FAQs

Dogs boarding at Country Paws must be up to date on DHLPP, Rabies, and Bordetella vaccinations. If your dog recently received the Bordetella vaccine, the full incubation period must be completed before their boarding stay.

Rabies: Your pup likely already has this one as part of their core vaccines as a puppy. It is required by law, the rabies vaccine protects against a fatal virus that can be transmitted to both animals and humans. It is also a requirement by law in Ontario that all dogs that are pets are required to have their Rabies vaccination.

Note: If your dog is 6 months or younger, you do not require the Rabies vaccine as they are too long to receive it yet!

Distemper (DHPP/DAPP): This core vaccine protects against highly contagious viruses such as distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus, and parainfluenza — all of which can spread quickly in group environments.

Bordetella: This vaccine helps protect against canine influenza — commonly known as the “canine cough” — a highly contagious respiratory illness that can spread quickly when dogs spend extended time together in social settings like daycare and boarding.

We strongly recommend all pets attending our facility have: Flea and Tick Prevention, Leptospirosis Vaccination.

Country Paws requires at least 48 hours’ notice for dog boarding cancellations, including early returns. If less notice is given, cancellation fees may apply.

Yes! If someone other than the owner will be picking up your dog, please let us know in advance. Identification will be required at pickup.

Yes! A reminder to let us know if they are in heat or expecting a heat and we will accommodate. Accommodations could include play with only fixed females pups and/or no play.

No age requirement!

However, your pup is required to have at least their 1st round of core vaccinations prior to attending including distemper and bordetella. Rabies is required for pups over the age of 6 months.

After your pup receives a vaccine, a short activation period is required to allow immunity to fully develop before attending.

For Bordetella, we require:

• 3 days after intranasal administration
• 5 days after oral administration
• 14 days after injectable administration

For Distemper (DHPP/DAPP) and Rabies, there is no required incubation waiting period.

Yes. Our prices, rates, and service fees may be updated from time to time.

Yes, even with required vaccinations, dogs can still occasionally become ill while boarding in a shared care environment. Vaccines help reduce the risk of communicable illness, but they do not eliminate it completely.

If your dog starts showing signs of illness during their stay, our team will contact you or your emergency contact as soon as possible to arrange pickup. If needed, and if space allows, your dog may be moved to a Deluxe Isolation Suite for more specialized care.

In a medical emergency, we will make every effort to contact you or your emergency contact first. If we cannot reach you quickly, you authorize Country Paws to provide or arrange necessary medical treatment, special care, or medication for your dog.

If space and staffing allow, your dog may be moved to a Deluxe Isolation Suite for more specialized care. Additional nightly charges would apply, and availability is not guaranteed.

Owners are responsible for the costs of medical treatment, special care, medication, and related services provided while their dog is in our care.

We take a thoughtful, individualized approach to every dog in our care, paying close attention to their body language and comfort level. Our team allows dogs to move at their own pace and approach us on their terms, ensuring we respect each dog’s boundaries while maintaining a safe environment for both our staff and guests.

To support this, we offer a variety of room types designed to help reduce stimulation and create a more comfortable, settled experience for dogs with different needs.

If your dog has any known behavioural tendencies, including forms of reactivity or aggression (such as food, kennel, or same-sex aggression), we ask that you share this information with us in advance. We have experience working with many dogs who require additional care and understanding; however, safety is always our top priority. In situations where a dog’s behaviour presents a risk to staff or other dogs, owners may be required to arrange immediate pick-up.

Our goal is always to provide a safe, supportive environment where every dog can feel as comfortable as possible.

Yes, we accommodate a wide range of medical conditions and individualized care requirements at Country Paws.

Every dog is unique, and we’re happy to discuss your pup’s specific needs to determine how we can best support them.

Please give us a call or send us an email with details about your dog’s care plan. You’re also welcome to schedule a visit to meet with our management team so we can review everything together and ensure Country Paws is the right fit for your dog’s comfort and safety.

