Temperament:
All new Doggie Day Care dogs must pass an onsite temperament
evaluation prior to scheduling day care or boarding visits. Since Doggie Day Care applicants are off-leash in the play areas, aggressive or toy possessive dogs are not accepted. Temperament evaluations are conducted by appointment only.
We retain the right to refuse any dog if it is determined to be unsuitable for our programs. Common reasons for a dog to be denied admittance include but are not limited to: shows aggressive behavior toward our Dog Handlers or other dogs, anti-social, shows overly nervous or anxious behavior, shows overly possessive tendencies, or has concerning medical issues.
How does the evaluation process work?
Your dog will spend the first hour in a kennel, getting used to a new environment with new sounds, smells and humans. We will watch how they act while walking past other barking dogs in kennels around them. They will be taken outside with a staff member in our private yard, and we will observe how they act outside. We will do a hands-on test to ensure the safety of our staff which includes putting our hands around your dog’s mouth, ears, and touching all four paws. If your pup does well with humans, we will move onto the next step which is introducing them to other dogs through a fence. The second part is to observe your dog viewing other dogs through a fence. The last step is to bring them fully into the play room and introduce them to other daycare dogs one at a time!
What is temperament testing?
The requirements for a dog to participate in Doggie Day Care is more stringent than for boarding. Doggie Day Care is designed for social, outgoing dogs who like to play with other dogs. A typical day involves meeting, greeting, and interacting with a variety of unfamiliar dogs. Many dogs thrive on constant social interaction, but some dogs do not understand or even like to be put into this type of situation. We want all our guests to enjoy a safe, fun-filled day with us. A temperament test is the process we use to determine if your dog is a good candidate for Doggie Daycare.
What happens during the temperament test?
Your application provides history about your dog’s routine, personality, and special care. After your application is submitted, we’ll discuss the “Day of Play” and schedule it, which usually starts after 9 am and runs for about 3 hours. It allows us to introduce your dog to a playgroup. Once we have some baseline observations to go by, we will make a recommendation. You will have facts to use in deciding if our Doggie Day Care and processes are beneficial to you and your best friend. If all goes well, your dog is welcome to future Doggie Daycare and Boarding.
What happens if your dog is not suitable for daycare?
We are mindful of the safety, health, and enjoyment of every guest. Occasionally, we meet a dog that initially is not a good candidate for a daycare setting. There are a variety of reasons for this - sometimes a dog is very shy, sometimes they lack good play skills, sometimes they are frightened or aggressive. If your dog is not initially accepted into our Doggie Daycare program, we are happy to recommend our Day Boarding Services, or to our facility trainer who will help you address specific concerns until we feel your dog is ready to join play group!
For pet parents seeking a daycare alternative, Day Boarding is a great option. Dogs in Day Boarding DO NOT encounter dog interaction; however, they enjoy the privacy a K9 kennel for the day, with a 20-minute private play time, and regular outdoor potty breaks every hour, without an overnight stay. Excellent candidates for Day Boarding are dogs who do not socialize well, who can’t be left home alone, or who need special care or handling throughout the day while pet parents are at work.
Age: All Dogs are required to be at least 6 months of age.
Spayed/Neutered: All dogs must be spayed or neutered by the age of 9 months.
Vaccinations: All dogs must have current (at least 7 days prior) vaccination including Rabies, Bordetella, and DHLPP (or DH2PP or DHPP), Leptospirosis and K9 Influenza. We will NOT book any services without any vaccines.
Flea & Tick Protection: It is recommended that you use a flea & tick prevention protocol. Dogs with fleas & ticks will be barred from the facility until the problem has been successfully addressed. Any pups found with fleas or ticks while in our care will be isolated immediately, and the owner will be contacted to pick them up.
Heartworm: Because your dog will be mixing with others, it is a good idea to have your dog on veterinarian approved heartworm preventative, though this is not a requirement to attend.
Collars, Leashes and Barking: All dogs MUST be on leash when entering and existing our facility. Once inside, you must keep your dog’s leash IN HAND until a staff member is ready to take your pet. DO NOT let your dog run free between our front door and your car. All dogs must wear a collar or harness while in our care.
Please DO NOT allow your dog to approach other dogs in the parking lot or lobby. Some of our dogs may be friendly in daycare, however some may be leash reactive, protective of their owners, or they don’t join daycare due to not being dog friendly.
Please DO NOT allow your dog to be overly vocal on the way in. We understand that dogs get excited and may be eager to come in and play, and eliminating barking may be easier said than done, but we need to be good neighbors and minimize outside noise.
Service fees: Payment is required at the time service is rendered. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. You may be required to leave a card on file for extended stays.
Late fees: Daycare guests not picked up by 6:00pm Monday – Friday, 3:00pm Saturday - Sunday will be charged a late fee of $27.00. Any pets not picked up by 6:15pm Monday – Friday, 3:15pm Saturday – Sunday will be considered an overnight guest and will be charged the appropriate boarding fee.
Boarding guests not picked up by 11:00am on the last day of boarding will be charged the appropriate boarding fee. Boarding guests not picked up by 2:00pm on the last day of boarding will be charged a FULL day of the appropriate boarding fee.
By submitting this form below, you are acknowledging and agreeing to the terms put forth here by Doggie’s Day Out of Palm Springs.