Frequently Asked Questions
Ruff Stuff Dog Services - Frequently Asked Questions
At Ruff Stuff Dog Services, we strive to give every dog a safe, stimulating, and fun living environment where they can be happy and healthy. Please read through our FAQs to better understand what we do and how we ensure the best experience for your pet! If you have any other questions, please get in touch with us.
FAQs - Dog Daycare Services in Squamish
My dog eats lunch. Can you give them their lunch while they are at daycare?
Yes, we absolutely can. Please bring your dog’s food in a plastic container (no glass) marked with their name. We’ll return the container to you when you pick up your dog so that you can use it next time. We use stainless steel bowls which are washed and disinfected after each dog has finished eating, and then the dogs that eat lunch have a nap to digest their food before joining the rest of the dogs.
Do I provide my dog's food?
Yes if you want us feeding your dog while they are at daycare please provide their food in a plastic container or ziplock and label with their name. No glass containers please.
My dog isn't very social with other dogs. Can they attend daycare to help improve their social skills?
That will depend on their issues. We can’t accept dog’s with aggression issues but if your dog is shy or unsure around other dogs we might be able to help them come out of their shells and gain some confidence. We go very slowly with shy dogs and let them adjust at their own pace. Most shy dog’s come out of their shells in time and we find they really benefit from interacting with other friendly dogs and our caring handlers.
May I send my dog's favourite toys?
Please don't send your dog's personal toys to daycare as we provide balls, rope toys, etc for dogs that share well.
What happens if my dog gets injured or sick while they are at daycare?
We will inform you right away if there is a medical issue or if your pooch just isn’t himself that day so that you can come and pick them up if necessary.
FAQs - Dog Boarding Services in Squamish
Where do the dog's sleep at night?
Most dogs prefer their own space at night so we have spacious crates, kennels and separate rooms which are all equipped with raised, chew-proof Karunda dogs beds. We also have leather couches and cozy dogs beds in our Zen Den for dogs that prefer to sleep communally with a few of their furiends.
My dog sleeps in my bedroom at night. Will they be ok at night?
We also recommend conditioning your dog to spend time sleeping in another room or in their crate as this makes the transition much easier on them when they board with us, have to stay overnight at the vets, etc.. We want all the dogs to be able to have a restful night's sleep.
I have multiple dogs. Can they sleep together at night?
Absolutely. We find siblings usually want to sleep together at night.
My dog has separation anxiety and can't be left alone. Can they stay with you?
Sorry, but no, we can’t accept dogs with bad separation anxiety because it’s too disruptive to the other dogs and to the handlers. We recommend having someone come to stay in your home for dogs with separation anxiety.
How do you feed all the dogs?
To keep everyone safe the dogs are all separated during feeding times. We use stainless steel bowls which are washed and disinfected after each dog has finished eating.
Do I provide my dog's food?
Yes, we recommend providing your dog's regular diet, including medications. We have GO! Limited Ingredient Grain Free Salmon kibble on hand to purchase if you forget or don't send enough. We can accommodate your dog's raw diet, but because we have limited freezer space, please check with us if your dog stays for more than a week to ensure we have enough room in the freezers. We administer oral or injectable medications at no extra cost.
My dog is a picky eater. What if they won't eat?
Some dog’s require a little extra TLC at feeding time. We recommend sending something extra nummy that we can add to their food. Canned dog food, tuna or salmon usually does the trick!! We also carry various types of liver sprinkles and find they do the trick for 90% of the picky eaters.
What happens if my dog runs out of food?
We carry various sizes of the Go! Limited Ingredient Salmon Kibble for exactly this reason. If your dog runs out of food, we will provide them with a fresh bag and add the cost to your bill.
My dog requires medication. Are you able to administer medication?
Yes, we will follow your instructions explicitly and can administer oral or injectable medications, at no additional charge.
What's the dog's routine while boarding?
| TIME | ACTIVITY |
|---|---|
| 7:00 am | Rise & Shine |
| 7:30 am | Play Time |
| 8 - 10 am | Breakfast time followed by nap time to digest their meal. |
| 10 am - 1pm | Party Time - play with other dogs, ball/toy sessions, enrichment activities, agility, some basic training, cuddles, etc. |
| 1 - 2 pm | Lunchtime followed by a quick nap for dog's that eat lunch |
| 2 - 4:30 pm | Party Time - play with other dogs, ball/toy sessions, enrichment activities, agility, some basic training, cuddles, etc. |
| 4:30 - 5:30 pm | Dinner Time |
| 5:30 - 8 pm | Evening Nap Time |
| 8 - 9 pm | Final Potty Break/Play Time Before Bed |
| 9 pm | Bed Time, including a cookie and a quick cuddle |
My dog isn't very social with other dogs. Can they board with you?
Sorry, but because of our free-range play-based setting we don’t accept dogs that display anti-social or aggressive behaviour. We recommend a more traditional kennel or having someone come and stay in your home for dogs that prefer their own company.
My dog doesn't get aggressive but is shy with new dogs and/or new people. Can they board with you?
Yes. We go very slowly with shy dogs and let them adjust at their own pace. Most shy dogs come out of their shells in time, and we find they really benefit from interacting with other friendly dogs and our caring handlers. Please note that some dogs are too shy to adjust to a setting with multiple dogs, but this is rare.
May I send my dog's favourite toys?
Yes, they can have their favourite toys in their sleeping area. We won't use their toys around the other dogs as we don't want to risk your dog getting protective over their toys or their toys getting destroyed by other dogs. We provide balls, rope toys, etc, for dogs that share well.
What should I send with my dog when they board with you?
We have most everything your dog will need so please only send with them:
- Detailed instructions for your dog's feeding, medications (if applicable), and routine.
- Enough food for the duration of their stay (plus a bit extra since they’ll be more active than usual while they are with us).
- Medication and/or supplements.
- A blanket or t-shirt that smells like home to help comfort your dog at night (if you think they’ll need it). Please note we have plenty of blankets/mats for dogs that don’t need their own.
Note - Ensure to LABEL EVERYTHING you send with your dog.
Will my dog need a bath before they go home?
Because the dogs spend a great deal of time outside playing, yes most dogs could use a nice bubble bath before heading home. Please see our Squamish rates page for details about our bathing services and then let us know at the time of booking if you’d like to schedule a bath for your dog.
What happens if my dog needs to see a veterinarian while they are boarding?
If, for any reason, your dog needs to be seen by a veterinarian, we will try to reach you to let you know. We will take them to our veterinarian clinic in Squamish or if necessary, to one of the 24-hour emergency clinics in North Vancouver and Whistler. As long as we can reach you, we will keep you updated on how your dog is doing.
I live in Metro Vancouver but want to board my dog at your Squamish Retreat. What's the easiest way to get them to you?
For a small fee we have a shuttle service which runs between Vancouver and Squamish on a Monday/Wednesday/Friday basis (subject to change on weeks when there is a statutory holiday) to safely transport your dog to/from Vancouver/Squamish at the beginning/end of their stay. Alternatively, you can always drive them directly to our Squamish Retreat if you prefer.