Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to bring for my dog during his/her overnight stay? Please bring your dog with a snap collar with name identification tag, a bed or crate (if they have one), food and medication if applicable. Please only bring the amount of food needed for their stay, preferably in a plastic container or ziplock baggie. If you bring your dogs bed from home, and it has an outer cover that can be washed, we recommend covering the inner cushion with a plastic garbage bag to protect the cushion in the event that your dog has an accident during the night (and we will wash the cover). You may also bring their favorite toy (no rawhide please) to be kept in their private kennel for their enjoyment. We will provide feeding dishes, a cot and bedtime biscuit. If your dog does not have his or her own bed, we will provide one for them. Please note that there is a $20.00 charge if your dog chews up one of our beds during their stay.

What if I forget my dogs food or they run out before I return, can I pay extra to have you feed them?Absolutely, we keep Innova Kibble on hand, and will be happy to feed your dog for an additional $2.00 per day. However, it is better for your dog's digestive system to continue eating what their system is used to- in some dogs food changes can cause diarrhea and/or vomiting.

What are your drop off and pick-up times? Boarding dogs must be dropped off before 3:00 p.m. and picked up by 6:00 p.m. on their pick-up day. Our office hours are 6:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Mon - Fri and
8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Sat -Sun

Is it okay to call and check on my dog while I'm away? Of course, feel free to call anytime or try to catch them playing on one of our webcams by clicking on the playcams link on our website's home page and following the viewing instructions.

What is your cancellation policy? For non-holiday and winter months (Sept-May) a $25.00 no show fee will apply for cancellations without at least 24 hours notice.For holiday weeks and summer months (June-August), 72 hours advance cancellation notice is required or you will be billed for the entire reservation.

Why does my dog seem sluggish and/or grumpy after daycare or boarding? If you dog is not used to a lot of activity or exercise he or she may be tired and have sore joints and muscles, just like a person who overdoes a workout after a long period of inactivity. Exercise is one of the benefits of doggie daycare, so you will notice the soreness is only temporary. The indoor play areas are matted to help reduce soreness. In addition, watch for soreness on the toe pads, dogs that are used to only carpet and grass may need to develop a toughening of the toe pads when new to playing on gravel.

What is Kennel Cough?Kennel cough is a fairly common ailment in dogs. People tend to associate it with dogs who have recently been boarded (or "kenneled"). However, your dog could contract kennel cough anywhere they come into contact with other dogs; such as, the Groomer, the veterinarian's office, in dog obedience class, at a dog show or any other dog related event. Any time your dog is in the vicinity of an infected dog, the potential exists for infection. Kennel cough is caused by an airborne virus, which is highly contagious. The incubation period is about 7-10 days, meaning your dog will not display symptoms of illness for about 7-10 days following exposure to the virus.

How do I prevent my dog from getting kennel cough? Vaccinating your dog with the Bordetella vaccine can help reduce their risk. However, be aware that your dog can still contract the Kennel Cough virus even if he or she has been vaccinated. There are many strains and mutations of the virus, making it a hit or miss whether the vaccine used on your dog will be the right one for the strain with which your dog comes in contact with. This is similar to the "flu shot" for people; each year a vaccine is developed based on which strain(s) are suspected to be most prevalent. Simply put, having the flu shot does not guarantee you won't get the flu and when your dog has a Bordetella vaccination it doesn't guaranteed he or she won't get kennel cough. A strong immune system is best defense against viruses. This is why several dogs could be exposed to the kennel cough virus but only one may actually contract it. It may be beneficial to provide your dog with immune boosting supplements on a regular basis.Check with your local pet store or veterinarian on supplements that will aid in boosting your dogs immune system.

What precautions are taken by It's All About the Dogs to reduce the risk of Kennel Cough? Before admittance into our facility we require all dogs provide proof of vaccinations, including a Bordetella . If we observe a dog presenting Kennel Cough symptoms, they are isolated immediately to prevent further exposure to other dogs. Unfortunately, due to the 7-10 day incubation period, dogs may come into and leave our care before ever showing symptoms, exposing other dogs to the virus. We leave our warehouse doors open during the day to provide good ventilation within our building. In addition, we use an animal quarter's disinfectant, capable of killing even the aids virus, to clean our facility. Unfortunately, Kennel Cough is one of the risks of dog socialization.

How do I know my dog has Kennel Cough?The most common symptom of Kennel Cough is a cough that sounds as if there is something stuck or caught in the dog's throat. One way you can "test" for Kennel Cough is to press the throat gently, right in the collar area. If the dog has Kennel Cough, this will probably trigger some coughing. Other triggers include, exercise, drinking water and change of temperature. Other symptoms could include sneezing and conjunctivitis. Most dogs with kennel cough will act normal except for the cough and will have a normal appetite. . It is also important to note that the Bordetella vaccine can cause sneezing and coughing for several days, just as the flu shots will sometimes give humans flu symptoms.

What do I do if my dog gets Kennel Cough?Kennel cough generally will be gone in seven to ten days. In some cases an antibiotic is warranted.Contact your veterinarian for their recommended treatment plan.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to call us at 707-444-9663. We love dogs, we look forward to caring for and loving yours!