Frequently Asked Questions
What are the risks of daycare and what about dog fights?
How do you control unwanted behavior in daycare?
How do you introduce new dogs to your environment?
Why does my dog need to know "SIT" to come to daycare?
Are all the dogs kept together?
Are the dogs left alone when playing?
Where does my dog go to the bathroom?
Will daycare ruin my potty training efforts?
What if my dog fails the interview or is evicted from daycare?
What if my dog is shy or growls sometimes?
What are your day school and boarding camp check in/check out policies?
What is my dog is injured or gets sick?
What is kennel cough, what do you do about it, and can my dog get it?
What are the risks of daycare and what about dog fights?
Although dog play may appear to be just dog play, to us, it is always one dog trying to assert its position in the daycare pack. Play is never play to the dogs; they are always working on position.
Nathan’s education in canine psychology allows for proper and quick response. He is trained to properly read canine body and facial messages and other inappropriate behavior, therefore, preventing rough or aggressive dog play and fights by taking command with the appropriate pack leader responses.
How do you control unwanted behavior in daycare?
In addition to voice commands, dog appeasing pheromones will be used to keep all the campers comfortable and calm. These are simply fragrances similar to the smells given off by puppy mothers to keep their babies calm and quiet. They are “species specific” and do not affect humans. Pheromones help the new dogs to rehome to the new school/camp environment, reduces arousal, sensitivity to new people, sounds and smells and routines.
How do you introduce new dogs to your environment?
All new dogs are slowly introduced to the school in the less-populated areas of the facility, so that your dog isn’t surrounded by so many dogs all at once. More rambunctious dogs will wear a line in the beginning. A very shy, unsocialized dog is generally introduced at its own pace. Socialization begins with a smaller group and then becomes part of the larger play group. At Nathan’s, A-way to Wag, we assess the dog’s needs, temperament and personality to determine if private sessions with the trainer may be needed.
Why does my dog need to know "SIT" to come to daycare?
Nathan’s, A-way to Wag is a private canine school and camp featuring structured playtime. We are eager to work with the daycare dogs to help them learn, but all dogs must come in knowing how to sit. Dogs are not allowed to run wild, jump on staff, or learn bad habits.
At the initial interview, the owner will be asked to demonstrate their dog's ability to sit on verbal word or hand command without leash correction. It is recommended that owners bring a couple dog treats to the interview to help their dogs to sit. Our staff is there to help you, if needed. Pushing their butt down is not acceptable and our staff is instructed not to push on butts to avoid getting bit or causing injury to dogs with bad hips.
The ability of a dog to sit is essential for school or camp, as that is the way we stop jumping, gate crashing, and pushiness in daycare. We have command words that we use to help dogs understand what we want from them. Special exceptions are made for real young puppies or dogs who have just signed up for training.
Our facility is approximately 5,500 square feet. Industry standard is 100 square feet per dog for dogs over 50 pounds and 50 square feet per dog for dogs less than 50 pounds. At Nathan’s, A-way to Wag, we have a limit of about 25 dogs (which is well UNDER industry standards). We monitor the size of the dogs attending and the atmosphere of the day in establishing our daily limits. Our average day is approximately 20 dogs.
Are all the dogs kept together?
After introduction to socialization, dogs may be separated by size and play style. Small dogs may need to have their own play area and all toys and equipment are geared toward the dog’s size. Small dogs will be introduced to larger dogs, just as in a real and healthy dog pack. The main play room is all dogs. Our goal is to have a well acclimated and well mannered dog pack that respects the leadership and plays and lives happily at school or camp. At Nathan’s, A-way to Wag, we are unable to accept dogs into our school or camp that require separation because of an inability to get along with other dogs. However, please check out our Types of Training that may assist your dog to rehabilitate.
Are the dogs left alone when playing?
On-site staff is overseeing the dog activities at all times. We monitor all dogs and inappropriate behavior is stopped and good behavior is rewarded. All dogs attending school or camp receive the best overall care possible. Dogs are never left alone and daily report cards keep owners aware of their dog’s progress and activities..
Where does my dog go to the bathroom?
We have an outdoor area with free access for the dogs. It has a large, clean sand and grass area.
Will daycare ruin my potty training efforts?
A stay away from home may affect potty training for the first 24 hours back in your home. Most likely, you will find that your dog’s bathroom behavior will improve from school or camp from being with other well mannered pack members. If you are experiencing accidents at home, you may opt for a personal in-home lesson to assist you in fixing those problems.
What if my dog fails the interview or is evicted from daycare?
We love dogs, but occasionally a dog is brought in that doesn’t meet our minimum requirements. This can be overcome! A-way to Wag Is for all dogs and we do what's best for all our dogs. If your dog fails the interview, it doesn't mean we don't love your dog. This unique environment may just be too overwhelming. Some dogs need a little training and socialization before coming to daycare. Ask Nathan. Through our personal training programs, your dog can learn the skills needed to try again.
What if my dog is shy or growls sometimes?
Through our personal training programs, we teach appropriate dog-to-dog interactions. All first time visitors at school or camp undergo a supervised orientation process so they can feel comfortable in their surroundings and meet other dogs in small groups. We take all the necessary steps to help your dog make its adjustment. Make coming to A-way to Wag a pleasant experience by giving the dog a couple of treats on the way in the door. Be calm yourself and your dog will be calm, too. It is suggested that you try a half-day school before a longer stay. And, if you are planning on boarding, do a couple of full days to help your dog adjust before the longer stay.
