Standing Policies and Procedures

Last Updated 21 October 2007

  1. Doggone Nuts! Requirements
  2. Play
  3. Sleeping Arrangements
  4. Feeding
  5. Supervision
  6. Vaccination

  1. Doggone Nuts! Requirements

    • Doggone Nuts! is for indoor dogs with basic house manners. However, your dog does not have to be perfect, and young puppies are welcome.
    • Dogs must be fully housebroken. Puppies that are potty training are welcome at Doggone Nuts!. They will be kept on a supervised play/potty/crate schedule.
    • Dogs must be comfortable with children.
    • Dogs must be comfortable with other dogs of any size.
    • Dogs cannot be resource aggressive. Of course no dog wants another dog to steal his or her food or toys. However, dogs that have been known to actually bite to protect a toy or their food cannot stay here. If there is a risk of a dog becoming seriously resource aggressive while in our care, that dog will be separated from the other dogs and confined as needed for the duration of its stay.
    • Escape artists, or dogs that are known to jump 5' fences cannot stay here.
    • Dogs over 6 months old should be spayed or neutered. Approved exceptions are rarely made, however an additional $5 daily fee will be charged for any female that comes into her cycle while staying here.
    • Very destructive dogs, or dogs that are known to mark or urinate in others' homes, may not stay here. If your dog becomes very destructive or begins to mark in our home the dog will be confined as needed for the duration of its stay.
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  2. Play

    Indoor

    The dogs and I spend about 75% of the day inside, together. In general, they live as part of our family. Our home is equipped with seven plush dog beds, including two 6-inch memory foam orthopedic beds, an extra-large bolster bed, and a small nest-type bed for little guys. During quieter times the dogs enjoy chewing on indestructible toys like Durable Nylabones, while relaxing on their favorite bed of choice. We also enjoy a lot of cuddle time on the couch, particularly on Doggie Movie Nights. The living room is equipped with a toy basket, filled with regularly cleaned, indestructible toys like an extra large Tire Biter, a giant Jolly Ball, several mini Jolly Balls, Nylabones, a rubber Kong Ball, and several Teaser Balls. It is fun to watch them dig through the basket, looking for that perfect toy. On rainy days there might be a lot of retrieving up and down the hallway. There is also a large supply of plush, squeaky and rope toys, which are a favorite for keep-a-way and tug-of-war games. These destructible toys are kept out of reach, except when the dogs are under strict supervision, to prevent ingestion. For their safety, torn or shredded plush toys are discarded. There is always a bed, apart from all the living room action, down the hall in the entryway, for that occasional dog who would like to sneak away for a little bit of extra quiet time.

    Three dogs playing with toy in front of fireplace

    Outside

    When the dogs are in the mood for wild, energetic play, we go outside. We have a large, fully fenced yard with a wide-open golf course view. There are many indestructible toys like hard plastic Teaser Balls and Jolly Balls. The dogs have a blast zooming through a 16-foot long competition agility tunnel. This is a favorite hide and seek spot. In the summer we have three shallow doggie pools placed around the yard. It is a riot to watch them run from one pool to the next, through the tunnel, and finally land with a splash in the last pool.

    Doggie play yard Doggie play yard
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  3. Sleeping Arrangements

    This is determined on an individual basis, always taking the owner and dog's desires into consideration. I like to provide something as close as possible to what the dog enjoys at home. Small dogs that are used to sleeping on their owner's bed at night may be able to enjoy the same here. For medium or large dogs, there are several options. Dogs that are not destructive when left alone can sleep free in the living room or master bedroom with their choice of dog beds. Other arrangements are made for dogs who may be destructive when unsupervised or have difficulty settling in for the night when away from home. These dogs will most likely sleep behind the baby gate, in the entryway with an extra-large dog bed, a Durable Nylabone, and a bowl of water. This makes a nice little 6' X 8' room, without feeling like a kennel. For puppies or dogs that are known to be destructive, I will set up an extra-large crate in the living room, which will be equipped with soft bedding and a chew toy. Lastly, on very rare occasion, we have a guest who is used to and prefers sleeping outside. In this case, we have a 4' X 10' kennel in our insulated garage, furnished with water and an extra-large igloo with an extra-large orthopedic dog bed. On these occasions, the garage is heated.

    Daschund with its sleeping bag
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  4. Feeding

    Adult dogs are fed twice a day; at approximately 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Puppies are fed three times a day. Dogs are fed separate from one another to avoid any stress. Most guests bring their own food, to avoid any digestive problems from sudden food changes. However, for your convenience, I do offer Canidae All Life Stages for a small additional daily fee. Some of the wonderful things about staying at Doggone Nuts! are the additions at mealtime. I make healthy Homemade Doggie Stews, which are pureed to increase the absorption of nutrients. For dogs that are not allergic, each meal is tossed in 1/8 of a cup of something yummy. Some examples would be Homemade Chicken Stock With Pureed Organic Carrots, Homemade Lamb Stock with Pureed Butternut Squash, or Turkey Stock With Pureed Homegrown Tomatoes and Basil. In addition, each meal is topped with a little fish oil, high in Omega Fatty Acids for shiny coats. Super premium treats like Innova Healthbars and Evo Grain Free biscuits are offered in the evening, often stuffed in a Kong for those problem-solving dogs. I do not serve corn, wheat, soy, or animal by-products.

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  5. Supervision

    At Doggone Nuts! LLC we offer nearly around the clock supervision and interaction. Your dog will be living as a temporary member of our family. Dogs are only placed outside to play and potty if I am able to supervise them, either by direct interaction, or by viewing through a window. Dogs or puppies who are small enough to slip through our wrought iron fencing will only be outside under direct supervision, or they will exercise in our 1200 square foot, soft pea gravel lined, exercise pen. This area has 5ft high, welded wire fencing, maintaining the wide open golf course view, while providing an area which is secure for small dogs.

    Occasionally dogs will be left home, alone, for short periods if I have an appointment or need to run to the store. For their safety, dogs are never left outside when I am not home. If I must leave for a short time, the dogs are separated from each other to avoid any risk of injury during unsupervised play. My own dogs will be in our master bedroom. A non-destructive dog may enjoy the freedom of the living room, with Animal Planet television for entertainment. An additional guest would be placed behind the baby gate, in the entryway with an extra-large dog bed, a Durable Nylabone, and a bowl of water. This makes a nice little 6' X 8' room, without feeling like a kennel. For puppies that are not fully potty trained, or dogs that are known to be destructive when unsupervised, I will set up an extra-large crate in the living room, which will be equipped with soft bedding, a chew toy, and a view of Animal Planet television for entertainment. Dogs that live in the same home together will not be separated during my occasional times away.

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  6. Vaccinations

    Upon veterinary advisement, Vaccination requirements are:

    • Current Rabies
    • Distemper/Parvo vaccination within 24 months prior to stay
    • Bordatella: nasal (preferred) OR injectable vaccine within 6 months prior to stay
    • A Giardia negative fecal test within 1 month prior to stay OR Giardia vaccine within 12 months prior to stay (for dogs who stay here regularly and do not get the Giardia vaccine, the fecal test may be done before the first visit, and then once every 12 months)

    NOTE: Vaccinations may take up to 14 days, once given, to provide full immunity to your dog, with the exception of the Bordatella NASAL spray, which only takes up to 4 days.

    Thank you for your cooperation! It is all in the name of keeping our wonderful furry friends healthy, so they can continue to fill our days with their endless love for many years to come. Hope to see you soon!

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