Doggy daycare allows you to drop off your dog for a day (or half day) of exercise, play, attention, socialization, and stimulation under the watchful eyes of the professional, caring staff. Your dog comes home happy and tired so that you can relax with a calm, satisfied dog.

• Doggie daycare allows you to provide your dog with care and attention while you are busy or at work.
• Dogs need exercise and stimulation or they become bored and can act out. At daycare, they receive individualized attention from a trained and caring staff.
• Dogs enjoy playing outside with their friends several times a day in supervised group play.

• We’re locally owned here in Waterford, Michigan–not a chain location.
• We’re unique in this area with our 3 large turf play yards. It is perfect for outdoor play because it’s cleaner (no more playing in the dirt) and softer on your dog’s joints.
• The health and safety of your dog are very important to us. We have high standards for hygiene, diligently sanitizing everything in daycare twice per day.
• Union Lake Pet Services is right across the parking lot where we have medical staff on site in case of any medical issues.
• For safety, we separate playgroups according to a dog’s size, age, and temperament, and each playgroup is limited to 12 dogs. We have one staff member for every 12 dogs.
• No need to worry about reservations or cancellations. Simply drop off and pick up your dog anytime during daycare hours.
• ULPS Daycare accepts all breeds. We also have dogs who have special care needs such as cancer, diabetes, etc.
• Our 1st Day and Daycare Starter Packages are conducted by expert trainers who understand dog behavior and help your dog feel comfortable integrating into the daycare environment.
• We can provide everything your dog needs. No need to ferry beds, blankets, toys, and other items back and forth to daycare.  
• We give you the option of choosing our hot lunch or providing lunch yourself if your dog has preferences or special dietary needs.
• We offer complete pet care services under one roof. You may conveniently schedule training during daycare, or pair boarding with daycare–all in one handy location.
• We offer play days, enrichment days and other options for dogs who do not enjoy group play.
• We are conveniently located for residents of Waterford, West Bloomfield, Pontiac, and Clarkston to drop off and pick up their dogs along their commute route to their jobs.
• Check out our social reviews and online presence. We have a very active Facebook Page featuring lots of photos and videos of daycare dogs at play, plus we have great ratings on Facebook and Google.
• We value our local dog community. We partner with Detroit Dog Rescue to provide medical and behavioral care for rescued dogs.

• If you’re working at home, you may not have time to give your dog the attention, activity, and stimulation your dog craves. Or you may need to work undisturbed.
• If you’re not working, give your dog the gift of daycare for group play and activity in our large play yards. Enjoy an undisturbed day at home, or have fun on an outing, then pick up a happy, pooped puppy who’s ready to relax along with you.

• First, we ask that you complete our Daycare Registration Form.
• We’ll review the Registration Form and confirm your dog’s vaccination records.
• The next step is scheduling your Prerequisite 1st Day or 3-Day Starter Package where an expert trainer spends time with your dog one-on-one to help them become comfortable with ULPS staff and daycare. Watch our Daycare Starter video to see a preview of how we introduce your dog to daycare.
• We strongly recommend the 3-Day Starter Package as most dogs need more than one day to get the hang of daycare.

• For the safety of your pet and the others staying with us, we have certain preventive health requirements that must be current before entering our facility for pet boarding, pet daycare, Bed and Biscuit, or pet grooming services:

• Dogs—Rabies after 4 months, Distemper Combo Vaccine needs to have been started for puppies, Flu Vaccine, Annual Negative Heartworm Test, Annual Canine Cough (Bordetella) Vaccine, and Negative Intestinal Parasite Screening twice annually. Canine Influenza Vaccination is normally only strongly recommended, but is currently required for the protection of any dogs who will be around other dogs at Union Lake Pet Services.

• Almost every dog is a good candidate for daycare, but not every dog is a good candidate for group play. Some dogs require more individual attention. For those, see the next question for the individualized options we offer.
• We don’t recommend daycare for dogs so anxious about coming to daycare that they make themselves physically sick (vomiting). For these dogs, an alternative is to have one of our experienced trainers come to your home to help your dog feel less anxious.

• Some dogs require more individual attention. For those, we offer other options:
• Our individualized Play Days include:
  • Several hand walks per day with our loving team members
  • Individualized play time (ball play, brushing, toy time, peanut butter kongs)
  • Enrichment activities customized to your dog’s liking
  • Hot lunch
  • Hugs and kisses
  • Off leash time outside
  • SmugMug photos and videos can be sent
• An Enrichment day is similar to a Play Day but includes more focus on Enrichment Training. Your dog is having fun learning and growing, and building confidence, coordination, mental focus and strength.
• Your dog always has the option to spend the day in their run rather than join group play.

