Frequently Asked Questions
Daycare reservations are not typically required but are highly recommended to secure your dog’s spot. Notifications about required reservations surrounding holidays will be communicated a month in advance via lobby notices, social media, and email. To ensure safety during holiday periods, we limit the playgroup sizes and only admit reserved dogs on full-capacity days.
Boarding reservations are required for all overnight boarding, with potential last- minute accommodation for existing clients. Please note: We are usually fully booked a month in advance of major holidays, please allow ample time for your dog to complete our required trial day. Please note that a trial daycare day is mandatory for all dogs before confirming any reservation.
Grooming reservations are required in advance for any dog that will be receiving a haircut of any kind. Our groomers on staff are top notch that give quality work and therefore do get booked in advance.
Our experienced staff provides constant supervision in all playgroups, maintaining a ratio of approximately 10 dogs per staff member. The number of staff assigned to each playgroup ranges from 1 to 3, depending on the size and number of dogs present. Our open floor plan facilitates effective communication among team members. Our staff members are passionate about their work with dogs, and most are dog owners themselves, allowing them to bring their own pets to the workplace. While we occasionally allow the dogs to socialize freely with one another, our team remains present in the play area to ensure safety and engagement. Our staff dedicates significant time to interacting with the dogs and developing a deep understanding of their individual personalities and needs. This commitment fosters a rewarding experience akin to that of a teacher nurturing their students.
Certainly! If a family suite is available, your dogs can be boarded together. However, please note that they will be separated during mealtimes to monitor their food intake. We recommend inquiring about the availability of family suites when making your reservation.
Please ensure that your dog is always leashed and under your control while in the lobby, as this area often accommodates multiple dogs. Unattended dogs may pose a risk to themselves, other dogs, or people. Additionally, please be aware of potential leash aggression and monitor your dog closely.
Yes, we can administer any form of standard medication that is presented at drop-off with detailed instructions. Note: please bring pills in their original container, avoiding any glass. And please do not mix them in with your dog’s food. To protect the safety of all dogs, we keep all medications in a secure location in the facility and its administration is tightly monitored and controlled.
We actively maintain a presence on Facebook and Instagram, where we share daily photos of dogs. If you would like your dog to be featured, please let us know, and we will do our best to snap a fun picture.
We understand that circumstances may arise that require a late pick-up, up to 30 minutes after our regular business hours, contingent on staff availability. For safety and security considerations, we require a minimum of two staff members to be present for any late pick-up arrangements. Consequently, late pick-ups may not always be possible. If you foresee a delay, we kindly ask you to notify us as soon as possible, and we will do our best to arrange for two staff members to accommodate your request. Please be aware that there is a $40 fee to cover the additional staffing needed for a late pick-up. Additionally, we do not provide late pick-up services beyond 30 minutes after our closing time.
Our six daycare playgroups usually accommodate between 10 to 30 dogs, including overnight boarders, with a maximum capacity of 130 dogs. With over 10,000 square feet of play area, we ensure that each dog has ample space to enjoy their activities.
We have several safety measures in place. In general, dogs prefer to settle their differences without resorting to violence. Some posturing and body language along with a few grunts and growls are enough to settle most disputes. Most dogs have the potential to get upset at each other, just like people. Additionally, some dogs are not properly socialized from an early age, or some may have had unfortunate experiences that affect their future behavior, etc. Therefore, we have the following safety measures in place:
Every dog must meet certain admission requirements before being accepted, including attending a trial day and going through a “temperament test,” during which we evaluate their behavior to see how well suited they are to our type of environment. Since doggie daycare is a high-stimulation environment, it may not be suitable for all dogs.
Our staff members are trained to read canine body language and look for signs of potential aggression, which allows them to step in before an incident happens, and to use humane and effective preventative measures such as redirection of focus, positive reinforcement, audible correction, squirts of water, or time-outs when needed. Please note: Our staff members are prohibited from using corporal punishment of any kind. Please do not ask us to “smack” or “pop” your dog if they misbehave. We will not do it.
We are proactive in keeping owners up to date on their dog’s behavior. We inform owners immediately if we notice any behavioral changes or have any other behavioral concerns and recommend obedience and/or behavior modification training as needed. Dogs should at least have good name recognition/recall before entering a group play situation. We do not have trainers on staff, but we do try to reinforce basic commands and obedience. Specific behavior-modification training must take place outside of the daycare environment.
We turn away any dog that we deem a risk to itself or others. This includes dogs that display repeated, excessive, unprovoked, or unpredictable aggression.
We place all dogs in an appropriate playgroup based on size, age, temperament, and physical condition.
We regroup dogs that seem too shy or overbearing for their current playgroup.
We are very careful about how we introduce dogs into an already established “pack.” When moving groups of dogs from one area of the facility to another, we do so in a calm and methodical manner.
We never allow valuable resources (such as food, treats, or toys) to be introduced into the playgroups as dogs are naturally inclined to guard them.
We intervene in play behavior that gets too rough, inappropriate, or out of control.
