We prefer not to feed our daycare guests unless it’s specifically required for medical reasons. Daycare dogs being fed will do so privately at quiet time and will need to rest for an hour after the meal. We find they normally do not eat as they think they are missing out on the fun, so unless it’s completely necessary we prefer that meals happen at home. There is a small fee to serve lunch.

Yes! We will try to accommodate last minute calls if we have the staff and space available, however we do need a phone call in advance. Our facility has a limited capacity to ensure the safety and well-being of all the dogs in our care. By making a reservation, you can ensure your pup won't be disappointed. To make a reservation, simply give us a call at (705) 728-5211, email at info@hound-lounge.ca or use our online booking system. Thank you for choosing The Hound Lounge for your dog's daycare needs! All of our daycare dogs must pass the assessment before attending. If this has not been done, click here to fill out our application.

We require a vaccine certificate from your veterinarian for rabies, distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvovirus and bordatella. We can contact your veterinarian directly for this.

Yes! We post daily to our Facebook and Instagram stories so you can see exactly what your dog is up to during the day. Don’t have time to watch the stories during the day? No problem! The pictures and videos will remain on our page for 24 hours so you can relax at home with your tired pup and see what their day entailed. Your peace of mind is our priority, and we encourage you to be a part of your dog's experience at The Hound Lounge. Our staff is always available to answer any questions you may have.

We’d love to show you around! Due to insurance policies, we can only allow staff in the back areas of our daycare. However, we do have a playroom visible from the office by request, where you can see our facilities up close. Additionally, our Potty Patio is visible from various points and can be viewed at any time. For a comprehensive look at our daycare, we also offer a virtual tour. Click here for that video!

Only a ready to play energy! We have all the toys and fun they need right here. All dogs must be leashed in the reception area but in their groups they play without the risk of collars and leashes.

Dogs over the age of 7 months old must be spayed or neutered for daycare. Even though your unaltered dog may be perfectly well mannered, the other dogs become edgy when there is an unaltered, sexually mature dog on the premises. This tends to cause behaviour issues in the whole group. We appreciate your understanding and compliance with this policy as we strive to create a secure and enjoyable experience for all dogs at The Hound Lounge.

We require all dogs to undergo an assessment before their first visit for the safety and well-being of all the dogs in our care. Not all dogs like to play with other dogs so we want to be sure that your dog will enjoy daycare and the company of canine friends. You can rest assured that every dog in our care has also passed our screening which greatly reduces the risk of an altercation. During the assessment, we evaluate your dog's behavior, temperament, and sociability to ensure they will thrive in our open play environment. This also helps us understand your dog's play style and preferences, allowing us to place them in playgroups that suit their personality. You can click here to fill out our application!

Yes! We find everyone does best when they have a schedule. We use both audio and visual cues so the dogs know what is happening. We have periods of active play with upbeat music and lots of toys. For rest periods we dim the lights, pick up the toys, quiet the music and bring out the dog beds. We close from 12 PM until 1:00 PM to ensure this quiet period is uninterrupted. The dogs also go outside every hour to keep them on a potty routine. Not only does this outside time help reinforce potty training, but it is essential for a dog's physical and mental well being! Our commitment to maintaining a consistent schedule is a key aspect of our dedication to providing a safe and nurturing environment for the dogs in our care.

We are open from 6:30 AM -6:00 PM. To ensure our staff to dog ratio is kept at a safe number, we do not accept drop ins. Please call ahead and we will make every effort to accommodate last minute needs. All dogs must be previously screened. Rest is an important part of daycare safety so for that reason we do not allow arrivals after 11:00 AM. Since our quiet time begins at 12:00 PM, that hour allows the dog to get out their initial excitement and settle into their rest time. Our quiet time is from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, so we do not allow pick ups during this hour.

Kennel Cough, or infectious tracheobronchiitis, is a contagious respiratory illness. It’s airborne so anywhere dogs are together, they can contract kennel cough (dog park, daycare, veterinary offices, training groups, etc.) Symptoms are cold like with a cough, sometimes strong and “honking” sounding, runny nose, sneezing, lethargy, loss of appetite, sometimes a low fever. Basically, it’s the common cold. Just like children’s daycare centres and schools, once one child get sick it seems to spread quick. The good news, it usually resolves itself on its own, however it’s always best to have your veterinarian rule out other causes for the cough. At The Hound Lounge, we take proactive measures to prevent kennel cough by requiring all dogs to be up to date on their vaccinations, specifically the Bordetella vaccine, before attending our facility. We also ensure constant cleanliness and sanitation of our premises, including regular disinfection of all common areas and play equipment to minimize the risk of infection. Furthermore, we implement a thorough health screening process for all new canine guests to identify any potential health issues before they enter our facility. Other conditions can cause a cough and may appear to be kennel cough, when they are in fact not. Allergies, excessive dust, or other nasal irritants, in addition to other infectious diseases can cause symptoms that appear to be kennel cough.

