The 2024 Student Handbook

HOURS & HOLIDAY CLOSURES

Hours of Operation

Monday - Friday: 7 am–9 am & 4 pm–6 pm

Saturday: 8 am–11 am & 4 pm–6 pm

Sunday: 9 am–11 am & 4 pm–6 pm

Holiday Closures

We will be closed for pick-ups and drop-offs on the following holidays:

New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
These holidays are also circled on our 2024 Peak Season Calendar.
*We are still internally operating these days, just closed to the public for drop-offs and pick-ups.

HEALTH + SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Vaccines

We require all dogs to have received the following vaccinations:

Distemper/Parvovirus (DAPP)
Bordetella
Rabies

Currently, we do not require but highly recommend the Canine Influenza vaccine.

It is your responsibility to verify current vaccinations regularly.

We can refuse care for any dog with expired vaccines and an obvious or harmful infection.

Dress Code

Each dog visiting The Doghouse should arrive wearing a properly fitted collar and attached to a leash before they get out of (or into) your car. Keeping your dog safe is our number one concern. We have taken safety precautions to keep dogs safe on The Doghouse premises, but be aware that we are located on Summer Ave, and there is often road traffic. We will keep your dog’s collar on during their time at The Doghouse and keep their leash in a designated cubby until you come back to pick them up.

Freshman Orientations

To ensure that The Doghouse School is the best fit for you and your dog(s), we require a temperament test, aka “Freshman Orientation,” before booking any of our services. All dogs participating must pass our behavior assessment to attend any of our services. They must be non-aggressive or food or toy-protective. Any dog that has previously harmed or shown aggressive or threatening behavior towards any person or dog(s) is not permitted to use our services.

Freshman Orientations cost $5; this cost is Non-Refundable. If your dog hasn’t attended an appointment in over one year, they must re-enroll for another Freshman Orientation. You will have to pay the $5 appointment cost again.

Illness

Unfortunately, just like humans, dogs in our care sometimes get sick. If this happens, we will do everything we can to reach you to confirm an early pickup time and make sure all necessary actions have been taken.

Inclement Weather

All services will be canceled if there is inclement weather or hazardous road conditions. Any payment will either be credited or rescheduled for a later date.

Puppy Requirements

Your dog must be at least 16 weeks old with all up-to-date required vaccinations to participate in our services. All final puppy vaccinations must be complete.

We do accept senior pups as well. It‘s great for healthy dogs of all ages to get mental stimulation and socialization.

Senior Pup Healthy Waiver | 5 Years Old+

Senior pets naturally have a higher risk of injury, stress-related illness, or exacerbation of any pre-existing condition. By bringing your senior pet for any of our services, you are waiving any claim for injury or illness experienced by your pet while in our care, and that is not directly caused by the negligence or lack of care on the part of our staff.

Owner has read and understands the above and, as the owner or agent for the pet described herein, agrees not to hold Canine Carnival LLC. and staff responsible for the illness or death of their pet or any expenses incurred because of the illness or death of the pet described herein.

BOARDING POLICIES

Packing Food

Please provide your dog's food in a small/medium-sized container labeled with their name or assembled in pre-portioned bags.

We do accept slow feeders and treats from home.

Items from Home

We are not currently accepting beds, blankets, toys, floor mats, pillows, or bowls (other than Slow Feeders) when arriving for boarding. We will provide these for your dog, as they are included in the cost of boarding.

Pick Up Code

If someone new is picking up your dog(s), you can provide them with a four-digit pick-up code or a phone number that will be recited at pick-up time. You can also add this person to your pick-up list by sending us an email with their First and Last Name, along with a good contact number.

How To Cancel Boarding

The only way to cancel any service is via Email, stating which service(s) and dates you need to cancel. We do not accept any other form of cancellation. Any cancellation request done after our business hours will be considered as being received the next day. We require a minimum of 48 hrs notice for cancellations and changes.

Below is a breakdown of Cancellation Policies for both Peak and Regular Seasons.

Cancelling During Regular Season: Applies to all days NOT highlighted or circled in our 2024 Peak Season Calendar.

Cancellations made before 48 hrs: you can reschedule or cancel your appointment via email.

