Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Dogs of every breed are welcome to complete an evaluation. While certain breeds may be predisposed to particular behaviors, every dog has their own personality, comfort level, and social preferences. We evaluate temperament, handling ability, communication, and social skills rather than breed alone.

Every PPDD team member is certified via Pack Pro in group management, body language, and Pet First Aid and CPR. We also have a certified behavior consultant (Bre with Bea Pawsitive) who leads continuing education programs for the Pampered Paws staff.

Your dog’s evaluation takes place during their first daycare visit. Evaluation dogs arrive at 7:00 AM and stay for either a half or full day while our team gets to know them. Beginning the day with the rest of the playgroup allows dogs to meet new friends in a calm, natural way and provides the safest environment for our staff to evaluate behavior and social skills. This allows us to make thoughtful introductions and set your dog up for success from day one

Our daycare leadership team works closely with our certified behavior consultant, Bre from Bea Pawsitive, to evaluate each dog’s comfort level, manners, handling skills, social abilities, and overall success in the daycare environment. Some dogs need a little extra time to adjust to a new environment. Depending on your dog’s needs, we may recommend half days, additional enrichment, a different playgroup, or a Bea Pawsitive training program to help them succeed. Throughout the process, we’ll keep you informed of our observations and recommendations.Not every dog is a good fit for large group play- and that’s okay! We will always do right by your dog and every dog in our care, to ensure all are happy and confident in group. If they need something more, we will help guide you to other resources.

Daycare is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. All dogs must arrive by 10:00 AM. This allows for calmer introductions and gives the playgroups time to settle into the day’s routine together. Dogs may be picked up at any time except 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, when the facility is closed for deep cleaning, staff lunch breaks, and puppy feedings

Yes. We require each daycare dog to have a consistent weekly schedule, with attendance at least once per week.Routine helps dogs build confidence, form friendships, and settle into daycare more quickly. It also creates more stable and predictable playgroups for everyone.

Dogs may attend daycare up to three days per week, with at least one day of rest between visits. Just like people, dogs need time to recover. Too much social interaction without adequate downtime can contribute to social burnout, overstimulation, reactivity, and other undesirable behaviors. This policy is based on years of experience and current research on canine behavior

Dogs are primarily grouped by size, but we also consider each dog’s energy level, age, play style, confidence, and social skills. As dogs become more comfortable in daycare, they may be reassigned to another playgroup that’s a better fit for their personality and play style. If your dog changes groups, we’ll always let you know

Dogs receive plenty of social time throughout the day, but they also benefit from breaks, enrichment activities, and opportunities to decompress. A balanced day helps dogs stay engaged, make better decisions, and enjoy their time with friends.

Not every dog wants to play nonstop, and that’s perfectly normal. If a dog becomes tired, overstimulated, or simply needs some quiet time, we’ll provide breaks or alternative activities to help them recharge before returning to their friends.

For the safety of all dogs, we do not use toys in our daycare playgroups due to the risk of resource guarding. Instead, dogs enjoy climbing equipment, pools, bubbles, and group training games that reinforce skills like door manners, group sits, impulse control, and calm behavior. Looking for even more? Ask about Enrichment Club, our optional add-on program that provides individualized enrichment activities outside of the daycare playgroup.

The goal isn’t simply to wear dogs out. A successful daycare day includes healthy physical activity, mental enrichment, appropriate social interaction, and opportunities to rest throughout the day.Many families notice their dogs come home relaxed, content, and ready for a good night’s sleep.

After 20 years in business, Every policy exists for a reason. Consistent expectations help create a safe, predictable environment for the dogs, our clients, and our staff while allowing playgroups to remain calm and successful. Our goal is to provide a fun and healthy space and reduce risk where we can.

Daycare at Pampered Paws is designed as a structured program rather than continuous free play. Throughout the day, our team actively manages playgroups, monitors body language, reinforces appropriate manners, provides enrichment, and ensures dogs have opportunities to rest when needed. Every policy, routine, and activity has a purpose: creating a safe, engaging environment where dogs can build confidence, develop healthy social skills, and enjoy spending time with their friends.

We are not set up for overnight care. We recommend Jen’s Pet Care in Richland or Gentle Giants Pet Sitting in Kalamazoo

For the safety and privacy of our staff, we do not offer live-stream cameras. We do have security cameras throughout every play area and our parking lot for safety and liability purposes.Instead, you’ll get to follow your dog’s adventures through the hundreds of photos we post each day, along with multiple TikTok videos featuring daycare life, friendships, enrichment activities, and all the fun they’re having at Pampered Paws.