Reservations Required. Please call us
now at
303-473-9963.
Is someone watching the dogs at all times?
Yes, during play times (7 am to 12 noon
and 2 to 7 pm). We have at least one dog care person for
each 15 dogs, usually more. In addition the front-desk
person can help if needed and usually lets four to eight dogs
in the front office area. During naps (12 noon to 2 pm),
the dogs are in their bedrooms, and the front-desk person can
hear and talk to the dogs and regularly checks on them.
Before our day care dogs arrive, the hotel
dogs start their day with time in the yard while staff get
their breakfast service started. Hotel dogs also get an
extra hour of attention after the day care dogs go home.
This last hour is our ritual time to wind down, go
"potty out," turn on the new age massage music, turn
down the lights, and get everyone ready for bed. All
attention is on the dogs, so we do not allow any customers in
or answer the phones after 7 pm. The hotel dogs go into
their own bedrooms each night. Staff leave at 8 pm.
Does someone spend the night?
No. After much discussion and
evaluation, we decided the dogs were not any safer with a human
around. We did have someone spend the night for four
months in 2001. We discovered the dogs wanted to get the
attention of the human and "protect" that person
against the night noises and would not just relax and go to
sleep—which is what they do now. In the morning, we
can tell how soundly the dogs slept by the condition of their
bedrooms, water dishes, beds, and blankets.
What is your plan for an unforeseen
emergency?
Our staff is trained in basic dog first
aid as part of their 40-hour orientation. If any dog
injury occurs, we follow procedures according to the Red Cross
Pet First Aid and the American Boarding Kennel
Association’s recommendations. This includes
separating the dog from the others, providing triage, and
evaluating what aid is needed.
We have a relationship with Indian Peaks
Veterinary Hospital—located across the street—if we
need emergency care. We also use the Boulder Valley
Humane Society veterinary clinic—one mile south of Dog
City—and the Boulder Emergency Veterinary Hospital for
after hour emergencies. We always notify the guardian in
case they prefer to transport the dog to their own vet.
Dog City provides transportation if the guardian prefers
or is unavailable. All guardians sign an application for
enrollment, giving Dog City permission to have their dog
treated for injury if the guardian is unavailable.
In addition, the Dog City building has a
fire suppression sprinkler system that is wired to the Boulder
Police and Fire Department. We also have a video security
system that is has infrared night vision taping capacity.
“I just wanted to write and thank
all of your hard-working staff for being so kind, patient, and
loving with Sheba. She is pretty socially awkward, and everyone
at Dog City has always been so patient and kind with her. This
is the first time I have left her for more that a day, but I
have so much faith in you guys. I check in on the Doggy Cam and
she always appears to be having fun, which always brings a big
smile to my face! You guys are awesome, and Doggy Cam is my new
favorite show!”
~Alison Schneider
Boulder, CO
“What a great place and great staff!
Leaving Dan with others always raises my anxiety level —
but since I've left him at Dog City, I actually enjoy my trips
because I know he is having a great
time.”
—Kara
Lafayette, CO
“I can't think of anything you could
do better. Everything was great!”
—Mary
Boulder, CO
“We are so pleased with the quality
of your services. The dogs are always happy to go there and
they come home happy & nappy (tired), and we appreciate
that very much. Thank you!”
—Jenneye & Barry
Boulder, CO
“Natasha wanted me to write
and tell you that she misses you all very much. I think she
misses her special spot on the desk and all the attention most
of all!
Natasha's Mom and Dad miss Dog City too.
I've hunted all over trying to find a place similar to Dog City
for Natasha to play and stay. But I have found nothing as
wonderful as Dog City.
Thanks again for everything.”
—Rebekah
Boston, MA
How many dogs and of what age and size are
in the same enclosure?
We care for 50 dogs per day, and we care
for dogs of any age. Our 6,000 square foot indoor
facility also has a 50'x12' outside play yard and a 12'x12'
"itty bitty" yard. We have nine different areas
the dogs can be in or have access to, each with at least two or
three entrances and exits to each area. This allows many
options for the dogs and the dog care providers.
We often separate dogs into playgroups
according to size and temperament, with six to eight in a
playgroup. However, we believe that no matter what size
the dog, it is good to be around other dogs of different sizes
so they can be taught to get along safely and play nicely.
We watch the dogs carefully to see if playgroups are
appropriate for that particular day and time and group of dogs.
Sometimes they all get to be together, sometimes they are
separated—it is a judgment call based on our experience
and dog behavior knowledge.
If the dog is younger than three months
and has not yet had all their puppy shots, we ask the guardian
to talk with their veterinarian so they can explain the risks
involved with a young dog being around 44 other dogs. We
love puppies, so if it is okay with the guardian and their vet,
we will take dogs younger than three months.
Is there a safe place for my dog to go when
he is tired or stressed?
Yes. Not every dog wants to play
8-10 hours per day. We always have crates, bedrooms, and
places for the dogs to "get away from it all."
We also try to provide additional naps to young and
extra-tired dogs.
Is there plenty of water?
Yes. We have bowls of fresh water in
every area. They are disinfected at least once per day
and refilled throughout the day.
What is your strategy for barking or
aggression?
Distraction and redirection are our first
options. We simply walk through the pack and say the
particular dog’s name and "quiet" in a loud,
authoritative voice. Our body language is the most
effective tool, as dogs respond to movement best. We
practice "calming signals" based on Turgis
Rugard’s methods of body language, yawning, stretching,
licking your nose, and blinking the eyes slowly to calm the
dogs. Our voices, throw chains with a special ringing
tone, water bottles with plain or vanilla scented water, and
"time outs" or new playgroups are other options.
We also use a few minutes alone with a dog
in focused training to establish eye contact and attention with
the dog—positive training techniques to get the dog to
feel confident, focused, and grounded. We have on
occasion used "tie downs," which are short leashes
attached to a fence that can be used to calm a dog for a minute
or two and stop over-zealous dogs from riotous running.
On occasion, we will use a leash attached to the dog and
a dog care person. This establishes an aura of calmness
in the dog because their options are limited and allows the dog
to feel more confident with established boundaries. We
use essential oils and flower essences to calm nervous dogs;
calming music and the sound spa also help create a calmer
atmosphere.
Do you have references?
YES! Dog Trainers' Nana Will of A
Dog's Eye View, Doug and Elizabeth Simpson of Tenderfoot
Training, and Kika Bomer Dorsey of Kika's Canine Service all
refer dogs to Dog City. Boulder Veterinary Hospital,
Allpets Veterinary Hospital, Indian Peaks Veterinary Hospital
and Arapahoe Veterinary Hospital also refer business to
Dog City and have many customers who use our service. We
recieve many referrals from other day cares, kennels, pet
sitters and dog walkers. You can also look at the
testimonials throughout this web site, and we are happy to
provide phone numbers of current customers willing to give
their opinion of our services.
