Temperament:
All new Doggie Daycare dogs must pass an onsite temperament evaluation prior to scheduling daycare or boarding visits. Since Doggie Daycare applicants are off leash in the play areas, aggressive or possessive dogs are not accepted. Temperament evaluations are conducted by appointment only.
We retain the right to refuse and/or 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: showing aggressive behavior toward our playroom handlers or other dogs, anti-social, showing overly nervous or anxious behavior, showing overly possessive tendencies, or having 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 the playroom fence. The last step is to bring them fully into the playroom and introduce them to other daycare dogs one at a time!
What is temperament testing? The requirements for a dog to participate in Doggie Daycare is more stringent than for boarding. Doggie Daycare 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? The evaluation lasts at least 3 hours, this allows us to slowly introduce your dog to the playgroup. Your dog will enter the empty playroom, this allows them to smell and observe the playroom comfortably and at their own pace. Once we feel your pup is ready, we will introduce your pup one to two dogs at a time. After your pup has been introduced to the entire playroom, your pup will spend the remainder of the evaluation in daycare until you pick up. During this time, our playgroup handlers will observe how they play and interact with the other dogs. We will report everything back to the owners at pick up and discuss if we feel your dog is a good fit or not!
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 with missing or incomplete vaccines.
Flea & Tick Protection: It is recommended that you use a flea & tick prevention protocol. Dogs with fleas & ticks will be prohibited 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 proper fitting 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 $30.00.
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 a 1/2 day of 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.