MattSue Boarding

04/24/2022

04/24/2022

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are you located?
Our Kennel is located in Santa Ana, California and Tijuana, Mexico.

Do I need a reservation?
Yes, reservations are required. A reservation made in advance will secure your spot in Boarding, Daycare, Grooming and other services. You will receive a confirmation email when your reservation is approved. You can call us on Facebook Messenger. A representative will approve your reservation and provide you with a confirmation email if we have availability. If we have reached our capacity then your reservation may automatically go onto our waiting list.

What time should I arrive for Boarding?
You can bring your pet to check in for boarding anytime during normal business hours. We recommend arriving 30 minutes before our office closes.
If you plan to add daycare services, and want your pet to participate on the first day, then you must arrive by 10:00 am for a Full-day of Daycare, or by 12:00 pm for a Half-day of Daycare.
If you plan to add services like playtimes, cuddle-times, or nature walks then we ask that you arrive before 4:00 pm.
Snacks, including pupsicles and peanut butter Kongs, can be added anytime.

Does my pet need to have certain vaccinations prior to boarding?
Our Kennel does require all pets in our care to be fully vaccinated in accordance to California state regulations prior to check in.
Our Kennel requires proof of RABIES, DISTEMPER, PARVOVIRUS, and BORDTELLA vaccinations.
Typically, the Distemper and Parvovirus vaccines are together. Some common variations of this vaccine that we accept are DHLP, DHLP-P, DAPP, DLPP, and DHP. This can be very confusing, so please inquire with your Vet to ensure that your pet has the required vaccinations.
Vaccination schedules vary depending on your veterinarian’s policies and procedures. Please consult with them to ensure that your pet is current on each vaccine before their visit with us. We ask that you either contact your veterinarian directly and have them email a copy to [email protected], or bring a copy and present proof upon check-in.

What if my pet is on medication?
We are more than happy to dispense oral and topical medications in your absence. We require that you provide your medications in their original pill bottle or packaging and we will administer them as directed. There is a medication fee of $5.00 per day for the administration of four (4) or more medications, supplements and/or topical treatments. "As needed" medications are included in the count.
At this time, we are not able to give any injections or intravenous medications.

What if my pet becomes ill or requires medical attention during their stay?
In the event your pet requires medical attention, we will refer to your contact list for the current visit and make every effort to reach you or your designated emergency contact. We will transport your pet to their regular veterinarian to ensure continuity of care, however if they are unavailable, we will transport your pet to the closest veterinary emergency clinic My Vet.

Will My Pet Require A Flea and Tick Treatment?
Yes. We want to maintain a pest-free environment. All dogs are required to have flea and tick prevention. If your pet is not on any prevention, we offer a single treatment of Frontline. Cost will be determined by the size of your pet.

Will My Pets Be Placed with Other Pets?
No. Pets from different families are never boarded together. Each pet enjoys his or her own personal space.

Can My Pets Stay Together?
Yes. Family members may stay together, however in the event of a “disagreement”, we will separate pets for their safety.

Can we bring our pet’s food from home?
Yes. We understand the importance of continuity when it comes to your pet’s diet. Please provide your pet’s dry food in a ziplock bag (or in individual ziplock bags) labeled with your pet’s first and last name in permanent marker. Please provide your pet’s food in the original can/container and write your dog’s first and last name on the label in permanent marker (please don’t write the name on the cover as it will be removed and disposed.)
If you do not want to bring your pet’s food, we will be more than happy to feed your pet our food. We feed Hill’s science diet or canned wet food (there is a fee of $1/meal when utilizing our house wet food option.)
We do not accept, nor feed, a raw diet to pets while visiting our facility.
If you have a Puppy, and they are eating puppy food, you must bring their food for their stay. Puppies’ tummies are especially sensitive to food changes. We do not offer a puppy food option in-house.

Can we bring our pet’s treats from home? What should I bring it in?
Yes. We love giving your pet’s a treat. All treats must be easily breakable and quickly consumed within the time of a meal. Please bring your pet’s treats in the same way that the food organization is described above. We do not accept chew bones, rawhides, bully sticks, dentastix, or similar chewy treats.

