Doggie Day Care FAQ

Why should my dog go to daycare?

Dogs require physical exercise, socialization, and mental stimulation daily and Doggie Daycare is a great option to fulfill those needs! We provide a safe and fun environment for your canine companion. Our staff are experience in appropriate play styles and behavior and work with our groups every day!

How do I enroll my dog?

Please fill out our Enrollment and Daykamp application form, and completed vaccination and fecal requirements to info@hiddengempetresort.com. Our Daykamp manager will reach out to schedule a meet and greet evaluation that is free to see if your pup is a good match! Meet and greets typically are between 9:30a-2:30p! We have a Client Portal as well for ease of booking reservations, updating records and pictures, as well as text to pay! New clients must contact us first to register for the portal!

Do I need to call ahead before dropping my dog off for daycare?

Yes! Most high-quality dog daycares now require reservations. It’s an industry best practice that helps create safer, more enjoyable playgroups and allows facilities to properly plan for the day’s activities. Walk-ins may be turned away if we are full. If we can safely accommodate your pet, a $10 walk-in surcharge will apply.

We can also schedule your dog’s Daycare as a recurring schedule. You may make reservations online via our Client Portal as well!

Can I bring lunch for my dog?

If needed we can feed lunch, we just ask that you clearly bag and label their food and let a staff member know at drop off.

How long is my dog actually playing during a day of daycare?

We keep dogs integrated in a group environment all day long if possible. Every dog is different however, and some require rest periods. We aim for a healthy balance for each pet.

Will my small breed dog be playing with large breeds?

Dogs are placed into their groups based on age, size, temperament, and play style. Our Daykamp staff will ensure that your pet’s daycare experience is the best it can be.

How many daycare yards are there/What are they made of?

We have indoor and outdoor spaces for all weather conditions! Our inside area consists of epoxy flooring with Kuranda beds and blankets for comfort and a warm pellet stove our pups love to safely cuddle near during the colder months. The outside yards are shaded with sand, equipped with play structures, and continuous access to fresh water! Speaking of water, we even have water activities for the warmer months! New state of the art Daycare building coming soon in 2025! Stay tuned!

What is your emergency protocol?

We take every precaution possible to ensure the happiest and safest experience while your pup plays for the day and to prevent any accidents from happening. Our staff is Pet CPR and First Aid certified. It is our policy to contact owners IMMEDIATELY upon noticing any physical, temperamental, or emotional change in their pet. A manager will also escort your pup to one of the Emergency Vets in our insured company vehicles if ever needed.

Do you offer additional services/Can my dog do daycare if they are boarding?

We offer full grooming departure services for both daycare and boarding pets, and yes your pup absolutely can be signed up for Daykamp during the week while boarding with us! We also have enrichment options to add on training with our Behaviorist while here for the day!

Are there any special rates?

We offer special rates on our daykamp packages (they do have expiratory dates!), discounts for 2 or more dogs on the same day, as well as a 10% military discount on our full price services for those who qualify.

What happens if I am unable to pick up my dog before you close?

Please call and let us know if you are running late! If you are unable to pick up your dog, you can authorize another individual to pick up for you. If we do not hear from you or your provided emergency contact by close we will call to check in. By 6:45 if we have not heard from you, your dog will be comfortably boarded overnight with bedding, water, and a meal provided. Boarding rates will apply.

Can my dog receive their 6 month Bordetella vaccine there?

YES! As long as your pup meets our requirements, we can administer an oral vaccine here on site as well as fecal testing!

Requirements- They have received the intranasal or oral vaccine prior with a licensed veterinarian and have not had any allergic reactions. We can ATTEMPT those who typically need the injectable vaccine but it must be approved through management prior. Fecal testing-we will do our best to acquire a sample but bringing in a sample no older than 24 hours is accepted as well.


Pet Boarding FAQ

Hours of Operation?

Monday through Friday our office hours are 8am-5pm and Saturday and Sundays are 8am-10am/ 2pm-4pm (Closed for our lunch hour 1-2pm every day). Major holidays- New Year’s, Easter, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day our office is closed and the day before Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and New Year’s Eve we are only open 8am-12pm! However we are here to care for your pets 24/7 365! So rest assured if you are boarding your pet(s) during a major holiday they are still being well taken care of as our staff come in every single day no matter what!

Do you only board dogs?

We board dogs, cats, small mammals (bunnies, hamsters, etc), and even birds! We have a special space for each pet! Each facility is climate controlled for all weather and monitored by staff with cameras! We do ask for small mammals and birds that clients provide their special housing and necessary dietary items such as leafy greens and timothy hay etc.

How do I sign my pet up for boarding?

