Day School is a place where, like a child’s kindergarten, your dog is dropped off for the day and is provided with a rich environment that strengthens social interaction skills and basic knowledge.

There is a play area where dogs can socialize with each other and play the games dogs play, like wrestling and “chase me.” The play area is always supervised so that any squabbles or too-rough play is thwarted by the “pack leader” before it can be an issue.

During play time, the staff teach the dogs to respond individually and as a group to commands, especially “come.” This is necessary for control, but has the added benefit of being useful to you in many other situations. We use positive reinforcement methods.

The dogs have free play all morning and afternoon. At lunch time the dogs are crated individually and given a small amount of their own food for a snack ( if so desired by their owner). This allows the dogs to take a break and relax. Dogs in any play session who are getting too rough, too crazy or too tired may be segregated into smaller play groups by the trainers.

All dogs must be interviewed to get into the Day School. This is not because we are an exclusive club! However, we do have to make sure that your dog is ready and able to socialize and is unlikely to react aggressively to dogs or people. As the dog’s “mouthpiece” and legal guardian, all owners are also interviewed.

Age: All dogs must be at least 4 months old for day school.

Sex: All dogs must be spayed or neutered by 7 months of age.

Vaccinations:  Written proof of current Rabies vaccination is required. Owners must also provide either proof of current Distemper combo vaccination or current Distemper /Parvo titer. Either Kennel Cough (Bordatella) vaccination or a signed waiver must be kept on file.

Health: Only healthy dogs can come to school. Owners who observe signs of illness are to keep the dog home until the situation is clarified. Owners of dogs who appear ill at school will be called. Dogs will be segregated or taken to the vet if needed.

Behavior: All dogs must be non-aggressive to both people and dogs as judged by the interview questions asked by our trained staff. All dogs must demonstrate proficiency in basic attention and obedience with their owner or be enrolled in a basic course. This is for the safety of the dogs and for the enhancement of the dog-owner bond, as we are promoting and supporting the WHOLE dog.

Application/Interview: All dogs and owners must be interviewed. There is a $10 interview fee which is put towards day school fees if accepted and towards training if not accepted but training is desired. All dogs must have an approved and current application on file. The interview fee is not refundable unless applied to training classes or Day School.

Fees as follows: 1 visit per wk: $23 / 2-3 visits per wk: $22 per visit / 4 visits per wk: $21 per visit / 5 visits per wk: $20 per visit. For multi dog households combine weekly dogs visits together to calculate rate. All fees are due prior to attendance, paid at drop-off time.

Days and Hours: Day School is open Mon -Fri (no weekend daycare). Our Mystic location opens at 6:30 am, our Niantic location opens at 7:30 am. At both locations the play floor closes at 5:30 pm, but we are open for pick up until 6:00 pm (this means that dogs may be crated at 5:30 pm so we can prepare the floor for evening classes).

Late Pickup Fees: You MUST pick up your dog by 6:00 pm. A $10 late fee will be charged after 6:00 pm. If we have not received a call, before 6:00 pm, to let us know you will be late, your dog will be crated inside our facility. A contact phone number will be posted to arrange pick up at a later time.

Reservations are required. Our daycare is designed to accommodate dogs attending on a regular basis. Dogs do best attending the same regular day(s) each week, some dogs come just once a week but many enjoy 2-3 days per week. Cancellations are required, at least, by the end of business day prior to your dog’s regularly scheduled day. More notice is appreciated so that requests for extra days may be accommodated. There will be a $20 charge for regularly scheduled days not canceled 24 hours in advance.

Our daycare is not able to accommodate only temporary or drop in visits.

Training Method: We use positive reinforcement methods at the Day School and in training classes. This means we use food, toys, attention and access to play to control and shape the dog’s behavior. We reward desirable behavior and redirect or manage undesirable behavior. Citronella bark collars may be used on the daycare floor to reduce/prevent barking in some dogs. My Dog’s Place does not use or allow the use of choke or pinch collars in our facility for any reason.
 

Accidents & Injuries: When dogs play together things can get rough even though no aggression is involved; dogs are strong. While our staff will do everything possible to avoid problems, it is not unlikely that your dog could experience the following as a result of being here: neck problems, torn and detached toe nails, minor cuts, scrapes and teeth marks, tooth loss, injured legs, tendons, joints etc. Beyond this, it is unlikely, but possible, that your dog could suffer serious injury from a dog fight. There is also a slight possibility that your dog could escape from our care. You will be required to sign a waiver that states that these issues were discussed and you give the staff permission to treat injuries. By signing the waiver you are indicating that you accept the possibility of loss or injury to your dog and that you believe that the Day School, it’s policies and staff are sufficiently competent enough to entrust your dog to and are not to be held responsible.

Parasites and Viruses: Dogs with an obvious flea infestation or illness will not be admitted. However, as you know, fleas and viruses are not always so obvious. It is possible that your dog could pick up fleas, other parasites or viruses while playing with other dogs at day school. The staff will inform owners if any fleas or other parasites are noted on a dog so that they can take care of the problem. By signing the waiver, you are indicating that you accept responsibility and hold My Dog’s Place harmless should your dog get fleas, parasites or viruses.

Safety: My Dog’s Place takes the following precautions against escape and injury:

• All staff are trained in dog behavior and the management of a large group of dogs.
• All dogs are interviewed and deemed temperamentally suitable for dog-dog play.
• There will be at least one staff person on the play floor at any one time.
• Play groups are supervised and behaviors that look like potential trouble will be redirected.
• Dogs are segregated for brief periods if their behavior warrants it.
• Indoor and Outdoor surfaces are kept sanitary using disinfectants regularly used by kennels.
• A double-door system is in place at the point of entry.
• The outdoor area is entirely and securely enclosed.