Can we bring our Pet’s own bedding from home?
Sorry, but due to sanitary and pest control purposes, all bedding is provided for our guests by our Kennel. Each guest will also enjoy their very own bed along with plenty of comfy fleece blankets which are changed and laundered daily.

Can we bring toys from home?
Due to liability concerns, our Kennel does not allow outside toys. We do however supply all guests with in house toys to play with during playtimes. We promise your pet will have lots of fun and excitement.

Do you offer Doggie Daycare?
Yes. Our Kennel has a wonderful daycare program. All dogs are evaluated first before they can comingle with others. Each of our Daycare staff is trained in dog behavior and is aware of what to pay close attention to when dogs are in a social setting. Your pet will have a blast playing in our playgrounds and Daycare Center. They can enjoy some additional outside time and meet some new lifetime friends. In addition, you can visit our page and see your pet playing while your away.

Do you offer grooming or bathing?
Yes. Our Kennel offers spa day services. You can choose to treat your furry friend to a bath, brush, nail trim and ear cleaning before they return home. Suli does offer professional dog grooming, please let her know ahead of time if you feel your pet may need a trim during there board and train stay.

May I call to check on my pet?
Absolutely! We want to give you peace of mind that your pet is safe, comfortable, and happy while you are away. Feel free to call our cell to check on your loved one during our business hours as often as you would like. Upon check in, we will ask for a contact phone number and/or email in case one of our owners or managers have any questions or concerns. You can also contact us via email, messenger on Facebook and even by text.

Do you board Cats?
Our Kennel does not.

Can we tour the Kennel?
Of course! All of us here at MattSue NotALapDog Kennel want you to feel comfortable leaving your pet with us. We would love you to come visit and meet our staff. We all take great pride in our kennel. It is exceptionally clean, safe, and fun. You don't need an appointment to tour our facility, we simply ask that you come during normal business hours.

Will my dog like this environment?
Dogs who enjoy company and interaction with other dogs will love being in doggie daycare. If your dog� does not like other dogs, then no, your dog may not like this environment. Every dog is different and is treated as such. At the end of his/her first stay, we provide a report card and are available to discuss how your dog interacted with the other dogs and if they seemed to enjoy the environment. We strive for excellence and do our best to ensure your dog is happy. We promise to be honest with you if we feel this isn’t the best possible environment for your dog.

Do dogs ever get hurt?
Some dogs play rough. Our doggy daycare attendants are trained to understand dog behavior and notice the signs/signals of a raised level of excitement, minimizing the chances for dogs to get hurt. Small scratches, nicks, and loss of patches of fur are part of normal dog play. It is possible for more serious injuries to occur.

My dog is elderly. Will he/she enjoy this environment?
It depends on the temperament of your dog. There are many older dogs that are active and can fit in anywhere. Typically, elderly dogs enjoy their nap time and our trained daycare and kennel staff will accommodate them accordingly. Some elder pups do well in doggie daycare, where others just don’t have the energy for it. We also offer extra playtime, cuddle time, and nature walks to match your dog’s personal taste.
Any pet parent with pets that have severe mobile impingement (cannot get up on their own or walk without help), are blind or have high levels of anxiety should discuss the best plan for care for their pet during their absence before booking a reservation. We reserve the right to cease offering our services at any time based on a pet’s advanced age or health status.

My dog has health issues. Can he/she still come?
This depends on the type of health issues. There are certain conditions that do not belong in our facility or we are not equipped to provide sufficient care. Due to state regulations, we cannot accept diabetic dogs that require injections. We also cannot accept dogs that have communicable diseases or parasites. Dogs that are affected by ear infections, cancer, or glaucoma are usually easily accommodated. Dogs that are unable to get up, stand, or walk on their own generally do better with home care. We would appreciate all medical information be disclosed prior to making a reservation or during check-in.

I have a small dog and see a lot of larger dogs in the daycare. Is my dog safe?
It’s not how big the dog is, but rather how big the dog thinks he/she is. Dogs are separated by temperament and activity level. Harder playing dogs are happiest being around hard playing dogs, while dogs who are more low-energy enjoy company that won’t bump into them with rowdy play. Daycare is a bully-free zone!

