Getting Started at The Dog Den & The Puppy Den
Choosing care for your dog — whether they’re a playful adult or a growing puppy — can feel overwhelming. There’s a lot of information out there, and it’s not always clear what matters most.
At The Dog Den and The Puppy Den, we believe getting started should feel supportive, not stressful. Our process is designed to help us learn about your dog, answer your questions, and make thoughtful decisions together.
You don’t need to have everything figured out. That’s what we’re here for.
Step 1: Tell Us About Your Dog
The first step is simple: tell us about your dog.
We’ll ask about things like your dog’s age, history, personality, and what you’re hoping for from daycare. This helps us understand who your dog is as an individual and how we might best support them.
For puppy guardians, this is also a chance to share what you’re seeing at home and what questions you’re carrying — no judgment, no expectations.
Step 2: A Conversation Comes Next
Once we’ve reviewed your information, we’ll reach out to talk through next steps.
This may include:
Answering questions about adult or puppy daycare
Talking through what a good day looks like
Discussing timing, availability, and readiness
Our goal is to make sure expectations are clear and that the environment will be supportive for your dog — and for you.
Adult Daycare vs. Puppy Daycare
While our values stay consistent across programs, adult dogs and puppies have different needs.
Adult Daycare (over 6 months) focuses on well-managed social play, rest, and ongoing support for adult dogs.
Puppy Daycare (under 6 months) is designed around development, learning, emotional regulation, and building a strong foundation during puppyhood.
We’ll help guide you toward the program that makes the most sense for your dog’s age and stage.
About Evaluations and Fit
Every dog is an individual, and we take time to understand what support they need to feel safe and comfortable.
For adult dogs, this may include an evaluation process to make sure group daycare is the right environment.
For puppies, we take a flexible, development-focused approach and adjust support as puppies grow and change.
Our goal is never to rush dogs into situations that don’t serve them — it’s to set them up for positive experiences from the start.
Availability & Waitlists
To maintain the level of care we believe dogs deserve, enrollment is intentionally limited.
We’re often full, and availability can change based on group dynamics and staffing. When space isn’t immediately available, we offer a waitlist so dogs can join the program thoughtfully and at the right time.
Being on the waitlist doesn’t mean you’re forgotten — it means we’re being careful about how and when we welcome new dogs into our care.
A Note About Add-Ons
Our daycare programs are designed to give dogs a good day — with healthy play, appropriate rest, and attentive care at the center. Everything else is optional.
Some families choose to add extra activities simply because their dogs enjoy them. Our enrichment options, creative projects like art days, and special treat activities add variety, novelty, and a little extra fun to a dog’s routine.
Think of them like electives — not required, not right for every dog every day, but a nice option for dogs who enjoy trying something different. Some dogs love the change of pace, some enjoy the one-on-one attention, and others are perfectly happy sticking with the core daycare experience.
There’s no pressure to decide right away. We’re always happy to help you figure out what your dog enjoys and when it makes sense to add something new.
You can explore our monthly enrichment program and special daycare activities at any time.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re ready to start the conversation — or even if you’re just feeling unsure — we’d love to hear from you.