FAQs - Questions? We have answers!

Some of the most common questions we get, along with our policies are listed here. We work to update this page as much as possible, so let us know if there is anything we missed!

+ Why dog daycare?

A bored dog is a destructive dog… leaving a dog either kenneled all day or free to roam the house could be a recipe for disaster! Dog daycare is a great outlet for your pooch’s pent up energy, it also helps to maintain a healthy and active mind as well as body. At the end of a long work day, or a trip for some errands you and your dog will enjoy some well earned relaxation time! Humans interact with other humans, so dogs should interact with other dogs, right? Socializing your dog is very beneficial to not only their well being, but other dogs and people as well! Daycare helps shape safe play and interaction under the supervision of trained staff. Let your social pupper-fly spread their wings!

+ How do I sign my pet up?

All potential daycare/boarding attendees must book an assessment in order to assess your pet and see how your pet does with out playgroup members, staff and environment. At the end of the day you will even receive a report card!

We do require our waiver be filled out to completion before arriving at our facility for an assessment, and up-to-date proof of vaccination. As well a credit card on file to complete the booking. (credit card information is always encrypted on our payment processor's database - PayFirma/FirstData)

Its easy! Just head on over to our How to Enroll Page!

Pets must enter/exit the facility on leash, prong/choke collars are not permitted. Once in the play area we remove all collars/harnesses for safety reasons. Please note that by using our services you agree to our terms of service and waiver of liability.

+ Can I tour your facility?

We have a virtural tour available on our website which can be found here, we also have a viewing window in our reception which allows you to view most areas of our facility. However, due to liability reasons, we cannot allow visitors to enter the back area as that would get the pets all excited which could lead to injuries or incidents amongst the pets or the guests. We have a Welcome to Canine Kingdom Video to give you more information about us!

+ Do I need to book ahead of time?

Yes! The sooner the better!

We require daycare bookings for all visits with a minimum of 24 hour notice (2 calendar days) if space is available. We have no daycare on Sundays or Statutory Holidays. Sleepovers have to be booked ahead of time to ensure we have availability.

To avoid disappointment, please book in advance or ask us to setup a recurring visit schedule on your behalf!

To book any of our services, please visit the owners portal.

+ What are the required vaccinations?

We require all the dogs to be up to date with the following vaccines (Given at least 2 days prior to participating):

• Bordetella (Kennel Cough)
• DAPP (Distemper, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus) -- 2 sets minimum
• Rabies -- if older than 6 months (Flea/ Tick/ Lice treatments done regularly)

We cannot accept owner or rescue or breeder (pet passports) administered vaccines, all vaccines must be administered by a licensed veterinarian. Vaccines must be submitted a minimum of 48 hours in advance to ensure we can validate them.

We will accept titer tests accompanied with a letter from your pets vet.

For the safety of all of our clients, showing symptoms of sickness would not be allowed until the symptoms subside. Please see our Health Considerations Policy page for more information.

+ My pet got Kennel Cough, Canine Cough, a respiratory infection....

Although we follow a very strict cleaning protocol, and every pet in our care must be up to date on his/her vaccines, some viral or bacterial infections are not preventable.

Bordatella in dogs is similar to a common cold in humans, and much like the flu vaccine for people, the Bordatella vaccine will not protect your pet from all strains of viruses or bacteria that result in canine infectious respiratory disease (commonly known as kennel cough or canine cough).

Usually, pets that have not developed immunity (specially younger ones) or pets with a weaker immune system end up getting sick, just similar to us getting the flu from a coworker or children getting a flu from daycare. Due to the possiblity of different strains the Bordatella vaccine may not be effective in preventing your pet from getting sick, similar to the case of Flu shots in humans.

In the majority of cases, the pet would not need vet care, and our policy is to immidiately isolate the pet if he/she is in our care when they start showing symptoms and inform the owners.

More information can be found in this poster.

