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FAQS
HOW DO I SCHEDULE THE INITIAL ASSESSMENT?
Please email paul@wigglypups.com or call 212.477.3930 to schedule the initial assessment that is required of all dogs entering Wiggly Pups!
HOW LONG IS THE INITIAL ASSESSMENT?
The initial assessment is 5 hours long (1/2 day) but if your dog is doing well, you can request that he/she stay for the rest of the day (in which case you will be charged for a full day, instead of a half day).
WHEN DO I HAVE ACCESS TO THE WEBCAMS?
After the initial assessment, if your dog passes, you will have access to the webcams and we will provide you the password. The webcams are on from 9am-5pm.
DO YOU PROVIDE WATER FOR MY DOG TO DRINK DURING THE DAY?
Of course! Could you imagine playing for hours without a drink of water? We can't either! There is always water out for your dogs to stay hydrated.
CAN I BRING MY DOG LUNCH?
You can bring lunch for dogs under 6 months old or those with special medical needs. We ask that all other dogs eat their meals at home.
WHICH VACCINATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR MY DOG?
NY State requires that all dogs in a communal play space are up to date on the DA2PP ( distemper, adenovirus type 2 (hepatitis), parvovirus and parainfluenza), Rabies and Bordetella vaccines.
DOES MY DOG NEED TO BE SPAYED OR NEUTERED?
Dogs under 6 months old can (usually) play happily without being fixed. However, we require that dogs over 6 months old are spayed or neutered.
This is because spaying and neutering can curb behaviours that’ll help make your dog accepted into a pack. It will also maintain balance and fair play, as the behaviours differ between an intact and a spayed dog. Intact dogs may have the tendency to be territorial of their own property and pet parents, so this behaviour can be reduced with spaying and training.
Spaying and neutering your dog gives them a chance to play with others without being overly possessive with their friends, so one dog doesn’t stand out more than the others.
WHAT IS THE LATEST I CAN DROP OFF MY DOG FOR PLAYCARE?
All dogs must be dropped off for playcare by 12pm (noon). This is because a dog that arrives later will have a different energy level than the dogs that have been there all morning. Please drop your dog off before noon.
WHAT KIND OF COLLAR SHOULD MY DOG WEAR?
All dogs must wear a collar. Flat nylon collars or nylon martingale collars are preferred. If a dog enters Wiggly Pups without a collar, a nylon collar will be supplied by Wiggly Pups at the owner's expense. This collar may be kept at Wiggly Pups and should be removed upon departure. We do not allow metal choke or prong collars into the run. No spiked collars allowed. Harnesses are typically chewed and ruined.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY DOG IS NAUGHTY AT DAYCARE?
Our philosophy is force-free, always. When a dog acts naughty or cheeky, we will first redirect the dog to a more productive activity. If the dog continues to act inappropriately, or if a dog is over-stimulated, we may give them time to cool down with a temporary time-out. If your dog is just having an off day or doesn't seem to want to be in playcare, we will call and let you know.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY DOG GETS INJURED OR SICK?
Dog play with their mouths and paws, so minor scrapes are common in dog play (like children on a playground). Sometimes dogs come into playcare and have pre-existing conditions. If we notice that your dog is very unwell in any way, we will call you immediately and, if necessary we will take your dog to your vet or to a local animal emergency room. If it is not immediately necessary, we will inform you of the nature of the illness or injury, so that you can decide if you would like to pick up your dog early.
AT WHAT AGE SHOULD MY DOG START PLAYCARE?
Generally speaking, the earlier you start socializing your puppy, the better. But it’s important to do it at a pace that is age-appropriate. A puppy entering playcare should be at least 12 weeks of age and have all of their first round of “adult” shots before going to a kennel or daycare. You should wait about two weeks after the date of their initial vaccinations before signing them up.
DO YOU SEPARATE THE DOGS BY SIZE?
Our current play policy is inspired by one of our original members, a 2 lb teacup poodle named Ellie. She loved playing with the big dogs! Generally dogs will play with other dogs of the same size but sometimes they want to play with others! We sometimes separate by size, depending on who is attending playcare, but most of the time we let the dogs all mingle together. Yes, this is very safe! They are very aware of their own space.
MY DOG ONLY GOES POTTY OUTSIDE. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THEY ARE AT DAYCARE?
Dogs are smarter than we give them credit for! They recognize that the playcare space is very different from their home space. We give larger dogs a potty break in the middle of the day, but most dogs will still occasionally go potty in the playcare space. This is attributed to marking behavior - your pup is claiming the space as their own! In over a decade of business we have not once had a problem with changing a dog's housebreaking (they know it's ok at playcare, where it smells like dogs and not ok at home). If your dog starts having accidents at home there is likely a medical cause like a urinary tract infection. Please consult your vet.
DOES THE PRICE OF BOARDING INCLUDE PLAYCARE?
Yes! The boarding rate is for 24 hours and includes playcare during that time. If your dog stays past the time that they arrived, an additional playcare charge may incurred just for the extra hours of play that last day.
WHAT IS YOUR TRAINING PHILOSOPHY?
100% force-free and completely science-based! We believe strongly in positive reinforcement as the primary method of training. This works for humans, dogs, and animals of all species. Our founder, Dr. Kathy Compitus, has published, taught and lectured internationally about the benefits of positive-reinforcement training for humans and other animals. (If anyone speaks to you about "alpha dogs", "physical corrections" or "dominance" training please run far away because these methods are harmful to dogs and can worsen their behavior!
HOW LONG CAN MY DOG STAY HOME ALONE?
Please read this article. Behaviorists recommend that your dog spend no longer than 4 hours at a time at home alone. To guarantee that your dog remains in optimal mental and physical health, we recommend that if you will be out of the house for more than 4 hours that you either bring your dog to play at Wiggly Pups or schedule a dog walk to break up the day.