IMPORTANT HEALTH & SAFETY NOTICE Dogs with contagious illnesses or parasites are not allowed at the Macatawa Dog Training. We are happy to provide care for injured dogs or those with special medical or health needs when applicable, but for the safety and health of other dogs, we cannot accommodate dogs with contagious disease or parasites. Common illnesses and parasites include but are not limited to: Bordetella (kennel cough), conjunctivitis, and intestinal parasites/worms. Symptoms of illness can include coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, discharge from the eyes, nose, mouth, and/or visible parasites in the stool. If a dog shows signs of illness while in our care, we will isolate them from the other dogs and the owner will be asked to take him or her to the vet for a checkup. The dog is welcome to come back only after the vet declares he or she healthy. If a dog arrives showing signs of an illness, or if a dog is actively being treated for a contagious illness or parasite, the dog is not allowed to stay. This is for the comfort, health, and safety of your dog and the other dogs. 

 

NEW CLIENT INFORMATION All new dogs must go through a daycare evaluation before being put into daycare. The evaluation must be scheduled ahead of time. We only do evaluations after 9:00 a.m. On your first day of daycare, please bring your dog to daycare early in the morning between 7:00 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. This early arrival time gives your dog a chance to explore the daycare environment before the rest of the pack arrives. We want your dog to have a good experience on his or her first day and meeting the pack a few dogs at a time will give your dog a chance to acclimate to our facility. Please note that clients are not permitted in the daycare.

 

​HEALTH, and VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS We require all dogs to be up to date on their rabies, distemper, fecal, negative heartworm test, and Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccines. We also recommend the canine influenza vaccine, but it is not required. We recommend that all dogs use Frontline, Advantix, or a similar flea- and parasite-control product, but please do not apply these products on the day your dog attends daycare, as doing so could be unsafe for the staff and the other dogs. We will ask for a copy of your dog’s vaccination records on your first day. Please provide us with updated records as the old ones expire. Please let us know if your dog has any health issues that would impact his or her stay in our daycare. Examples include injuries, recent surgery/stitches, skin conditions, illness, history of seizures, allergies, medicines, etc. Please do not bring your dog to daycare if he or she is showing signs of illness. Symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, rashes, coughing, or discharge from the eyes or nose may indicate an illness that could be contagious to other dogs.  If your dog shows signs of illness while at daycare, we will remove him or her from the pack to a quiet area, and then alert you or your emergency contact. Your dog’s health and safety at our daycare is of the utmost importance to us. During playtime with other dogs throughout the day, minor injuries such as scrapes, punctures or bumps may occur. In the event that your dog becomes sick or injured during the day, our staff will assist him or her immediately to ensure his or her safety. We will then contact you, or your emergency contact, to alert you of the situation. 

 

BEHAVIOR REQUIREMENTS Our pack is made up of many different types of dogs. Most dogs that come to daycare are playful, happy, and friendly, and we also welcome shy or nervous dogs, if they are able to acclimate to the pack during their introductory period. Every dog is given a chance to adjust to the pack, and our trained staff will be able to determine if your dog will be a happy member of our pack. We do not allow aggressive or dangerous dogs. We do not allow aggressive play, excessive barking, jumping or dominant behavior. Our staff works diligently to maintain a calm energy in the pack. We understand that many dogs may be over-excited on their first day, and we will work with your dog to teach them our rules. Many clients have noted that their dogs’ behavioral problems at home are eased after experiencing the calm energy of our pack. 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION We request that your dog come to daycare with a leash, a well-fitted collar (with a flat buckle). This will enable us to easily bring your dog in and out of the daycare. Pinch and chain collars are allowed, but we will remove them in the daycare setting for safety reasons. If your dog requires feeding during the day, please bring the food in a container labeled with your dog’s name and feeding instructions. We are also able to administer most medications throughout the day. Please call us for details.