Do dogs ever get hurt?
We do our best to minimize any injury to your dog, however, during normal play a dog may get scratches or nicks, and may lose patches of hair. Although rare, it is possible for more serious injuries to occur.
What do you do in case of illness or injury?
We asses the situation to determine a plan of action. Our primary concern is always what is best for the dog. Depending on the situation, we will either take the dog to a vet, or we will make the effort to take your dog to your own vet. We always try to contact the you to get your permission for our chosen course of action.
My dog has health issues, can he/she still come?
This depends on the health issues. Your dog needs to be healthy enough for open play. There are many health issues that we can accomodate, and we are happy to administer basic medications, however if your dog has a serious condition or requires multiple medications then we recommend boarding your dog at a veterinarian facility.
It seems like a zoo when I drop my dog off, is it always like that?
No. When we have new visitors, such as a new dog or person, the dogs often get very excited and you can usually see and hear this excitement. There is always some playing and barking going on, but the dogs usually settle down quite a bit once the new dog has been introduced.
Can I stay and watch my dog play?
We are an open play facility, so we strive to ensure your dog is getting lots of playtime and socialization. If you’re around, your dog will be able to smell, see or hear you, and will usually rush around trying to find you, so we don’t recommend you hang out to watch your dog play for more than five to ten minutes.
Does someone stay with the dogs overnight?
No. We do not have a person in the facility overnight, but we do have monitored temperature and fire systems. Studies show that dogs sleep better at night without a human present. In our environment, where dogs are active all day, a good night’s sleep is important. We provide the dogs with spacious kennels, comfy beds, and family dogs can board together! If your dog requires overnight monitoring we recommend in-home care or medical boarding (usually provided by a vet).
My dog is a lil’ stinky, can he/she get a bath or groom?
Absolutely! We have groomers on staff who can bathe, trim and shave your dog, as well as trim nails, clean ears and even brush their teeth. We recommend making a reservation in advance for grooming, as we usually book up pretty fast. If your dog is boarding for a long time, a departure service will ensure they go home smelling fresh. Please be aware departure services are done on the day of departure, so if you come a day early or right when we open, we may not have done the requested service.
Our groomers are highly trained and love dogs, but they still need specifics from you regarding what you want done to your dog. Please also be aware there are limitations on blade lengths and cuts that means what you want done and what is possible might not always be the same.
What if my dog doesn’t like coming or is scared?
Often, just like the first day of school for children, your dog can get a little nervous being in a new environment. The first few times there is a lot of stimulation, but with repeated exposure, your dog will realize that DogJax is a fun environment, and that you will always come and collect them. We recommend bringing your dog for half-day daycare a few times in order for them to get acquainted with the facility.
What are the spray bottles for?
We use the spray bottles along with verbal commands and time outs as an effective form of discouraging bad behavior.
Why is my dog tired when he/she comes home?
This is one of the great benefits of DogJax! Your dog gets to play all day so, naturally, they are tired at the end of the day. We do have rest areas for the dogs that they can curl up in, and a “chilled out” yard for your dog to relax in if he/she needs to.
Why is my dog thirsty when he/she comes home?
Water is available to the dogs at all times. Playing hard is just as strenuous as working out and often dogs will also be distracted by all their friends and so they will still need to rehydrate at the end of the day.
My dogs paws are very sensitive after his stay, did something happen?
No, it is very common that your dog’s pads will be sore after a day of play. Most dogs are not used to playing all day. Rest assured it is only temporary and they will build stronger pads.