FAQ: Daycare & Boarding Routine
Why do you serve breakfast separately for every dog?
Serving meals separately helps prevent food guarding, reduces stress, and keeps mealtimes calm and safe for everyone.
Why do you require a digestion period after meals?
We allow 30 minutes to 1 hour after meals before active play. This helps dogs stay comfortable, reduces tummy upset, and supports a smoother transition into playtime.
Why do dogs get rotated throughout the day?
Dogs do best with a balance of play and recovery. Rotations prevent overstimulation, allow dogs to rest, and keep play groups healthy and appropriate.
What is “mandatory nap time” and why does it matter?
Nap time is 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm daily. It gives dogs a full reset. Just like people, dogs have social batteries—without rest, many dogs become cranky, pushy, or overwhelmed as the day goes on.
Can I drop my dog off during nap time?
Please avoid drop-offs during 11:00 am – 1:00 pm. Drop-offs during this hour excite the other dogs, naps get interrupted, and the group can become grumpy all afternoon.
Why might my dog be inside or separated sometimes?
Safety comes first. Not all dogs like all dogs, and some dogs do best with more structure. Certain combinations (including some intact males) may not be compatible with group play. Our system keeps dogs safe and happy, which sometimes means indoor play, separate rotations, or extra breaks.
Why do you have structured pick-up times?
During pick-ups we place dogs in their respective spaces so our team can safely bring dogs through the facility without door-dashing, group mixing, or accidental scuffles.
What are daycare pick-up times?
Daycare pick-ups: 7am-11am –1pm-6pm M-F
What are boarding pick-up times?
Boarding pick-ups: 7:00am – 6:00 pm M-F Saturday & Sunday 12pm-4pm
How does boarding billing work?
Boarding is billed per 24 hours. Pick-ups beyond the 24-hour period are charged either a half-day or full-day of daycare depending on pick-up time. Our software calculates this automatically.
Do you ever change a dog’s boarding type during their stay?
Yes—sometimes for safety and well-being. Boarding options may be upgraded or downgraded as needed for your dog’s health and comfort.
What if my dog has severe separation anxiety and is new to you?
We require 1/2 day of daycare to help acclimate the dog to us and the facility for more comfort. It also lets the dog know this is temporary which helps with anxiety. Dogs with severe separation anxiety who haven’t been here before may be cycled through boarding options (kennel, suite, or free-roam room) to find what’s safest and most comfortable. Pricing will match the option that is the best fit for your dog.
What are your daycare prices?
- Half Day (up to 4 hours): Visitors $25 | Locals $20
- Whole Day (4–12 hours): Visitors $35 | Locals $30
What qualifies for local pricing?
Valid local Florida ID is required for local pricing.
How do I get started?
Call: 850-705-1028 and we’ll help you choose the best option for your dog.
Kennel Cough / CIRDC FAQ
What is kennel cough?
It’s a contagious upper respiratory illness. Often it’s part of CIRDC, meaning multiple viruses/bacteria can be involved.
Does kennel cough mean a facility is dirty?
No. Cleaning matters, but respiratory illness can spread through shared air and close contact even in clean environments.
Can a dog look healthy and still spread it?
Yes. Some dogs can be contagious before obvious symptoms appear, and some may show very mild symptoms.
How long does it take to show up after exposure?
It can take a few days. A dog may look fine at drop-off and begin coughing later.
Does the vaccine prevent kennel cough completely?
No. Vaccines can help reduce severity and may help reduce spread, but they don’t cover every possible germ/strain involved in CIRDC.
What are common signs?
A dry “honking” cough, occasional gagging/retching, mild runny nose/eyes, and mild tiredness. Some dogs have mild symptoms.
What can I do at home?
Rest, comfort care, avoid smoke/strong scents, use a harness if collars trigger coughing, and keep your dog away from other dogs.
When should I seek medical help?
If breathing looks hard/fast, your dog is very lethargic or not eating, discharge is thick yellow/green, the cough is wet/productive, or symptoms worsen.
Should I bring my dog around other dogs while coughing?
No. Keep your dog away from parks, daycare, boarding, and group play until symptoms are gone and you’re confident they’re no longer contagious.
If my dog coughs after visiting, should I notify the facility?
Yes. It helps protect other dogs and lets staff increase monitoring and sanitation precautions.
Healthy Stress & Confidence FAQ
What is “healthy stress” for dogs?
It’s a manageable challenge paired with support and recovery—small exposures that help a dog learn, “I can handle this.”
How is healthy stress different from unhealthy stress?
Healthy stress is short-lived and the dog can still eat, settle, and learn. Unhealthy stress is intense or prolonged and the dog can’t recover.
