Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions or call or email us. We’ll get back to you!

FAQ’s Doggy Day Care

What do I need to have my dog begin participating in daycare?

Call In the Dog house at 843-884-5434 to schedule a Meet & Greet trial day. Complete the New Dog Admission Packet and the New Client Service Agreement provided on our online customer portal on our website at playinthedoghouse.com and bring your proof of vaccination with you on your dog’s first day.

What is the Meet & Greet trial day?

A Meet & Greet day is an integral step in acclimating each new guest into the group play environment. Our introduction process, which includes a temperament and behavioral assessment, allows us to determine if your dog will benefit from our group play environment. Our staff will work one-on-one with your dog and give them lots of individual attention. Please call us to schedule your visit.

Can I schedule daycare without a Meet & Greet trial day?

We require a Meet & Greet day before bringing your dog to daycare or boarding. It is important we meet your dogs, make sure they are comfortable with our facilities and staff, and that they are happy in playgroups with other dogs. It is also essential to show your dog that you will be picking them up at the end of their stay with us. If you are unable to complete a Meet & Greet Day, please call us at 843-884-5434 to discuss your individual circumstances.

At what age can my puppy start participating in daycare?

Early socialization is very beneficial for puppies to ensure happy lives. Puppies should be at least 12 weeks old, healthy, and vaccinated with distemper and parvo (at least two rounds) to participate in daycare. Puppies must be 4 months and fully vaccinated.

What vaccines are required to participate in daycare?

All dogs staying with us for grooming, daycare, or boarding must be current on rabies, distemper, and bordetella vaccinations. Puppies under 6 months of age are exempt from rabies.

Does my dog need to be spayed or neutered to participate in daycare?

Yes, Spaying is 9 months, we allow unneutered dogs up to 18 months depending on behavior.

We will consider individual circumstances for dogs over that age for an additional fee. Please speak with us at 843-884-5434 if you have special needs.

Do I need a reservation for daycare?

No, just bring your dog in for a day of play.

What are the drop-off and pick-up times for daycare?

Monday through Friday you may drop off and pick up your dog between the hours of 7:00 AM–12:00 PM, and 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM. Saturday and Sunday hours are 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, and 2:00 PM - 5:30 PM.

How are dogs grouped together to play in daycare?

Dogs are grouped together based on a combination of factors, including size, age, breed, temperament, sociability, and energy level, among others. Yorkies should not play with Great Danes and at In the Dog house they each have their own separate areas for play and sleep.

Does daycare take place in inclement weather?

All dogs can always access our climate-controlled indoor and enclosed outdoor areas, but most dogs prefer to play outside. In the event of unusually bad weather, we bring the dogs inside to air-conditioned and heated areas to play and ensure they don’t get too cold or wet.

Can my dog be groomed while at daycare?

Absolutely. We offer a quick bath as well as full grooming appointments so your dog is clean and ready to return home. Just make an appointment at the front desk in advance.

What if I can’t pick my dog up before closing?

Please call us and let us know if you are delayed or if your plans change. If you cannot pick up your dog, we will provide food and lodging for the night for an additional charge.

What if daycare isn’t right for my dog?

Daycare and group play aren’t the right solutions for all dogs. Although we believe most dogs benefit greatly from canine socialization, sometimes there just isn’t a good fit. If that is the case, we will give you our honest assessment of your dog’s behavior and temperament and provide our best advice on socialization and training.

FAQ’s Boarding

Why should we choose In the Doghouse?

Experience matters! We have provided premium boarding, daycare, and grooming services to the greater Charleston area for over 10 years and have over 170 5-star reviews. Our staff has a combined 30+ years of experience in the animal care field with experts who have served clients in dog boarding and daycare resorts, humane societies, animal shelters, rescue organizations, and professional grooming salons. Our owner was a founding member of the International Boarding & Pet Service Association and abides by their ethics and highest quality industry standards. We are also members of the Canine Professional Organization, and The Professional Pet Groomers Association.

Can my dogs stay together?

Yes, our suites can accommodate multiple dogs. Small family dogs can be lodged together in our deluxe boarding and large dogs will be lodged beside each other.

What vaccines are required to participate in boarding?