It is incredibly rare for humans to get it. However, according to the CDC, bordetella is considered “zoonotic” meaning we can pass it back and forth between us and our pets. That said, generally only humans with a suppressed immune system will contract kennel cough.

To be safe, we ask that a dog with confirmed kennel cough not return for 48 hours after symptoms disappear. In this way we are doing our best to contain the spread of infection to other dogs. As always, if your dog is not feeling well, has a runny nose, cough, diarrhea or vomiting, please do not bring them to daycare. Thank you for understanding and prioritizing the health of all dogs in our facility.

It is incredibly rare for humans to get it. However, according to the CDC, bordetella is considered “zoonotic” meaning we can pass it back and forth between us and our pets. That said, generally only humans with a suppressed immune system will contract kennel cough.

Typically, mild cases of kennel cough are treated with a week or two of rest, but a veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics to prevent a secondary infection and cough medication to ease the symptoms. We encourage open communication with our clients and appreciate being notified if your dog has contracted Canine Cough so we can accurately track all cases.

Not at all! Canine cough can be spread through the air or by direct contact with an infected dog and it can take from 3-10 days for symptoms to appear. This means it can come from so many different places, even from just passing a dog on the street. The Hound Lounge takes the health and safety of our furry guests very seriously, maintaining a strict cleaning and disinfection protocol to prevent the spread of illnesses. However, there is always a risk of exposure to airborne viruses when multiple dogs are together. We require all dogs to be up to date on their vaccinations, including the bordetella vaccine to help prevent canine cough. We also monitor all our guests for signs of illness and have procedures in place to isolate any suspected cases. We encourage open communication with our clients to ensure the health and well-being of all the dogs in our care. As noted from PetMD, “Even in the most hygienic, well ventilated, spacious kennels the possibility of a dog acquiring Canine Cough exists. Canine Cough can be acquired from your neighbor's dog, from a Champion show dog at a dog show, from the animal hospital where your dog just came in for treatment of a cut paw. So try not to blame the kennel operator if your dog develops Canine Cough shortly after that weekend stay at the kennel! There may have been an infected dog, unknown to anyone, that acted as a source for other dogs in the kennel.” The best prevention is a strong and vibrant immune system.

Much like the human flu shot, bordetella vaccine does protect and minimize risk but it doesn’t ensure that there is no risk. There are various strains and sometimes your dog can pick up one of the strains not covered in the vaccine. The benefit of the vaccine is that if they do get sick, the symptoms are usually far less severe and resolve more quickly. As Dr. Karen Becker, DMV says “As I discussed earlier, kennel cough is most often a complex cocktail of different infections and not just a single infection. Because it's caused by a variety of different bacterial and viral agents, there's no one single vaccine that can provide protection for all of those different infectious agents.” We take every precaution to maintain a clean and healthy environment for all our furry guests to minimize the risk of illness, but it's important to be aware that no vaccine can guarantee complete immunity. If you have any concerns or questions about kennel cough and vaccination, please don't hesitate to reach out to our staff for more information and guidance.

If you require someone else to pick up your dog please make sure they have been added to your "authorized to pick up" list. This list can be updated to add or remove people at any time. Please ensure payment is arranged ahead of time. Your options include purchasing a package, leaving a credit card on file, or simply reimbursing your alternate pick up.

We require accurate drop off and pick up times to plan our day accordingly. If an hour has passed since your scheduled drop off time and we have not heard from you, you are considered a "no show" and your dog will be removed from the schedule so their spot can be given to someone else. We will attempt to contact you first however, if we are unsuccessful it will be treated as a "no show". We understand that life can be unpredictable and we try our best to accommodate last minute changes with notice. If you require a change to your booking please contact us.

We require a 3 hour minimum booking. We find 3 hours is just enough time for a dog to get settled and established in a group without it being too overwhelming. Most dogs thrive with even longer visits though and we encourage you to drop your pup off for the whole day!

We are closed between 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm for a quiet time to allow the dogs to rest. During this hour our office is closed and we do not accept pick ups. This hour of rest is very important for the dogs mental well being.

