Dog Boarding & Daycare FAQs - Kennel Club Boarding

Frequently Asked Questions

This guide covers common questions about our dog boarding and daycare services at Kennel Club Boarding in North Gower, serving Ottawa, Barrhaven, Manotick, Kanata, Nepean, Riverside South, Richmond, and Stittsville.

General Questions

Q: What services does Kennel Club Boarding offer?

A: We offer dog boarding (overnight and extended stays) and dog daycare at our facility in North Gower, Ontario. We serve dog owners throughout the Ottawa region including Barrhaven, Manotick, Kanata, Nepean, Riverside South, Richmond, and Stittsville.

Q: Where is Kennel Club Boarding located?

A: We are located at 5673 Fourth Line Road, North Gower, Ontario, K0A 2E0. We are conveniently located in the west end of Ottawa, about 5 minutes from Barrhaven and Manotick.

Q: What are your drop-off and pick-up hours?

A: Weekdays: drop-off 7:00–8:45 AM, pick-up 4:00–5:45 PM. Weekends and holidays: drop-off 8:00–8:45 AM, pick-up 5:00–5:45 PM. For full details, visit our Hours page.

Q: Can I tour the kennel before booking?

A: Our insurance does not allow customers inside the kennel where the dogs are kept. However, we have photos of all areas throughout our website and offer a virtual tour. You are welcome to visit during drop-off or pick-up times to meet us, see the property, and ask any questions.

Q: What areas near Ottawa do you serve?

A: We serve dog owners throughout the Ottawa region including Barrhaven, Manotick, Riverside South, Nepean, Kanata, Richmond, Stittsville, and surrounding areas. Our North Gower location is centrally positioned to serve the west and south ends of Ottawa.

Q: Do you sell gift cards?

A: Yes. Kennel Club Boarding gift cards are available for purchase on our website and make a great gift for dog owners in the Ottawa area.

Q: How old does my dog need to be to stay at your kennel?

A: We accept dogs of all ages. However, puppies are at higher risk of contracting communicable diseases in a kennel environment. We highly recommend waiting until your puppy has all of their recommended vaccinations for their age before boarding or attending daycare.

Q: What vaccinations are required?

A: All dogs must be up to date on their vaccinations, including rabies, distemper, and bordetella (kennel cough). Please provide proof of vaccination when you complete your registration form.

Q: Should I medicate my dog against fleas and ticks?

A: We highly recommend medicating against fleas and ticks for all dogs. Fleas and ticks are prevalent in the Ottawa area in all weather above freezing and are carriers of communicable diseases and internal parasites.

Dog Boarding

Q: How much does dog boarding cost?

A: Dog boarding starts at $50 per night for one dog that plays well with others. Multi-dog rates are $85/night for 2 dogs and $120/night for 3 dogs. Dogs requiring special care or that do not play well with others start at $65/night. Bite risk dogs start at $95/night. Optional daily email updates with photos are available for an additional fee. Visit our dog boarding page for full pricing.

Q: Do you offer email updates with photos while my dog is boarding?

A: Yes. We offer optional email updates with photos of your dog during their stay. You can choose every-other-day updates or daily updates when you book. It is a great way to see how your dog is doing and have peace of mind while you are away.

Q: Will my dog be outside all day?

A: The time your dog spends outside depends on the weather. On nice days, dogs are given every opportunity to play outside and socialize. When weather is poor, dogs are rotated outside for shorter periods. Each kennel enclosure has a covered outdoor run for use during bad weather. We also pair up dogs who play well together so their indoor time is not spent alone.

Q: What does my dog get with standard boarding?

A: All boarding dogs receive a comfortable size-appropriate Kuranda bed, a spacious temperature-controlled kennel, supervised group play sessions in large outdoor play areas, a private kennel with outdoor run, fresh clean water at all times, and plenty of attention and care from our staff.

Q: Can I leave toys or bedding with my dog?

A: Bedding is not required as each dog is provided with a bed in their kennel enclosure. You may bring up to two toys for your dog. Make sure the toys cannot be eaten, and keep in mind that some dogs chew toys much more in a kennel environment. Please do not leave anything with your dog that you cannot live without.

Q: Can I request how long my dog is outside?

A: Yes. If you prefer that your dog spends more time inside, we are happy to accommodate your request.

Q: Do you offer long-term or extended boarding?

A: Yes. We offer extended boarding for dogs who need longer stays. This is ideal for owners with extended travel, work commitments, or other situations requiring longer care.

Q: How do you handle new or nervous dogs?

A: We take great care with all new dogs. Every new dog is first taken for a walk to familiarize them with the environment. They are then introduced to other dogs one at a time — we bring the new dog to the play area alone first, then add one dog at a time to build the group around them. This keeps new or nervous dogs at ease throughout the process.

Dog Daycare

Q: How much does dog daycare cost?

