Can I come tour the facility before I bring my dog?

Yes, we’d be excited to show you our clean, fun and safe facility. Please stop in during one of the following times: Mon – Fri, 10 am – 12:00 pm or Sat – Sun 10 am – 4 pm. You can also easily schedule a tour online.

If my dog already goes to daycare can I bring him to your facility?

We’d love to have you dog, however, he or she will still need to pass our compatibility evaluation.

How do I make reservations for daycare or lodging for my dog who has never been there before?

You can register online by filling out the registration forms, and providing us with all the proper health/vet documents required. You can also schedule a compatibility evaluation online to see if your dog will be a good fit. Once your dog has been approved you can register for both daycare and lodging online. We require all dogs that will be lodging with us come for a day of play so they’re familiar with the setting.

Why is your lobby closed for two hours each day?

We close our lobby to give dogs’ downtime, and allow our staff to do additional cleaning. It’s important to consider that dogs do need downtime, rest helps avoid accidental injury, or potentially becoming more aggressive. Some dogs can self-regulate rest while others may need to be placed in kennels to rest.

Are you open on holidays?

Yes, We are open 365 days a year.

How do I know my dog will be safe at the Dog Retreat & Spa?

We require all dogs to go through a compatibility evaluation. Dogs are separated by both size and temperament We have a low dog-to-leader ratio. All staff members are trained in first aid and CPR, and go through a dog behavior training program. We’ve designed our facility with all sized dogs in mind – every shape and size. At least one of our pet loving staff with be present with dogs in each designated play area.

What do I need to bring for my dog when they’re in daycare?

We require all dogs to have a quick release collar. No buckles are allowed. If they need food it must be bagged, and all medication must be in original packaging.

What is the difference between Daycare and Day Stay?

Day Stay may be a perfect option for the dog that did not do well with our compatibility evaluation, or has not been neutered or spayed, or may need extra attention. This may be for various reasons, health, age or injury. Daycare is for those dogs that do play well with others.

Will my dog adjust to doggy daycare/lodging? He’s never been away from home.

Most shy dogs, or dogs that haven’t been socialized enough, usually benefit tremendously from daycare. They become less shy, more socialized and have a great time! However, that said, NOT every dog is suited to the daycare setting. It’s our job to let you how your dog is doing and see what other options may work best to keep your dog happy. For ex: we offer one on one play or small group play or your dog may do best with an at home dog walker.

What if my dog is not neutered or spade what are my options

All dogs in daycare need to be neutered or spayed at six months. If you’re not comfortable with that, you could consider our Day Stay program.

What happens if I want to cancel my reservation for lodging?

Cancellations must be made within 48 hours of schedule stay. If less than 48 hours a flat fee of $55 will be charged. Cancellation during peak holidays must be made 10 days in advance of the stay. If cancellation is requested less than 10 days prior to stay you’d charged $150 dollar fee per animal.

Can I bring my own food?

You are required to bring your pets food. It’s much better for the pet to continue on their regular diet. All food must be placed in baggies for individual meals. For boarders, you are also welcome to bring a special blanket that will make them feel comfortable. No Rawhide, bullysticks or bones allowed.

What if my dog acts aggressively toward another dog while at The Dog Retreat?

If the act is mild, the dog will be placed in a timeout until she/he has calmed down. If the aggression causes harm to another dog, you will be responsible for any veterinary care for that dog and your dog will not be allowed back unless the behavior has been modified through training.

Can someone other than me pick up my dog?

Yes, but the person has to be listed on your account when you drop off the dog. They’ll have to show personal identification

My dog went to training but is still not trained. Can you help him/her?

We offer several different training classes to meet your needs; however, we cannot train your dog without your help. An owner must be willing to commit to a minimum of 10 minutes per day to be successful with training their dog.

Can I come tour the facility before I bring my dog?

Yes, we’d be excited to show you our clean, fun and safe facility while your dog is being evaluated. You can book a tour online through our registration portal.

If my dog already goes to daycare can I bring him to your facility?

We’d love to have your dog, however, he or she will still need to pass our compatibility evaluation before joining.

How do I make reservations for daycare or lodging for my dog who has never been there before?

You can register online by completing the registration forms and submitting the required vet documents. You may also call us to schedule a compatibility evaluation.

Why is your lobby closed for two hours each day?

We close our lobby daily to give dogs downtime and allow our staff to perform cleaning and maintenance. Rest periods help prevent fatigue and promote safety during playtime.

Are you open on holidays?

Yes, we are open 365 days a year. However, on certain holidays our lobby may be closed for drop-offs and pick-ups, and hours may vary.

How do I know my dog will be safe at the Dog Retreat & Spa?

All dogs must complete a compatibility evaluation and are grouped by size and temperament. Our trained staff maintain a low dog-to-leader ratio, and all are certified in pet first aid and CPR to ensure your dog’s safety.

What do I need to bring for my dog when they’re in daycare?

Please bring a quick-release collar. If your dog requires food or medication, ensure it’s labeled and medications are in their original packaging.

Will my dog adjust to doggy daycare/lodging? He’s never been away from home.

Most dogs adapt quickly and benefit from socialization in daycare. However, every dog is unique. If needed, we offer one-on-one or small group play options to ensure comfort and happiness.

What if my dog is not neutered or spayed? What are my options?

Dogs attending daycare must be neutered or spayed by 6–8 months of age. If not, you may consider our Day Stay program as an alternative.

What happens if I want to cancel my reservation for lodging?

