Yes, absolutely. All doggy guests need to be up to date on their annual shots as well
as their Bordetella vaccination (AKA Kennel Cough). Bordetella is not always given to your dog automatically unless you've indicated
to your vet that your dog will be around other dogs frequently or in kennels on a regular basis.
I ask that all dogs are on a flea prevention program (Revolution, Advantage etc.) during the spring, summer
and fall months for the protection of all doggy guests.
You are more than welcome
to make an appointment to come for a visit with your dog. However, this is not required. Many of the guests your dog meets on their
visit will be different by the time your dog comes to stay with us. If you choose to visit first you will be shown around our home
and your dog will get a chance to have a sniff around.
Your dog will sleep in our home where they usually
sleep in yours. If your dog is used to sleeping in a crate or on a doggy bed, you may bring that for your dog to sleep in here. If
your dog usually finds a spot on the floor to curl up on, that's what they will do when they are here. Some dogs do sleep on our bed
with us or in our room near our bed.
You should bring enough food for your dog to eat during
their stay as well as any special treats you would like your dog to get although, we do have our own treats here for your dog as well.
You may bring any of their special sleeping items such as a crate, bed, blanket etc. You may also bring a toy or two for your dog
however, usually we will only put down our own toys as the toys get easily ruined when the dogs play with them. If you bring your
own toys we will give them to your dog during any alone time (ie. crate time etc.) Please do not bring rawhide bones as many dogs
(even the best tempered dogs) become aggressive over them around other dogs.
Yes, all the dogs that stay here are together with us in our home. They all have free run of the house. Since we only accept
dogs that get along well with other dogs, we have never had a problem with dogs getting along well together. When dogs first meet
however, it is normal to have a few growls and barks. This is their way of determining their place in the "pack" and telling other
dogs what they like and don't like. This only lasts a short time and they are playing together in no time.
All of our small guests get along very well with our bigger guests! While some smaller dogs may act
a bit timid at first, in no time at all they are running around playing with the big dogs. The bigger dogs typically adjust their
playing style when playing with little dogs by laying down on the floor while playing. Your little dog will be very safe here with
our larger guests.
Your dog stays on your feeding schedule while they're here.
If they get fed once, twice, or three times a day at home, that's how we will feed them here. Many dogs are "grazers" meaning that
they nibble throughout the day. Due to our home environment and having all the dogs together this is not possible in our home. If
your dog is a grazer we will put some food down for them frequently throughout the day and pick it back up when they are done nibbling.
They do get used to this routine very quickly.
Most of the time there is always someone
home with your dog. It is not too often, however, like you we sometimes have obligations where we may have to leave the house for
a short period of time. In this case, your dog will stay where they usually stay when you go out. If your dog stays in a crate when
you go out, that's what we will do here. If they are left out in the house to roam, they will do that here too
