Off-leash daycare is an opportunity for dogs to play with each other in a fun,
safe, well-supervised, and clean (though potentially wet) environment.  Dogs
can be dropped off for the day or just long enough to get some errands done.
Benefits include:

• Regular exercise to maintain a healthy weight.
• Relief from boredom, separation anxiety, and destructive behavior at
  home.
• Improved socialization with dogs and people.
• Enhanced quality of life.

During playtime, dogs are able to play as a group in one of our indoor or
outdoor areas.  They are separated by their size, temperament, and activity
level.  A staff member will directly supervise and facilitate each group play at
all times, reinforce basic obedience cues, give lots of love and attention, give
praise for good behavior, and keep play areas clean.

Quality play is an important contributor to your dog’s health.  Our goal is
physical and mental stimulation, not exhaustion.  Similar to children,
exhaustion is closely related to crankiness and tantrums, and can be a stress
on the immune system.  Because our goal is to return a happy and healthy
dog at the end of the day, we offer naptimes midday where dogs have their
own personal space to allow them the break they need to keep quality
socialization.  Subject to the observation of our trained daycare staff, some
dogs may need additional rest time in order to maintain optimal playtime.

Additional services are also available for purchase during the day including
personal one on one time with your dog and a staff member, baths, ear
cleaning, nail trims, anal gland expression, brushing teeth, snacks/treats, and
administration of medications.

Yes!  We have separate outdoor play areas for large and small dogs.  These
yards are designed specifically with specially manufactured K9 Grass.  Small
dogs also have the option to play in an indoor play area. We have water
features that we allow the dogs to use, especially with those we know love
water. If you do not want your dog near any water features please let us know!

Absolutely! For your pet’s safety, medication must be in the original bottle and
the prescription must be current.  Medication will be administered as labeled
on the prescription at the time you designate upon check in. This is for any
animals staying overnight with us. Please discuss what medications they are
on prior to their reservation.

All dogs are different, and daycare is NOT for all dogs, but our interview
process is designed to assess whether your dog enjoys this environment.  At
the end of the interview period, we provide a detailed report and will talk to
you about how your dog interacted with staff and other dogs, and if they
enjoyed their time with us.

We want your dog to be happy as much as you do and promise to be honest
with you if we feel this isn’t the best possible environment for your dog.

This will depend on your dog. We have many older canines who love the
interaction with other dogs. The interview process will also help us, and you,
determine if our environment is right for your dog. Our staff is constantly
evaluating each play care’s behavior, and if they view your dog as
overwhelmed or tired they will place your dog in one of our spacious
apartments for a short nap.

Sometimes older achy dogs can be wary of playful dogs since they associate
play with the onset of pain.  Please consult one of our veterinarians if you feel
your dog may be in this situation.  Pain control can be a huge contribution to
‘slowing down’ and behavioral changes in older dogs.

For the safety reasons, we separate dogs into our play areas based on size,
temperament, and activity level. This is why our interview process is done with
each canine that wants to join our dog play care.

All dogs must come in on a leash. All collars and harnesses will be
removed. Other collars and harnesses will be removed.  Owners are
encouraged to have their dogs microchipped as well as keep an updated City
& County dog license. Leashes and extra equipment will go home with parents.
We ask that you do not bring any toys or blankets with them. Lunch is only
offered to puppies under 6 months of age.

If your dog will be due for a meal during their stay, we strongly suggest
bringing their food from home to keep their stomach from getting upset. We
will happily feed your pup our food, but it is best for them to not change foods
rapidly.

Any medications must be in the original bottle and the prescription must be
current.  Medication will be administered as labeled on the prescription at the
time you designate upon check in. This is only for our overnight guests.

We prefer to use our own blankets since we may not have time to wash
personal blankets before residents are picked up. Also sometimes when in a
facility personal items can be lost, or shredded.

Personal toys cannot be used in group play, so we request these are left at
home.

It is best to have your dog eat a minimum of 1.5 hours prior to coming to
daycare to prevent a potential emergency situation referred to as bloat. Bloat
can be caused from playing too soon after eating, especially with deep
chested dogs, and it can be a life-threatening emergency. If your dog ate less
than 1.5 hours before arrival, please let one of the staff members know for the
safety and well-being of your pet.

Collars are removed during group play since they are potential choking
hazards. In the situation where two similar looking dogs are scheduled to play
together, we may place paper collars on for identification purposes.

