What do I need to bring on my pup’s first day?

• All we need is your pup! If they need to eat or take meds during their stay with us, please bring those items. Other than that - they’re all set!

Can I tour the facility before booking?

• Unfortunately, not at this time. However, during your pup’s drop-off for their trial day, you will come into the main daycare area with your pup and a Pawtroller.

Where do they go potty if you're fully indoors?

• Our most asked question! Even though we’re fully indoors, every playroom at Desert Pups has a dedicated potty area equipped with artificial turf and potty pads. We also use an organic training spray to help new pups understand where it’s okay to go. And don’t worry—this doesn’t confuse their home habits. Think of us like grandma’s house… they know they can get away with a few things here, but they go right back to the rules at home! 😉

How are the dogs grouped during the day?

• Our Prickly Pear side is dedicated to our littles and oldies who may not enjoy the chaos the biggies bring. Our Sagauro Room is for our larger pups who love to zoomie all day! And it will always depend on the Pack for the day. Somedays they can all hang together, other days the Sagauro Room will be infiltrated by the littles! It’s all day-to-day for their safety and happiness.

What vaccinations are required? Do they HAVE to be spayed/neutered?

• We require up-to-date vaccines on their rabies, DHPP (distemper/parvo), and bordetella.

• Yes - all pups over 1 year old must be spayed/neutered if attending Desert Pups per Maricopa County kenneling regulations. If they are under 1 year old and have not started a heat, they are allowed to attend daycare.

What happens in case of an emergency?

• We will attempt to contact you and your emergency contact. If we are unable to, then we will take a pup to Eve’s Emergency Animal Hospital for further evaluations. An incident report will be documented for you, as well.

Do dogs ever get sick from being in daycare?

• To be completely honest - sometimes! Even fully vaccinated dogs can get sick from time to time. Just like people, just because we get a flu shot, that doesn’t mean we will never get the flu. When there are outbreaks, we email all Pawrents to address the situation. Even if that means we have to close down to fully scrub and clean the facility to ensure healthy and happy pups AND Pawrents.

What’s your cancellation policy?

• At this time, you are free to cancel any daycare reservations with no fee.

• For boarding, if you are a current DP Pack Member, you have 48 hours before your reservation to cancel with no fee. Anything less than that will incur a $50 cancellation fee.

• Non-Pack Members have 72 hours to cancel before a stay or a $100 cancellation fee will incur.

What if I’m running late or need to extend my dog’s stay?

• For daycare, you have a 15 minute grace period before a half day turns into a full day. If you arrive after our operating hours, there is a fee for every 15 minutes you are late (up to 1 hour) before your pup will be considered an overnight stay (fees will be included on top of the overnight charge.)

• For boarding, there is a $10 fee (per change) if you change the date of drop-off/pick-up. As long as you give us a heads up on your ETA, we can be flexible on a pick-up time.

Do you close on holidays?

• We’re open 365 days a year for boarding, but daycare may be closed or have limited hours on major holidays. We’ll always announce holiday schedules on our website and social media, so keep an eye out around those times!

Is there a minimum or maximum age for pups?

• No age min or max - all we ask is for your pup to be fully vaccinated before starting with The Pack!

What’s included in an overnight stay?

• All day daycare, feeding/medication administration, and a whole lot of snuggles! Please click HERE to check out everything that can be added onto your pup’s stay!

Will my dog be crated at night?

• Only if that’s what you, the Pawrent, asks for! We are a crate-free facility but respect the wishes of Pawrents who want their pups crated at night. You will need to provide your own crate, however. If not, then they are free to sleep on a queen-sized bed, on the floor with dog bed and blankets, or the couches throughout the daycare.

Can I bring my dog’s own food/bed?

• Yes, please! We always recommend you bringing your dogs own food (or you will be charged per meal if you do not) and something they usually sleep with to help with any nighttime anxiety. We recommend an old T-Shirt, their bed, or a pillowcase that you recently slept on. Please no toys as they are subject to get taken by other pups and possibly destroyed.

How do you handle shy, anxious, or high-energy dogs?

• Our Pawtrollers have seen it all! From pups who never want to come from under a tbale to the pups who snap at every dog near them. As long as YOU stay consistet and trust us - we CAN make a better pup for the both of us! Each dog has their own needs, so the more honest you are with us, the better we can assess them and help them thrive with their playmates!

What happens if a dog misbehaves?

• We have several “corral” system throughout the daycare. Dogs that need a time-out will be guided to these corrals to decompress as we evaluate the situation. Any dogs we feel need to leave, their Pawrents will be alerted and will stay in their corral until Pawrent’s arrival.

Is there any training involved during play?

• Our Pawtrollers help encourage dogs to not jump up on people, regulate their social cues, and reenforce simple commands like sit, stay, wait, etc.

Who are the Pawtrollers and what do they do?

• Our Pawtrollers are the heart of Desert Pups! They’re the ones making sure tails are wagging, playgroups stay safe, and every pup feels like part of the Pack. You’ll find them tossing toys, giving belly rubs, monitoring play, and of course—showering pups with affection all day long.

What qualifications do your Pawtrollers have?

• Each Pawtroller goes through:

  • Hands-on training in dog behavior, group play, and safety

  • Pet CPR & First Aid certification

  • Daily mentorship from our senior staff and managers

  • Ongoing education on body language, stress signals, and positive reinforcement techniques

  We don’t just hire dog lovers—we hire people who understand dogs.

How many Pawtrollers are supervising at once?

• We maintain a safe and balanced dog-to-human ratio based on group size, energy level, and room dynamics. There’s always at least one trained Pawtroller in every room, often more during high-energy times like zoomie hour or pool parties!

Do the dogs bond with specific Pawtrollers?

• Oh, absolutely. Most pups have their favorite humans—and vice versa! We make it a point to build relationships with every dog, learning their quirks, comfort levels, and play styles. That way, your pup always feels seen, safe, and loved.