FAQs
Do you board other animals?
YES. We offer cat and small animal boarding. Contact us for more information.
What is dog daycare?
At Dogaholics our dog daycare is an environment where your dog is dropped off for the day to play and socialize with other dogs in a fun, well stimulating, and safe environment.
What will my dog do all day?
Your dog will be engaged in many activities throughout the day. Run! Play! Socialize with playmates, lounge around and talk the latest gossip with new friends! Enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. Run through tunnels, jump through hoola hoops and even splash around in the outdoor pool (seasonal)! Whatever your dogs personality there is a place for them at Dogaholics!
Do you walk the dogs?
For dogs who are good with others and are in our regular daycare or boarding program, we do not walk them on leash. This is because they spend the majority of the day (other than during meal or rest breaks) in our play areas with their friends burning off more energy than a leashed walk would. If you are booked into a VIP room, your dog has medical or mobility issues, or your dog requires special one-on-one care with the staff, we do provide multiple short on leash walks throughout the day for them to get their exercise and stimulation that would normally come from play.
Do you provide outdoor play areas?
Yes. We do offer outdoor play, with our outdoor area being fully fenced and half an acre. Any day with nice weather (not too hot or not too cold), the pups get lots of playtime outside as well as inside. We even have an outdoor pool for the warmer days! On days of more extreme weather, the pups spend more time inside where we have heating and AC, and get let outside for short pee breaks. Our outdoor area is 100% safe and secure for all of our pups.
What makes Dogaholics different than a traditional kennel?
Kennels vary, but in a “traditional” kennel, your dog is typically left in a kennel or dog run most of the day and may be let out briefly or placed in an outdoor run a couple of times a day. The dogs usually do not interact with each other. Some kennels will offer 15-minute play times with a staff member for an extra charge. Dogaholics offers all day play for no additional cost.
Is there a discount for multiple dogs?
Yes. We offer discounted pricing for our daycare and boarding services. To qualify both dogs must be from the same owner and live in the same household, veterinary copies must show same owners name to qualify. See our rates page for a list of our discounted rates.
Do I need to make a reservation for overnight boarding?
Yes. For overnight boarding a reservation is required. Depending on the time of year, we can often accommodate short notice or same day notice. Please be aware that statutory holidays such as Christmas may book several months in advance. Please note: there is also a $50 deposit required.
Do I need to make a reservation for daycare?
Reservations are NOT required for daycare; you may drop your dog in anytime. We always have adequate trained staff to safely and effectively care for all of our guests. Please book our pawrty days as these popular days can get booked quickly!
Do you offer your services to older pets?
Yes! All ages are welcome. Older pets will be placed in appropriate playgroups or if they like to relax, they can enjoy a rest in the sunshine or in a shaded cooler area inside on a bed/blanket.
What if my dog gets sick or hurt while at your facility?
All of our staff are certified in canine first aid and CPR. We will take excellent care of your dog if anything comes up. You will be contacted in the event of an emergency. If we are not able to contact you, your emergency contact will be the secondary call. Depending on the severity of the situation, we will attempt to use your veterinarian. If your veterinarian is not within close proximity of our daycare or unavailable we will use one of our veterinarian clinics – Vets To Go, Calgary North or McKnight 24 Hour Veterinary Hospital. There will be a vet transportation fee added to your bill if one of our staff transports your dog to the vet of $25-$50 plus GST.
MY DOGS PAWS ARE VERY SENSITIVE AFTER HIS/HER STAY. DID SOMETHING HAPPEN TO MY DOG’S FEET?
It is very common that some dogs pads will be sore after playing at daycare. Most dogs are not used to playing all day, especially outside. Rest assured it is only temporary and they will build stronger pads. If you have any concerns or questions though, please do not hesitate to contact us directly. We would be glad to help in any way we can.