We intervene in dominance stand-offs before they escalate into aggression.
We remain calm and monitor our own behavior and body language to ensure we’re sending the right signals. We carefully watch how the dogs respond to our presence and change our behavior as appropriate.
Grooming typically requires 4 to 8 hours to complete, varying based on the dog’s size, coat type, condition, and the specific services requested. During peak periods, the process may take longer. Dogs that are dropped off by 10 AM are generally ready for pick-up by 4 PM, often earlier. You may indicate a preferred pick-up time after 4 PM or request a notification call when your dog is ready for collection.
We kindly request that your dog remain with us for a minimum of six hours on their trial day. This duration allows us to assess how they adapt to a full day in our environment without your presence. There is no need for you to stay during this time; you may simply drop off your dog in the morning and return later in the day. We will contact you around midday to provide you with an update on how your dog is doing. After the six-hour period and once you have received our midday call, you are welcome to pick up your dog at your convenience before our lobby closes for the day.
Yes, we maintain a policy of keeping dogs separated based on size, age, temperament, and physical condition, even when they are siblings. While we can accommodate siblings of different sizes in the same boarding area, we do not permit them to share the same playgroup. For safety reasons, small dogs are allocated to their own designated play areas, boarding zones, and outdoor spaces. Although it is possible that your larger dog may enjoy the company of smaller dogs (or vice versa), this may not be the case for all dogs in the group. Furthermore, allowing dogs of varying sizes to interact in the same playgroup could increase the risk of accidental injury, which we aim to minimize.
Yes, a trial day is required for every dog attending Piedmont BARK. Just as children’s behavior can vary based on their surroundings, a dog’s behavior may change depending on the environment. While your dog may feel at ease at home, in your neighborhood, at the dog park, or even at another daycare, we cannot predict how they will respond in our facility until they have experienced it. Doggie daycare can present a high-stimulation environment, which may be overwhelming for some dogs. Additionally, a dog’s behavior might differ when you are present compared to when you are not. We aim to ensure that your dog is comfortable in our playgroups without your presence before confirming any reservations.
Boarding charges are based on 24 hour period starting at drop-off. Any pick-up after 24 hours will incur a boarding overage free of $10 per hour. If the boarding overage is 3-6 hours, a flat fee of $26 will be charged. If over 6 hours, a flat fee of $35 will be charged.
No, however, based on our availability, you may be required to submit a non-refundable grooming deposit when you make a future reservation.
Daycare dogs may be dropped off as early as our opening time, but no later than 1:00 PM. Please note that by mid-afternoon, the dogs in our playgroups will have been socializing for several hours and will have established a social hierarchy.
Boarding dogs may be dropped off at any time during our open hours, up until one hour before closing. We recommend dropping off your dog earlier in the day to provide ample time for them to settle in.
Grooming dogs can be dropped off between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM, Monday through Saturday, for baths, haircuts, or any à la carte services. Please be aware that grooming appointments are not available on Sundays unless the dog is boarding with us the night before.
Daycare and Boarding dogs may be picked up at any time prior to the closing of our lobby. For grooming services, please wait to receive a notification that your dog’s grooming is complete or return after the designated time agreed upon during drop-off. Thank you for your understanding.
Please ensure to bring your dog’s leash, food, treats, and medication. There is no need to include your dog’s food or water bowl, as we provide stainless-steel bowls at no charge. These bowls are safe and are cleaned and sanitized daily. Additionally, there is no requirement to bring your dog’s bedding, as we offer soft house bedding that is also cleaned and sanitized each day at no extra cost. We recommend that you refrain from bringing any items of sentimental or significant value, as there is always a possibility of loss or damage while your dog is boarding with us. For safety reasons, we cannot accept items made of glass, ceramic, or any material that may shatter or splinter. If you have a special toy or any other item that you believe would enhance your dog’s comfort during their stay, please feel free to reach out to us. We will do our best to accommodate your request. Our primary objective is to ensure that your dog’s stay with us is safe and comfortable.
Just your dog on their leash! However, if you would like to bring lunch or a midday snack, please feel free to.
We are a cashless business. We accept Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, Discover, Apple Pay, and Google Pay, but not checks. Payment is due when services are provided. Consider prepaying, especially if someone else is picking up or you are running late.
We are pleased to accommodate your pets overnight, and you can collect them the following day as soon as we open. In the event that you are unable to pick up your dog, please be assured that they will receive proper care, including food, water, and bedding throughout the night. Please note that our standard boarding rate will apply.
We may have the option to board your dog in a play area rather than a kennel suite. We offer six indoor play areas, which are available on a first-come, first- served basis. Priority will be given to senior dogs and those with incontinence or other health concerns. Please inquire about the availability of play areas during your reservation process.
Our bathing services encompass bathing, drying, brushing, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and gland expression. Our grooming services include all of these, in addition to a haircut and/or optional services such as teeth brushing and de-shedding. Please indicate your preferred services when making your reservation.