My dog is exhausted when he/she comes home. Why?
This is one of the biggest benefits of signing your dog up for doggie daycare! A tired dog is a happy dog. While in daycare your dog gets to play and socialize with many other dogs and when you take your dog home he/she might just curl up and take a snooze. Our doggie daycare attendants are trained to notice if your dog is getting too tired to be in an active group and we utilize our indoor and outdoor holding runs to give tired dogs a break if necessary. We would never force a dog to get up and move around if that dog was asleep (let sleeping dogs lie!). Many dogs that are boarding tend to take longer resting periods. The stimulation of a dog boarding environment is very high during the day, as there are many activities going on all around each dog.

Should I bring anything for my dog?
When your dog is boarding, we strongly suggest that you bring more than enough food for their stay. Changing foods quickly can lead to intestinal discomfort and/or allergic reactions. We provide kongs, nighttime treats and plenty of blankets, bedding and a comfortable cot to sleep on as needed. We do not accept any toys, chew bones, rawhides, bully sticks, dentastix, outside beds/blankets, or articles of clothing.

Why is my dog thirsty when he/she comes home?
We provide each pet with access to water 24 hours per day.
From the time your dog enters our facility, your dog will have continued access to fresh drinking water. Hydrating dogs is one of our top priorities and water is always available. Daycare dogs that play hard or for long periods of time drink more water and may want to drink even more when they get home.

When I was watching the daycare dogs, the energy level was very high and it was like a zoo. Is it always like that?
No. When visitors arrive, whether they are new dogs or new dog owners, the dog daycare group tends to get very excited and you may hear and see that. Some of them are also “showing off “. During doggie daycare there is some barking and playing. Once your dog is introduced to the appropriate group and when the human visitors leave their observation time or are quiet, they tend to settle down. Once accustomed to being part of the group, our staff can determine exactly what your dog will enjoy and ensure that he/she has a great time.

What is your cancellation policy?
The owners of dogs that are solely assigned for doggie daycare, spa baths, and babysitting services will not be charged for any cancellation.
Owners of dogs that have reserved space for boarding, and do not cancel within 48 hours notice, will be charged a $20 cancellation fee/pet.
Owners of dogs that have reserved space for professional grooming, and do not cancel within 48 hours notice, will be charged a $20 cancellation fee/pet.

Does someone stay overnight with the dogs?
No. Our kennel is designed to ensure that all of our canine visitors are safe and secure from any and all outside distractions or harm. Dogs that need special care, such as a late night feeding, or a walk, are accommodated. Getting a good night’s rest is very important and we also play calm and soothing music in the kennel.
If your dog requires overnight medical care, we recommend in-home pet care or medical boarding.

What type of collar is best when coming there?
Typically, when your dogs are boarding we give you back your leash and collar unless you have a special request for our use. We always accommodate clients that have special requests.
The dogs that are dropped off for doggie daycare are received with their leash and collar if they are being picked up by another family member. Our “house” leads are also available if needed for transport.

My dogs pads are very sensitive and irritated after going to daycare. Did something happen to my dogs feet?
Absolutely not. It is very common for newcomers pads to experience rawness and/or irritation from playing in the gravel yards and on other surfaces. When dogs are in daycare they are tested on a gravel surface. If a dog’s paws ever get sensitive to the gravel then they will be sent to one of our grassy or turf yards in hopes that they can still enjoy being active in daycare. If there is ever a case where a pad and/or nail is bleeding the dog will be removed from the group until he/she is assessed and the bleeding ceases.

Do you require a deposit?
We typically do not require a deposit for any boarding stay less than 14 days. If you are planning to board your dog for an extended period of time (over 14 days) then we would be happy to discuss this with you and may require a deposit. We reserve the right to require a deposit at anytime.

I rescued my dog seven days ago, can he come there?
In most cases, no. We normally require a new owner to have their pet for at least 14 days before bringing them to our facility. This gives you and your pet the chance to bond and also allows for enough time for you to bring them to your Vet for a welfare check and notice if there are any medical or behavioral concerns that should be addressed.

How do the boarding charges work?
We operate just like a hotel. A boarding charge is always assessed for the day of arrival.
If you check your pet out by 12:00 pm (Noon) you do not incur another charge for boarding that day.
Since our office hours are from 4:00 - 6:00 pm on Sunday, there is always a charge for Sunday boarding.

