FAQ

Explore our frequently asked questions and feel free to contact us if your question is not answered here!

What are your vaccination/health requirements?

For daycare, boarding, and grooming services, we request proof of the following at least 10 days prior to a visit:

Rabies, Distemper, Parvovirus, and Bordella
Flu vaccine are optional and should be discussed with your veterinarian. If you choose to vaccinate Flu, we prefer that all dogs receive the vaccine(s) at least 10 days prior to their boarding or daycare reservation.
Puppies (typically 12 weeks of age or older) must have completed a minimum of 2 rounds of Distemper/Parvo boosters prior to daycare and boarding. They must have received their Rabies by 5 months.
Dogs on a Holistic Care Plan must provide annual written documentation from your veterinarian such as titers testing (ANNUALLY).
Your dog must be on flea, heartworm, and parasite preventive.

Does my dog have to be spayed or neutered?

Yes. Dogs over one year of age must be spayed or neutered to participate in group play daycare or group boarding activities.

Unaltered dogs over one year of age are still welcome to stay with us; however, they will participate in our Private Play program rather than group play. This policy helps ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of all dogs in our care while minimizing potential behavioral and social challenges.

If you have questions about whether group play or private play is the best fit for your dog, our team will be happy to discuss your pet's individual needs.

What are your hours?

Office Hours
Monday-Friday: 7am-6pm
Weekends: 7am-10am & 4pm-6pm

Holiday hours may vary, so please call for updates.

We love to help you spoil your pets! Check out our SPECIAL OFFERS HERE!

How do I become a client?

Getting started with Dog Tired is easy!

Create a New Client Account through our online Owner Portal. Register as a new client.
Upload current vaccination records to your Owner Portal or email them to our team at least 14 days prior to your reservation. This allows us time to verify that all required vaccinations are current before your pet's visit.
Schedule an Assessment Day if you are interested in daycare or boarding services. Assessment Days allow us to get to know your dog while giving them an opportunity to become familiar with our facility, staff, daily routine, and the sights, sounds, and smells of Dog Tired before a longer stay. This helps ensure your dog is comfortable in our environment and allows us to determine the best experience and playgroup fit for their individual needs.

Once your account is complete, vaccination records have been approved, and your assessment is successful (if required), you'll be ready to begin scheduling services and enjoying everything Dog Tired has to offer.

If you have any questions during the registration process, our team is happy to help.

What occurs during the day care assessment day?

Assessment Day

At Dog Tired, our goal is for every dog to have a positive, enriching experience from the very first visit. We want your dog to leave feeling more confident, comfortable, and emotionally fulfilled than when they arrived.

To help ensure a successful transition into our daycare and boarding programs, all new dogs are required to complete an Assessment Day. We strongly encourage dogs to stay long enough to experience our full daily routine, including structured playgroups, rest periods, and group rotations. After a scheduled nap and decompression period, dogs rejoin their playgroups, allowing us to evaluate how they adapt throughout the day.

Assessment Days are available by appointment only, Monday through Friday at 10:00 AM, and require a minimum stay of five hours.

The assessment begins with a meet-and-greet with one of our trained team members. Your dog will be introduced to other dogs gradually in a calm, controlled environment. As they become comfortable, we slowly expand their interactions and introduce them to larger playgroups and activities.

If your dog appears fearful, overwhelmed, or anxious, we will slow the process and work at their pace. In some cases, dogs are more relaxed and confident after a rest period and do better during afternoon play sessions. If a dog continues to struggle with confidence or socialization, we may recommend attending daycare on a regular basis—typically twice per week for a minimum of 30 days—to help build confidence and familiarity with our environment.

At pick-up, you'll receive a detailed assessment report that includes observations, recommendations, and guidance on the type and frequency of play that is best suited for your dog.

Can I call to check on my dog?

Absolutely! We know how important your pet is to you, and we're always happy to provide updates during their stay. Feel free to call us anytime during business hours to check in on your dog's day.

We also encourage all clients to follow our social media pages and join our exclusive Members-Only Facebook Group, where we regularly share photos, videos, and updates from daycare, boarding, special events, and Pawties. It's a great way to see your dog having fun, making friends, and enjoying their time at Dog Tired.

Many pet parents tell us their favorite part of the day is spotting their dog in the latest photos and videos on our Facebook or Instagram pages.

What if my dog doesn’t like his first day of daycare?

Just like people, dogs need time to adjust to new environments, routines, and friends. It's completely normal for some dogs to need an adjustment period when starting daycare.

Because every dog is different, the length of this transition period can vary. We generally recommend attending daycare at least 8 times within a 4-week period to help your dog become familiar with our facility, staff, routines, and playgroups. Consistency is key—the more regularly your dog attends, the more comfortable and confident they typically become.

If daycare ultimately isn't the right fit for your dog, we're happy to discuss alternative options such as private play, dog walking, or in-home pet sitting services.

Do I need reservations to attend doggie daycare?

Yes. Due to the popularity of our daycare program, reservations are required.

We recommend scheduling daycare visits 2–4 weeks in advance, especially during busy seasons, to ensure availability and reserve your dog's resting space. If you need care on short notice, please contact us directly and we'll do our best to accommodate your request based on availability.

What happens if my dog becomes ill or injured while at daycare or during an overnight stay?

Your dog's health and safety are our highest priorities.

If we suspect that a dog may be ill, they will be immediately removed from group play and placed in a separate, comfortable area while we contact you and any emergency contacts listed in your Owner Portal.

If your dog is injured, our team will assess the situation and provide immediate care. If veterinary attention is needed, we will seek treatment as quickly as possible and contact you right away. We will make ev`ery effort to use your preferred veterinarian when practical; however, Dog Tired reserves the right to seek care from the nearest available veterinary provider if circumstances require immediate attention.

Do the dogs ever fight during daycare?

Every dog that participates in our daycare program completes a thorough registration, screening, and assessment process before joining group play. Our trained team carefully supervises playgroups and works to create balanced groups based on temperament, play style, size, and energy level.

While serious incidents are rare, dogs are animals and occasional disagreements, corrections, or minor scrapes can occur during normal social play. Our staff is trained to recognize body language, manage group dynamics, and intervene early when needed to help prevent conflicts.

Dogs that display ongoing inappropriate, aggressive, or unsafe behavior may be removed from group play and evaluated for alternative care options. Our goal is always to provide a safe, positive, and enjoyable experience for every dog in our care.