For the safety of all of our clients, showing symptoms of sickness would not be allowed until the symptoms subside. Please see our Healthy Pets Policy page for more information.

+ Does my pet have to be altered?

Pets under 7 months of age do not need to be altered to participate in group play as long as they are participating in appropriate consentual play.

Pets older than 7 months must be altered, unless they cant be for a medical condition. We require a written notice from your pet's vet attesting to that as well as the medical condition not posing a risk for the pet's health while attending daycare. If your pet presents any behavioral concerns, they will be dismissed unfortunately.

Females in heat are not allowed to attend for 30-days past the last day of spotting. For safety reasons, we are not able to make any exceptions to this policy.

+ How old does my pet have to be?

Your pet must be atleast 10 weeks of age, with atleast 2 sets of the distemper combo vaccine administered.

+ Are the dogs seperated by size?

Yes and No. Often times the different play-styles & personalities matter much more than the actual size of the dog, but logistically sometimes it is also necessary to separate the smaller dogs from the larger ones for safety reasons. So in other words, we seperate based on both size and temprement. Because of our smaller numbers, the overall experience is less overwhelming than some other facilities, & it’s not as much of an issue; however, we do separate dogs depending on the dynamics for that particular day/time if we think that it’s more beneficial or safer for the dogs.

+ I am from out of town, how do I enroll my pet?

Preferably if your pet has previously attended an open-concept daycare/boarding facility, we would get a referral from them. If not, we can do an assessment into an over night stay which essentially means we tentatively book your pet and conduct the assessment when you make it to Edmonton. If all goes well, your pet will be allowed to stay!

Should there be a situation where we just aren’t the right fit for your pet they will need not be allowed to stay further past their assessment process.

+ Would my pet be better off staying home with a pet-sitter?

Dogs are social animals by nature and prefer to be with people and other animals rather than left home alone. If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, the best antidote is to keep him or her active and in the company of others by offering mental and physical stimulation such as playtime and interaction with our Staff.

+ Will my pet be left alone the entire time?

Group playtime is an excellent way to socialize your pet with others, and pets that go out and exercise while boarding are known to rest better, eat better and sleep better at night. Each newcomer is given a temperament test to assess which group he or she will be best suited for. Most groups are divided by small and large sized dogs, but occasionally we come across a smaller dog who gets along much better with the larger sized group.

+ Do the boarding fees include daycare, when should I bring my dog?

Yes! All the dogs that have sleepovers with us attend daycare during the day and interact with various other guests. Our fees for sleepovers include all the daycare services. Pets that attend our facility for sleep-overs that stay past 11am on their departure day will be charged a fee of $20 (to cover the cost of care until closing). Pets staying past closing time would get an additional night's fee applied. Pets coming in for sleep-overs should be dropped off ideally in the mornings, but by no later than 3PM. This allows the pet to get acclimated and slowly integrate into the daily routine. There is no added charge for when you bring your pet (unless it’s an after hours arrangement)

+ Is my pet going to be kenneled or crated?

We have multiple kennels and crates available for the pets' sleepovers; however, we understand that some would prefer not to be contained. Pets must be comfortable to be in a Kennel or Crate for feeding time and rest periods. However, we give you the option to pick whether you'd like your pet crated/kenneled or left in our play runs to relax (based on availability). Just let our staff know and we'd be more than happy to accommodate that!

+ My pet needs special care...

Our staff are trained to handle all various situations. We can accommodate special diets and medication, if needed, is administered by two caregivers for quality assurance. Our caregivers are happy to care for pets with special needs. Whether its sore joints, blindness, deafness, medications, allergies, injections or even post surgery, we've seen it all.

For special diets exact weight (in grams) measurement of food and detailed instruction for feeding as well as how many times per day. All medications must be in original packaging with administering instruction.

Please provide enough food and medications to cover the length of your dog's stay with us. For the safety of all of our clients, showing symptoms of sickness would not be allowed until the symptoms subside. Please see our Healthy Pets Policy page for more information.