We do offer baths, nail trims, anal gland expressions, brushing teeth, and ear
cleanings so you can pick up a clean and fresh smelling pup after their
daycare. Please schedule these services with our groomers before dropping
off so we can make sure your pup has adequate drying time and an
appointment available. We do offer go home baths as an add on for our
overnight guests or a full works with our groomers.

Romping around in group play provides the needed exercise and potty
breaks, so taking a walk will be the last thought on your pup’s mind.  If you
would prefer individual attention with your pup and a staff member, we will do
our best to make those accommodations. Dogs that are not in our play and
staying in our suites & apartments will go outside 3 times a day in our fenced
in yards.

Socialization is the opportunity for dogs to learn how to express themselves in
healthy ways and communicate with people as well as other dogs.
Socialization is critical for a healthy state of mind.  Lack of socialization can
lead to anxiety and destructive behaviors.  Group play is also an opportunity
for staff to reinforce basic commands, give praise for good behavior, and give
lots of love and attention.

We do not have live video cameras at this point, but our Day play care
counselors are happy to send you updates via email, and you are always
welcome to watch them play through our viewing windows at any time.

Daycare is not meant for every dog. Daycare is designed for dogs that enjoy
socialization and are willing and able to play safely in a large group. Some
dogs get stressed in social settings and would do better with individual play
time with one of our staff. For the safety of your dog as well as others, we
require an interview assessment process to determine if group daycare is
right for your dog prior to scheduling your first play session. Our interviews are
by appointments only Monday – Fridays. We only do 4 a day in the mornings
only.

Dogs must be in good health, flea/tick free and on prevention, friendly to all
dogs, and enjoy socialization. They must be over 4 months old, spayed or
neutered by 18 months of age, have a negative fecal test in the last year, as
well as current on vaccines. For adults this includes Distemper (every 3 years),
and Bordetella (Kennel Cough, every 1 year), Influenza (every 1 year), Canine
Rabies (every 1 to 3 years) vaccines and also a negative fecal result (every 1
year ). Puppies should go through the whole vaccine series as recommended
by your veterinarian, and the booster at 1 year of age. Vaccines take 2 weeks
for the body to build a response and provide protection. If the last vaccine
was given less than two weeks prior to arriving at daycare, you are accepting
the risk associated with potential lack of protection.

Because safety is our priority, we will need to assess if daycare is a good fit for
you and your dog before any daycare appointments can be made. Daycare is
not meant for all dogs. Some dogs have increased anxiety in a group, and
others would be just as happy laying alone on a couch. We will have you fill out
a registration form and have a brief interview with a staff member, before
dropping off your pup for the evaluation. Our staff members are trained in dog behavior,
play yard monitoring techniques, and evaluating dogs based on
their capabilities to adapt and enjoy group play. We will then evaluate their
ability to socialize with people, individual dogs, and then dogs in a group. If
dogs are unable to pass any part of the assessment, the evaluation will be
discontinued and alternatives will be discussed. The evaluation needs to be
scheduled ahead of time and will cost 50$. We request at least 6 hours for a
full assessment.

Staff are trained to evaluate dogs using some of the following techniques:

• Hands-on meet-and-greet to evaluate dog’s response to physical touch
• One-on-one introduction with other regular day-campers
• Slow introduction into open-play environment
• Ongoing evaluation during every visit to daycare

The interview consists of us starting off by checking your dog over to ensure
they are comfortable being handled. This is a time for the staff members to
get to spend a little time getting to know your dog and making sure they aren’t
nervous of people.  They will also look your dog over for any possible issues
such as fleas and ticks and for any existing injuries that may worsen when
playing with other dogs.

Other dogs will be introduced into the interview area one at a time to see how
your dog interacts with other dogs. After our Dog Play Care attendants are
confident that your dog feels secure in the environment, your pup – along with
their new friends – will be introduced into the appropriate play area based on
their size, temperament, and activity level.

We only are able to provide group play for dogs. We are able to make
individual accommodations for cats as well. Please call us to inquire about
these.

Pleasant Paws Pet Center does not discriminate based on breed and
welcomes all dogs based on behavior and socialization. We have a
compatibility evaluation for all dogs wanting to join our dog play care.

4 months old is the youngest puppies can be to have received a protective
puppy vaccine series. Younger pups should start with our puppy obedience
and socialization classes.