How do I know my pet will be safe & secure overnight?
Our facility is designed so that each pet in our care is safe and secure throughout the day and night. Our management team completes a series of walk-throughs during the day and they “tuck in” each pet at night, ensuring they have ample bedding, water, and anything else they need. Our facility is also equipped with a CCTV video monitoring system and each housing unit is fully alarmed with our security system.

My dog has some issues with aggression, can he/she still come for boarding?
If your dog is aggressive toward humans then unfortunately he/she is not able to board at our facility. We do have an excellent dog trainer that may be able to work with you and your dog to assess his/her level of aggression and work on behavior modification.
If your pet is aggressive toward other pets, then generally this is something we can work around by keeping him/her away from other pets. This is also dependent on the level of aggression and if he/she will redirect the aggression toward a human nearby.

What time should I arrive for doggie daycare?
For a Full-day of Dog Daycare, we ask that your pup arrives before 10:00 am. This includes daily drop-off and daycare while boarding services.
For a Half-day of drop-off Dog Daycare, if your pup arrives before 11:00 am, then you must pickup your pup by 12:00 pm, which is our mid-day closing time. Normally, most clients drop off between 7:00 am - 9:00 am and pickup at 12:00 pm. If your pup arrives after 11:00 am then they can still participate in Dog Daycare, and you can pickup at 3:00 pm.
For a Half-day of Dog Daycare, when dropping your pup off for Boarding, we ask that you arrive by 12:00 pm.

What time should I arrive for a doggie daycare evaluation?
Please bring your pup for his/her daycare evaluation as early as possible, once our office is open.
All daycare evaluations must arrive before 10:00 am to ensure that our staff has enough time to properly evaluate your dog’s behaviors.
You can leave your pup with us all day, until we close, however we do ask that you give us until at least 3:00 pm to complete the assessment and get a report card made for your pup.

Should I feed my dog before coming for daycare?
Yes. If your dog typically eats at a time that is before our daycare starts then we recommend that you feed them at least 90 minutes before arrival. The reason for the time recommendation is due to their digestion and energy level. Bloat is a very serious condition that dogs can get and the majority of dogs that get bloat have either eaten or have been drinking a significant amount less than 90 minutes prior to play time.

Does my dog need to be spayed/neutered for doggie daycare?
No, this is no longer a requirement. We do require that an intact female dog not be in estrus (in heat) or nearing the heat cycle, for her safety.
We also may recommend, and sometimes require, male dogs that are intact to be neutered before continuing in our daycare pack based on certain behaviors.

Do you board puppies that are too young for a Rabies vaccination?
Our Kennel does accept Puppies at least 12 weeks old that have not received the Rabies vaccine.
In order to qualify for boarding you must have had your puppy for at least 14 days.
They must have had the required booster shots for DHLP, and they are up to date per their vaccination record.
Since puppies are more susceptible to contracting viruses than the average adult dog, they are separated from general population utilizing a dog crate in a designated area.
Puppies always get tons of fun and interaction with our staff and still get to spend lots of time outside when the weather permits.
Puppies can receive our Personal Playtime, Cuddle-time and any snacks offered, however they cannot participate in our Doggie Daycare or Nature Walks due to risk of exposure.
All puppies are eligible and encouraged to get a Spa Bath before going home.
Please keep in mind that we do not offer puppy food as an in-house option and always recommend you bring your puppy’s food from home.

03/15/2022

I will be working on our dog boarding link via Facebook for everyone interested.

My schedule is booked from April 14- May 31 we will try our best to show everyone a calendar for availability.

Our facility in Chula vista houses 5 Large or 10 small dogs max

Our training apartment in Santa Ana houses 2 dogs max

Our Santa Ana homes houses 6 dogs max each

Our California homes are subject to city laws and will require extra paperwork be filled out before drop off.
We are aiming to have those available via a link when approved in Chula vista.

Matthew and I are taking a 2 year break to work on our side cash flow. We love breeding and want to provide the best pups in SoCal but we also need to work on our art and perfect it. We are going back to training and boarding until 2025 😊 We are finishing up breeding this year for October 2022 and retiring our girls with a well deserved vacation.

03/15/2022