Coughing or other cold symptoms: If your dog is coughing, has a runny nose, is excessively sneezing, and/or seems lethargic please keep them home until at least 24 hours after symptoms have improved. Vomiting/diarrhea: If your dog has been vomiting or had diarrhea please keep them home until at least 24 hours after symptoms have improved or until they have been cleared by a veterinarian. Eye infections: If your dog has goopy eyes, a greenish discharge, and/or is holding one or both eyes closed they should not attend daycare. If prescribed medication they can return after they are completed. If you choose to not have your dog assessed by a veterinarian, they can return once their eye(s) have cleared. Ear infections: Most ear infections are not contagious and your dog can continue to attend daycare with one. However, ear infections can be quite uncomfortable and your dog may feel irritable because of it. If this is the case, please keep your dog home until they are feeling better. If your dogs ear infection is the result of a parasite such as an ear mite, they must stay home until it has completely cleared. Wounds (cuts/scrapes etc): If your dog has sustained any wound that requires bandaging, they should stay home until the bandages can be removed. If your dog has sustained a superficial wound that does not require bandages or restrict their movement they are welcome to attend daycare. We will monitor them closely and notify you if it seems to affect them in daycare. Other injuries (strains/sprains etc): If your dog is injured in any way it is best to keep them home until healed or cleared by their veterinarian. Playing while injured can exacerbate the injury and make it worse. If you are ever unsure if your dog should be attending daycare please call us at (705)728-5211 or email at info@hound-lounge.ca and we can advise you.

We do not accept drop offs after 11:00 am. Since we have a quiet time at 12:00 pm this hour allows the dogs to expel some energy before we start the rest time. Once the dogs have been in an established group for an extended period of time it can be difficult to introduce a new dog who has a heightened energy level. To ensure the safety of all the dogs, this is why we also do not accept drop offs after quiet time. Our drop off window is from 6:30 am to 11:00 am.

If your dog is scheduled for daycare and does not arrive, that visit will be marked as a no show and we will contact you so you are notified. After 3 no shows, a no show fee of $20 will be charged. We understand that schedules can change. Please contact us and we will be happy to make any changes.

Transitioning to raw is really quite easy! You can switch 'cold turkey' (pun intended). Simply feed a meal of kibble, wait 8-12 hours, then start feeding raw! It is recommended to feed a rotation of 3 or more proteins but for the very first week, stick to just one. As your dog's body is adjusting to the change it is possible to see mild tummy upset such as loose stool but this shouldn't last more than a couple days. It can take up to two weeks to begin to notice the benefits of a raw food diet!

This is a bit of a controversial question. It used to be recommended to never mix kibble and raw food as they digest at different speeds. However, as more information has become available, this may not always be the case. To see the true benefits of a raw food diet like less shedding, smaller poops, and fresher breath, a 100% raw diet is recommended. However, we understand for some this is not always possible. We encourage you to incorporate as much raw food into your dogs diet as you can. Some dogs may do just fine mixing kibble and raw food but some may experience GI upset from this. Each dog is an individual so what may work for one is not the answer for all. If mixing kibble and raw food, monitor your pet closely. If GI upset occurs, keep kibble and raw food feedings separate.

You do not have to add anything to a raw diet but you can if you want to! The raw food brands we carry are packaged as complete diets, meaning they contain all the necessary nutrients, vitamins, and minerals your dog needs to thrive. We recommend rotating proteins to give your pet a variety in their diet. Feeding both poultry (if possible) and red meat is helpful in maintaining consistent stools. When just starting out, we advise sticking to just one protein for the first week. There are also lots of things you can add to your pets raw diet to make it even more exciting! Explore our options of supplements, fish oils, and meaty bones in store.

No, it is not recommended to heat up raw dog food. Raw dog food contains a percentage of bone content which is completely safe for them to consume when raw, however once heated up it becomes brittle posing a safety concern. Heating of raw dog food can also compromise the nutritional integrity of the food, as well as increase the risk of bacterial contamination. We advise following the specific storage and serving instructions provided by the raw dog food manufacturer to ensure the safety and quality of the food for your dog. Thawing food in a microwave can be done but it is not recommended. If you have forgotten to thaw the food, placing it in lukewarm water is a safer way to defrost quicker. Most dogs will also eat their food a bit frozen!

It is recommended to feed your dog 2% of their ideal body weight. Check out our raw food feeding calculator to help determine how much raw food your dog needs a meal. Since a raw diet is calculated by weight it is best to get a food scale to accurately weigh out their meals. Our team is always available to help you calculate how much your pet needs.

Raw dog food should be stored frozen in a secure package. To serve raw dog food, thaw it until defrosted. Thawing can be done in the fridge or a sink of cold water. Always make sure to wipe down surfaces and wash your hands and utensils after handling. We recommend using a stainless steel bowl to feed as it is the easiest to clean. Defrosted raw food can last in the fridge for 2-3 days. Overall, use the same care you do when handling meat for human consumption. Feeding raw dog food is not as complicated as it may seem, and the benefits are definitely worth it!