In need of help? Looking for answers? your on the right page!
Below is a list of our most generally asked questions. Just click on the question link and the answer will appear. If you cant find the answers your looking for please use the email links below.
Questions & Answers
Shropshire - peter@doggiesretreat.com
Click on the question to view the answer
Staffordshire - mary@doggiesretreat.com
In general terms home boarding is a service that most Dog Owners look to enlist when they’re totally against putting their dogs into kennels. Owners will always explore their family’s availability first. If this turns out to be fruitless owners will then seek to find somewhere else where they feel their dog will be happy. The title Home from Home Dog Boarding suggests that their dog will be kept in an environment similar to what they experience at home.
This is of course a general view with numerous establishments offering this form of service across the UK. In our view we recommend that all owners research the establishment in question prior to boarding. Our dogs trust us to make these decisions for them. It’s important that we don’t let them down
Important information Questions & Answers (FAQ) Find Your Answer here
1. What is Home from Home Dog Boarding?
Because of the nature of service, we are unable to take in every type of dog. All dogs live and sleep in our own homes. For the business to run harmoniously then it’s important that a certain dog criteria be met. We as hosts have a duty of care to each boarder so it's of paramount importance that all runs smoothly.
It would be nice if all dogs qualified but the reality dictates that they don’t. Our criteria is based on Experience, Common Sense and Practicality. About 20% of the dog world fit our criteria.
If your dog is a happy go lucky, well balanced and nice natured dog then it’s reasonably safe to assume that they will suit here fine.
2. Do you take any Type and Breed of dog?
Important Please Read
3. So what dogs wont you take?
Important Please Read
4. I think my dog meets your criteria what is the next step?
We are unable to board any dog that comes under the Dangerous Dog Act. Breeds such as Pit Bulls, Alsatians, Dobermans, Rottweilers and dogs of a similar ilk are unsuitable. All boarders must be fine off lead when out in the country. If your dog is prone to go off or at best unpredictable then it's not suitable for here.
Regardless of breed we don’t board any dog that is aggressive, destructive, in season or hyperactive. Male dogs should be neutered but understand that in some cases this is not an issue, we are open to discussion on this point if you feel your dog is a special case.
Dogs with anxiety issues such as X Rescue are invariably not suitable, dogs that are prone to barking are again not suitable. Our businesses are run from every day homes so neighbours are in close proximity.
If you have issues with your dog at home then those issues will be more so here. Dogs that we feel are border line must undergo a trial day first.
If you feel your dog will fit in and you'd like to take this further, then the next step is to come and visit. All potential boarders undergo what we call a welcome visit prior to them coming to stay. This is when we ascertain their suitability. We have dogs here all the time so we need to see how your dog interacts with them and us. This visit also gives you the opportunity to see whether we are suitable for you.
We understand that this visit can be inconvenient especially if you live some distance away. It could be a complete waste of time for both parties should the dog fail to meet our criteria. We won’t take any dog without this 1st visit. We have in the past and subsequently paid the price for it. Some owners can be quite frugal with the truth and quite happy to leave their dog knowing full well it will have demolished our home within minutes of them handing in their boarding passes.
NON NEGOTIABLE
5. Can we visit at a time that suits us?
6. What will we need to bring when we drop our dog off?
We are all busy in our everyday lives so understand fully the difficulty involved when trying to set time aside for things such as this. You can pretty much work this to suit yourselves as long as we know well in advance.
All we ask is that you come at a time that makes it possible for us to carry out the welcome visit the way it should be. Week days, Weekends, we don’t mind. Day light hours on a dry day is perfect for us.
All the dogs you see in our videos and galleries underwent this welcome day. It is something that should be welcomed as much by you as us.
All this can be arranged by email or phone. We are only to happy to help.
The only thing we ask you to bring is your dog’s food. If they are on medication then of course bring that. We require nothing else. You will be inclined to bring personal baskets, toys, scented items of your own clothing and a heap load of other stuff. Do Not Do This. As much as you feel your dog will crave these things they won’t. We don’t need leads or collars as we put our own on. We have baskets, bedding and toys a plenty. Make sure we have a written itinerary with regards to your feeding regime and medication regime should there be one.
If you bring treats then then these will be given out as per your instruction or at our discretion.
All we require is a naked dog with his bag of food.
If your dog gets hurt or taken ill we will immediately take it to our local Vet. You will be made aware of this by phone/text or email. You will need to furnish us with all the relevant phone numbers and email addresses before your departure. If your dog is insured we will need these details also. If your dog is not insured then a disclaimer will have to be signed by yourselves removing us from any financial liability with regards to the subsequent Vet bills.
All Vet bills have to be settled before picking up your dog. The appropriate receipts will be acquired from the Vets in question.
So far we have had just one cut foot and the dog (Roxanne) was insured.
7. What happens if our dog becomes ill or gets hurt?
8. What forms of payment do you take and when do we pay?
Being a small business it’s not viable for us to take Credit Cards. We no longer accept personal cheques due to some unfortunate issues in the past. The only method of payment is cash. An invoice will be provided as a receipt.
A 30% deposit is required at the time of booking (non refundable) and the balance in full when you drop your dog off. There will be nothing to pay on your return just the collection of a very happy and stimulated dog. We can’t be held responsible if your dog hides and asks to stay longer. This is a regular occurrence and it’s only because they don’t want to leave their Pals.
The above is Subject to there being no Vet bills.
9. Are your prices flexible if I was to book my dog in for a long stay?
Our prices are not flexible regardless of your dog’s length of stay. The reason for this is that there is a ceiling to what we can earn and places can always be filled. We spend a lot of money on petrol getting to the various Nature Reserves; if this travel becomes unviable the only ones to suffer are the dogs. We won’t have that.
