We typically do not take puppies that are 6 months old or younger because we feel that this is still a little young to be spending a lot of time with a pack of dogs. We liken it to a bit like sending a preschooler to spend the day at a high school. Developmentally, this is a great time for them to be socializing, but they are also learning puppy stuff like coming when called, housebreaking, tuning in to when they are being talked to, etc. Camp Happy Paws has a seasonal puppy socialization program for youngsters though, which is an excellent intermediary way for your pup to get familiar with the environment and prepare for our big dog yard! You can learn more on our Services page or reach out to us by email for more information. For overnight boarding, we feel that the best thing for very young pups is to be in a home environment, to reinforce those “puppy do’s and dont’s” that you have worked so hard to instill. However, there are some cases where we can make an exception, depending on breed, size, temperament and previous socialization. This is rare, but please feel free to reach out by email if you want to check if we can make an exception for your puppy.

We require our campers to be neutered after 6 months. However, we encourage lots of socializing, and we would love to meet your pup after they are neutered. This is for the health and safety of your dog. For some reason, many (but not all) neutered male dogs do not appreciate an intact male and will pick on them. It’s pretty unpredictable who will respond negatively, even in a pack of well-socialized dogs. For this reason, we cannot ensure his safety to the level that we feel comfortable with.

It is an important developmental stage to be socializing your dog though, so we recommend enrolling your dog in a puppy social or teen social class or play group so that you can keep socializing while you are waiting to spay or neuter your puppy. While we don’t offer a teen social, Camp Happy Paws has a seasonal puppy socialization program for youngsters up to 7 months old! You can learn more on our Services page or reach out to us by email for more information.

Due to our insurance policy restrictions we are unable to accommodate Pitbulls, Presa Canarios, Wolf Hybrids, Dogo Argentinos, American Staffordshire Terriers and mixes of these breeds.

When we ask if your dog has reliable recall we are asking whether your dog consistently comes back to you promptly and willingly when you call their name. Their recall does not need to be perfect—we get that chasing a squirrel might be too tempting an opportunity to miss, but otherwise we need to be able to get your pup’s attention no matter the distractions around them. This is for their own safety, as well as the safety of the pack as a whole.

When you arrive, you will be warmly welcomed by new friends and our resident office dog Sunshine. We will give you a tour of our overnight cabins and answer any questions you may have. We will then take you out on the deck to see the yards where all the fun happens! Once that’s done, then it’s time for your pup’s big adventure at camp! We will have you confidently hand your dog over to us (so they know it’s your idea) and then leave the building. After that, we will lead your pup downstairs and introduce them to a few dogs. Then we go out to the yard to meet the rest of the pack! They will have the opportunity to sniff around, explore the space, get some wiggles out and make new friends. Our handlers will keep your dog engaged by leading them on a walk, establishing communication, and showing them basic rules of the yard. If they are comfy enough then they will get the chance to play with the pack, but even if they don’t play during the initial evaluation, they will still get that “dropped off” and “picked up” experience, which helps reinforce that camp is fun and their people will come back for them. We encourage all new clients to watch our Virtual Tour and visit our social media in advance of their trial in order to get a good look at where your pup will be spending their time!

confident handoff, we will take your pup downstairs to meet a few dogs, and if that is successful, we can go out with the group for a short spin in the yard. If they are too intimidated, then we can come get you from the car (10–20 minutes) and we can consider that the first baby step. They do need to know that you left and then came back for them. That is information that they can use to help the next time you leave them for a half day (provided there are no big issues on the first trial).

Food: Please pack enough food for your dog’s stay. Also pack a few extra meals, in case of any changes or delays. We encourage families with active/slender dogs to increase their portions, as they will be burning extra energy while playing! For finicky eaters, and dogs with sensitive tummies (or just as a treat) we recommend packing special toppers and/or treats that your dog will find enticing at mealtime.

Medication: Please bring medications in their original bottles. Please include very clear instructions. For anxious dogs, please consider calming treats or other anti-anxiety aids to help them feel more comfortable while away from home. We will only use these as directed, and only as needed.

Collars & Clothes: Please send your dog to camp wearing a collar with a name tag, and a snap buckle. Collars should NOT have prongs, chains, embellishments, or AIR TAGS. You may pack a coat or sweater for colder weather. Please be sure that your dog can move freely in it. For very short furred (especially high speed) dogs, you might also consider a light jacket to protect them while running around in the woods.

Don’t Bring: Leashes, blankets, bowls, measuring cups, toys or crates.

During busy periods all crates may be in use, so if you want to be 100% sure they can have a crate the whole time, then you might consider bringing theirs. We will let you know if we anticipate issues with crate space. We do have quite a few crates though and rarely run out. If your dog requires a crate, please let us know.