Why do multiple visits help?
Repeat exposures make the environment predictable. Predictability helps dogs relax faster and build confidence over time.
What are signs my dog is coping well?
Loose body language, taking treats, checking in with staff, settling after excitement, and taking breaks naturally.
What are signs the stress is too much?
Frantic pacing, nonstop vocalizing, trembling/freezing, refusal of food, escape attempts, stress diarrhea/vomiting, shutdown behavior, or escalating reactivity.
Can daycare/boarding help with independence?
Yes—when done at the dog’s pace, with structure and recovery. Dogs learn that being away from family can be safe and temporary.
What causes separation anxiety?
Often a combination of temperament, life changes, limited safe alone-time practice, and sometimes a scary event that happened while alone.
Can “pushing through it” fix separation anxiety?
No. Severe panic can worsen if pushed too fast. Desensitization works best in small steps that the dog can handle.
What does progress look like?
Calmer drop-offs, faster settling, longer rest periods, and improved confidence in new people/places.
What should I do if my dog struggles?
Slow down, shorten exposure, focus on calm routines and recovery. If distress is intense or happens even with short absences, seek qualified reward-based professional help.
No Collar Policy
No-Collar Policy FAQ
Why are collars not allowed on dogs at Dog Academy Clubhouse?
Collars can become a serious safety hazard during group play, crate/kennel time, and normal daily handling. Even “breakaway” collars are not a guarantee in high-movement environments. Removing collars helps us prevent avoidable injuries and keep play safe for everyone.
What can happen if dogs wear collars during play?
In active play, collars can be grabbed, caught, or twisted—sometimes in a split second. Risks include:
- Strangulation or choking if another dog’s mouth or paw gets hooked
- Jaw and tooth injuries if a dog bites down and the collar does not release
- Neck injuries from twisting or sudden pressure
- Panic and escalation when a dog feels trapped, which can turn play into a fight
Can collars get caught on kennels, gates, or furniture?
Yes. Collars can snag on kennel bars/wire, door latches or crate hardware, fencing, hooks, handles, and edges on equipment. If a collar catches while a dog is moving or jumping, it can create a strangulation risk or cause neck trauma.
What about “breakaway” collars?
Breakaways can help in some situations, but they are not foolproof—especially if the collar is too tight, the release is stiff, or force is applied at an odd angle. In fast, high-energy settings, we do not rely on a collar to “hopefully” release.
What about training collars, e-collars, prongs, martingales, or slip leads?
These are not allowed during daycare or boarding. They increase the risk of injury if they snag or if dogs make contact. We focus on safe handling and controlled transitions without equipment that can tighten or catch.
How will you identify my dog without a collar?
We use secure identification methods such as staff verification at check-in and check-out, facility processes and records, and controlled transitions and designated spaces. Your dog will still be positively identified at pickup—without needing a collar on during play or rest periods.
What should I bring instead of a collar?
- A harness (recommended for going home, if your dog needs it)
- A leash
We can put approved gear back on for pickup/going home as needed.
When are collars allowed?
For safety, collars are removed during daycare and boarding routines. If a dog arrives wearing one, we remove it at check-in. We can place approved gear back on at pickup for a safe handoff.
Why is this policy non-negotiable?
Because the most serious injuries in dog group environments are often preventable—and collar-related incidents can happen quickly and silently. This policy protects your dog, other dogs, and our staff. It is one of the simplest ways to reduce risk across the whole facility.
Spa-La-La Grooming
Pricing is weight and time based (coat condition and required care dependent).
Bath & Brush
| Size | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Small | Up to 30 lbs | $45 |
| Medium | 31 – 45 lbs | $60 |
| Large | 46 – 60 lbs | $80 |
| Extra-Large | 61+ lbs | $110 |
Full Groom (Haircut + Bath & Brush)
| Size | Weight | Starting At |
|---|---|---|
| Small | Up to 30 lbs | $65+ |
| Medium | 31 – 45 lbs | $85+ |
| Large | 46 – 60 lbs | $120+ |
| Extra-Large | 61+ lbs | $130+ |
Final pricing is based on coat condition, breed, behavior, and time required.
Additional Services & Fees
- De-shedding – Additional charge (assessed at time of grooming)
- De-matting – Additional charge (assessed at time of grooming)
- Specialty coat work, heavy matting, or extended time may require additional fees — discussed with you before proceeding.
Want Playtime After Grooming?
Daycare is not included with grooming.
If you would like your pup to enjoy playtime before or after their groom, daycare may be added for: $10
Book With Confidence
At Spa-La-La Grooming, your dog is never “just another appointment.”