A 50% deposit is required for all overnight stays. Non-peak cancellations must be made 72 hours in advance to avoid forfeiting the deposit. During peak periods, deposits are non-refundable, and cancellations made within 10 days will be charged the full stay amount.

Can I bring my own food?

Yes, bringing your pet’s own food is required to maintain their regular diet. Please portion food into labeled individual baggies. Boarders may bring a blanket for comfort, but rawhide, bully sticks, and bones are not allowed.

What if my dog acts aggressively toward another dog while at The Dog Retreat?

If aggression occurs, the dog will first be placed in a timeout. If the behavior results in harm to another dog, you will be responsible for veterinary costs and the dog may not return until behavior modification is demonstrated.

Can someone other than me pick up my dog?

Yes, but the designated person must be listed on your account and will need to show valid photo identification when picking up your dog.

My dog went to training but is still not trained. Can you help him/her?

We offer several training programs to help improve your dog’s behavior. However, consistent owner participation of at least 10 minutes per day is essential for lasting success.

Will My Dog Like Doggy Daycare?

Published On: June 22, 2022Categories: dog daycare, Dog Spa

Covid-19 restrictions are finally easing, and it’s time for you to go back to work. You loved being home with your year-old dog, but you believe he’s loved you being home even more. You’ve heard that our dog daycare in Waltham, MA is the best dog daycare in the area. However, you still wonder if your dog will fit in. Not every dog is equipped to attend and participate in dog daycare. That’s why The Dog Retreat performs a compatibility evaluation for every dog. It allows us to determine which playgroup fits each dog that stays with us. Not every dog is suited to stay in daycare. As your dog matures, it becomes less tolerant and social. There are several categories your dog may fall into that will help you determine if your dog is equipped for dog daycare in Waltham, MA.

The categories of a dog’s tolerance and sociability at our dog daycare in Waltham.

Dog Social

These dogs typically love all other dogs, even the rude ones who do annoying things. Usually, these dogs are puppies or extremely social adults.

Dog Tolerant

Dog tolerant dogs stay calm while leashed and get along with almost any dog. They are relaxed, calm, and have no problem communicating.

Dog Selective

These dogs have plenty of friends but are suspicious of any new dog. They become stressed out when seeing a strange dog, even when they are on a leash. They have trouble coping with some specific types of dogs and cannot interact calmly. They need constant supervision, lots of positive guidance, and gentle introductions.

Dog Aggressive

These dogs are definitely not into meeting other dogs. They usually have one or two other dog friends, but that’s it. They are overly sensitive and can act aggressively when triggered. They require extra patience and management and love humans more than other dogs.

There are specific personality traits that are not fitting in our dog daycare in Waltham, MA. For example, personality traits like:

Hyperactive dogs

Hyer-active dogs typically cannot control their impulses. They have tons of energy and ignore basic commands. They constantly attempt to engage other dogs by biting their necks and jumping on them.

Protective dogs

Protective dogs make excellent guard dogs and stay by your side but are not fitting for a dog daycare. They have a history of snaping at other dogs to protect their resources.

Highly intelligent dogs

These dogs get bored quickly and are too intelligent for dog daycare. For instance, dogs like Labrador Retrievers, Jack Russell Terriers, and Border Collies require a busy schedule with lots of exercises. When they get bored, they get into trouble, even if it’s just for fun.

Giant, Active Breeds

These giant dogs, usually standing tall and weighing over 100 pounds, can intimidate other dogs. They need lots of activity and exercise; generally more than a busy dog daycare can provide.

Insecure dogs

Dogs that lack confidence are deemed weak by the pack causing unsuspecting attacks. These dogs cause immediate negative reactions and are considered lower-ranking members.

Intact dogs

Dogs that are not neutered or spayed are not fit for open playgroups. Additionally, some dogs attack unneutered dogs because they see them as threats. For this reason, our dog daycare in Waltham MA require all dogs to be neutered or spayed before they are six months old. A dog daycare evaluation typically includes a brief interview between the owner and staff. Then they look at a dog’s ability to socialize with humans, other individual dogs, and how they interact in a group. There are even some dog daycares that introduce their new dogs slowly into an open-play environment. The evaluation also includes examining your dog for any fleas or ticks. Plus, they look for any existing injuries which may be aggravated during playtime with other dogs. Our evaluation process is designed to keep your dog safe. If we find that your dog does not fit into one of our playgroups, we can offer other alternatives of care.

Your Pet’s Well-Being In Mind: Dog Daycare in Waltham, MA

If you’ve already found your ideal daycare, look no further than The Dog Retreat & Spa. A great place to start is on our website, or you can call to set up your dog’s evaluation, and then start them with daycare. This allows your dog to acclimate to our staff and facility, and make the transition to overnight lodging much easier.

Will My Dog Like Doggy Daycare?

The categories of a dog’s tolerance and sociability at our dog daycare in Waltham.

Dog Social

Dog Tolerant

Dog Selective

Dog Aggressive

There are specific personality traits that are not fitting in our dog daycare in Waltham, MA. For example, personality traits like:

Hyperactive dogs

Protective dogs

Highly intelligent dogs

Giant, Active Breeds

Insecure dogs

Intact dogs

Your Pet’s Well-Being In Mind: Dog Daycare in Waltham, MA

(781) 604-7387

info@thedogretreat.com

781-548-3248

PhysicalRehab@TheDogRetreat.com

219 Bear Hill Rd, Waltham, MA, 02451

thedogretreatandspa

rehab_at_thedogretreat

The Dog Retreat & Spa- Waltham