+ My pet needs some TLC…is it possible for my pet to get some training during their stay with you?

Our Premium Add-ons allow your pet to enjoy a lot more specialized care and attention, along with daily enrichment to ensure they are cared for just like at home! Alternatively, we do offer enhanced boarding with our trainer. Be sure to request it upon booking and we can discuss options!

All pets must be friendly, if your pet has any behavioral issues, please let us know ahead of time for the safety of everyone.

+ What can I expect after a stay at Canine Kingdom?

Your pet might be tired, or go straight to bed after a day at Canine Kingdom. This is normal - just like you would, if you had a day full of physical activity. They might be a little sore, so let us know if you think we should limit their play time.

First time pets at an all day play facility, you might encounter the “dreadful” dog flu. Their immune systems have been exposed to something new and must build themselves up for added protection. This is just like the common cold in humans, plenty of liquids (such as homemade bone broth), some honey for their throat and lots of rest are recommended to help combat any yucky feelings! Like any flu, if symptoms become drastic within 48 hours consider contacting a vet.

They may be a little damp! Fear not, we wipe down all of our loyal subjects with gentle wipes and can add a little kick with some Pet Perfume/Cologne. As we know dogs like to play using their mouths...this means slobber, which is why we like to give them a quick wipe before they head out the door!

+ My pet has diarrhea, or has lost some weight...

A new environment can sometimes be a lot to get used to at first, changes in stressors and an increase in physical activity can affect bowel movements and weight. This is completely normal when exposing any being to new situations!

Please see our Healthy Pets Policy page for more information.

+ Can I bring my dog's lunch for daycare?

Yes! We encourage it for pets under 6 months, playing all day builds up an appetite for sure. Even if its just a little treat or a full course meal we can accommodate, just bring it labeled and with any instructions.

However, generally older pets do not need a lunch and many do not end up eating their lunches due to excitement.

+ Is there a daycare attendance requirement?

No, although we recommend bringing your pet once a week at the least, we do not have an attendance policy.

Pets who have not visited our facility within 30 days can be subject to new pet procedures (trial/assessment) to ensure the correct integration with our current guests.

+ Why does my pet need a re-assessment?

We are happy to take care of non-regular dogs! However, we do require them to be scheduled for a re-assessment. That is because we spend a lot of 1-on-1 time with our guests and we work with them to ensure they are well mannered. We focus on their recall and use it to interrupt any unwanted behaviors, distracting and comforting them if they're a little anxious. We train them to follow basic commands and reward all their hard work!

However, non-regular pets need more 1-on-1 attention just like it's their first day and we have found that we would need to re-train them in the basic daycare rules because it only takes a few weeks for them to forget.

Non-regular pets usually forget the daily routine, which means they wont regulate their own sleep or rest, they dont recognize the scents (which leads to marking throughout the facility, on toys, and even on other pets). They tend to be overly excited which leads to barking, humping, non-consensual play, and inability to recall or stay.

If the pet is a bit on the shy side then they would be nervous and need a slow introduction as they might be stressed or nervous. A stressed dog can react negatively to other pets around them.

Therefore, we require all pets who have not been to our facility in 30 days to complete a re-assessment!

+ My dog is having a sleepover, what should I bring?

Food! All you need to bring is your dog's food, any treats, and medication (administration instructions clearly written on intake sheet or online), we provide the rest. As per Canine Kingdom's service agreement, the owner is responsible for providing their pets' life essentials and in an event that is not provided, Canine Kingdom will provide that and relay the charges associated to the owner. We have blankets, cots, and dishes that get cleaned & disinfected after every use. For those anxious or picky eaters we do have pumpkin, beef stock, and wet food that can be added to entice pets to eat!

+ Does my pet get report card?

We publish report cards after your pet's first day (assessment day) and after every sleepover.

That being said, we will communicate with you directly if there are any concerns with your pet's health or behavior!

If you would like to know how your pet is doing, feel free to connect with us using our PetPortal and we would be happy to give you an update on your pet!