Since we are pretty busy hanging out with all of the dogs and everyone likes to see their pups at camp, we don’t typically do individual check-ins. However, we post group check-in videos and photos almost daily on our Instagram and Facebook so pet parents can take a peek at camp life and see what their dog friends are up to. You are welcome to email or text periodically to check-in, but typically, no news is good news! We will be happy to give you a report and do our best to get a couple of cute photos of your pup in action.

· If the weather is super icky

· If the dogs seem tired

· If they are overstimulated

· If they are more mature or sore

· If an owner requests it

· If they just seem like they want to go in the house

· If they are misbehaving, not listening to dog cues, having issues with other dogs, or causing unrest in the pack (needing a time out).

Our goal is for the dogs to get as much exercise and fresh air as possible. That said, it is not boot camp, and we want it to be fun! So, as long as they are having fun, and not ruining other dogs’ fun, we are happy for them to play as much as they like! We rest older dogs for about half-day (at least). Very young dogs and dogs who bring lunch also have a midday rest break.

An average group size is somewhere around 25- 40 dogs, but there is no true maximum group size. Every day, and every group is different, depending on the dogs that are with us. As long as the dogs are being appropriate, we can have everyone play together. The number of handlers in the yard increases as the dog numbers go up. We do have three separate yards, but frequently allow most, if not all, of the dogs to play in a large group, especially toward the end of the day. For this reason, we are very particular about who can be a camper at Camp Happy Paws. We only accept dogs that are appropriately social and polite (for the most part), have reliable

recall, and want to be at camp. However, we do frequently split the dogs into two yards for the earlier part of the day, allowing the higher energy dogs to “run off some steam” with like-minded buddies, while the more low-key crew can take it a little easier. We recommend that you visit our Instagram and Facebook where you can watch videos from out in the yard to get a great feel for what a day in the life is like at camp. We also encourage you to check out our Virtual Tour to get a good look at where your pup will be spending their time!

We try to manage behavior problems before they happen. Our experienced handlers are out watching for those behaviors that will lead to issues, so that they can redirect the dogs before they have those issues. That said, it is not a perfect system because they are dogs. If an altercation happens, we split them up, look them over and then bring them inside to regroup in separate spaces. We also bring dogs inside to regroup when they become overstimulated, or are behaving in a way that is problematic, in an attempt to proactively avoid bigger issues.

The most effective thing we do to manage behavioral issues is to only accept dogs into our program that meet our criteria. If we start to see behaviors that will be likely to lead to bigger issues, we will refer those dogs to other facilities that we think will be a better fit for them.

Camp Happy Paws staff offers grooming as an add-on service for dogs who are boarding with us or attending day camp. We can provide baths, brush, blow dry, nail trims, and some other grooming services available by request and depending on groomer availability. So, if you want your buddy to come home squeaky clean, smelling awesome, and snuggle-ready, let us know and we’ll book you a doggy spa day! Baths start at $45 and price increases according to dog size, coat, and cooperation. Please reach out to inquire about the cost of additional grooming services.

Camp Happy Paws requires proof of current Rabies and Leptospirosis vaccinations prior to trial visits, and then regularly thereafter. We do not require that other vaccines be given annually. Instead, we believe in lifelong immunity from puppyhood vaccines given properly. We do, however, encourage you to follow a vaccination regimen that you and your veterinarian feel comfortable with for your own dog(s). The vast majority of our campers choose, independently of our requirements, to get regular boosters for Bordetella, Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza, Leptospirosis and Rabies.

For regular day camp dogs or frequent boarders we require updated fecal exam results that are negative for ova and parasites every 3 months. For more sporadic boarders we require an updated exam within 3 months of their drop off date, which usually means prior to each stay at camp.

Camp Happy Paws requires a quarterly fecal exam with the intention of keeping our guests healthy and safe. Because the dogs that come to camp are social dogs, they may also have exposure to parasites while at dog parks and around other dogs in other environments. While every three months is not a fool proof way of ensuring that dogs have not had an outside exposure before joining our pack, it is frequent enough to reduce much of the exposure risk, without requiring the fecal exam before every visit (which would be a big hassle and expense to our clients). We do understand that frequent fecal exams are costly and inconvenient, but we promise we do this to keep your dogs healthy.

For your convenience, Camp Happy Paws now offers fecal testing in-house for $65. All you need to do is bring a sample with you when you drop off your dog, or swing by the office before 12 pm any day we’re open!

Bring the sample to camp any day before 12pm (weekdays 8am–12pm, weekends 9am–12pm). No appointment is needed. We cannot collect samples from dogs while they’re at camp—owners must bring them from home. We will process your dog’s sample for $65.