• Yes, just as with shy dogs, we welcome anxious dogs. We work to help them feel comfortable here at ULPS before we introduce them to other dogs. And we won’t force them into an uncomfortable situation around other dogs.
• The exception is a dog with extreme anxiety that is so terrified on the first day that they are vomiting and cowering. In a case that extreme, consider having our Quirky K9 trainer come to your home to help your dog get past their extreme anxiety.

• Not until the dog is 10 months old. In some cases, we may recommend that you spay or neuter a month or two sooner.

• Look through our facility tour photos or check out the many daycare photos on our Facebook page.

• The 3-Day Starter Package is ideal for a dog that has never been in ULPS doggie daycare before or who isn’t as comfortable with the idea of playing with a group of dogs.
• For 3 full days within one month, a trainer will spend time with your dog to gradually ease them into daycare. See more details in the next answer.
• The Starter Package is a great deal since it comes with two free days of daycare once your dog successfully completes the package.

• Either 1 day or 3 days depending upon which you choose.
• For the 3-Day Starter Package, we allocate 3 days within a one-month period for our Daycare Starter Package. During those days, we help your dog become comfortable with the hospital, the staff, and we can gradually introduce your dogs to other dogs one at a time until they feel comfortable in joining their playgroup.

• We’re advocates for your dog. As much as we want your business, we want to be sure that this program is right for your dog. We don’t want to force it on him. We start slow and make sure they are comfortable.
• We have three main goals with our Starter Package:
  • Get your dog comfortable with our facility.
  • Get your dog comfortable with our staff.
  • Get your dog comfortable with their playgroup. Each group has up to 12 dogs. They may not meet their playgroup on the first day. We go at your dog’s pace and make sure they are comfortable every step of the way before we proceed. When ready, we introduce one dog at a time to your dog in a separate play yard.
  • Watch our Daycare Starter video to see how our expert training staff safely and gradually introduces your dog to members of their playgroup.

• We find that most dogs are very comfortable at ULPS daycare. They’ll make friends and will soon be eager to play with their daycare friends and see their favorite daycare supervisors. 

• Prerequisite 1st Day of Daycare = $50. This includes one day with a trainer to help your dog acclimate to daycare.
• The 3-Day Starter Package = $150 (includes 2 free days of daycare if your dog acclimates well and is enjoying daycare. Package is good for 1 month.
• 1 Full Day of Daycare = $43
• 1 Half Day of Daycare (5 hours or less) = $25
• See the next question for our daycare package prices.

Yes, we have full and half-day packages.

Packages – Whole Days:

• 1 Full Day = $43
• 10 Full Days = $350 ($35 each)
• 20 Full Days = $600 ($30 each)
• 50 Full Days = $1300 ($26 each)
• 100 Full Days = $2500 ($25 each)
• One Month Unlimited Daycare = $465
  (22 days at $21 each; cannot be used on Saturdays)

Packages – Half Days:

• 1 Half Day = $25
• 10 Half Days = $230 ($23 each)
• 20 Half Days = $440 ($22 each)

Packages are valid for one year (unlimited monthly packages expire after 30 days). Prices are subject to change without notice.

• No, all dogs are charged the normal rate.
• Two dogs may stay together in one run for their comfort with each other but the rate is not discounted.
• If you have two dogs, both dogs can draw off of the same package.

Yes, you may add-on these options:

• Hot lunch $5.00. It is Royal Canin Chicken and Rice Kibble with Grandma Lucy’s to make a chicken, rice, potatoes, and carrots stew.
• Peanut butter kong at lunchtime $5.00
• SmugMug photo or video $5.00

• We occasionally have special offers for doggy care. When we do, they would be on our Specials page and/or featured in local mailbox coupons. 

• You don’t need a reservation for daycare. Simply drop off your dog at the desk during daycare hours.
• You will need to schedule the Prerequisite 1st Day or 3-Day Starter Package in advance since these require a trainer to schedule time with your dog.  

• Very convenient. We have a large parking lot right outside the building.

• Daycare ends at 7pm Monday through Friday, and at 6pm on Saturday.
• If you are late Monday-Friday, your dog is taken across the parking lot to our Veterinary Hospital. Our staff is there until 8pm, our closing time.
• Our late pick-up fee (from the hospital) for Monday – Friday is $15.
• We do not offer late pickups on Saturdays as our entire facility closes at 6pm.
• If you are not here to pick up your dog by closing time, we will gladly board your dog overnight, and feed them for the evening. Regular boarding rates apply.

• We ask that you bring your dog to drop-off on a regular (not retractable) leash. We’ll keep it here and then put them back on the leash for pick-up.

