A full day of individually tailored activities
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Socializing with friends in our fenced play yards, trail walks, pond swims in the summer, snow play in the winter, hanging with the humans, maybe even some manners practice. Something for most everyone...
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Enrollment Waitlist Now Open
After a 4-year pause in new enrollment, we're now accepting waitlist inquiries for a few young, social dogs who thrive in group care.
We’re a relationship-based program, and we only offer boarding to dogs who have an ongoing daycare connection with us. This helps each dog feel safe, familiar, and bonded with our team — especially when their people are away.
Join the Waitlist
Different Strokes...Custom Daycare
One size does not fit all when it comes to the care of living things. Each individual dog has its own social, physical and temperamental profile. That profile can even vary over time with maturity, family changes, health challenges and outside experiences.
Our emphasis is on individually tailored programs. Some dogs thrive in a group, others prefer the space and calm of solo activities. Some dogs are sensitive and easily overwhelmed by boisterous playmates, some could rabble rouse until the cows come home. Some love tearing through the woods and others hate getting their toes muddy. Many prefer the company of humans and seem perfectly content to nap, watch us work (riveting, we know!), enjoy a few scratches under the chin and get out to stretch their legs a few times during the day.
Between your recommendations and our temperamental evaluations and observations, we will choose the appropriate daycare activities for your dog. Communication is key - we will always keep you in the loop if we see anything that might need tweaking and we ask that you do the same. Together we can do the best job keeping your dog and the whole community safe and happy.
Our emphasis is on individually tailored programs. Some dogs thrive in a group, others prefer the space and calm of solo activities. Some dogs are sensitive and easily overwhelmed by boisterous playmates, some could rabble rouse until the cows come home. Some love tearing through the woods and others hate getting their toes muddy. Many prefer the company of humans and seem perfectly content to nap, watch us work (riveting, we know!), enjoy a few scratches under the chin and get out to stretch their legs a few times during the day.
Between your recommendations and our temperamental evaluations and observations, we will choose the appropriate daycare activities for your dog. Communication is key - we will always keep you in the loop if we see anything that might need tweaking and we ask that you do the same. Together we can do the best job keeping your dog and the whole community safe and happy.
The Grinning Dog is unable to accomodate dogs with any kind of bite (humans/dogs) or escape history.
What to bring
Daycare dogs do not generally need to bring anything, but if they need lunch, bedding or toys, please refer to the guidelines below.
Food
- Bring anything that you think will add to your dog's sense of comfort and security, but nothing valuable or irreplaceable.
- It's best to stick with tried and true foods and snacks to minimize gastric upset.
- Write out anything you think we should know about your dog. Too much information is better than too little!
Food
- Kibble: should arrive in a large Zip-Loc type bag. Label the bag with a permanent marker to include your dog's name, feeding amount and frequency. Please pack enough for several extra feedings in case your return is delayed.
- Cans: should arrive labeled and unopened. We do have refrigeration available for cans we open here.
- Raw food: While we appreciate the potential health benefits of feeding homemade diets and raw bones, we prefer to limit our staff's handling of raw meat and bones. Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, please save raw foods and bones for home. If raw feeding is necessary, it must arrive packed in individual, labelled, leak proof, meal sized portions. We are able to freeze and refrigerate as required.
- Treats, cookies, chewies: bring along any treats that your dog is used to (this isn't the time to introduce novelty to their diets!). Some dogs won't spend much time on their normal chew toys because they are so distracted by their playmates.
- Please label medication with the dog's name, name of medication and dosing instructions. Include several extra doses in case of pick up delay.
- Dog beds, blankets and "loveys": While we have plenty of clean bedding here, most dogs take great comfort from curling up with something that smells like home. This could include a worn t-shirt, an old pillowcase you've slept on, or even their own blanket. Please don't bring anything of value. Sometimes a dog that never chews a bed or stuffed toy will when in a new environment and we aren't able to replace bedding brought from home.
Health requirements
Vaccines
Current Rabies, Distemper, Parvovirus and Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccines required.
Fecal Exams
Required for each new client and then annually thereafter.
Municipal Dog License
Required annually by state law.
Please make sure we have updated veterinary information emailed from your vet before the first stay with us.
Please note: Some vaccines (Bordetella in particular) are not always effective against all varieties of the virus. We are vigilant about both the health of our clients and the cleanliness of our facility, but much like children in a school setting, your dogs' risk of exposure to whatever is "going around" is increased in any "high density" social environment. We are not liable for vaccine failure.
Current Rabies, Distemper, Parvovirus and Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccines required.
Fecal Exams
Required for each new client and then annually thereafter.
Municipal Dog License
Required annually by state law.
Please make sure we have updated veterinary information emailed from your vet before the first stay with us.
Please note: Some vaccines (Bordetella in particular) are not always effective against all varieties of the virus. We are vigilant about both the health of our clients and the cleanliness of our facility, but much like children in a school setting, your dogs' risk of exposure to whatever is "going around" is increased in any "high density" social environment. We are not liable for vaccine failure.
Rates
Pick up/Drop off Hours
Holiday Closures
We are here caring for the dogs, but closed to humans!
Christmas Day
New Years Day
Memorial Day
Labor Day
July 4th
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
New Years Day
Memorial Day
Labor Day
July 4th
Thanksgiving Day
CANCELLATION POLICY
Our Cancellation Policy is Voluntary
We never overbook as a hedge against cancellations and are careful to staff appropriately to keep dog/human ratios low, so last-minute changes wreak considerable havoc on our financial forecasting. We ask our clients, if they are able, to consider paying for all or part of the reservation we've set aside for their dogs. Just let us know how/if you’d like to contribute and we’ll take it from there!
We never overbook as a hedge against cancellations and are careful to staff appropriately to keep dog/human ratios low, so last-minute changes wreak considerable havoc on our financial forecasting. We ask our clients, if they are able, to consider paying for all or part of the reservation we've set aside for their dogs. Just let us know how/if you’d like to contribute and we’ll take it from there!
Fine print
Please thoroughly read our Fine Print page about the risks inherent in allowing your dog to attend a daycare, boarding kennel or dog park. You will be asked to sign contracts outlining your and our responsibilities and liabilities.