Cancellations made after 48 hrs: you can email us to request to be rescheduled within 7 days of the original appointment.
Early Boarding Departures: If your dog departs early, you do not get a refund or credit for nights within 48 hrs.
- Any appointments after 48 hrs can be subject to a credit or refund.
No Shows/No Notice: If you do not provide us with 24 hr notice or do not show up, you will not qualify for a refund or credit.
Boarding Store Credit: Expires 60 days from the start of the original appointment date.
- We only allow 1 discount, coupon, or credit per appointment.

Cancelling During Peak Season: Applies to all days highlighted or circled in our 2024 Peak Season Calendar.

Cancellations made 7 days before your check-in date: Eligible for a full refund or credit.
Cancellations made 4-6 days before your check-in date: Eligible for a 50% refund.
Cancellations made within 3 days before your check-in date: Not eligible for a refund or store credit.
No Shows/No Notice: No refund, plus an additional $10 “No Show” fee.
Early Boarding Departures: If your dog departs early, you do not get a refund or credit for nights within 48 hrs.
- Any appointments after 48 hrs can be subject to a credit or refund.
Boarding Store Credit: Expires 60 days from the start of the original appointment date.
- We only allow 1 discount, coupon, or credit per appointment.

*Peak Season policies apply to any stay that overlaps with these times of the year. For example, if only a few nights of your stay falls on a Peak Season date, the entire stay qualifies as a “Peak Season Stay” and therefore abides by these policies.

Boarding Daycare On Departure Day

On the day of departure, if you do not pick your dog up by 9 am, you will be scheduled and charged for a full day of daycare.

If you did not select this add-on during booking and end up staying for daycare, there is a $7 fee in addition to the cost of daycare.
If you booked and planned to pick up your student between 4 pm - 6 pm on departure day and then extend for a night of boarding, you are still responsible for the cost of the Boarding Daycare Fee that day.

Departure Day Changes + Baths

You will be charged for an additional bath if your dog needs another one.

Ex) It’s the day of departure, and your dog is all cleaned and ready to go home, but you decide to extend your stay.

In this case, you would be responsible for the cost of the initial Exit Bath as well as the one given on your new day of departure.

Booking Cosmetology Add-Ons/Baths

An Exit Bath must be booked in order to receive any Cosmetology Treatments available.

If an Exit Bath is not booked but a Treatment has been selected, you will be scheduled and charged for an Exit Bath.

If we are unable to provide you with any cosmetology services, you will receive a complete refund.

Inclement Weather

All services will be canceled if there is inclement weather or hazardous road conditions. Any payment will either be credited or rescheduled for a later date.

DAYCARE POLICIES

Nap Time

All dogs in attendance, including boarders, will partake in a one-hour nap session. This ensures that all dogs take time to properly wind down throughout their time in Daycare. This is essential to maintaining a healthy and well-regulated Daycare experience for all dogs. All lunches sent to school and all Snack Bar items purchased will be distributed during this time.

Distinguishing Play Styles

Our Daycare classes are separated by play style rather than size. This helps prevent miscommunications between each dog, encourages healthy play time, and creates a happier daycare environment overall.

Late Pick Up

If your dog has not been picked up by 6 pm, you will incur the cost for 1 night of boarding + a $12 service fee.

Alternate Parent Pick-Up Code

If someone new will be picking up your dog(s), you can provide them with a four-digit pick-up code or a phone number that will be recited at pick-up time. You can also add this person to your pick-up list by sending us an email with their First and Last Name, along with a good contact number.

How To Cancel Daycare

Cancellations made before 24 hrs: you can reschedule or cancel your appointment via email.
Cancellations made after 24 hrs: you can email us to request to be rescheduled within 7 days of your original appointment.
No Shows/No Notice: If you do not provide us with 24 hr notice or do not show up, you will not qualify for a refund or credit.
Daycare Store Credit: Expires in 7 days from the start of the original appointment date.
- We only allow 1 discount, coupon, or credit per appointment.

Daycare Packages

The following rules apply for all Daycare Packages:

We do not offer packages for half-day appointments.
We do not offer payment plans or partial payments for Daycare Packages.
We are unable to extend package expiration dates for any reason.
All packages are non-refundable.

