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Your Dog's First Day at Daycare
Everybody has lots of questions on their dog's first
day at daycare. The following is based on a handout we provide
newly-approved students (well, their parents, really, most of our
students are way more interested in reading the pee-mail than boring old
stuff like this!). Please note that, in order to
safely integrate new members into their play group, we only introduce
one new dog at a time, so reservations ARE required for your dog's first
day in daycare. Daycare hours are Monday
through Friday 7:00am to 6:00pm. Our evening training classes begin at
6:30pm, so we have to close the daycare department right at 6pm. As a
convenience to our customers who cannot pick their dog up before 6pm, we
have a late pickup option: whenever you arrive after 6pm, go straight to
the crate room. Your dog will be resting with her leash and collar on
top of the crate. Please be careful to close the crate door when you
leave so that it doesn’t create an obstruction. Please let us know when
you need a late pick-up. We do not charge for late pick-ups, but we
don’t have staff up front to get dogs or take payment after 6pm, so
please make any purchases and payments in the morning when you drop off
your dog.
Daycare Schedule (Big Dogs): The dogs rest until 8:30am, so
please be sure to potty your dog before dropping him off for daycare.
The dogs go outside from 8:30 until 11:30. We bring the dogs in for a
nap from 11:30 until 2:00 because behaviorists studying daycares found
that dogs that did not get a rest during the day tended to go home tired
and grumpy instead of tired and happy. Big dogs go back out from 2:00 to
6:00pm.
Daycare Schedule (Little Dogs): Morning session for little dogs
is 7:30am until 11:30am Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and 7:30am until
12:30am Tuesday and Thursday. The afternoon session is 1pm-6pm Monday,
Wednesday, and Friday, and 2pm-6pm Tuesday and Thursday.
Drop-off time (Big Dogs): the best time to drop your dog off is
between 7:00 and 8:30am. If you come between 8:30 and 10:30am, your dog
will probably be able to join the pack outside. If your dog comes after
10:30am, it will be too late to join the morning session, but she will
be able to nap until 2pm, then join the pack for the afternoon session.
Drop-off time (Little Dogs): because the little dogs go straight
into playtime, anytime after 7:00am is fine.
Pick-up time: the best time to pick your dog up is between 2:30pm
and 5:45pm. If you need to pick up your dog between 11:30 and 2pm,
please let us know in advance so that we can put your dog up front. This
will ensure that we don’t need to wake up your dog’s friends during
their naptime. Please remember to let us know if you need a late
pick-up.
Reservations are only required on your dog’s first day at
daycare. For safety, we only introduce one new dog per day. The first
day, your dog will need to arrive before 8:30am. Your dog will go out
first, which is much less stressful than going out last and having all
the other dogs rush up to mob the new guy in town.
Snacks are given at 11:30. Generally, we give the dogs a Milkbone-type
biscuit when they come in for their nap. If you have any special
requirements, please let us know. If you want us to give your dog lunch
or a snack, please pack it in a plastic bag with your dog’s name clearly
written on it. If your dog is not allowed snacks, please remind us the
first few visits.
Stuff: You do not need to bring any toys, beds, or other supplies
for your dog. We’ve got plenty!
Safety: Our #1 goal is to keep every person and every dog safe.
To that end, please observe the following:
- We do not recommend or use extendible/retractable
leashes. We do not prohibit them, though, so if you use one, please
be sure to lock it down before bringing your dog into the building.
We have a lot of dogs, from Chihuahuas to Great Danes in and out,
and they all need to be right up close to their human.
- Do not bring your dog to daycare if he or she is
acting sick, throwing up, or having diarrhea. Your vet would be a
better choice on those days. Neither the other dogs nor their owners
will appreciate the sharing of germs.
- Please do not go past the cones in the parking
lot. The dogs react to anything or anyone outside the fence, and the
smaller ones can get trampled in the rush to see who’s there.
- Please do be sure to keep your dog’s tags (1)
visible and (2) attached. At the very least, your dog’s collar
should contain your name and at least one contact phone, and
preferably more. If a cat were to dash past your dog as you were
getting into or out of your car, you may find yourself relying on a
friendly stranger to return her!
Overnight Boarding: We are happy to keep your dog overnight
during the week (Monday through Thursday night), but are not able to
accommodate weekend sleep-overs at this time. Please bring your
dog’s food, preferably packed into individual servings in disposable
plastic bags with your dog’s name clearly labeled. This will help
insure that your dog gets exactly the right food in the right
amount. You do not need to bring a bed or blankets, but if you’d
like to, we’ll be happy to make sure to make up your dog’s den with
them. Be sure to label any accessories with your dog’s name and
yours.
What to expect the first day
Sore Pads: Running and chasing new friends all day long can
be rough on your dog’s feet, and the pads may get worn or abraded.
This will go away as the pads toughen over time.
Sore Muscles: Most dogs are having so much fun they never
think to stop to rest. Over time, they become stronger and in better
shape. Your dog may seem stiff after the first couple of sessions.
Gently massage the muscles, and let your dog get plenty of rest.
Exhaustion: All of the running, jumping, and sniffing, not to
mention meeting and greeting, can wear a dog smack out. It often
takes several visits for dogs to learn how to pace themselves. First
timers often require a day or three to recover from the party.
Enthusiasm: While some dogs are worried about new places and
experiences, your dog’s enthusiasm to enter the group will grow as
they become familiar with our schedule and staff, and make friends
with the other dogs.
Damp or dusty coat: Your dog’s coat may be damp, especially
on wet days or during the summer when we put out the soaking pools.
While we do try to make the dogs presentable before sending them
home, we don’t have a groom shop yet, and it can take quite a while
with long- or thick-coated dogs.
HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY!: Do expect to see a happy dog. A tired
and happy dog who has made new doggie friends and met new people.
Your dog’s wagging tail and smiling face will be his or her way of
saying “THANKS A MILLION!!” for bringing them to PDX.
Thank you for trusting
us with your dog. We appreciate your business, but treasure your
confidence. If you have any questions, any questions at all, please
let us know! |
PDX Play Groups
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