Frequently Asked Questions
I AM NEW, HOW DO I MAKE AN APPOINTMENT?
Step 1: Locate a copy of your dogs current vaccination records from your Veterinarian. If your dog is not up-to-date on Rabies, Distemper, and Bordetella, please visit your Veterinarian to get those vaccinations. Please note that the Pennsylvania Department of Dog Law Enforcement requires us to have a separate rabies certification on file for all dogs in our care. The certificate must include the date administered, date of expiration, the treating Veterinarian, and the lot number. If participating in daycare or boarding, your dog has to have the Bordetella vaccination every 6 months. Dogs that are only visiting for grooming are not required to have the Bordetella vaccination, however, they are still at risk of contracting Canine Cough, so please consult with your Veterinarian about the vaccine.
Step 2: Register with us by setting up your profile in our account management system called Gingr. It can be accessed through the “Book Online” buttons on our website. As part of the registration, you must upload vaccination records from your Veterinarian, and read and sign our Pet Care & Medical Release. It is very important that you read the release in its entirety. If you have any questions about it, please give us a call.
Step 3: Once your registration is complete, you may schedule services via Gingr right from your computer, tablet or mobile device! If you need any assistance with registration, please do not hesitate to contact us! Please be aware that all dogs interested in either daycare or boarding must pass a one hour behavior evaluation before scheduling daycare or boarding services. Please call to schedule the behavior evaluation.
WHAT DO I BRING?
For daycare, all you are required to bring is your dog and their Pooch Pitt collar*! You may bring lunch or snacks, which will be given according to your instructions. For boarding, all you are required to bring is food and any medications your dog is taking at the time. We provide a bed and blanket. You may bring a bed, blanket and/or toys, however, we ask that you label these belongings. Please do not bring any belongings that would be devastating to you if they were misplaced.
*All daycare and boarding dogs must purchase and wear a Pooch Pitt Collar while attending daycare and boarding. They are only $12, and available at the front desk for purchase. Why? For a number of reasons:
1. We do not want your collar to be chewed up during play. If your Pooch Pitt collar gets destroyed, you must purchase another one – but they are only $12!
2. Any type of tags or jewelry can come off your collar and become a choking hazard to the dogs.
3. Our collars have a quick release snap that allows us to quickly remove the collar in an emergency, such as if the collar becomes stuck on the fence, or another dogs tooth (yes, we have seen it all!).
DO I HAVE TO COMMIT TO A SCHEDULE?
For daycare, no. You may drop off and pick up your dog anytime during normal business hours. Drop in’s for daycare are welcome, but you must make a reservation for boarding. You may drop off anytime during normal hours for boarding, and pick up is by noon. If you would like to pick up past noon, we will happily schedule your dog for a half day of daycare. We require a deposit for all boarding and grooming reservations, which is refundable up to 3 days prior to your drop off date. We also allow reservations to be changed up to 3 days prior to drop off. After this time, if you choose to drop off later than your originally scheduled drop off date, or pick up prior to your originally scheduled pick up date, we will require you to pay for your originally scheduled dates.
DO YOU ACCEPT ALL BREEDS?
Yes, all dogs are welcome. Owners need to certify that their dog(s) have not harmed or shown aggression toward any person or other dog. If a dog shows aggression he/she may be expelled from daycare, boarding and grooming.
IS MY DOG SUPERVISED DURING DAYCARE AND BOARDING?
Yes, The Pooch Pitt provides approximately one supervisor to every 10-14 dogs. We never leave dogs together unsupervised. Our Dog Handlers’ primary responsibility is safety, and second, to make sure a good time is had by all. Also, our facility is equipped with a security monitoring system, and a fire detection and suppression system which is connected to the local fire and police stations.
HOW DO I KNOW MY DOG IS BEING CARED FOR PROPERLY?
We have webcams so you can tune in during business hours from your computer and watch your dog playing and having fun with his/her playmates. We also provide updates via our account management system Gingr, which you can log into anytime, or receive email and/or text message notifications. You may also call us to check in anytime!
I HAVE A SMALL DOG, WILL HE/SHE BE SAFE?
Yes, we separate first by size, and then by temperament. Our facility is divided into two sections; one side is designed for big dogs and the other side is designed for small dogs. Got a teacup? Don’t worry. We have an area called “Teacup Town,” which was designated especially for the tiniest visitors. Our staff understands how fragile some little dogs are, and will do everything possible to make sure the little ones are happy. We have to admit, we tend to spoil the littles!
WHAT WILL MY DOG DO ALL DAY?
Run! Play! Wrestle! Swim! Swing! Play with toys! Pose for pictures! Socialize with playmates, lounge around and talk the latest gossip with new friends! They will also take naps, eat their food and drink plenty of water. They might even score some human hugs, belly scratches, or be asked to help out at the front desk. It is up to them as to how they want to spend their day!
WHERE DOES MY DOG GO POTTY?
We will encourage your dog to go potty in our outdoor yard. However, our guests can go potty when and where they like. Dog Handlers are with the dogs at all times to immediately clean up after them.
