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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We are not currently accepting new clients.
Our WaitList is closed.
Please check back in the Fall of 2022!
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.
Custom Care
A little something extra special
Customize your dog's care for a perfect fit
Meal Toppings
Perfect for Nervous, sensitive or picky tummies and gourmet eaters. Fresh, natural, juicy chicken (skin off) $6 Warm Chicken Broth $2 Pumpkin $2 Yogurt - $2 Freeze dried liver sprinkles: $2 Parmesan cheese - $2 
Frozen Yogurt break $4
(seasonal) |
Hot lunch $2
We will serve up your pup's lunch with warm chicken/beef/vegetable broth 
Puzzle feeders $6
Interactive toys using treats/meals as rewards. Your pet will move pegs, slide doors, spin circles to unlock tasty morsels.The humans are there to help if need be! Different models available (Kong Wobblers, Buster Cube, etc.) and will be chosen to suit your pet specifically |
Trail Walk/Swim $20
1/2 hour off leash romp with friends through the woods and fields of our own private 50 acre dog park. Includes a dip in the pond for those that enjoy water. Limited to dogs who are safe unfenced and off leash. Read more about Off leash risks and benefits HERE |
NaturePark $15 Off leash romp with one of the humans and a few friends through our completely fenced 6 acre grassy dog park. Read more about Off leash risks and benefits HERE |
Private Yard Time/Private Sniff and Run $12
A large grassy or wooded yard all to themselves to sniff, explore and run to their hearts' content. This is especially good for dogs who aren't comfortable in crowds. A private, low key 1/2 hour. |
Soggy Doggy $15
Off leash in our fully fenced 3 acre water park. Swim or wade. Practice retrieving floating toys. learn to ride in a kayak. Explore and sniff your way along the banks of our beautiful, spring fed pond. Maybe even swim out to the island... (seasonal) Read more about Off leash risks and benefits HERE |
mani/pedi
$20
Clip or Dremel, depending on your dog's preference
$20
Clip or Dremel, depending on your dog's preference
Daily Brushout
$15-$40
Daily coat care helps maintain a tangle free coat, removes debris and just generally feels good!
$15-$40
Daily coat care helps maintain a tangle free coat, removes debris and just generally feels good!
Bath and blow dry
$35 - $75+
Simple bath and dry. Smell better!
No scissoring, clipping, nails or brushing out.
$35 - $75+
Simple bath and dry. Smell better!
No scissoring, clipping, nails or brushing out.
Top n' Tail Touch ups-
Face/ beard wash. $20
Does a certain someone's shaggy beard smell a bit too much like a mop right about now? Not for long!
Sanitary wash. $20 Clean up those nether regions!
Complete Top n' Tail $40 - face, sanitary and feet
Tidy head, face and eyes $25(+-) - having trouble seeing Fluffy's gorgeous eyes, beard getting in her food? Ears need more airflow? Takes about 1/2 an hour and your dog can get right back to playing with friends.
Face/ beard wash. $20
Does a certain someone's shaggy beard smell a bit too much like a mop right about now? Not for long!
Sanitary wash. $20 Clean up those nether regions!
Complete Top n' Tail $40 - face, sanitary and feet
Tidy head, face and eyes $25(+-) - having trouble seeing Fluffy's gorgeous eyes, beard getting in her food? Ears need more airflow? Takes about 1/2 an hour and your dog can get right back to playing with friends.
- Full Groom $65- $150
- The Full Groom includes a thorough bath, blow dry, complete brush-out, nail trim, ear check, scissoring and clipping as needed.
Prices are variable. Factors considered are size, behavior, age, whether your dog is on a regular grooming schedule, and whether its coat is matted or has burrs. Coat length, texture and density determine both bathing/drying time and scissor/clippering difficulty. Disposition frequently affects how much time and how many breaks we will need to plan for. We'll give you as accurate an estimate at the time of your first appointment as possible, but while we will always contact you when it looks like costs will change, it is not unusual for your dog's grooming budget to vary throughout the year and over your dog's lifetime.
Puppy grooming 101
Gentle introduction to grooming basics for your pup. We will intersperse pup's daycare/boarding with short sessions playing and eating treats in the grooming area, on the grooming table and in an empty bathtub. The goal is to establish comfort and familiarity before any real grooming is ever done. They will hear water running, sounds of the dryers and scissors/clippers. Gentle foot/nail handling and brushing is introduced. Price varies.
Gentle introduction to grooming basics for your pup. We will intersperse pup's daycare/boarding with short sessions playing and eating treats in the grooming area, on the grooming table and in an empty bathtub. The goal is to establish comfort and familiarity before any real grooming is ever done. They will hear water running, sounds of the dryers and scissors/clippers. Gentle foot/nail handling and brushing is introduced. Price varies.
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 every six months thereafter.
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 every six months thereafter.
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
Daycare Plus NaturePark
Full - $58
1/2 - $38
Community Daycare
Full $48
1/2 $32
Custom Daycare
Full $48+
1/2 $32+
1/2 daycares must arrive/depart at noon on the dot!
Full - $58
1/2 - $38
Community Daycare
Full $48
1/2 $32
Custom Daycare
Full $48+
1/2 $32+
1/2 daycares must arrive/depart at noon on the dot!
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.