through the week.

For dogs who come more frequently or on a regular basis - your best value is in the various packages and memberships outlined below and in our Daycare Specials link.

Booking daycare for your dog

Please call Camp Doggone Pawsitive at 386-7387 or email or Facebook us to reserve a spot for your dog at our daycare.

To ensure a high quality play experience for your fur baby and their friends - please contact us in advance to book your days. Trial days for new dogs must be booked in advance. If you are an existing Doggone family member and call on short notice, we will do our best to fit you in.

If you call us during the weekend, please leave a detailed message and we will return your call on the next business day. Staff arrive at the office at 7am and immediately check phone and email messages - so we could call you to confirm first thing Monday morning.

Drop off and pick up

Daycare doors open at 7:15 am on weekday mornings Monday to Friday for drop off. Pick up is by 5:30 pm unless special arrangements have been made ahead of time. We do offer some flexibility for drop off and pick up times if given advance notice.

We do offer doggy taxi service with advance notice. Please ask about our rates.

We ask that dog owners stay in the upstairs lobby/office when dropping off their dog. Please don't open any doors or step behind the door to the training space unless directed by staff. This is for your safety and for the security of the dogs in the daycare space.

Please be considerate of other owners and dogs when dropping off and picking up your dog at daycare. Don't allow your dog to jump all over clients or other dogs that are arriving or leaving. Please keep an acceptable social distance of 6 feet between dogs as dogs are often very revved up when being dropped off or picked up and this can translate into barking and undesirable behaviour.

If you notice your dog is very excited at drop off or pick up, try to bring some treats in your pocket and work on reinforcing your dog for sitting or lying down as they enter and exit.

What to bring to daycare

All your dog needs to come to daycare is a playful attitude, a regular buckle collar ( no chokes or prongs) and a leash. If your dog eats lunch, please bring the food in a labelled bag or bowl. Please let us know about any food allergies or sensitivities. Dogs in daycare usually get a mix of lamb and rice Natural Life dog kibble as treats through the day.

If it is rainy, please bring a bag with a towel for your car. When it's wet outside, so are the dogs!

Requirements for dogs attending daycare:

Vaccinations - Your dog must be up to date on its regular vaccines, including bordatella (kennel cough).
Vaccines must be updated yearly.
Be advised that our office staff will ask for proof of regular vaccination and bordatella. We need to see an official immunization record with a vet's signature.
If your dog is being titred instead of vaccinated we will need to see an official titre certificate and vet letter.
Please be aware if your dog has been given nasal bordatella, then your dog will need a booster in 6 months. The injected form of bordatella lasts for one year. If a dog's first bordatella vaccine is injected, then they also need to be boostered within a few weeks. Please discuss this with your vet.
Flea control - We recommend flea control year round for regular daycare dogs. Vets suggest spot on type products such as Revolution as they kills fleas, ticks and mites and also prevent heartworm. This is not mandatory.
Neutering/Spaying - Dogs must be spayed or neutered by 7 months of age to avoid sex hormone related aggression.
Collars - Only buckle collars or metal quick release snaps on collars are acceptable unless your dog is less than 20 pounds. This is mandatory for safety reasons - plastic quick release collars are dangerous as they snap apart.
Illness - Please don't bring your dog to daycare if he or she is not feeling well, i.e. diarrhea, runny eyes, coughing, gagging, wheezing, lethargic (no energy), vomiting or itching. Daycare dogs play in very close contact with each other and, just like in a human daycare, germs spread quickly. We do disinfect with a veterinary germicide but this cannot prevent all illnesses. Please also let us know if your dog is sick.

Doggy Daycare & Playschool Payment Options

Daycare rates are $22.35 per dog for a single day.

We also offer pre-paid packages, including:

$211.90 for 10 days (must be used within five weeks) - a savings of more than $1 a day

$400.60 for 20 days (must be used within 10 weeks) - a savings of more than $2 a day

All Prices + HST

Daycare Policies

We regret for business reasons if you purchase a special package or membership there is no cash value. Packages and memberships are non-transferable and non- refundable and are only valid for the time frame stipulated.

If our training centre is closed for a holiday or storm day, your package will automatically be extended.

Daycare must be paid daily or pre-paid for the week/month or membership. We regret we cannot run bills for clients. We accept payment by cash, cheque, VISA and Mastercard.

Cancellation Policy

If you need to cancel your spot in daycare, we require at least 24 hours notice by leaving a message on the office answering machine at 386-7387 or you will be responsible for payment for that day.
If your dog doesn't attend daycare on a pre-paid package or membership day without 24 hours cancellation notice, that day is used up. This is because we book staff for the day based on the number of dogs attending.

Attending daycare for the first time

Don't be alarmed if your puppy comes home from daycare and is too tired to move for a day or so. This is normal for new dogs as they are very active.
It is also normal if your furry family member hasn't played on a hard surface for their paws to sometimes be a bit tender as our yard is pea gravel. Our indoor play area is a a soft surface - 3/4 inch rubber anti-fatigue matting.

Procedures for Storm Days

During the winter period on stormy days please call the Camp Doggone Pawsitive office (386-7387) anytime after 6:30am and the message machine will let you know if there will be daycare or not. If there is no cancellation message on the machine after 6:30am then we are open. Our general rule: when the community college is closed - we are closed. Please be aware during power outages our answering machine service may not work properly.

Behavioural Advice

Clicks to owners for following our behaviour advice. Please don't take it personally if we notice a behaviour issue with your dog and bring it to your attention. We are only trying to help you nip problems in the bud and prevent future problems.