IF MY DOG GOES POTTY ANYWHERE HE LIKES AT DAYCARE WILL HE/SHE DO THIS AT HOME?
No! Dogs are very good at learning they can do one behavior in one location and another behavior in a different location. If your dog is housetrained at home – he/she will remain housetrained at home. Your home does not have 30 canine residents with all their attendant odors. Your dog will definitely know the difference between home and The Pooch Pitt.
IT'S MY DOGS' FIRST TIME AT THE POOCH PITT, WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?
All dogs entering our facility must provide a completed application in Gingr and vaccination records showing they are current on Rabies and Distemper. All dogs participating in daycare or boarding must also show they have had a Bordetella vaccination within the last 6 months.
WHAT HAPPENS AT THE BEHAVIOR EVALUATION?
We take time to review your Gingr profile and go over with you, any important information specific to your dog such as medical conditions, daily exercise and behavior concerns. Your dog will then be slowly introduced to a couple of new playmates to see how he/she will react to new friends. If your dog enjoys the company of new friends, he/she has passed the test. If your dog does not enjoy being around other dogs, and demonstrates aggression during the evaluation, we will suggest a different type of environment for your dog.
DO YOU FEED MY DOG DURING DAYCARE?
Sure! If your dog needs to be fed during daycare, we require you supply food. We may not have your dog’s brand of food, and sometimes changing dog food suddenly can upset his/her stomach. There is no extra cost to feed your dog food you supply while in daycare or boarding. If you do not supply food, or run out, we will be happy to serve your dog our Pooch Pitt food for $3 per cup.
WHAT IF MY DOG CANNOT SWIM?
Please notify us of this prior to your scheduled behavior evaluation. Depending on your dog’s condition, we may recommend that you bring a lifejacket during pool season. If we believe that your dog is not safe around our pools, we may help you find another local facility that is more suitable for your dogs needs.
MY DOG HAS SPECIAL NEEDS. WILL THIS COST EXTRA?
No. We don’t believe you should pay more to have your dogs needs attended to. Most medications and dietary needs will be handled at no extra cost to you. If your dog requires injections, this is not a problem, and will be discussed with you during the interview process. Dogs with handicaps are welcome at daycare and placed in an appropriate playgroup.
DO YOU OFFER ANY DISCOUNTS?
We offer discounts based on number of boarding nights or daycare days. Please see our package prices for details. We also offer a 10% discount on the second or more dogs for multi dog families for daycare and boarding (when sharing a kennel).
DO YOU OFFER YOUR SERVICES TO OLDER DOGS?
Yes! All ages are welcome. Older or handicapped dogs will be placed in appropriate playgroups, or if they like to relax alone they will be placed in a private 3' x 6' suite where they can rest and nap all day. Older dogs with medical conditions may not be accepted without a note from your Veterinarian stating that he/she dog is healthy enough for daycare or boarding.
WHAT IF MY DOG BECOMES ILL DURING DAYCARE OR BOARDING?
We will contact you immediately for instructions. If we cannot reach you, we will contact your emergency contact, and/or Veterinarian. If your emergency contact and/or Veterinarian is not reachable, we will contact Pleasant Valley Veterinary Clinic who is our 24/7 on-call Veterinarian. If we believe your dog needs immediate medical attention, we will rush your dog to the closest Emergency Room. You will receive a call in all instances of illness.
WHAT IS KENNEL COUGH?
Kennel Cough, medically known as Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (CIRD), is an umbrella term used to refer to canine respiratory infection that may be caused by several bacteria and viruses working alone or in combination. We believe it is important our customers are educated about Kennel Cough. Please read the following information flyer we developed with the help of the veterinarians at Pleasant Valley Veterinary Clinic.
HOW CAN I PAY?
Any way you want. We accept VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express via Gingr. We also accept cash and personal checks. There is a $50 NSF fee.
WHAT IF I CANNOT PICK UP MY DOG BEFORE CLOSING, OR NEED TO DROP OFF BEFORE OPENING?
If you are running late to pick up your dog before closing, please call and let us know. If you are running more than 15 minutes late, we will charge you $20 to keep the staff there to accommodate you. We would also be happy to keep your dog overnight for the boarding fee. There is also a $20 early drop off fee. We are flexible and want to accommodate you the best we can.
WILL THE POOCH PITT PAY MY VETERINARY BILLS IF MY DOG GETS SICK OR INJURED?
No. We do not pay for Veterinary bills resulting from illness or injury. When you bring your dog to daycare or for boarding, you accept the risk that dogs can get sick, or can get injured. In the course of play, dogs can get minor injuries, or contract everyday germs that could warrant a visit to the Veterinarian. Our rate of illness or injury is extremely low, however, all patrons must understand that these are animals and they can be unpredictable, and we cannot control everyday germs.
HOW CAN I ACCESS THE POOCH CAMS?
The Pooch Cams are only for owners who have dogs checked-in at The Pooch Pitt, and can be accessed via your online Gingr account.