Yes! All dogs are required to be on a flea prevention. If fleas or ticks are found
on your dog, they will be assessed an additional charge for treatment, may
not be allowed in group play, and/or may be sent home until infestation is
under control.

*Trifexis does not provide coverage for ticks.

Yes. Participating dogs have the same requirements as those already enrolled
in daycare. All vaccines must be up to date before any services like overnight
boarding, grooming and dog play care.

94 South Main Street, Newtown, CT 06470.  We are right on route 25 across
from Bens Mason, Sal & Pepe Restaurant and Ricci’s Salon.

It is best to make a reservation as soon as you know you will need one to
guarantee your spot.  Depending on the day, we can often accommodate
short notice or same day notice (if your dog has previously completed the
interview process).

Online Daycare Request

Please only request daycare if your dog is a current daycare participant and has passed their compatibility test. Please only give us up to 1 month of dates at a time either during the same month or up to 1 month prior. I.E. all dates for the month of April. Please note if you receive a confirmation notification with a time of when you will not be dropping off to ignore it. With our system, the time slots for daycare are just space holders and not actual drop off times.

Please notify us at least 24 hours prior to your appointment to allow us to
welcome any pups that may be on a waitlist.

Day Play Care is a great energy release!  Dogs are naturally tired after all the
exercise and interactions of daycare.  All dogs are different, and some dogs
will naturally need extra nap time during the day to prevent being overly tired.
We will not force a dog to get up from a nap if they are still sleeping. Even
when animals are our over night guests it can be stressful being away from
home for some time.

Fresh water is available at all times during their stay at Pleasant Paws Pet
Center with multiple different water locations.  Playing hard all day can be
strenuous exercise, and it is not uncommon that they will drink more water
once they are home.

Thank you for your interest in Pleasant Paws Pet Center. At Pleasant Paws Pet
Center, we understand and appreciate that your dog is a member of your
family and we work very hard to provide the love and care that your dog
deserves. We truly appreciate the trust that our customers have placed in us
and you should feel confident your trust is something that we do not take
lightly. We are obsessed with delivering top of the line customer service and
your satisfaction is our goal.

Please understand that leaving your dog at a Pet Care Facility is not unlike
taking a child to day care, school, or camp. There are exposures associated
whenever there are multiple dogs under one roof. However, parents agree
that the benefits of education and socialization outweigh the possibility of the
common cold and other associated risks at schools. The same holds true for
dogs at a Pet Care Facility. Many pet parents agree that benefits, such as,
socialization, exercise, bathroom break opportunities, and being cared for by
trained professionals, outweigh the minimal and unlikely risks associated with
a Pet Care Facility.

Through our operational policies, commitment to sanitation and hygiene and
our professionally trained staff, we take every precaution possible to minimize
the risk potential but they are impossible to eliminate entirely.

We would like to draw attention below to some situations, although
uncommon, that can occur at any Pet Care Facility. Please remember that at
Pleasant Paws Pet Center these are unlikely exceptions rather than the norm.
The chances are better than 99% that your dog will come home tired but
happy, clean and healthy.

While in Group Play (Doggie Playcare) most dogs love to play vigorously and
wrestle around with each other all day. This interaction is very good for
socialization and for your dog to burn energy. During this play, it is NOT
uncommon for some dogs to leave with minor cuts or scrapes. They love this
type of play and we have trained supervisors monitoring the group at all
times. Rest comfortable knowing that we absolutely do not have aggressive
dogs at Pleasant Paws Pet Center but dogs do have teeth and nails and use
them when engaging one another, at times resulting in cuts or abrasions.
While Pleasant Paws Pet Center staff is very attentive to your dog’s behavior
and interactions, it is possible for minor cuts or abrasions to go unnoticed.
Although very rare, occasionally some rough play may result in more
moderate injuries.

Again, we do have trained staff monitoring the dogs at all times, however no
amount of supervision or personalized care from Pleasant Paws Pet Center
can be 100% certain to prevent a dog from being injured.