Give our office a call at (978) 683-5795, email us at info@hiddengempetresort.com and we will gladly get you started! We offer scheduled tours as well so you can see firsthand where your pet will stay, meet the staff, and see our beautiful and unique property! We also now have a Client Portal for ease of booking reservations, updating records and pictures, as well as text to pay! New clients must contact us first to register for the portal!

What vaccinations are required?

Dogs– Rabies, Distemper, Parvo, Leptospirosis, Bordetella (EVERY 6 MONTHS!), Fecal with negative results (*Daycare clients are required to have a fecal every 6 months!)

Cats– Rabies, Feline distemper, AND/OR Leukemia vaccine or a negative COMBO test

We require all vaccine and fecal tests to be up to date and provided to use at minimum 7 days PRIOR to your pet’s arrival date. It is the owner’s responsibility to provide us these records and Vet offices are booked weeks in advanced so please make sure you allow adequate time to get your pet up to date. If your dog qualifies we also offer an intranasal/oral Bordetella vaccine as well as fecal testing for an additional fee that can be given here just ask us!

Requirements- They have received the intranasal or oral vaccine prior with a licensed veterinarian and have not had any allergic reactions. We can ATTEMPT those who typically need the injectable vaccine but it must be approved through management prior. Fecal testing-we will do our best to acquire a sample but bringing in a sample no older than 24 hours is accepted as well!

What are your rates? Do you offer any additional services?

We require a $45 per pet deposit at the time of booking and we charge PER CALENDAR DAY for our boarding services. We also have “Peak” and “Non-Peak” days. Peak days are $10/day extra and our busiest time. We highly suggest getting your reservation in as soon as possible to ensure your pets have a spot! We also have additional exercise and a la carte enrichment services during their stay. We have cuddle time for those less mobile or active or who need a quieter space, playtimes in our secured play yards and/or scenic trail walks in our wooded trails out back! You can add in some yummy a la carte menu options too or choose some goodies from our treat bar in our offices. We also offer medication dispensing (oral and topical medications only), as well as grooming departure services for dogs as well as cats and enrichment training options too!

Are there special accommodations?

We have special housing for pets with any behavioral issues but we please ask that you are as upfront and honest as possible with us about any and all behavioral issues. We have a reputable behaviorist here as well with enrichment options available for training, we do suggest trial overnight stays to make sure everyone including your pet has the best experience with us. For our senior citizen boarders we have special pens that make mobility much easier on them also. We have no problem boarding pets that are not neutered or spayed too! For unspayed females, we do ask that we know the last cycle/bathed after their heat prior to coming in. For behavioral concerns such as aggression, we ask that a “trial stay” is booked prior to your reservation to see if we are a good fit or to get in touch with our Training Manager directly at info@hiddengempetresort.com.

For those with allergies or special diets we also can accommodate them! We have refrigerators in each kennel, but for those with food allergies please provide their own snacks along with their foods and let us know WHAT they are allergic too.

What are your deposit and cancellation policies?

We require a $45/per pet per reservation deposit that is made at the time of booking your reservation. Your deposit will go towards your bill at the end of your pets stay and is fully refundable up until 48 or 72 hours prior to your pet’s arrival date. If you pick up early during peak season or modify your reservation length without providing a 48-hour Non-Peak, 72 hours Peak season notice your deposit will be kept and 50% of your remaining stay will be charged. For extended stays 21 days + please inquire with our office.

What if my pet is not fixed or has behavioral concerns?

We can board pets that are not neutered or spayed! We need to know the last heat cycle for unaltered females and request that you bathe them prior to arriving if their cycle was within a month or two of their reservation.For pets with behavioral issues of ANY kind, we kindly ask that you are as honest as possible with us so we ensure the safest stay for your pet and our staff. We may request a “trial stay” prior to boarding.

For Medical concerns, we ask that you speak directly to our staff so we can make sure we can accommodate your pet safely.

Where do they stay? Can I take a tour?

We prefer to call them “pens.” Dogs and cats have a floor to ceiling space with a square footage from 8ft² to 50ft², proportionate to their size and weight.For small mammals and birds, we will need you to bring their cage with them as well as must haves-like timothy hay etc.!

We offer scheduled tours daily, so you can see firsthand where your pet will stay. Please give our Boarding Office a call or email to visit our beautiful and unique property!

What do I need to bring for my pet?

Just the necessities! We only ask that you bring their food, treats and medication or special exercise gear if needed. We have EVERYTHING else here and we sanitize daily to prevent any cross contamination to keep your pets as healthy as possible here! We have brand new Kuranda Beds, bland diet with probiotics if needed, regular toys and indestructible toys, as well as plenty of comfortable bedding! We pride ourselves on keeping our facility extremely clean and sanitary so minimizing belongings helps ensure this. For medications please make sure we have the medication name, dosage, and reasoning as well as whatever your pet takes the medication in best. It is always encouraged you pack a couple extra meals and medications in case travel plans change.