What are your day school and boarding camp check in/check out policies?
General Business Hours
Monday through Friday - 6:00 am to 7:00 pm
Saturdays - 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
A-way to Wag School Drop Off / Pick Up
|
Monday – Friday |
Saturday |
School Drop Off: |
6:00 am to 9:00 am |
9:00 am to 10:00 am |
School Pick Up: |
5:00 pm to 7:00 pm |
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm |
A-way to Wag Boarding Camp Drop Off / Pick Up
|
Monday – Friday |
Saturday |
Boarding Camp |
6 am -9 am or |
9 am – 10 am or |
Boarding Camp |
6 am – 9 am or |
9 am – 10 am or |
Call for an appointment today!
Boarding camp check in after 7:00 pm (Monday through Friday) or 3:00 pm (Saturday) will incur a late fee of $25.00. Check out for overnight stays is 9 AM the next morning to keep from being charged for an extra day.
If you wish for your dogs to have meals, please bag meals in Ziploc bags, marked with your name, your dog’s name and the time to be fed. Dogs are not given anything you don't bring. Dogs are given the food items you bring. Treats are provided. Dogs are separated for feeding and hand fed.
No. We provide toys of every shape and size. All our toys must remain neutral to avoid possessiveness. Any toys, bedding or special possessions will be saved for the dog’s private/alone rest times.
Yes. All dogs must come to the daycare wearing a collar and leash. These items will be removed before play to prevent injury and be returned to the owner at the end of the stay.
At A-way to Wag, we provide comfortable places to “crash” when dogs get tired. For puppies and/or older dogs, we have nap locations where the dog may be alone, as well.
Fresh water is available at all times to all dogs. There are several automatic water delivery bowls. Bowls are stainless steel and are removed and sanitized several times a day.
What is my dog is injured or gets sick?
Whenever a dog is injured or gets sick, we notify the owner immediately if the problem is severe. If the problem is minor, you will be notified when you pickup. If emergency vet care is needed, we will transport your dog to the VCA Animal Hospital (VCA) vet next door. A Waiver will be signed when you enroll for canine school or camp for care and financial responsibility for VCA emergency care. You will need to call the vet to give them permission to treat and all medical costs will be assumed BY YOU. Remember, even normal dog play may result in some type of injury and it can happen. Just like at recess, a child can fall and bust out a tooth. It just happens. All injuries and illnesses are prevented to the BEST of our ability. We love all dogs and have “dog proofed” our facility as well as any dog facility can be.
What is kennel cough, what do you do about it, and can my dog get it?
Canine infectious tracheobronchitis (kennel cough) is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases in dogs. Fortunately, the majority of cases are not serious, resolving on their own in one to two weeks. The main cause of kennel cough is the airborne bacteria, Bordetella bronchiseptica.
A dog with Kennel Cough will develop a coarse, dry, hacking cough about five to ten days after being infected. It sounds as if the dog needs to "clear its throat" and the cough will be triggered by any extra activity, drinking water, exposed to a change of temperature or exercise. Many dogs that acquire Kennel Cough will cough every few minutes, all day long. They will wretch and sometimes vomit a white foamy looking matter. Their general state of health and alertness are usually not affected and they usually have no rise in temperature or loss of appetite.
Even in the most hygienic, well ventilated, spacious dog facilities, the possibility of a dog acquiring Kennel Cough exists. Kennel Cough can be acquired from your neighbor's dog, from a Champion show dog at a dog show, from the animal hospital where your dog just came in for treatment of a cut paw, from the sidewalk where an infected dog walked earlier, etc. Try not to place blame if your dog develops Kennel Cough. There may have been an infected dog, unknown to anyone, that acted as a source for other dogs. The signs of Canine Cough usually will last from 7 to 21 days and can be very annoying for the dog and the dog's owners. If you suspect your dog has kennel cough, isolate your dog and visit your veterinarian for medical advice. First and foremost, isolate your dog. Do not take your dog to public places in order to prevent the spread of infection. If your dog has recently been to dog school, boarding or any other place where your dog was exposed to other dogs, notify the correct individuals to advise that your dog is coughing.
You do need to isolate your dog to prevent infection. The best recommendation is to discuss with your veterinarian what combination of vaccines and boosters they recommend. Many dogs that contract Kennel Cough will display only minor signs of coughing that may last seven to ten days and will not require any medication at all. Treatment is generally limited to symptomatic relief of the coughing with non-prescription, and occasionally prescription, cough suppressants. If the dog is running a fever or there seems to be a persistent and severe cough, antibiotics are occasionally utilized to assist the dog in recovering from Kennel Cough. It can happen that secondary bacterial invaders will complicate a case of Kennel Cough and prolong the recovery and severely affect the upper airway. Therefore, the use of antibiotics is determined on an individual basis. Follow the advice and course of treatment that your veterinarian has prescribed. Don't allow your dog to exercise, as this will trigger the cough. REFERENCE : Merck Veterinary Manual - Eighth Edition Dr. Michele St. Pierre, Waterloo West Animal Hospital
Our knowledgeable staff is always looking for signs of illness in any of our dogs. When kennel cough arrives in our community, we will notify owners by placing a notice out front. All facilities get kennel cough from time to time, just as colds go around in child daycare. Thankfully, due to our extensive cleaning protocol, our superior ventilation that exceeds all state regulations, and thorough vaccination checking program, we are able to minimize the risk at our facility.