+ Why do you require a credit card on file for sleepovers?

We require a credit card to ensure that should any incidental costs arise to take care of your dog while on our watch, the costs are covered.

All of your personal and pets' information is secure at a high standard. Secure AES-256 bit high grade encryption keeps your transaction data safe between your computer and our servers.

Additionally all credit card and other information is encrypted and stored with our payment processor PayFirma (FirstData).

Our staff have no access to the actual financial information past the last 4 digits of your card. We can accept a credit card number over the phone, or you can alternatively enter/update your financial information on our client portal for more privacy. You can access our client portal from here.

+ I have received a behavior notice or an incident report... now what?

At Canine Kingdom, we integrate all of our guests in our social playgroups. That being said, just like humans pets could have disagreements. In events of disagreements or continuous un-pleasant behavior, we communicate with our clients via behavior notices. A behavior notice does not mean your pet is no longer welcome back. Incident reports on the other hand are much more serious and indicate a possibility of dismissing your pet from our facility.

+ What if my pet becomes ill or requires medical attention during their stay?

In the event that your pet requires medical attention, we will refer to your contact list and make every attempt to reach you or your designated emergency contact. If we are unable to contact you or your emergency contact and we feel your dog needs medical attention, we will transport your pet to their regular veterinarian, if close by, to ensure continuity of care. If your veterinarian is not near our facility, we will go to one of the local veterinarians that we know. If we believe that the situation is urgent or if your dog needs care after regular hours, we will take your pet to the closest veterinary emergency clinic.

+ Can I pick up my boarding dog early?

Yes, we would never keep you from your dog BUT the spot is booked and we do not discount/credit for an early departure.

Also, we do have our operating hours listed on the Operating Hours page. Please contact us at least 24 hours ahead for confirmation of changes to check-out date and time.

+ Why did I get charged a last-minute booking fee?

We have a $50 convenience fee for bookings made last minute (within 3 days of the start of the booking). This fee is only applicable during busy season as we have to adjust staffing levels to accommodate the needs of our guests.

+ Can I call at the last minute to cancel?

We need a 7 day (one week) notice for all cancellations. If a 7-day notice is given we will charge a $50 transactional penalty fee and return the 50% charge paid at the time of your booking. If no notice is provided or if notice is provided less than 7 days prior to the scheduled boarding date, We will not return the advance payment (50% of my estimated total at the time of booking). [Canine Kingdom Inc. may discretionally use the advance payment made as credit for future services if you have unforeseen crisis or dilemma that create a last minute cancellation, but please understand that this is at the discretion of Canine Kingdom Inc. and these credits have no cash redeemable value.]

+ What are the terms of payment?

Payment is due in full at the time services are provided. Our prices are listed and explained on our website as well as in brochures that are placed in the lobby of our location. It is your responsibility to make sure that you understand our charges prior to boarding your dog. Canine Kingdom does not allow clients to defer payment beyond the time you pick up your dog.

Boarding stays longer than 10 days will require a 50% payment in advance or a valid credit card to be on file for purposes of charging payment in full at the end of each week. If someone else will be picking up your dog, you may leave a card on file, pay via phone or pay in advance. If special arrangements must be made for your dog, for whatever reason, additional charges may be incurred.

Account balances not collected for whatever reason may be sent to a third party for collection. For purposes of collecting outstanding balances, you give your consent to receive phone calls (automated or otherwise) made to any phone numbers provided. You further acknowledge that you are liable for any court costs, reasonable attorneys' fees or other fees associated with the collection of payment.

+ Do the prepaid passes/packages expire?

Daycare packages expire within 90 days unless otherwise stated! The validity of daycare packages cannot be extended past the expiry date, all passes must be used within 90 days. For exmaple, a package purchased on September 1st, will expire on November 30th, all passes part of that package must be used before November 30th.

Our packages are designed to save money for our regular clients!

For more information, please visit our Daycare page.