Booking policy
All reservations must be pre-booked. A $50 deposit is due at the time of booking to reserve your spot. If cancellation is made more than 48 hours before your reservation, we can refund the deposit or apply a credit to your account, whichever you prefer. If cancellation is requested within 48 hours of your reservation, or you do not show up, no refund or credit will be given for your deposit. Payment is due in full at drop off. If your stay is extended, or services are added, payment for outstanding balance is due at the time of pick up. During our peak seasons (June-August, all long weekends & holidays), there will be no refunds for early pick up. We accept debit, credit or cash. Deposits can be paid by credit card or e-transfer at time of booking.
Do you offer a discount for extended stays?
Yes we do. Please see our rates page for all of our pricing. If your stay is extended, or services are added, payment for outstanding balance is due at the time of pick up.
Can you provide my dog his/her medications? Will this cost extra?
Yes. There will NOT be a fee for medication administration. Please bring your pets medication in the original prescriptive bottles. If your pet requires injections this will be discussed with you during the interview process or by phone before booking. Older pets or pets with minor ailments are welcome and are placed in an appropriate playgroup. It is our ultimate goal to ensure that your pet is comfortable during his/her stay. We will do everything we can to ensure your pet is comfortable.
Can I take a tour?
Absolutely! In fact, we encourage it. We will do our best to accommodate tours at anytime during our regular business hours, however it is preferred that tours be performed between 10am and 3pm Monday to Friday and weekends by appointment only. As our staff will have more time to dedicate to you. We encourage you to ask many questions, as it is our goal for you to have peace of mind while on vacation or at work.
Can I put my own dog in a group and watch him/her with other dogs?
Unfortunately we do not allow this. Since dogs often behave differently in the presence of their owners, all introductions at Dogaholics are done by our team of dog handlers who interpret, monitor, and evaluate the dynamics of the dogs as they interact. Other dogs may also behave differently with a stranger observing them and this may affect the behaviour of the group.
Are vaccinations required?
Yes. All pets must have up-to-date vaccinations provided to us prior to starting services. We require Bordetella, DA2PP as well as Rabies vaccines for dogs to participate in our programs. Proof of vaccination can be submitted either by email or by text, or if you do not have a copy yourself, many vets will send them to us upon request. We cannot accept any dog that is not fully vaccinated, and all puppies must have at least 2 of their first sets of shots with their 3rd to be completed prior to 5 months of age. We also highly recommend all dogs get a veterinary prescribed flea/tick treatment every 30 days such as Advantage Multi or Revolution.
What if I forgot to bring my dogs food for his/her overnight stay?
We prefer to keep all dogs on their own diets; however, should you forget your dogs food, we are happy to feed your dog. We supply Canadian Naturals brand food (red meat formula) at a cost of $2.50 per cup. Please let us know of any food allergies. We do highly recommend that all dogs come with food from home provided as abrupt changes to their diet can cause diarrhea.
Do I need to bring my own dishes?
No. We have plenty of stainless steel dishes for all of our guests. This will ensure your dishes will not get lost or mixed up.
It's my pets first time at daycare, what do I need to do and what should I bring?
All you need to bring with you is your pup and their collar, as well as any meals they should need if applicable. We do also require that all pups are brought in and out of the building on leash, and to wait before entering the door into the office if there is a client ahead of you. We will take it from there to ensure your pup will have a great day with us! We provide daily report cards so you can see how your pup did, but please feel free to reach out to us via text or phone call if you’re looking for any updates or have any questions. We understand that your pup is a member of your family, and it can be tough to leave them with us for the first time, which is why you are always welcome to reach out to check in.
Do you feed my pet during daycare?
If you would like your pet to eat while at daycare you may supply his food in a marked container. We will NOT feed your dog any treats or food unless instructed by the owner.
What cleaning agents are used?
We use the best cleaning agents available on the market. Professional grade veterinary approved agents are used throughout the day to control any bacteria/viruses that are on the floors/kennels. Our daily cleaning agents are 100% safe for dogs to be around and even safe enough to consume! We then use a more stringent cleaner at the end of the day for a final overall sanitization. These products keep our facility clean and safe for all and free from bacteria and mold.
