Questions we get asked a lot.......

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Q:  WHAT IS THE EARLIEST AGE MY DOG CAN ATTEND AND DO THEY HAVE TO BE DE-SEXED?

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We have daycare for all ages but we do have certain minimums:

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•  Puppies - 12 week and/or 7 days after final/booster vaccination

•  Mature Dogs - any age if health and movement can be catered for safely

•  Dogs should be speyed or neutered at the age that your vet says suits their breed and size

• 10 months is the oldest we will accept a dog for the first time if they are entire, but we have no set age if a puppy has been with us since a young age, as attendance is dependent on their own behaviour and that of the group they are in.  We will discuss this with you if we feel a dog needs to take a break

 

All dogs must have up-to-date vaccinations and boosters.

• DHPP ​ (Canine distemper, infectious Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza)

• Leptospirosis

• Kennel Cough

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Q:  CAN ANY DOG COME TO THE DOG DEPOT?

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The play groups and off leash learning environment is quite simply not for all dogs.

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Dogs all have their own personalities, life experience and temperaments - some thrive in the group life of daycare, some prefer the freedom of bigger spaces and smaller numbers and others need specialist care and consideration.

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We offer a wide variety of options so please give us as much information as possible on your application.

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All dogs must be actively socialised, have good base of basic manners and/or be in training.  We can cater for all varieties of personality and character but ask that any signs of resource guarding, aggression or excessive play styles be indicated and assessed as suitable for attendance.

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We ask that all dogs attend an evaluation period at The Dog Depot.

 

We have quiet spaces with sleep crates for some of our younger or older dogs that may need extra rest.

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Q:  ARE THERE STAFF WITH THE DOGS, HOW MANY AND WHAT TRAINING DO THEY HAVE?

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There is never any part of the day when the dogs are alone, we have a leash free, and for the bigger dogs, collar free, philosophy in all aspects of the daycare even when the dogs are sleeping or in quiet time.

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Our job in daycare, is similar to 'parent meets teacher', and we have a staff volume and mix in each area.  Generally we have 2 staff on at all time at a ratio of 1 staff to 15 dogs, but each play group is optimised for safety first.

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Our staff join us with a breadth of knowledge and all undergo our in-house training.  They also receive ongoing short training programmes and are encouraged to do online training.

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FIVE BASIC RULES OF DAYCARE LIFE:  No pushing - No Jumping - No Shouting for attention - No bullying and the most important rule is Listen when your name is called!

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Q:  WHAT HAPPENS IF MY DOG IS INJURED OR BECOMES UNWELL?

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Our staff are with the dogs every moment of the day, and get to know them well enough that we see or feel things in real time.  As dogs will be dogs and bugs will be bugs, we have a staffing protocol that ensures there is always a senior staff member available to review any sickness or injury.  If they believe your dog is not well, showing signs of not being themselve or has an injury we will immediately call you and make the best decision with you.

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In the case of emergencies or if you are not free to come and pick them up we have the support of our local vet clinic.

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Q;  WHAT IF MY DOG IS BEING A BIT NAUGHTY?

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For some that join the daycare the environment and/or group play setup causes either over-stimulation or too high a risk of learning bad habits rather than good - if we believe either to be at play one of our senior staff will chat through the options.

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We passionately believe that our role is to be your dogs advocate so we will always be open and honest about suitability of daycare.