A: Dog daycare is $35 per day for one dog that plays well with others. Multi-dog rates are $60/day for 2 dogs and $90/day for 3 dogs. Special care dogs start at $50/day. We also offer a monthly daycare pass for regular customers. Visit our dog daycare page for full pricing.

Q: What do the dogs do during daycare?

A: Daycare dogs play outside in supervised groups throughout the day. All play areas have shade, fresh water, and pools for dogs that like to cool off. In winter, play areas have heat lamps and straw bedding for warmth. On bad weather days, dogs are rotated outside with periods inside to avoid the worst conditions.

Q: How much time do dogs spend in crates during daycare?

A: Dogs are crated upon arrival while groups are being formed, then they play outside in groups for the rest of the day. Dogs are crated again approximately 20 to 30 minutes before pick-up time.

Q: Are the dogs supervised during daycare?

A: Yes. All dogs are supervised by staff whenever they are outside in the play areas.

Q: My dog is having trouble at home. Will daycare help?

A: It depends on the issues you are experiencing, but our customers often report that their dogs are so tired from playing all day that they simply do not have the energy to get into trouble at home.

Q: Will aggressive dogs be accepted for daycare?

A: No. Our daycare service is designed for dogs who play well with other dogs. We are not able to accept dogs who display aggression toward other dogs for daycare. These dogs may still be accepted for boarding, where they receive separate care.

Q: Are there breed restrictions for daycare?

A: No. We do not have breed restrictions. We evaluate each dog based on their individual behavior and temperament.

Q: Is there a trial day for daycare?

A: Yes. We offer a Dog Daycare Trial Day so you and your dog can experience our daycare service before committing to regular bookings.

Booking & Pricing

Q: How do I book dog boarding or daycare?

A: You can book directly through our website. New customers should visit our New Customer page for important details about the registration and booking process. If your preferred dates are sold out, you can join our waitlist — we frequently accommodate customers from the waitlist as spots open up.

Q: What if the dates I want are sold out?

A: Join our boarding waitlist or daycare waitlist. We frequently accommodate bookings for customers who join the waitlist as spots open up.

Q: What is your cancellation policy?

A: We require 72 hours notice for cancellations or rescheduling of reservations. Customers who frequently cancel will be charged a 10% cancellation fee for all cancelled bookings. Due to high demand, cancellations and rescheduling are not possible for peak periods including July, August, statutory holidays, long weekends, and school holidays — no refunds or rescheduling/transfers are given for bookings during these dates. Emergency absences are considered on a case-by-case basis if requested in writing within 7 days. For full details, please review our Cancellation & Refund Policy.

Q: What payment methods do you accept?

A: We accept credit cards. Payment is processed through our website at the time of booking.

Special Needs & Safety

Q: Do you accept dogs that do not play well with others?

A: Yes, for boarding. Dogs that do not play well with others are physically separated from all other dogs and receive one-on-one attention with supervised outdoor time. Additional fees apply due to the extra handling required, and we can only accept a limited number at a time. These dogs are not accepted for daycare.

Q: Do you accept bite risk dogs?

A: Yes, for boarding on a case-by-case basis. We must meet the dog first to assess whether we can safely handle them. Bite risk dogs are physically separated from all other dogs and receive individual care with staff. Boarding starts at $95 per night and must be requested by email at info@KennelClubBoarding.ca — it cannot be booked through the website.

Q: Can you administer medication to my dog?

A: Yes. We can administer a variety of medications. Dogs requiring daily medication should be booked under "Special Care Required." Dogs who need medication only once during their stay will be charged an additional fee. All medications must be in their original packaging with clear dosage instructions on the package and on your dog's registration form.

Q: My dog has food allergies. Can you accommodate them?

A: Yes. Your dog's health and safety is our first priority. All dogs are fed separately and never have access to another dog's food. We only give treats to dogs with allergies that are provided by the owner. We also keep hypoallergenic gastrointestinal food on-site in case any dog gets an upset stomach during their stay.

Q: My dog is injured. Can you care for them?

A: Yes, depending on the care required. We can accommodate most dogs with non-serious injuries. Additional fees may apply. Clear instructions for care and all medical supplies must be provided, and the dog should be booked under "Special Care Required."

Q: Is the kennel secure? My dog is an escape artist.

A: Your dog will never be left loose with the option to run away. Our outdoor play areas are fully fenced with 6-foot high fences. Dogs are always on leash when moving to and from play areas, and all dogs are supervised during play sessions.

Q: Are your staff trained in first aid?

A: Yes. All staff members have graduated from the Dogsafe Canine First Aid course. We have multiple dog-specific first aid kits throughout the kennel and property. We always consult with you or your emergency contact before administering any first aid or changing your dog's food, so you always have complete control over treatments given to your dog.

Q: What happens if my dog gets injured during their stay?

A: We provide immediate first aid using our on-site dog-specific first aid kits and contact you or your emergency contact right away to discuss further care. All staff are trained in canine first aid through the Dogsafe program.