Can my dog catch anything while he/she is there?
Yes. Your dog will be exposed to some risk of contracting certain communicable aliments i.e canine/kennel cough or lice which are the most common. However, these are most commonly seen during the spring time when the snow melts and can easily be contracted at dog parks, on walks or in your back yard. Canine/kennel cough is a contagious and airborne virus that is similar to a common cold in humans. It can be transmitted anywhere an infected dog has been, despite the name “kennel cough”. We ask that all clients keep their pets at home if they notice any change in health so that we may avoid the spread. We also highly recommend that you seek your veterinarians advice should you notice any changes to your pets health or behaviour. This is also why we have made it mandatory for your pet to have all vaccines up to date to help prevent illnesses as well as prevent the spread to other animals in our care.
Why do you require that my dog be spayed or neutered?
The main reason is that intact dogs are at greater risk of injury from other dogs. In a social environment, intact males are often viewed as threats by other dominant dogs. Intact females, whether in heat or not, may be picked on by other female dogs and male dogs will view and treat her as such, and “fighting for the female” can occur. Dogs that are not spayed or neutered also tend to mark their territory and may mark everything including staff and other dogs. For safety of your dog, other dogs and our staff, we require all dogs to be spayed or neutered by 2 years of age to participate in socialization. We do accept intact dogs of all ages to board with us.
How do I get my dog started at Dogaholics Daycare and Boarding programs? What is the initial process?
The first step to getting set up is to fill out our New Client Form provided on this website. Once you have filled this out, it will automatically be sent to our email inbox where one of our management staff will reach out to you confirming we have received it as well as provide you with more details on how to proceed. For both daycare and boarding, we do require an up to date copy of your pup’s vaccine records prior to starting services. This can be sent either by email or by text to our booking line provided on this website, whichever you’d prefer. For boarding, we do require the $50 deposit to get your pup booked in as well as all of the above mentioned paperwork. We do not require an initial meet & greet or screening for your pup to get them started, as we have a large building and many different play areas so your dog can be introduced slowly to find the appropriate play group. For dogs who are not a fan of other dogs, we take our time to get to know them one on one and create a unique experience around their personality without any other dogs. We accept almost all dogs and temperaments, with the exception of dogs with extreme human aggression.
How often should my dog come to daycare?
You may bring your dog everyday if you like. Some of our guests come two or three times a week while some come everyday! It is up to you and your pet to decide the number of days to attend daycare.
Is my pet supervised during daycare?
Yes. Your dog is supervised at all times. Our daycare handlers make sure dogs are safe at all times.
I have a small dog - will he/she be safe?
Some smaller dogs enjoy hanging out with the big dogs, but, just in case, we have a special area for the little ones to romp with his/her smaller friends. Our daycare trainers will assess the best/safest place for your dog. It is up to your dog if he/she wants to play with the big or small dogs.
Sometimes my dog is really thirsty when he/she comes home. Why is that?
Water is available at all times in all of our play areas. Playing hard is just as strenuous as working out. Even though water is available, after a car ride home, it will probably be time for your dog to drink some more water to help re-hydrate after a hard day of play.
Why is my dog tired when he/she comes home?
This is one of the great benefits of dog daycare/boarding! Often when you take your dog home, they will curl up and go to sleep. Rest assured, if your dog becomes overly tired during the day, we will give them extra breaks. If your dog is boarding at our facility it is very common for them to sleep for a couple of days after they leave. This is from all the stimulation and play!
If my dog goes potty anywhere they like at daycare, will they do this at home?
No! Dogs are very good at learning they can do one behaviour in one location and another behaviour in a different location. If your pet is housetrained at home – they will remain housetrained at home. Your home does not have over 40 canine residents with all their attendant odours. Your dog will definitely know the difference between home and daycare.