Frequently Asked Questions

My dog isn’t spayed/neutered. Can they still board or attend daycare?
All dogs over the age of 8 months must be spayed/neutered to use our daycare and boarding services.

What vaccines are required?
We require all dogs to have up-to-date Rabies, DHPP and Bordetella. All dogs must also be on an annual heart worm and flea prevention program prescribed by a veterinarian.

Are there any breeds you don’t allow?
We do not accept any breed banned by legislation.

How old must my dog be to attend Daycare or to Board?
Dogs must be 16-weeks of age to attend our facilities. This is when their full range of vaccinations will be completed. In our Puppy Socialization training there are slightly different requirements, so we suggest you check our website for more information.

Do you separate the dogs by size or age?
We allow dogs of all ages and sizes to play and socialize together. However, at all our locations we do have separate areas for dogs to rest and have quiet time.

If required, how do you correct a dog?
We use distraction and positive reinforcement keep a dog’s behavior in check, if required. If a dog is being unduly assertive, it may be given a time-out from the group.

Are the dogs always supervised?
Yes, dogs are always supervised by our trained and experienced staff.

Are there any minimum attendance requirements for my dog to attend daycare or boarding?
Dogs who have not attended daycare or boarding for more than 8 months must complete a reassessment to return to daycare, and a minimum of a half-day daycare visit prior to any boarding stay, so that we can ensure that the dog is still a good fit for a group daycare environment. 

Can my dog be groomed while at daycare/boarding?
Absolutely. All Doggieland locations offer full grooming services. If you want your dog groomed while staying at Doggieland, it can usually be arranged by booking in advance. Clients are entitled to 2-hours complimentary daycare either before or after a groom. If your dog is in daycare that day for an extended period, a maximum of 3-hours of daycare is billed on the grooming day.

I want to bring my dog to Doggieland, now what?
Wonderful! The first step is to fill out the online Registration Form and select the location closest to you. Once the form is received and reviewed by our staff, you will be contacted to come in for a consultation with your dog. At this time you will be asked to bring your dog’s vaccination records. While you and a member of our staff go over the details, your dog(s) will be introduced to the other dogs in the daycare. Upon completing a successful visit, your dog will be registered and ready for Daycare or Boarding.

What other services do you offer at Doggieland?
In addition to Daycare, Boarding, Grooming and Training, we also offer Home Visits and Private Walks. Our Retail Boutiques offer an interesting selection of toys, treats and accessories, as well as select brands of dog food.

Do you have Web Cams? How do I know how my dogs visit has gone?
No, we do not currently have web cams but rest assured we will give you an accurate and honest account of how your dog’s stay has gone. Daycare is GREAT for most dogs, but should we feel your dog would be happier with another type of socialization, we will let you know. If your dog is boarding for more than 5 days just send us an email at vaughan@doggieland.ca and we’ll let you know how your dog has been enjoying their stay.

What are the benefits of Dog Daycare?
Daycare provides dogs with the opportunity to socialize freely, naturally and safely with each other in a supervised environment. This type of interaction is critical to your dog’s social adjustment and well-being. Dogs want and need interaction with their own species to learn important life skills and lessons. Daycare will help your dog become and remain well-socialized and, at the end of the visit, you will have a happy, satisfied and sleepy dog!

Do I need a reservation?
Yes. Our Daycare facilities require you to book in advance since spots can fill up very quickly. We will not accept more dogs on any given day than we can handle professionally and safely.

Can I set up a regular daycare schedule for my dog and do you have special rates for this?
Yes. Many of our dogs attend daycare on a regular basis and have pre-confirmed spots. There are many different packages available based upon the weekly frequency your dog’s visits. When you are attending your dog’s consultation, ask the Supervisor or Manager to explain the rates available.

What will my dog do all day?
Your dog will socialize throughout the day with the other daycare dogs in our fully supervised facility. They will play, walk, play, rest, and play some more. Our staff love dogs and will ensure your dog is loved and monitored to determine when rest breaks are needed. They will also ensure your dog enjoys his/her meal time if one is scheduled throughout the stay.

Do you walk the dogs?
Your dog will not require a walk for exercise but with staff and permission given, we try to get all our full and half-day dogs out for a brief walk.

Do you crate the dogs in Daycare?
No. The dogs spend their day in an open play area. We do have separate kennels for dogs to enjoy their lunch undisturbed or to have a rest if needed.

What should I bring when bringing my dog to daycare? 
Just bring your dog with a collar and on a leash/harness. If your dog regularly eats during the time they will be in daycare, bring along their food as well. It will be safely stored and served to them separately.

Do you offer pick-up and drop-off service?
Yes, we can pick-up and drop-off your dog from your home to our daycare facilities in our Doggieland van. (See rates) This service must be confirmed well in advance as spaces are limited.

What is your cancellation policy?
Cancellations of a daycare spot less than 24-hours in advance may be subject to a cancellation charge.

Do you transfer dogs to and from the boarding facility?
Yes, we offer a transfer service between each Doggieland location and our boarding facility at Doggieland in Vaughan, Monday through Saturday. This service is available at a slight charge.