• Yes, we’ve found that the safest collar for play is a flat buckle collar.
• We prefer that the collar also have ID tags.

• Yes. We’re happy to put a hat, sweater or other warm clothing on your dog.
• We’ll also apply sunblock as directed if your dog needs it.

• Favorite toys from home can cause problems between dogs as your dog protects his favorite toy.
• We have lots of toys here so we ask that you leave your dog’s toys at home.

• Favorite toys from home can cause problems between dogs as your dog protects his favorite toy.
• Yes. Bring whatever food your dog prefers.
• You may also choose the hot lunch that we serve (a Royal Canin chicken and rice stew with potatoes and carrots and Grandma Lucy’s on top). Add on a peanut butter kong.
• If your dog is on a special diet, bring in the food with any instructions.
• Note: If your dog has food allergies, please let us know, as we do feed treats during the day and don’t want to give him something that would trigger an allergy.

• Dogs play outside with their playgroups for an hour, then come inside to rest in their run for an hour. We alternate play and rest throughout the day.
• We feed the dogs lunch during one of the rest times.
• When outside, dogs play in our multiple wading pools, play with balls for 15-minute play sessions, chase bubbles, practice their dog sits and comes, and just enjoy free time to run around.
• The daycare staff also puts each dog on a leash during play time and walks them around the perimeter of the yard for special one-on-one attention.

• As much attention as he wants. Some dogs just want to be social and play with other dogs, and we allow that under supervision. Others just want to sit at a staff person’s feet and have more personal attention.
• We are out in the yard with the dogs, and observing them, at all times.

• 1 daycare staffer per 12 dogs. We can call in training staff as needed.

• Yes. Our trainers are involved with each dog at the start during our Prerequisite 1st Day, or 3-Day Starter Package. Our trainers are also available to help if we observe issues.

• During one of the hour-long rest periods, daycare staff will serve each dog either the food that was brought in with them or our optional $5 hot lunch. We also offer an add-on peanut butter kong lunch treat for $5.00.

• Absolutely. Our normal schedule alternates 1 hour of group play followed by one hour of rest or nap time in the runs (or in crates for smaller dogs and puppies).

• We have 1 full acre of fenced yards, divided into three outdoor play areas. These are covered in turf for cleaner dogs and less impact on your dog’s joints.

• If your dog is part of our normal daycare schedule, each dog receives on-leash walks around one of the daycare yards. Dogs who are not good candidates for group play, receive on-leash walks around the neighborhood.

• We offer a SmugMug photo and/or video package.
• You may also schedule a drop-in visit to watch your dog’s playgroup…from a short distance. Unfamiliar visitors at the fence or in the daycare yard can upset the other dogs.

• We will contact you if there is an urgent issue. For minor behavior issues or concerns, a daycare attendant will chat with you at the end of the day. or we will send home a report card with information about what we’ve observed.

• We do not discipline the dogs. If we see that a dog is worked up or needs extra one-on-one work, we have the option to separate them from their playgroup. We can take them for a walk to get things under control. Once they are calm and ready, they are normally allowed to rejoin their playgroup.

• Dogs use their mouths and paws in play. You may notice minor cuts, scrapes, or even tiny chunks of missing fur as a result of dogs playing. We would notify you if a serious incident were to happen while your dog is at daycare but those are very rare since we closely monitor their play behavior.

• We move at your dog’s comfort level. We take your dog on a tour to be sure he’s comfortable with the hospital, and let him get to know the staff.
• We then take him up to the play yard fence in a separate area to see how he reacts. If he’s comfortable, we’ll introduce one dog at a time into the separate yard.
• If he’s not comfortable, we may go on a walk to let him get calm again before trying again. We recommend that you watch our Daycare Starter video to observe what we do.

• We separate dogs into playgroups by age, size, and temperament. We have three separate play yards so dogs play with other dogs of the same size, age, and temperament.

Yes, not every dog is a good candidate for group play. We have side yards where a dog can play separately from other dogs. You may also want to consider one of our other individualized options:

• A Play Day where your dog has 1-on-1 playtime with a staff member.
• An Enrichment day where your dog has fun learning and building confidence.
• Simply allowing them to relax for the day in one of our runs.

• Your dog is fully monitored. We have one or more daycare staff outside with each playgroup. There’s also someone inside with the dogs while they are resting in their runs.

• Never. At least one of our daycare staff is always with the dogs when they are playing in group play.

• We have the capacity for a large number of dogs, but we separate them into playgroups and limit each group to 12 dogs.

• We place a high priority on cleanliness and hygiene in our daycare facility. Managed alongside Union Lake Pet Services, we understand better than most daycares just how important cleanliness is.
• We sanitize everything twice per day to protect your dog’s health.

