Doggie Daycare

We offer doggie-daycare for puppies, geriatric dogs or any dog who needs more constant supervision and care while you're working long hours, going shopping, or having home renovations - or simply for when you need time to attend to any of life's matters.  Daycare is limited, based on availability. Typically we only have space Tuesday-Thursday. Please call to check for availability.

While we do want all of our daycare guests to have fun while they are here, our first priority is SAFETY.  It is important to remember that most adult dogs do not readily socialize or "play" with unfamiliar dogs. This is a human concept we have imposed unfairly on our dogs, where we expect them to "play nice", "share toys" and otherwise interact appropriately (by HUMAN standards), with unfamiliar dogs in a group setting.  It is fine to teach our children to play nice, take turns & share toys on the playground.  But we should not expect or believe that our dogs will do the same. In your own multi-dog house-hold, your dogs are part of your "pack" and may play well together because they know each other.  But unfamiliar dogs are viewed as non-pack members and can be met with suspicion, fear or open hostility/aggression. Dogs can have unknown issues of toy/resource guarding or possessiveness, food aggression, dominance, high prey drive and fear/submissive behaviors which can be expressed in group settings with unfamiliar dogs.    Even if dogs appear to get along initially, subtle canine body language and posture can be easily missed entirely by most people and if left unsupervised even for a moment, a fight can start.  Many a dog has been injured or even killed at daycare facilities where dogs of different ages, sizes, temperaments, genders and energy levels are thrown together and expected (by human standards) to "play nice".  

At Laughing Dog Kennel we do not mix adult dogs from different house-holds together for safety reasons.  Jenny & Libby have many years of experience that have taught them that personality/breed characteristics and inherent dispositions can often mean that they may not play well with others, and they should NEVER be left unsupervised!  Dogs did not evolve to play in groups.  Play between dogs is primarily between two puppies/adolescents or familiar individuals, not strangers.  Experience has also taught us  an extremely important rule:  COLLARS OFF FOR SAFETY!.  Leaving collars on unsupervised dogs is very dangerous. Collars and/or tags can get caught on another dog's teeth, lower jaw, or on fencing and result in strangulation. 

Jenny and Libby have attended numerous classes and seminars on canine body language/communication and appropriate canine interaction. But because a dog fight can start & escalate in the blink of an eye, we do not feel it is safe to mix together canine "strangers" & hope for the best.  Ignorance is bliss until somebody gets hurt, or worse!  It's just not safe & at Laughing Dog Kennel your dog's safety is our top priority! 

*Please note:  Females over the age of 6 months must be spayed. Puppies must have proof of at least two puppy vaccinations (DHLP-P or DHP-P), in addition to Bordetella, prior to admission for daycare.  For the safety of our canine Guests and Staff, aggressive dogs cannot be accepted for daycare..

PLEASE BE SURE TO SEE OUR POLICIES PAGE FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING REQUIREMENTS FOR PLACING YOUR PET IN DAYCARE. 

Doggie Daycare will benefit puppies' house-breaking training by providing more frequent opportunities to go outside to go to the bathroom, as well as introduce them to basic manners.

As our beloved dogs age, they may need increased, individualized care. Geriatric dogs may not be able to “hold it” for more than an hour, so Daycare allows them plenty of opportunities to go outside - and attention when accidents do happen. We are also happy to provide your dog with whatever medication you supply that they may need throughout the day according to the schedule that you prescribe.

Some dogs are just a little too mischievous when left to their own devices. The extra supervision as well as training in basic manners that we provide can be extremely beneficial. Dogs with separation anxiety will also enjoy having companionship and a reduced stress level.