Why should I send my dog to daycare?

There are so many reasons! For dog owners, you have the freedom to go to work or go out for the day without needing to worry about your dog unattended at home, or experiencing any dog mom/dad guilt! For the dogs themselves, they can have their physical and mental needs met, but it also prevents boredom and loneliness. Dogs are not solitary creatures, and being around people and dogs can help prevent unwanted behaviors from occurring at home. It also keeps your dog extremely well socialized and comfortable with other dogs outside of daycare.

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What do you mean by 'enrichment-led' daycare?

Dogs at NMDR are exposed to lots of different and changing stimuli. They can run, chase, play, smell, chew and dig. By allowing dogs to engage in these innate behaviors (in a controlled environment), they are physically, mentally and emotionally satisfied. NMDR dogs usually return home smelly and dirty, but that's what's natural! 

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What training / behavioral techniques do you use?

We will work with you to reinforce any existing training/training methods, however, we will only ever use reward based/positive reinforcement training. Dogs are expected to have certain standards of behavior, and daycare is NOT a substitute for training. We do not allow e-collars/shock collars/pet correctors.

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Can I drop my dog off at daycare myself?

If you live out of our catchment area, it may be possible in some instances for you to drop off and collect your dog yourself. Please get in touch directly to discuss this option. 

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What is your vaccination policy?

As we are a multi dog environment, we require all dogs attending to be vaccinated in line with their veterinary practice's recommendations. We also require kennel cough vaccination. All dogs attending daycare or boarding must be on a regular flea, worm and tick medication. Proof will be required. Shop-bought flea control is not adequate, dogs must be on veterinary certified medication e.g. Nexgard/Spectra/Bravecto. If fleas are discovered on a dog attending North Mountain Dog Ranch, you will be required to collect them immediately and no refund will be given. Ticks will be safely removed if found and the owner notified.

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How will I know my dog is happy and enjoying their time?

You are welcome to have as much, or as little, contact as you would like whilst you are at work/on holiday. We are on call 24 hours a day and you are welcome to get in touch at any time. We regularly update our social media and love interacting with our followers online! Our cell phone service can be a little patchy once we are at daycare, so another means of communication is preferable.

 

Are you insured and licensed?

Yes, we are a fully insured, licensed and registered Limited business.

 

Do you take on less socialized / more challenging dogs?

Typically, the dogs that do best at NMDR actively enjoy the company of other dogs and enjoy being social. We are happy to carry out an initial consultation with any dog, as long as they have not shown any previous reactivity, and take things from there. NMDR is a sociable, mixed-dog environment and we are not a training or behavior correction facility. Many clients send their dogs to daycare to help their dog build relationships, in a safe, supervised area, and we have had huge success with this. Please contact us directly to discuss your individual requirements.

 

Do you accept intact dogs?

We do not accept intact males over 1 year old, nor take on males younger than this unless you intend to get them neutered prior to 1 year old. NO EXCEPTIONS. Here at North Mountain Dog Ranch, we follow the advice given by highly educated and trained veterinarians, as well as our own experience of over a decade of observing dog behavior in a group environment. Quite simply, your breeders recommendations on spay/neutering carry zero weight with us. As we are a multi dog facility, even if they have no behavioral differences once sexual maturity is reached, the other dogs tend to pay them too much attention, and it can create a different atmosphere to the one we cultivate. We allow intact females (depending on behavior), but not when they are in heat, as they get far too much attention from the boys! Females are permitted to one heat cycle off daycare with no charge, but further absence for heat cycles will be charged at full price if you wish to keep your spot. For obvious reasons, we never allow intact males and intact females at the Ranch at the same time! 

 

Do you provide food?

At daycare, we supply treats, but if your dog is on a specialist diet or has allergies, you can send them with some of your own treats. If your dog has lunch, please leave this out when we collect them in the morning. For boarding dogs, food must be provided for the duration of their stay.  

 

How does trial boarding work?

We want your dog to feel as comfortable as possible when they come to stay. The trial overnight board allows us to make sure your dog is happy staying away from you, and will settle down overnight. It means when/if they do come to stay whilst you are away, they are staying somewhere they are comfortable and they understand that they will be collected again by their humans! 

 

Trial boarding is free, and compulsory for ALL dogs. You must be at home and contactable throughout the entire length of the trial stay, and willing to come and collect your dog at any point. Trial boards run from the evening (around7/8pm) until the next morning (collection before 8am). If you are not able to come and collect your dog if requested, for any reason, you will be charged a flat fee of $100.

 

When/where will my dog be walked?

Dogs attending daycare are not walked, as they get PLENTY of exercise running around in the paddock with their buddies all day! Dogs who board with us are included in daycare, so also benefit from this exercise and stimulation. Depending on individual exercise requirements, our boarders are walked again in the evening either on local trails or on the beach. At the weekends, we mix it up for our boarders and often take them further afield. ALL dogs are walked on leash unless we have written permission from the owner to have them off leash.

 

What are your cancellation policies?

We want to be as flexible as possible, but as we run a facility with smaller numbers and places are in demand, daycare cancellations must be made by Friday the week prior to your booking. We are only able to allow a maximum of 3 cancellations within a 6 month period, or you may lose your spot. Boarding bookings require a 50% non-refundable deposit to confirm the stay. Full details can be found in our Client Services Contract.

 

How is payment taken?

Ad-hoc bookings can be paid by cash or by e-transfer; regular bookings will be invoiced on a weekly basis. Boarding bookings are paid 50% deposit prior to the stay  and the remainder paid prior to collection. We can take credit cards for bookings over $500. Full details can be found in our Client Services Contract.