Cosmetology Services

An Exit Bath must be booked in order to receive any Cosmetology Treatments available. If an Exit Bath is not booked but a Treatment has been selected, you will be scheduled and charged for an Exit Bath.

If we are unable to provide you with any cosmetology services, you will receive a complete refund.

Inclement Weather

All services will be canceled if there is inclement weather or hazardous road conditions. Any payment will either be credited or rescheduled for a later date.

CANINE CARPOOL

Pick-Up & Drop-Off Times

The School Bus pick-up and drop-off times correlate with our Hours of Operation mentioned at the start of this Handbook. Our team strives to fit everyone in the time frame selected for booking. On days we experience higher volumes of Carpool riders, we may reach out to confirm an adjusted pick-up and/or drop-off time. When the School bus is unavailable, we will provide Canine Carpool services using our team’s vehicles.

Weekends

At this time, we will not be offering Canine Carpool services on weekends. Please be mindful of this when booking Boarding stays.

Safety

Each dog riding the School Bus must wear a harness on the bus. This ensures we can safely fasten each dog in their seat with a buckle or clip that connects the chair to their harness.

Inclement Weather

All services will be canceled if there is inclement weather or hazardous road conditions. Any payment will either be credited or rescheduled for a later date.

How To Cancel Carpool

The only way to cancel any service is via Email, stating which service(s) and dates you need to cancel. We do not accept any other form of cancellation.

Any cancellation request done after our business hours will be considered as being received the next day.
Carpool cancellation policies will correspond with the service policies your dog is scheduled for, such as boarding or daycare.

Canine Carpool Fees | $5+

The following Fees may be applied when using our Canine Carpool Services:

$5 fee if you add Canine Carpool to your stay on the day of your appointment.
$15 fee if your dog is already on the bus and you need them to return home for any reason.
- Same-day cancellation policies still apply in addition to the fee.
$15 fee if we cannot get your dog when we arrive at your home.

*The above fees will be applied per dog.

PARTY PACKS

Booking a Party Pack

We have 2 Party Packs available at this time: A Starbucks Trip or A Personal Pit Stop at Hollywood Feed!

The price of each does not include Daycare or Boarding services; this is an additional cost.
When you're booking your Party Pack, please be sure to fill out the online form.
- This ensures we have all the necessary information to throw the best Party for your dog.
Feel free to bring your own class treats and decorations!

How To Cancel a Party Pack

KEY FEES TO CONSIDER

Same Day Appointments (Daycare & Boarding) | $7

If you do not have an appointment and use our services on the same day, you will incur a price difference when scheduling. This is also referred to as a “Walk-in Fee”. This fee also applies to any boarders scheduled for a departure between 7 am and 9 am but end up staying for daycare.

Late Fee Pick Up/Drop Off Fee (Daycare & Boarding) | $12

You will receive a late drop-off fee if you do not drop off your dog before 9 am or pick them up before 6 pm.

If your dog has not been picked up by 6 pm, you will incur the cost for 1 night of boarding + a $12 service fee.

Boarding Daycare Fee (Boarding) | $38.50

On the day of departure, if you do not pick your dog up by 9 am, you will be scheduled and charged for a full day of daycare.

If you did not select this add-on during booking and end up staying for daycare, there is a $7 fee in addition to the cost of daycare.
If you booked and planned to pick up your student between 4 pm - 6 pm on departure day and then extend for a night of boarding, you are still responsible for the cost of the Boarding Daycare Fee that day.

Late Payment Fee (All Services) | $10

This applies to any Invoices that have yet to be paid within 24 hrs of being sent.

This fee will be applied each day that the invoice balance remains unpaid.

Canine Carpool Fees | $5+

The following Fees may be applied when using our Canine Carpool Services:

$5 fee if you add Canine Carpool to your stay on the day of your appointment.
$15 fee if your dog is already on the bus and you need them to return home for any reason.
- Same-day cancellation policies still apply in addition to the fee.
$15 fee if we cannot get your dog when we arrive at your home.

* The above fees will be applied per dog.

Alternative Daycare | $10

This applies to any dog that is unable to attend our main daycare class due to age, medical or health issues, and/or recent behavior when attending a full class. If Alternative Daycare is required when boarding, this fee is applied each day.