Do they spend all day in their pen?

Your pet will spend the majority of their stay in their pen unless you elect an exercise option from our Menu of Services; however, every dog pen has indoor and outdoor access!

Do you administer medications? Special medication requests?

We can administer any oral or topical medications needed for your pet. We do NOT do any injectable medications!For Medical concerns, we ask that you speak directly to our staff so we can make sure we can accommodate your pet safely.

Is someone with them overnight?

We have staff that live on site as well as our night shift staff that every single night they do a “last check” on our boarders that includes one more health check, potty break, re-filling fresh water, fluffing bedding, and a bedtime treat!

What if an emergency happens?

Our staff is CPR & First Aid Pets certified! If there is an emergency you will be contacted and Bulger’s is our Emergency Vet we use that we will bring your pet to in our company vehicles with a Manager to ensure your pet is not alone if this is ever needed.

What if I would like an update on my pet?

Contact us as much as you’d like! We can be reached at our regular business phone, email, our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram, as well as our Client Portal which has a SMS feature!

What if my dog already comes to daycare?

They can do Daykamp M-F! However, please remember Daykamp is an additional $35/day and Daykamp packages are NOT used during their stay. Please let us know which days you would like to sign them up for Daykamp while they board with us. If your pet is signed up for Daykamp on their arrival or departure day you may drop off after 8am (but before 11am) at daykamp and then check in their belongings at our boarding office. We do offer pre check in’s for those needing to drop off before 8am but it must be confirmed with our boarding office prior. On departure days, you can pay ahead or pay at pickup and gather them and their belongings from our Daykamp office!

What about inclement weather?

All of our buildings are climate controlled and we have special indoor areas!

Can my dog go to daycare while boarding?

Yes! As long as they have already been approved, you can sign them up M-F during their stay!

Please remember Daycare is only Monday through Friday and pre-paid packages cannot be used while boarding!

Are there discounts for military, long-term, or multiple pet stays?

Currently we offer a 10% military discount on all full-priced services, a 20% discount on the boarding rate of one pet when boarding three animals at once (two of which need to be boarded together), and a long term stay discount as well (inquire within!).

Will they play with other pets?

Pets boarding with us will be able to see and hear other pets, but never have any direct contact with others unless attending Doggie Daykamp.

Can my dog receive their 6 month Bordetella vaccine there?

YES! As long as your pup meets our requirements, we can administer an oral vaccine here on site!

Requirements- They have received the intranasal or oral vaccine prior with a licensed veterinarian and have not had any allergic reactions. We can ATTEMPT those who need the injectable vaccine but it must be approved through management prior.


Training FAQ

What kind of training style is offered?

At Hidden Gem, we use positive, reward-based training. We believe every dog is a good dog—they just need the right structure and guidance. Our approach avoids prong or e-collars, leash corrections, and other forms of punishment. We see the kennel as a safe, supportive space, not a punitive one. By listening to our dogs, they often show us the best way to help them succeed.

The best trainers don’t control their dogs; they build strong, trusting relationships with them. That’s why we focus on creating bonds with every pup we work with, producing results on par with service-dog training standards.

How do I enroll my dog(s)?

It’s simple—just ask! You can call or email us, or speak directly with our office administrators or any staff member during daycare drop-off or pick-up. We’ll take your name, phone number, and email address, and then a trainer or our training manager will reach out right away to get you started.

What training services are offered/Can I add training to other services?

Our Enrichment Program offers three main options:

  1. Daycare + Enrichment
    Your dog will enjoy all the fun and socialization of daycare, plus targeted training sessions throughout the day. They’ll also get solo trail walks and playtime in our training hall.
  2. Private Lessons
    One-on-one sessions with a trainer to dive deeper into commands and behaviors. We’ll observe how you and your dog interact, then provide customized training tips and techniques you can use at home.
  3. Board & Train
    Our newest (and quickly growing) program! Your pup stays with us in a structured, enriching environment, receiving daily training and play while you travel worry-free.

You can review our service menu or call to speak directly with a trainer for more details and pricing.

What if my dog(s) have more extreme behavioral issues or limitations?

Before beginning, we provide a free enrichment evaluation for every dog. This includes a series of questions and simple exercises to help us understand your pup and ensure we can meet your goals.

We never turn away dogs based on breed or behavior, but we do ask for honesty and transparency so we can assess your dog properly and set realistic expectations. Our goal is always to create the best possible experience for both you and your pup.