All dogs staying with us for boarding must be current on rabies, distemper, and bordetella vaccinations. Puppies under 6 months of age are exempt from rabies.

Do I need to make a boarding reservation?

Advance reservations are recommended and appreciated but we can often accommodate last-minute needs of previous boarders. Major holiday boarding fills up quickly and you should plan to make reservations well in advance of your travel.

Do you offer boarding without daycare?

Generally, our boarding dogs join our daycare dogs in the playgroup. We feel the experience of playing is very beneficial to dogs when away from home. It allows them to exercise and to have company when away from their family.

However, we will consider boarding only on a case-by-case basis for dogs who do not do well in a group setting. These dogs would be walked individually or enjoy outside playtime in large individual areas. Please call us at 843-884-5435 to discuss your dog’s individual situation.

Can I board my dog without a Meet & Greet trial day?

Normally, we do require a Meet & Greet day before scheduling any boarding. It is important we meet your dog, make sure they are comfortable with our facilities and staff, and happy in playgroups with other dogs. It is also important to show your dog that you will be picking them up at the end of their stay with us. Please call us to discuss your individual circumstances at 843-884-5434.

What do I need to do to board my dog with you?

●      Call In the Dog house at 843-884-5434 to schedule a Meet & Greet trial day

●      Complete the New Dog Admission Packet and the New Client Service Agreement provided through our online customer portal at playinthedoghouse.com

●      Bring proof of vaccination with you on your dog’s first day

What should I bring when I bring my dog to board?

Please bring your dog’s food in a labeled container with feeding instructions as well as medications in their prescription bottles with veterinary instructions. You may also want to bring a toy or treat for your dog. No option for bedding as many dogs tend to chew them during their stay.

What if my dog requires medication?

We believe providing a pet’s medication is an element of basic care and we do not charge for the administration of any common supplements, over-the-counter medications, or prescriptions. Medication must be in its original packaging and clearly labeled with the type of medication, the dosage, and frequency.

What if my pet has special needs?

We encourage you to speak with a staff member about your pet’s needs. We cannot accept any pet with a bite history or any pet that is aggressive toward people or other pets. We’ll do our best to accommodate your unique needs.

What are the boarding drop-off and pick-up times?

You may drop off your dog any time during our normal business hours, but we request that all boarders be dropped off by 4 PM to ensure they have time to play and get settled into a routine. Pick-up time is during business hours prior to 12 PM. Daycare charges will apply for dogs picked up after 12 PM.

Can I have my dog groomed while boarding?

Absolutely, we can provide everything from a bath to a full groom. Please let us know when you drop off your dog.

FAQ’s Grooming

How often should I get my dog groomed?

Unless your dog has gotten into something smelly or dirty, s/he will need to be groomed every four weeks to maintain a great appearance. Bathing too frequently will dry out their skin and strip the natural oils from the coat. Grooming a dog infrequently can mask a dog’s skin and coat issues and lead to de-matting, shaving, and other extra grooming charges, but most importantly an unhappy dog.

What vaccinations does my dog need to be groomed?

All dogs groomed by us must be current on rabies, distemper, and bordetella vaccinations. Puppies under 6 months of age are exempt from rabies.

At what age should I have my puppy groomed?

Ideally, you should acquaint your puppy with bathing and nail trimming very early in their life—around 4 months is a good starting point. This ensures that they become lifelong friends with the grooming process and enjoy their routine spa days.

What if my dog is afraid of grooming?

Our groomer is very experienced at handling dogs and is very kind, loving, and gentle and specializes in fearful animals. If a dog is frightened, she uses multiple techniques to earn their trust and may alter services to best meet the needs of your pet.

When are grooming appointments available?

We generally have grooming appointments available 7 days a week.

How long will it take to have my dog groomed?

Count on up to 2-3 hours for your pet to be thoroughly bathed, brushed, and groomed. It may take less time and we will call you when your pet is ready for pickup. Unlike some groomers, we schedule appointments and immediately begin your services so your dog will not have to spend additional time in our salon.

Can I have my dog groomed during boarding or daycare?

Absolutely. We routinely combine daycare and grooming packages so your dog can enjoy both a half day of play and a nice bath or professional groom. A bath or groom after boarding is always a good idea as dogs love to play hard and get dirty during their stays with us.