Canine Cough, or Kennel Cough as it is sometimes incorrectly referred to as, is
similar to a mild common cold/cough in humans and most of the time, it is
NOT a serious condition. Most dogs will recover without any treatment needed.
Unfortunately, every facility that cares for pets, Dog Hotels, Doggie Daycares,
Grooming Salons, Dog Training Centers and even Veterinary Hospitals will
experience an outbreak of Canine Cough from time to time. Due to the fact
that it is an air-borne virus, it is unavoidable in Pet Care Centers the same way
the common cold is unavoidable in Child Care Centers.  Pleasant Paws Pet
Center has a state-of-the-art ventilation system throughout the facility. We
also use hospital grade disinfectants to clean all surfaces of our facility.
Unfortunately, even with these precautions in place and our strict policy of
requiring that each dog is vaccinated with the Bordetella vaccine prior to
coming to our facility, it is still possible for a dog to catch Canine Cough due to
all the different strains. Please be advised that the Bordetella vaccine does not
prevent against all strains of Canine Cough. Although these vaccines may
help, they do not guarantee protection against Canine Cough or infectious
tracheobronchitis, because it can be caused by so many different types of
bacteria and viruses.

Again, Canine Cough is similar to a mild common cough in humans and most
of the time, it is NOT a serious condition. Most dogs will recover without any
treatment needed. However, some more severe strains or puppies and older
dogs, might require a visit to your Veterinarian.

We do not have fleas or ticks at Pleasant Paws Pet Center but this does not
mean that they could never show up on the property. Your dog must come to
Pleasant Paws Pet Center flea and tick free and must be on flea and tick
prevention.

When their owners are away from the “pack” dogs experience a change in
their routine and environment. Just like people, dogs react to environmental
change differently and some may get overly excited. Such excitement is
natural and may cause some dogs to experience mild stress diarrhea, which
is normal and may last a few days.

Boarding / Dog Play Care life can be very exciting, and some dogs charge
around barking and having a wonderful time. These dogs often leave the
resort exhausted but happy, and sleep a lot the first couple of days they are
home.

Boarding / Dog Play Care life can be very exciting, and some dogs charge
around barking and having a wonderful time. This can cause hoarseness just
like if your son/daughter or you scream a lot at a rock concert or sporting
event.

Remember your dog has been getting long hours of recreation/exercise/play
time at Pleasant Paws Pet Center, much more then they would receive at
home and therefore losing some weight is also not uncommon.  Exercise with
daycare is an excellent addition to any weight loss plan.

Some dogs can become curious at all the different sights and smells at a Pet
Care Facility. Some dogs may rub their noses at the bottom of the door of their
accommodation in an attempt to “smell” what’s going on. If the dog’s nose
rubbing is persistent, it may cause a minor cut, scrape or rawness.

Our priority is to keep your dog happy, safe, and healthy.  Safe, quality play is
important for physical and mental health, and some dogs (especially water
lovers) can get messy in this process. Our water features are cleaned daily
(and more often as needed) and our K9 grass helps keep dirt/mud to a
minimum.  If you would like your dog clean and fresh before going home,
please notify us at check in so we can schedule them to be bathed and dry
before you take them home.

Please understand that Pleasant Paws Pet Center, as with most Pet Care
Facilities, does NOT pay for veterinary charges associated with any of the
foregoing situations. It is beyond our control to absolutely prevent these
conditions in a group daycare setting.

Again, please remember that at Pleasant Paws Pet Center these are unlikely
exceptions rather than the norm. The chances are better than 99% that your
dog will come home tired but happy, clean and healthy.

Thank you for placing your confidence in Pleasant Paws Pet Center!

Although safety is our priority, during normal play a dog may get small
scratches, nicks, and lose small patches of fur.  Although safety is our goal and
we do our best to minimize any injuries, it is possible for more serious injuries
to occur.

In the case of a serious illness or injury, one of our veterinarians will quickly be
on hand to assess the extent of the situation.  We will do our best to contact
the owner as soon as possible, but until we are able to reach them, we reserve
the right to make decisions for appropriate care.  Our concern is always what

is best for our canines.  If immediate veterinary care is required, Pleasant Paws
Pet Center Animal Hospital will provide treatment unless you have requested
care from a different veterinarian. If veterinary care is provided by a facility
other than our veterinarians, Pleasant Paws Pet Center is not responsible for
any fees outside of our facility.

Safety is our priority and we take many precautions to prevent a fight from
ever happening, although even the best of dogs can have a bad day.   A
trained staff member will be with the play group at all times, interacting, and
monitoring for any evidence of needing intervention.  Our staff have been
trained to pick up on behaviors that occur before a fight ever happens and
will do their best to intervene in an appropriate way to prevent fights from
occurring in the first place.  This may include dogs going into time out or being
deemed unfit to return for group play.