The prices we charge enable us to provide the dogs with something special each and every day, this is one of the many reasons owners decide to board their dogs with us.
10. In simple terms what is a typical day at a Doggies Retreat like?
It all depends on whose boarding with us as to what type of day is in store. In general it’s up at 6am, boarders out for a wee. The door stays open from then on so the garden is accessible if they want it. Most come back in for another hours snooze.
Breakfast 7.30am and then an hour’s play until the Day Care guests arrive. When all are accounted for we head off, destination the dogs decide.
Between then and 5pm this is what takes place.
11. Do you provide a Dog Walking Service?
We don’t provide a Dog Walking Service but we are able. If we did it would mean that your dog comes out with us for the entire morning or afternoon. This could suit any dog owner local to us. The dog in question would have to be fine off lead and be ok socialising with the other dogs. 90% of dogs fit this criteria.
We would then drop the dog back on our return. If this service sounds of interest please feel free to contact us.
12. How does your Dog Boarding Business Opportunity work?
Want to work with Dogs and be a success? Become a Doggies Retreat and your home and dry!
13. Are there any set times for dropping my dog off and picking them up?
Yes there are. Drop offs are between 9am - 10am and 5pm - 6pm pick ups between 9am - 10am. You can pick up later by appointment but you will be charged for that day.
If it’s the dogs 1st time here then the later drop off time is not applicable. It’s important that all new dogs have a full day out with us before bedtime. This cuts the dog’s anxiety level down to zero.
We offer a pick up service should you require it. Please see rates page for prices.
We do understand that for some people this drop off time might not be feasible. Whatever the situation we can work around it.
Everyday we see people out when walking and most comment on how they would love to do what we do. Some have even tried but not been able to make a go of it. Even though it’s Dog Boarding business its still a business, you must never lose track of that. You have to run it as you would any other kind of business. To do this successfully you have to be on the ball with every aspect of running a successful business.
With regards to Dog Boarding we know exactly how to do that. When you join our brand we do all of this for you.
14. Can my dog sleep in your bedroom?
Sorry no. This facility is reserved for our resident dog only. We do understand (from experience) that some dogs just won’t settle unless they are sharing your pillow. We also know (from experience) that they will howl the house down until you come downstairs and fetch them up.
If this sounds like your dog then please don’t book, we have long days walking and a good sleep is something we can’t do without.
We each have close neighbours so again this is something we can’t take on.
15. Will you take into consideration my dogs excitement on its first visit?
Your dog will be excited and yes of course we take this into consideration.
The decision to take a dog or to not take a dog is not decided by us anyway. We used to make the decisions but over time realised that we were not that qualified. For piece of mind we decided to enlist the services of a more qualified body of decision makers and so far it has been worth the expense. If you’re curious or concerned about whom the decision makers are then click here for a more in-depth insight.
Dog Boarding - Dog Sitting - Dog Kennels - Staffordshire - Shropshire - Doggy Day Care - Dog Walking - Dog Grooming - Canine Carers - Dog Handling - Dog Training - Telford - Shrewsbury - Market Drayton
This website and its content is copyright of doggiesretreat.com - © 2009. All rights reserved.
16. Why is it important that male dogs be neutered?
17. Could we speak to an existing customer if we wished?
18. Do you charge extra for Bank Holidays and Xmas?
19. Do you mind if we keep in regular contact during our stay away?
20. Do you board puppies?
Should your question not be answered then please contact peter@doggiesretreat.com
If you’re just a regular family with the one dog at home then neutering your dog wont be an issue. If you are going to be looking to board your dog in an environment other than kennels then it will be.
For some reason when 3-4 male dogs come into contact with each other and for a period of time general play turns into something else, it’s as though they are practising on each other for when they get the girl. They will pay no interest in a Bitch dog unless she is in season.
You may think "Oh boys will be boys" and this is all well in good but there will always be one dog that is the weakest. It’s as though they have a sign on their head informing the other dogs of this. When the stronger dogs read the sign it becomes a free for all on the weaker dog subsequently making their life and stay with us hell. No amount of spanks can stop this as they will return to this as soon as our backs are turned. The dog on the receiving end will then approach us with his bags packed with a note saying "Please Could You Drop Me Off At The Nearest Kennels".
This is not on so 90% of the time we only take Neutered Male Dogs. Your dog may be in the 10% bracket so by all means contact us for a trial.
As much as this is as headache be very wary of establishments similar to ours who don’t have this as a criteria stipulation. Your dog may just be the weaker one and if so will be in for a nightmare couple of weeks.
Bank Holidays and Xmas week are charged at a higher rate as demand is through the roof. It’s not something we like to do but because this is a business we have to try and run it like one. Keeping our business successful subsequently keeps us here for you year in and year out.
We don’t post reviews on this website as they could quite easily have been written by us. We have a close relationship with all the boarders’ owners so if someone wants to speak to one personally this can be arranged.
We see this as the correct service to offer should it be necessary.
We welcome your contact while your away so please don’t feel you can’t phone us. You can phone/email/text as much as you like. Many of our videos are personal messages to mum and dad so be sure to take a sneak peek.
If our Molly was staying with you then we would need some kind of reassurance along the way. All in all we are there all the time so don’t forget that.
As much as we love puppies the Doggies Retreats are no place for them. We spend each of our days running through forests and diving into lakes. Our attention has to be focused and spread amongst all boarders. Puppies need one on one care and attention as they can get themselves into all kinds of trouble.
We are unable to provide this.
