FAQs

There are two ways to request an appointment. You can request online or by using our new app, Yourgi! Yourgi is available to download for free today in the App Store and Google Play.

Dogs in their adolescence often begin exhibiting several unwanted behaviors. Intact dogs—especially males—in a large pack setting can have an adverse effect on the overall pack dynamic, leading to tension and aggression. For the happiness and safety of all our canine clients, we ask that an intact dog who frequently exhibits unwanted behaviors not come back to daycare at Dogaholics in Chicago until they are neutered. Puppies under 8 months of age may attend daycare until they have the procedure; if the dog is not neutered after their 8-month birthday, they will be excluded from daycare until the procedure is performed.

If your pup is taking advantage of our boarding or daycare services, they will be in close contact with other dogs. To keep your furry pal and all our canine clients safe, we require the following updated vaccinations:

• Rabies
• Leptospirosis
• Bordella
• Distemper

If you’re unsure if your pooch is current on vaccinations, send us a copy of their records and we can decipher the veterinary language and determine if your pup needs any other vaccinations to be fully protected. We also require an annual negative fecal test to avoid intestinal parasite transmission between dogs.

It is our recommendation that your pup doesn’t enroll prior to 6 months of age. Puppies younger than 6 months have underdeveloped immune systems which may put them at risk for contracting mild germs that an older dog could easily fight off. Like with human daycare, there is the potential for infectious bugs and colds.

Dogaholics LOVES sweet senior dogs but asks that you consider their health, temperament, and mobility before sending them to daycare. Senior dogs—much like young puppies—can be more susceptible to high and low temperatures. They often tire easily from exercise and have greater sleep requirements than their teenage or young adult counterparts. Additionally, dogs who have trouble getting up and down stairs at home may also struggle to navigate our areas, especially our second-floor boarding section.

Dogaholics requires that all newly adopted dogs are in their new home for at least one month before scheduling a behavioral Meet and Greet. We ask the same for dogs who have just moved to the area. The time after adoption or a move is key for your dog to find their place within your home and build your bond. Introducing a newly adopted dog or a dog who is still adjusting to their new home environment can create stress and confusion, which may lead to a failed Meet and Greet.

We recommend our facility for dogs who weigh more than 10 pounds. Our playgroups are set up by energy levels rather than size, and smaller pups may not do well.

If a dog is deemed inappropriate for a daycare setting, we offer advice on how to properly and safely socialize your dog at home, or we may recommend a trainer or veterinary behaviorist. A Meet and Greet can be scheduled for a later date.

Because we have dogs on-site seven days a week, we are not able to give tours of our facility due to city regulations and liability issues.

Raw paw refers to small abrasions on the paw pads that occur from extensive activity on concrete. This is common for dogs who are new to our daycare or puppies who have soft paw pads. With consistent daycare, the pads will begin to toughen up and raw paw will cease to be a problem. If we notice any dog exhibiting signs of raw paw, such as licking the paw or limping, we will remove them from our pack, apply a balm to the area, and grant them time to relax so they can avoid further aggravating the sore pad.

To avoid potential gastrointestinal upset, we typically do not feed dogs during daycare. However, if you wish to bring a lunch for your dog to be fed during daycare, we are more than happy to accommodate. Lunches are served between 11 am and 1 pm.

At Dogaholics, we believe in an integrated pack. We have over 2500 square feet of outdoor space where dogs of all breeds, sizes, and energy levels can commune freely. Smaller, older, or less mobile dogs tend to separate themselves from their more rambunctious peers by seeking the quieter areas of the play park where they can enjoy a relaxing nap in the sun. If we notice a senior or small dog overwhelmed by more high-energy dogs, we will pair them with a group more appropriate to their demeanor.

The safety and well-being of our dogs is our biggest priority. If any handler notices a dog exhibiting signs of an injury, the dog is immediately removed from play and carefully examined for potential issues. Our next step is to notify the owner of the injured dog so we may together determine the best course of action. In extreme emergency situations where an owner cannot be immediately reached, a dog may be taken to the nearest veterinarian by a member of our team. Any dog that is exhibiting signs of common canine ailments, such as kennel cough or influenza, will be promptly separated from all other dogs and the owners notified. If an infectious illness is confirmed, the dog will be excluded from daycare until they are given clearance from their veterinarian.