How long is the evaluation day?

Evaluation days begin at 6:45 am and are a full day assessment. Pickup is 3:00 - 6:00 pm to ensure we have enough time to see your dog thorough the spectrum of the day. During their full day evaluation they will participate in multiple playgroups as well as have multiple rest breaks!

Does my dog need an evaluation to do overnight boarding?

Yes! The overnight boarding we offer is social boarding. Our boarders get to participate all day in doggy daycare - so a temperament assessment is required to ensure they are comfortable playing with others dogs, and that our facility is a good fit for them.

Can you refrigerate/freeze food?

YES! We do have a refrigerator and freezer at both East and West facilities.

Where does my dog sleep at night?

All dogs are given their own private suite in a 5 x 10, or 10 x 10 run with a bed, blanket and water bowl ( as deemed appropriate ). We do have smaller runs and kennels available for our little guys who love a cozy space to sleep. Housemates are allowed to bunk together, with owner permission!

Does my dog get lunch or treats during the day?

Unless you bring your dog a packed lunch - we do not offer food during the day. We do not provide treats in playgroup, or during daycare. This is for safety purposes! The only dogs that receive treats are dogs in our training programs or enrichment programs, when one-on-one with a team member

What should I watch for after my dogs first day of daycare?

SORE PADS:  Running amok may be rough on your dog’s feet, and they may get sore and abraded pads.  This will go away as their pads get thicker and used to running on different surfaces.
SORE MUSCLES:  Your dog will be having so much fun playing at A Dog’s Best Friend that they may forget to pace themselves and get sore muscles.  Over time this will fade as you see them get stronger and in better physical shape.
EXHAUSTION: The new social interaction your dog will encounter while being at A Dog’s Best Friend will be both physically and mentally exhausting.  Look for your dog to need a lot of rest when they get home.
“BOO-BOOS”: Dogs play with their mouths (teeth) and paws (toenails).  You may notice scratches, scrapes, minute punctures or even small chunks of missing fur.  These minor occurrences are normal and very common to group play.
WET COAT: Your dog’s coat may be wet when you pick them up – rain is a common year-round event in our beautiful Pacific Northwest, and on hot summer days the dogs may have been lounging in one of our pools.  Not to worry, they have free access to both inside & outside play areas.
ENTHUSIASM: Your dog’s enthusiasm to enter the group will grow as they get more used to being at A Dog’s Best Friend. Eventually they will be just as excited to get to the daycare as they are when you pick them up at night.
HAPPY DOG: Their tail will be wagging and you may even see a smile on their face.  It’s their way of saying “THANKS” for bringing them to A Dog’s Best Friend.

How many training programs do you offer?

We offer 4 training programs, along with private lessons. Our training programs are Puppy Kindergarten, Play & Train, Courteous Canine and Board & Train. Please visit our training page for more information on the training programs offered!

How do I know which training program is right for me?

Please reference the training page for the requirements for each program as well as training goals. You can also speak to a specialist to help you determine which program is going to help you meet your training goals with your dog, as well as which training program is the best fit for your dog.

What if my dog is nervous?

This is TOTALLY normal! As your dog gets to know us and we get to know them sometimes it can take a few tries before the initial nerves wear off. Please be prepared to bring your dog 5 - 6 visits before they are totally comfortable! This varies from dog to dog, for some it takes a little longer and others settle in their first day. Your Daycare Attendant will be honest with you about how your dog’s first day went!

What if my dog doesn’t pass their evaluation?

Safety is our number one priority, as well as making sure your dog is comfortable and having fun. If your dog doesn’t pass their evaluation it doesn’t reflect negatively on them at all - it just means our daycare isn’t the best fit. We want to make sure all participating dogs are having fun, comfortable and safe. If your dog doesn’t pass an evaluation, a daycare attendant will explain why and recommerlnd other options!

Are play groups supervised?

YES! All play groups are supervised by trained team members, at all times.

Can I tour the facility?

Unfortunately, for safety purposes we are unable to have anybody besides trained staff in our facility. This is to keep you and your dog safe! Please check out our live webcams, social media and website for pictures of our facility!

How often does my dog get rest breaks?

The amount of breaks given to a dog vary from dog to dog! As we get to know your dog, we will get to know how hard they play and how often they need breaks. Some dogs are great at self regulation and laying down to rest when needed - so they get fewer ‘ breaks ‘ out of our daycare yard! Some dogs are so excited to play they need our help deciding when to rest for a little bit. Is is very important that dogs have rest breaks from playgroup so they do not over exert or exhaust themselves. Adequate rest is important for dogs to have fun while playing!

What vaccines are dogs required to have prior to daycare?

Distemper (annual)

• Parvo (annual)

• Bordetella (minimum annual, recommend every 6 months)

• Rabies (1st annual, every 3 years afterwards)

• Fecal with Giardia test (within 6 months)

• Animal Control requires us to keep a copy of your dog’s current Rabies Certificate on file. This is a legal document, signed by your vet. A copy of your receipt or your dog’s rabies tag is not valid to meet this county requirement.

• All dogs are required to be on flea control continuously for attendance at daycare. It is your responsibility to keep your dog parasite free! Keeping your canine companion on an effective flea control program (available through your vet, not a grocery store product) virtually eliminates the risk of him/her picking up fleas anywhere-including your yard, the vet’s office, the dog park, and doggy daycare.

How do I book a one-on-one lesson?

Please fill out a training application form, located on our training page, and we will reach out to you.

What happens if I miss a day of training?

Typically, we will reschedule the missed day. Please give notice if your dog will be absent for a day of training - we schedule our trainers according to the reservations we have for training dogs. Your missed day will need to be rescheduled with our reservation specialist.