What should I bring when boarding my dog?
We ask that you send along your dog’s bed and/or blanket, their dry food separated in individually sealed baggies for each meal, other food as required, any medication required and instructions for administering the same, as well as a couple of favourite treats and a non-squeaky toy.

What does a typical day at Boarding look like?
Your dog will be housed in their own large open, airy kennel during the night, their mid-day rest, and while eating meals. Otherwise, they will have the run of our 2000 square foot inside and 5000 square foot outside play areas. Fresh water and lots of TLC by our trained staff are available 24-7. We monitor the dogs carefully to ensure that if they need an extra rest, they receive it.

Are the dogs supervised throughout the night?
Yes, Doggieland’s boarding facility is staffed 24/7.

Are the dogs crated?
Our facility is equipped with large, clean, and comfortable kennels suitable for various breeds and sizes. If your dog prefers sleeping in a crate, this can be arranged as well.

What is your cancellation policy?
Our cancellation policy requires 5 days (high season) or 48 hours (regular season) notice to avoid the loss of the boarding deposit.

At what age should I consider training for my dog?
A dog’s key developmental learning phase occurs when they are between 6-12 weeks old.  Training can begin as early as this period, or anytime afterwards. The earlier you start doing training with your dog, the better.   Your puppy is learning whether you’re teaching them or not.  It only makes sense to make sure you know the right things to teach them, right from the beginning.

Should I do Group Training Classes or a “Daycare & Train” program for my dog?
Group Classes are less expensive, but require more of your time as an owner.   In addition to attending the classes, you need to spend the necessary amount of time working with your dog to teach and re-enforce the training you learn in the Group Classes.  With the “Daycare & Train” option, the trainer does the bulk of the “teaching” with your dog.  Each week we share with you what the dog has learned, so that you can continue to use and re-enforce the training in the dog’s daily life.  This option is more expensive, as your dog is receiving one-on-one time with the trainer for their sessions in addition to the price covering the cost of the daycare sessions while they are in training.  In either case, the key to the training being successful is having the entire family be consistent with the training at home.

What style of training do you use?
Since every dog, and every owner, is an individual, we choose a variety of methods to teach to our students. We will use a combination of treats, praise, social and spatial pressure, physical shaping, and many other approaches, so that we can be sure you and your dog have many ways to achieve results.

What should I bring to the Group Classes?
Prepare to get a little messy — we often ask students to sit on the floor with us. Wear comfortable clothes, closed-toe shoes, and bring your dog on a leash, in a collar or harness. For our Basic Companion class, please bring some small, soft treats with you — the stinkier the better.

Can I bring my family to the Group Classes with me?
Yes! We strongly encourage ALL family members to attend training lessons. It makes it easier for the dog if everyone is on the same page — they will learn faster, and you will have a well-behaved pet sooner.

What do you mean by “unlimited lessons” for the Group Classes?
Our Group Classes are non-linear, so you can start at any time.   Each week the trainer teaches a different lesson in the program, and then repeats the lessons (over and over) in the same order.  You are free to attend as many times as you like once you’ve purchased the class.   You can choose to attend all the lessons multiple times, or you can choose to just to attend certain lessons multiple times that your dog (or you) need practice on.

What kinds of problems does chiropractic and massage therapy treat in dogs?
Chiropractic and massage therapy treat many problems including sprain/strains, limping, reluctance to go up and down stairs, incontinence, hip dysplasia, disc problems, joint pain and pre/post-operative cases.

Can I still get my dog assessed and treated if he doesn’t display any noticeable issues?
Yes. In fact it is a very good idea to get your dog assessed and treated on a maintenance basis. Often we don’t see the problem until it has reached a certain point, and that can delay treatment and recovery times. Studies have shown regular chiropractic and massage therapy treatments prevent injuries and attribute to an overall happier, heathier canine partner.

What can I expect from the assessment?
You can expect to be asked questions about your dog’s health and behaviour. Then an assessment is performed where the joints are moved and the muscles are tested to get an overall impression of what is functioning normally and what might not be. From there, a discussion will take place regarding the best course of treatment for your dog.

What can I expect from the treatment?
The treatment will be done on the floor -for chiropractic with the dog standing and for massage therapy with the dog lying down. Of course if this is not comfortable for the dog we will find an alternative that is. The chiropractic treatment is short in duration, and delivers a painless adjustment to the joints to put them back into proper alignment. This allows them to function normally and painlessly again through a full range of motion. The massage therapy treatment is longer, and can last 30-60 minutes, depending on the dog’s tolerance. The goal is to relax the tight muscles that can be causing the body stress and to relax the dog.

Is my dog too old or too young to receive treatments?
No. The treatment is tailored to the dog. The dog’s age and medical history is taken into account when the treatment is provided.

Do I have to be present for treatments?
It is advisable to be present for at least the initial consultation where you can offer valuable information regarding your dog’s health and history. Dr. Silverman will also answer any questions you may have during this time. If you are unable to attend the initial consultation but would like your dog to be seen, a phone interview can be arranged instead. For subsequent visits you are welcome to attend but it is not necessary. You will receive an update after the treatment.

Does my dog have to be vaccinated to receive treatments?
Your dog only needs to have their rabies vaccine to be treated for chiropractic and massage therapy. All other vaccines should be discussed with your veterinarian.