Yes, we are able to administer a wide range of medications, including oral, topical, and injectable forms. Our trained team ensures that all medications are given safely and according to your instructions.

A medication administration fee applies per visit to your dog’s room. Pricing typically ranges from $0.75 to $1.00 per administration, depending on the type of medication, method of administration, and your dog’s individual needs.

Community play at Country Paws is supervised group play designed for dogs who enjoy social time with others. We use your dog’s behavioural history, along with staff observation, to help decide if community play is the right fit and to keep the experience as safe and positive as possible.

When a new pup visits our facility, our priority is ensuring they are thoughtfully introduced and placed with the right social group. We take a tailored approach based on each dog, using appropriate precautions to support positive interactions. These may include leash-assisted introductions, starting with calmer companions, smaller group settings, or one-on-one staff interaction until the dog is comfortable.

Our goal is to help every pup build positive relationships at their own pace, while respecting their boundaries and ensuring a safe, enjoyable experience.

Community play is supervised by our staff, and we work to provide a safe and positive environment. As with any group dog setting, interactions can sometimes be unpredictable and minor incidents such as scratches, bites, or disagreements between dogs may occur.

Yes, you can opt out of community play at Country Paws. If you do not want your dog to participate, simply ask a staff member to remove that agreement from your account.

Owners remain responsible for injuries, damages, or incidents caused by their dog during community play, including those involving other dogs, people, property, or their own dog.

Yes. If we feel it is best for your dog’s safety or the safety of others, our team may remove them from community play at any time.

Sharing accurate information about your dog’s temperament and history helps us make thoughtful playgroup decisions and support a safer experience for all dogs.

We rely on the behavioural information you provide, along with staff observation and professional judgment, to determine if, when, and how your dog participates in community play.

If your pup hasn’t visited us before, what are you waiting for?! We always recommend bringing them in for a daycare day before their boarding stay. It’s a great way for them to get familiar with the space, our team, and their new friends.

While we’d love to be the perfect fit for every dog, we also know that every pup is unique. We pay close attention to what they’re telling us through their behaviour and are always open and honest with owners about what we observe. On their first day, we take into account their history, personality, and comfort level, and ease them into the community in a way that feels right for them.

All dogs in our care follow a consistent, structured routine, so they know what to expect each day. While there are optional add-on services, every pup receives the same level of outings, attention, and care as part of their stay.

After their first visit, you’ll receive a Pawgress Report with updates on how their day went—and keep an eye on our socials for some adorable photo moments!

We understand that not all dogs enjoy the company of other pups, and that’s completely okay! We are happy to accommodate solo play with our staff, ensuring your dog still receives the same level of care, attention, and interaction throughout their stay.

For dogs who may benefit from a quieter environment, we also recommend our Villa accommodations, which offer a more private space with less overall traffic and stimulation.

If you’re unsure how your pup will do in a social setting, we can work with you to explore safe, gradual introductions where appropriate, such as calmer companions, size-based groupings, or more controlled play environments.

We also offer private play park options (coming in Phase 2), and if your dog is comfortable on leash in a controlled setting, you’re always welcome to visit our café and patio together.

Yes, Country Paws may capture and share photos or videos of dogs during boarding, grooming, daycare, training, or community play. These special moments may appear on our social media, website, or other promotional materials, and you can opt out at any time by letting our team know.

Photos or videos may be shared on our social media pages, website, online galleries, and in print or digital promotional materials.

No! We may share your dog’s name, but we will not share your personal information.

Yes, with your consent photos and videos taken by Country Paws may be edited, reused, and shared across our promotional platforms.

All photos and videos taken by Country Paws remain the property of Country Paws.

No. Photos and videos are used for promotional purposes only, and no compensation is provided.

Yes! If you do not want your dog included in photo or video content, please let a staff member know and we can remove this agreement from your account.

Yes, you can opt out of photo and video consent at Country Paws. Just let a staff member know if you would like that agreement removed from your account!