We label and submit the sample to Antech, a nationally certified veterinary lab. Results are usually ready the next morning. We’ll text you the results and also upload them to your dog’s profile in our system.If the test is positive, we’ll notify you right away. Your regular veterinarian will provide treatment, and your dog will need a retest before returning to play.

No. We only accept results from a licensed veterinarian.

We recommend getting an updated fecal exam 3–4 weeks in advance of your boarding dates in order to avoid last minute surprises. This leaves enough time to treat and retest should the results be positive. If your dog tests positive for Giardia or intestinal parasites and there is not enough time to treat and retest we will unfortunately have to cancel your reservation. Please see our Cancellation Policy for fees associated with late cancellations.

Most treatments require at least three weeks to treat and re-check, so we recommend getting an updated fecal exam 3–4 weeks in advance of your boarding dates in order to avoid last minute surprises that could disrupt your travel plans. We do require clients to retest after treatment, so it is important to leave enough time for the whole process. If after this is completed, your dog is still positive, we will, unfortunately, not be able to accommodate them for that visit. In this case, our Cancellation Policy will be applied.

If your dog tests positive for Giardia antigen but negative for ova and parasites you have a couple of options. The first option is to treat for infection regardless of whether or not your dog is exhibiting symptoms. If you choose this route, your dog can still come to camp as long as treatment is complete prior to drop off. If you don’t want to treat, your second option is to wait 12 days (the length of the incubation period) and then retest. If after 12 days you retest and receive the same result—that is, your dog is still negative for ova and parasites but positive for Giardia antigen—then it is safe to bring your dog to camp.

You can either send us an email at play@camphappypaws.com, or you can let us know which services you want and on which date on the Client Portal when you book boarding or day camp. On the final screen, right before you submit your reservation request there is a box where you can add appointment notes or information—please include your request there and we will book it if we are able.

Regular Stays

Cancellations received up to 1 week before the reservation are fully refundable.

Cancellations with less than 1 week’s notice will be charged 50% of normal fees.

Cancellations with 2 days or less notice will be charged full fees.

Holidays

Cancellations received up to 2 weeks before the reservation are fully refundable.

Cancellations with less than 2 weeks’ notice will be charged 50% of normal fees.

Cancellations with 5 days or less notice will be charged full fees.

Christmas & New Year

Cancellations received up to 3 weeks before the reservation are fully refundable.

Cancellations with less than 3 weeks’ notice will be charged 50% of normal fees.

Cancellations with 7 days or less notice will be charged full fees.

Here are some reasons you could be charged for a cancellation:

· You no-show for your boarding reservation.

· You cancel your dog’s stay under the time limit for a full refund.

· Your dog’s fecal exam is positive for a parasite and there is not enough time to complete all necessary rounds of treatment.

· We have not received negative fecal exam results one week prior to your drop-off date.

Boarding

$70 per night for 1 dog

$67.50 per night, per dog for 2 dogs

$65 per night for 3 dogs or more

Day Camp

$40 per day for 1 dog

$37.50 per day for 2 or more dogs

$35 per day for 3 dogs or more

Afternoon Pick-Up

Boarding pick-ups after 12pm incurs a $40 day camp charge.

Extended Stays

There is a 10% discount for stays longer than 10 nights.

Puppy Socials

$40 per puppy per session, or

$35 per session if you book 4 or more sessions in advance.

Grooming

Standard bath prices start at $45 and increase depending on size, coat, and cooperation.

Nail trims are $15 per dog.

Please inquire for pricing of additional grooming services.

Holidays

We charge an additional $15 extra per night per dog on holidays.

We accept payment by credit card, cash, Venmo, Apple Pay and check. Our credit card processing system assigns a 3.5% fee to all charges, so if you would like to pay by Venmo, check, or cash, you can avoid the charge. We require all clients to put a credit card on file at drop off regardless of how you plan at the end of

your dog’s stay. We will only charge your card with your permission or in accordance with our Cancellation Policy.

For all drop offs and pick ups we request that you give us about a 30-minute window in which to expect you.

Weekdays
Drop-off window: 8am–12pm
Pick-up window: 8am–6pm

Weekends & Holidays
Drop-off window: 9am–12pm
Pick-up window: 9am–5pm

Grooming

We will aim to accommodate requests for baths on the final day of boarding, but there are only so many requests we can schedule in one day. If we are unable to bathe your dog on the final day, we will schedule it for the day before with your permission. If you schedule a bath on the final day of boarding, we ask that pick up be no earlier than 12pm.

Holidays

We are closed for Grooming, Day Camp and Boarding drop-off and pick-up on the following holidays:

Easter, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day.