How many times does my dog go out to a yard?
All of our dogs get 3x out to a fenced in yard, included in their boarding rate. We have options available for extra playtimes and walks around the premises as well.
My dog isn’t very social, would he be interacting with other dogs?
We are a kennel-style facility. Each pup or family of pups, get their own private run, with raised cots or pallets and bedding. We send our dogs out to the yard 1 by 1 or as a family unit and not with other dogs. We do have playtime with other dog’s available, for social pups, dependent on who we have available to play.
It is raining out, will my dog still be able to play in a Paired Pups?
Unfortunately, we do not allow for Paired Pups, our playtime with other dog(s), if the weather is not cooperative or if grounds conditions are too slick. We consider this a safety hazard for ourselves and the potential for injuries like ACL tears to be too great. When weather interferes with our group play option, we do swap to a more controlled one-on-one playtime instead.
I want my dog’s to stay together, but they cannot eat together, is this possible?
Yes! We have the ability to separate family dog’s for feedings, before recombining them together.
Are all breeds welcome?
Yes! We welcome all people-friendly dogs! We do evaluate dogs that aren’t so thrilled about meeting new people on a case-by-case basis to assess safe handleability by our staff.
What Items do I need to bring from home?
We do recommend that you bring your pup’s own food. We do have 2 types of kennel food available, one being grain-free and salmon based, but find that most pups eat best with their own food! We do require you to provide any medications that your pet may require and encourage you to bring supplements that your pet receives at home as well. You are welcome to bring any bedding or toys that you wish, we just never guarantee that they come back to you in the same shape they come to us in, but we do try! We ask that you LEAVE food bowls at home. We have a variety here, including slow feeders, that we utilize.
What items do I need to bring for my cat to board?
We generally ask that you bring your cat in a cat carrier and to provide their own food. You are welcome to bring any toys or bedding that you wish. We provide litter boxes and cat litter. If your cat is unable to have scoopable clay litter and needs a specialty litter like pine, crystals, or newspaper pellets, we do ask that you provide that.
My dog is a little anxious when boarding. What can I do for him/her?
For the slightly more anxious pup, we do recommend a blanket that smells of home. We also recommend that you wear a t-shirt for a couple of nights ahead of your dog’s boarding visit. Bring the t-shirt with you, so they have your scent with them during the boarding visit. We can also utilize calming aids, such as adaptil/thundercalm/DAP sprays and Composure, an anti-anxiety treat aid, with the owner’s permission.
Matting - Not a Fun Word
This dog is “pelted”. It is being “started over”
Does my dog have tangles or mats? Will we have to get a shave-down and start over? What can I do at home to prevent future issues?
Unfortunately, sometimes things happen, and for one reason or another our pets don't get the kind of coat maintenance they require. This can cause matting, tangles, and discomfort for your pet. The best way to keep your pet from matting is to keep them on a regular grooming schedule, along with brushing at home in-between. A regular schedule can differ depending on coat type, so don't be afraid to ask what will work for you pet.
Typically, if we are only talking about a few tangles, and pets are cooperative, these can be brushed out. However, bigger problems occur when tangles are left untreated. These once small tangles will turn in to mats. As a groomer, it is never my intention to cause any undue harm or stress to your pet. Because of this, when mats are found we will shave them out with clippers, instead of putting your pet through the extra brushing required to remove them. Sometimes that means a pets whole body. Which we refer to as "starting over."
Matting can cause serious issues that many are not aware of. Including, but not limited to: pulling against the skin, which may cause bruising; loss of circulation, serious cases involving loss of limb; issues with moisture collecting against the skin causing bacteria to grow; and interference with a dog's ability to regulate temperature, which can be fatal in summer months.
Sometimes, it is best for pets to start over. De-matting is extremely uncomfortable and pets must stand for hours enduring brushing and pulling against the skin. Because of this, we choose to not de-mat anything more than simple tangles for your pets comfort. We want your pet to have a good experience every time they come to the groomer. It makes it easier on everyone involved if a dog is more calm and trusting of their groomer. Let's not forget matting is completely preventable with at home maintenance. Do not expect a groomer to do 8 weeks of brushing in one visit.
Some tips for brushing at home. Make it a routine. At night when watching TV, pull out the brush and brush a little bit. Pets may take some time, or treats to get used to this new routine. Always be calm, but also in charge. It should be fun, but not play time. Always "check your work" with a metal comb from the skin. This will show you what you missed. Use the line brushing technique when using a slicker brush. The basic idea of this is to hold the hair back and brush from the skin out. Several tutorials using this technique can be found on YouTube. Don't ignore high friction areas, such as around the collar/harness, between the legs, and behind the ears. Always remember, if you need help just ask in person the next time you pup is in. We have no problem showing you in person!
With regular at-home maintenance and regularly scheduled grooming, your pup can be kept at a fluffier length!