Peak Season Fee (Boarding Only) | $10

There is a $10 fee for bookings made less than 7 days before the start of your stay.

This fee applies to all days highlighted or circled when viewing our 2024 Peak Season Calendar.

Destruction of Doghouse Property | $–$$$

You may be liable for any damages your dog(s) cause to any property belonging to The Doghouse School. When your dog damages property, we will contact you about the damages and discuss reimbursement costs.

Depending on the extent of the damages, you may be responsible for sharing the costs equally with The Doghouse.

PAYMENT AUTHORIZATION

Payment Credit Card Authorization

Payment is due in full at the time of online booking or upon arrival. Owner agrees that they can only drop their pet(s) off once all services have been paid in full. The owner will also be responsible for any surcharges if you are late to pick up your dog.

By accepting these terms, the dog owner authorizes the company to charge the dog owner's credit card for any and all current or future scheduled appointments.

We require at least 1 credit card on file at all times.
You may incur a penalty cost if you provide an invalid credit card or do not provide one at all.

Cash Payments

We do not accept cash at this time.

Invoices

Invoices not paid within 24 hrs of receiving will incur additional fees each day they remain outstanding.

Pricing and Policies

All pricing and policies are subject to change without notice.

SAFETY & LIABILITY

Personal Belongings

The Doghouse School is not liable for any damages your dog may cause to your belongings when attending any of our services, such as but not limited to: Leashes, Collars, Harnesses, Beds, Bedding, Blankets, Toys, etc.

Health and Safety Policy

Please be aware we take your dog's health and safety very seriously. If there is a medical emergency while your dog is at The Doghouse School, we are authorized to take action and do whatever is necessary for your dog's safety. In emergencies, we will always contact you first. If we can't reach you, we will call the emergency contact listed on your account. If we believe the situation needs to be addressed prior to contacting you, we will ensure that your dog receives the appropriate and proper care.

The dog owner agrees to cover 50% of necessary medical expenses or bills.
If the Company covers the total cost of a necessary medical visit, the dog owner agrees to reimburse 50%.
If the dog owner covers the total cost of a necessary medical visit, the Company agrees to reimburse 50%.
The dog owner understands the Company is not responsible or liable for any medical expenses or bills beyond the initial visit.
The dog owner understands the Company will not cover the cost of boarding or overnight care at any place of veterinary practice–we only aid in costs essential to medical care.
The dog owner understands the cost of any services booked on the day of injury or falling within a cancellation period will not be refunded or credited.

It is understood that The Doghouse School is not a place of veterinary practice and that neither the Company nor its employees are certified in that field. It is understood that any medicine the owner provides is distributed as the owner instructs.

Each dog owner who uses our services, including owners who schedule appointments themselves and owners who ask to be scheduled for appointments by staff, understands certain activities that their dog(s) may participate in, including but not limited to walks, field trips, playgroups, daycare, boarding, one-on-one play, movement within and outside the facility, and transportation to and from The Doghouse School involves risk and possible injury. Each dog owner further understands that not every potential risk can be listed above but agrees that the benefits associated with dog socialization outweigh the possible risks. Further, each dog owner understands that they may be exposed to certain risks when bringing their dog to participate in activities at The Doghouse School or when picking up their dog from participating in activities at The Doghouse School. Such risks may include property damage and/or physical injury inside or outside the facility, such as but not limited to falling, slipping, illness, and/or dog bites.

Therefore, the owner hereby voluntarily releases forever discharges, and agrees to hold harmless and indemnify The Doghouse School, its agents, successors, and heirs from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, or rights of action, which are related to, arise out of, or are in any way connected with owner’s dog(s) participation in activities at The Doghouse School, including those allegedly attributable to the negligent acts or omissions of The Doghouse School or their staff.

MEDIA RIGHTS

Imagery/Media Rights

The Doghouse has the right to use any and all images of your dog in all forms and media, including composite or modified representations. The company is not obligated to include dog names as a credit in connection with the image. Owner agrees and understands that the company can use any imagery of their dog in all forms of media throughout the world forever—for any and all purposes the company chooses. All rights reserved.