Your pup receives individual attention, professional care, and honest communication — every single visit.
Call today to schedule your appointment
850-705-1028
Dog Academy – Training Philosophy FAQ
What type of training does Dog Academy provide?
Dog Academy specializes in real-world obedience and behavior modification. We train dogs for real life, not just controlled environments. Our focus is on clarity, structure, accountability, and relationship.
Do you believe dogs think like humans?
No. Dogs are not humans in fur suits. Assigning human emotions and reasoning to dogs often leads to confusion, anxiety, and behavioral problems. Dogs thrive with clear communication, consistent leadership, and fair expectations.
Do you use treats?
Yes. Treats are a tool, not a lifestyle. Food can help teach and motivate behavior, but our goal is reliability and understanding, not dependence on treats.
Do you use punishment or corrections?
Yes, when appropriate, fair, and clearly understood by the dog. Training without accountability is incomplete. Dogs learn through both reinforcement and consequences.
Are you force-free or positive-only?
No. Dog Academy uses balanced, real-world training based on learning theory and clear communication. Purely force-free approaches often fail dogs with serious behavioral issues and leave owners without real solutions.
What tools do you use?
All tools have their place at the right time for the right dog. This may include food, clickers, leashes, prong collars, e-collars, and management tools. Ignoring effective tools for ideological reasons does not help dogs succeed.
Can you fix aggression?
Yes. Aggression is a behavior, not a personality trait. With proper training, structure, and owner commitment, aggressive behaviors can often be modified, managed, or resolved.
How long does training take?
Training is a process, not an event. While every dog is different, most dogs can achieve reliable real-world obedience after 10 or more weeks of consistent training and owner follow-through.
Do you train the dog or the owner?
Both. Long-term success depends on owner responsibility and consistency. You got the dog, which means training does not end after lessons or board and train programs.
Who is Dog Academy a good fit for?
Dog Academy is a good fit for anyone who wants help and is willing to do the work. We focus on honest training, clear expectations, and doing what is right for the dog.
Healthy Stress FAQ
What does “healthy stress” mean for dogs?
Healthy stress is a small, manageable challenge that helps a dog learn: “I can handle this.” It is short-lived, the dog can recover, and the experience builds confidence instead of panic.
How is healthy stress different from unhealthy stress?
Healthy stress: the dog can still think, settle, eat, and recover after the moment passes.
Unhealthy stress: the dog becomes overwhelmed, cannot settle, and the stress lasts or escalates. Instead of learning, the dog just endures.
Why does a little stress help build confidence?
Confidence comes from successfully getting through manageable challenges. When dogs experience something new and come out okay, their coping skills grow and future situations feel easier.
How do repeated daycare or boarding visits help?
Repeated, predictable visits create desensitization. Dogs learn the routine, learn they are safe, and learn that leaving and returning is normal. With consistency, drop-offs get calmer and settling gets faster.
What causes separation anxiety?
Separation anxiety is a panic response to being away from a specific person or routine. Common contributors include big schedule changes, under-practiced independence, genetics/temperament, early experiences, and sometimes a scary event while alone.
Can healthy stress reduce separation anxiety?
Healthy, controlled exposure can help many dogs build independence. The key is going at the dog’s pace: small separations, predictable routines, and enough recovery time so the dog learns “I’m safe and this ends.”
What are signs my dog is handling the stress well?
- Loose body language, curiosity, sniffing
- Can take treats and respond to people
- Can settle after excitement within a reasonable time
- Takes breaks and returns to play calmly
- Normal appetite, hydration, and sleep patterns
What are signs the stress is unhealthy?
- Cannot settle for long periods (frantic pacing, nonstop vocalizing)
- Freezing, trembling, tucked tail, wide eyes
- Refuses food repeatedly, excessive drooling
- Stress diarrhea/vomiting that continues or worsens
- Escape attempts, shutdown behavior, or escalating reactivity
What does “desensitization” look like in real life?
It usually looks like shorter visits first, then gradually increasing time as the dog succeeds. Progress is calmer drop-offs, faster settling, better rest, and improved coping with routine changes.
How do you prevent dogs from getting overstimulated?
Overstimulation is common in social environments. Structure helps: energy-matched groups, rotations, breaks, calm handling, and predictable routines. Rest is not a punishment—it’s part of healthy regulation.
What should I do if my dog struggles with daycare or boarding?
Slow down. Shorter exposures, more predictable routines, and more recovery time often help. Some dogs need a gradual build-up before longer stays feel safe and normal.
What does progress look like?
Progress looks like calmer transitions, improved ability to rest, less frantic behavior, better social balance, and a dog that can handle new situations without falling apart.