• Every step we can. In addition to sanitizing everything in the daycare twice per day, we require certain vaccinations in order to attend daycare.
• We refuse to admit an obviously sick dog. We listen and watch for signs of illness, and make sure that any dogs requiring veterinary attention are separated and receive attention as quickly as possible. We refuse dogs that are coughing, vomiting or suffering from diarrhea and we watch to see if any dogs are becoming ill.
• With the recent canine flu outbreak, we were one of the first daycares in the Detroit area to require vaccination for daycare guests.

• A good pet care facility like ULPS requires vaccination against kennel cough. But, just as with humans getting a flu shot, your dog may still catch it. See more information in the previous answer.  

• Your dog will not get fleas from daycare, but it is your responsibility to make sure that your dog is on a regular flea treatment (same is true for ticks and heartworms).
• Please consider applying your dog’s topical flea treatment in the evening time, so that it can dry before they come to play at daycare.

• Dogs that lead social lives are exposed to viruses, bacteria, and parasites more frequently than their counterparts who lounge at home in solitude. This is true whether your dog attends daycare, goes to training, or sees other dogs in the dog park or pet store.
• It’s the same as sending your child to school. Some exposure is good for building their immune system and resistance. The longer your dog is in daycare, the more likely they are to build a strong immunity.
• We ask that if your dog is coughing, vomiting, or has diarrhea, keep him at home for protection of the other dogs and so your dog can rest and recover.

• We don’t accept dogs who are coughing, vomiting or having diarrhea.
• During the day, we listen and watch for signs of illness. If we see a dog that appears ill, we will separate them and contact their owner.    
• We also contact the owner in case of injury.
• With your approval, we will ensure that your dog receives veterinary attention at Union Lake Pet Services across our parking lot.

• Yes. We’ve had broken toenails and dogs can injure themselves in small ways during play. These injuries are normally minor and can be easily treated. We would contact you in case of injury and get your approval for treatment.

• It’s appropriately addressed. We try to figure out what occurred and why. We then take the appropriate steps to ensure that it doesn’t continue.
• Sometimes it is just a matter of separating the dogs as these incidents are usually due to over-excitement during play.
• If there were to be a more serious injury, we would contact you and get the dog treatment at Union Lake Pet Services next door.

• The staff who works with your dog initially during the 1st Day or Starter Package are all certified trainers who have spent years studying dog behavior.  
• Our regular daycare staff has all gained experience working in boarding. Those with experience who have demonstrated good judgment with the dogs may then move over to work in the daycare. 

• Yes, we offer a climate-controlled environment, not only inside. We have built-in heaters where the dogs may warm themselves in cool weather, and misters to help keep dogs cool and comfortable outside in warmer weather.
• We have covered and shady areas, and we provide sprinklers and pools for warm weather.
• We monitor the temperature and decrease outside playtime during extreme heat or cold.

• The dogs love playing outside even when there is snow on the ground or it’s raining. We don’t allow the dogs to play outside during a thunderstorm.
• With our turf yards, dogs stay cleaner than with dirt or regular grass yards.
• We have covered areas where dogs can play during inclement weather.
• We shovel paths through the snow in winter for those who want to play in it.

• In extreme weather conditions, outdoor playtime will be decreased. We monitor the heat index and, if necessary, adjust play time for safety, ensuring that we don’t endanger the dogs.
• Yards have built-in heaters so that dogs can warm themselves up. They are usually running around so they stay fairly warm anyway. In the summer, we have shady areas, misters, sprinklers, and pools.
• We monitor individual dogs. If a dog is lifting his paws due to cold weather or appears uncomfortable, we will bring that dog in sooner than the rest of his playgroup. Dogs with smooshed faces can’t stay outside in the heat as long in summer.

• Older dogs get extra padding in their beds.
• We’re more conscious of heat and cold for them. We notice that they are more likely to stay under cover in the shade in the summer, and near the heaters in the winter.
• Our turf play yards are softer on older joints so they are more comfortable for senior dogs.

• Yes. During check-in, just provide us with the medication and instructions. There is no additional charge in daycare for administering medications.

Yes, although almost everything is included in your daycare price. Upgrades are:

• A yummy hot lunch of Royal Canin Chicken and Rice Kibble topped with Grandma Lucy’s. It’s like a stew with chicken, potatoes, carrots, etc. $5.00
• A peanut butter kong to supplement lunch $5.00
• SmugMug photo or video of your dog $5.00

• Yes, if you’re unable to pick up your dog by our 8pm closing time, Monday through Friday, we will automatically board your dog overnight and feed him dinner.
• There is an additional $15 fee for late pick-up. If your dog is boarded, regular boarding rates will apply.