General / Policies
What is included in Happy Hounds daycare and boarding rates?
Everything (aside from professional services such as grooming)! We set ourselves apart from fellow businesses in our industry by not charging a la carte. There are no additional charges for hugs, playtime, medication, or special diets.
What is the minimum age for pups to attend?
All dogs must be 4 months of age or older.
Are there breed restrictions?
Happy Hounds does not discriminate based on breed. We conduct a reasonable temperament test, with the client included in one of the steps. Our pack is diverse and inclusive.
Are dogs separated by size?
Nope. Imagine an awkward middle school classroom. We giggle at the pairings and partnerships that your pups form. Some of the smallest dogs have the biggest personality, while some of the largest beasts are the most docile. In any case, all interactions are supervised.
Are reservations required?
In order to staff accordingly, we require reservations. This is done easily on our platform. During peak holiday times, we recommend scheduling two weeks in advance.
Does my dog need to be neutered or spayed in order to attend?
Yes. At six months all dogs must be spayed or neutered. Being a crate-free dog day care, it is extremely important for socialization reasons for this.
“I’m leaving in two weeks for the Caribbean, but my dog has never been to your daycare. Can I sign him up and bring him in two weeks?”
While we would love to accommodate last minute enrollments, we strongly urge you to begin the process weeks in advance if you want your dog to join the Happy Hounds pack. We will do everything in our power to schedule your Meet & Greet as soon as possible. For the safety of our staff and our daycare dogs, we have a four-part vetting process for our clients. First, we ask that you fill out our online application and upload your dog’s vaccinations. Second, we will call and schedule a Meet & Greet for you and your dog. Next, a Free Evaluation Daycare Visit is scheduled. During your pup(s)’s evaluation day, our staff will monitor their behavior to ensure it is a positive, fun, and safe environment for your pup(s) as well as other fellow playmates. To complete enrollment, the final step is your dog’s first paid day of daycare. We ask that three visits are scheduled over the course of the first two weeks in order to familiarize your dog with the pack, the staff, and the Happy Hounds facility. From here, you can schedule services for your dog on our website!
What vaccinations does my dog need to attend?
For the health and safety of all dogs we cannot make exceptions. Up-to-date vaccinations are always required. Currently, the following vaccinations are asked for:
- Rabies
- DHLPP (Distemper)
- Bordetella (Kennel Cough)
- Negative Fecal Float
Are tours given of the facility?
Yes. And no. Given that we are 24 hours AND that our facility is not just crate free, but 100% crate-free, we protect our daycare dogs from humans outside of our working staff. However, you will be invited into our facility during your dog’s first Meet & Greet. Additionally, once a client, you will have 24-hour access to the cameras that cover more than 90% of our inside operations.
What happens during a Meet & Greet?
We bring you inside and show you a bit around and answer any questions you may have. The Meet & Greet is conducted by one of our owning partners, assistant manager, or a supervisor. We let your dog sniff around, letting them investigate and get their bearings. Next, we bring a nice dog to say hello to your dog in a controlled interaction. Then another! And another! This gives all parties an opportunity to evaluate the meeting and address any concerns in moving forward.
What happens after a successful Meet & Greet?
We answer any additional questions you might have. Assuming everyone’s getting along well enough, the experience is to your liking, we move forward and schedule your dog’s trial day of daycare. This is a Free Evaluation Daycare visit!
Daycare & Boarding
What type of collar should my dog wear?
All dog collars must be free of tags and must be “snap release.”
Will my dog be on camera during daycare?
Yes. Not all of the camera views stream on our website, but most of time you will be able to find your buddy online streaming. Currently, we do not have cameras of our outdoor activity streaming online.
Will my dog play all day?
That is very much up to your dog. This is another position we take pride in. Some daycares justify their kennel or crate time as an opportunity for your pup to rest. Because our facility is both 100% crate-free and 100% supervised, we keep on eye on each and every dog. We are not afraid to give a dog a time out from the pack when they are not behaving, and we are there to intervene and give your dog a break if we suspect he or she is in need of one. We promote different activity levels throughout our facility, and individual dogs are regularly encouraged to move from one area to another where we feel they might be more successful at any given time.
Beginning in 2025, Happy Hounds is proud to introduce its Senior Dog Pack. This is a significantly smaller group of dogs who want less bustle and play, but who will still enjoy a crate free environment. While this pack is built to accommodate our senior friends, exceptions are made for parents who desire a pack with less stimulation.
What is a time out?
Our staff always have slip leads at the ready around their shoulders. They are trained in their use, and gently utilize them whenever needed. Typically, a time out occurs when a pup is being naughty. He or she may be crowding a dog that wants nothing to do with them. They might be an unwanted third party intruding upon two other dogs playing independently. Maybe, despite being neutered, they want to hump to show dominance. We don’t allow that. That dog is smoothly escorted to a cubicle with four foot walls and door to think about their actions for ten minutes or so before we reintroduce them into the pack.
Do dogs get potty breaks or walks?
Yes! Minimally once an hour potty breaks occur. Currently, we do not offer walks outside of the facility for clients.
Can I pack my dog’s meal, or do you provide it?
Happy Hounds recognizes the importance of your dog’s specific diet and nutrition. While other facilities might boast that they supply food for your pet, we realistically understand that the sensitive stomach of your pup may be accustomed to their brand, prescription, cooked and refrigerated, or even raw diet. Happy Hounds does not charge for any of these accommodations. In the event that food is not provided or forgotten, food is supplied at no cost. If a boarding stay is extended, and you want us to acquire and purchase your dog’s food from a store, we will do so and simply bill you for the price of the food.
Is Happy Hounds 24-hours a day?
Yes it is! Not only are we a 24-7-365 daycare, but dogs are always supervised and engaged with us. Even during overnights your dog is under the watchful care of our staff. They are not in a pet suite. They are hanging out in the same room, on a cot, in a bed, beside a fellow hound they’ve chosen, or in the arms of one of our employees. This is one of the things that makes Happy Hounds a cut above our competition.
Can you administer medication while my dog is boarding?
Yes of course! Provide instructions and one of our supervisors will dispense and manage meds for your pup. There is of course no additional charge for this service. At this time, we are unable to give your dog insulin, however.
Does Happy Hounds allow outside bedding and toys?
We do not.
What happens if my dog and another dog have a negative encounter?
Regardless of how little or small an incident between your dog and another, rest assured that we will inform you. Our integrity binds us to keep you, the dog parent, in the know. We recognize that, like humans, not every two dogs will get along. Sometimes two wonderful dogs just don’t like one another. Our staff is highly trained to recognize a squabble in most cases before it breaks out. On rare occasions that there is an incident, supervisors will review footage and circumstance, never hesitating to remove a dog that may be problematic to other dogs in our care.
What training and experience does your staff bring to the table?
Our staff is extremely dedicated to your furry family. Our average employee has been with Happy Hounds for 5 years. Our staff is first aid and CPR trained with canines.
Grooming
How is grooming scheduled?
Grooming is easily scheduled on our website within a 2-3 day window. Grooms occur during a scheduled day of daycare.
Who grooms my dog?
Happy Hounds is teamed up with Plymouth’s Polished Paw! Their talented team provides top notch service to your dog, conveniently during their daycare visit, saving you a trip to the groomer.
How is price determined?
When scheduling, our robust platform allows total customization of services, taking the guesswork out, and offering an accurate estimate for you when you schedule. Our platform uses factors such as weight, fur coat type, and breed to calculate a base price.
When will my dog be ready for pickup from grooming?
On your dogs scheduled day of grooming, parents will receive a text / email notification once grooming has been complete and your pup is ready for pickup.
My dog requires medication for grooming. Can you administer it before grooming?
Yes. This question is included when scheduling any grooming appointment. Indicate the medication / dosage and any other instructions, and we will administer it prior to their grooming appointment.
Senior Dog / 2nd Pack
How old does my dog need to be for me to consider him a senior?
We might classify dogs to be seniors when they turn eight, nine, or ten; however this pack is geared more towards behavior. Dogs who might want a little less action, but still want the companionship of our staff and fellow slow pokes are perfect candidates for this group.
On what days is Senior Dog / 2nd Pack Available?
This is a personal passion for Happy Hounds. It’s not easy seeing your furry friend age.
We are so proud of our crate-free environment, but realize that some dogs grow ornery, less social, and need more down time. For now, we are offering this pack on Wednesdays; however, we intend to offer more days for this group as the need for this accommodation grows for more of our clients. We are committed to being the finest location for senior dogs in Michigan. It is our plan to graduate dogs in our roster to this pack. We compassionately empathize with clients who remove their dogs from daycares as they age. We want to offer our clients the assurance that their old man or lady is still comfortable and treated with the specialized care that they tenderly receive at home.
What is the benefit of having my senior or aloof dog attend Senior Dog / 2nd Pack?
While there may be less play than our main pack, it provides a balance of human interaction and the peaceful companionship of their slower peers. You can leave your dog with us knowing that they are cared for and loved, safely monitored and attended to.
