Frequently Asked Questions
D is for Doggy is a pet care facility located in New York City. We offer a range of services, including dog daycare, overnight boarding, grooming, and training. We focus on providing a safe, fun, and engaging environment for dogs, ensuring they get plenty of socialization and exercise throughout the day.
In addition to our daycare and boarding services, we emphasize personalized care for every pet. Our experienced staff members monitor playgroups closely and ensure all dogs are happy and healthy. We also provide grooming services such as baths, nail trims, and other spa treatments to keep pups looking and feeling their best.
We take pride in our friendly, professional approach to pet care, and we’re honored to be a trusted choice among dog owners in NYC.
Our dog daycare operates from Monday to Friday, opening at 7:30 AM and closing at 8:00 PM. On weekends, we are open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. We understand that your schedule may vary, so we offer flexible drop-off and pick-up times within these hours.
For any special requests or holiday hours, please check our website or contact us directly.
D is for Doggy welcomes dogs of every size, breed and age. The only requirement is current vaccinations: rabies, DHLPP — the combination shot covering distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza and parvovirus — and Bordetella.
For daycare or boarding, click “Book a Reservation” on our website and you'll be prompted to schedule a Meet & Greet. That's where we get to know your dog's personality and introduce them gradually to the rest of the pack. It runs about 60 minutes and is charged at the half-day rate — and it isn't a test your dog can fail. Once they've been in, you're welcome to leave them with us for the rest of the day.
For walking and grooming, just pick a date and time that suits you. No Meet & Greet needed.
We carefully arrange our daycare groups based on each dog’s size, personality, and play style. This approach ensures that every pup enjoys a safe, comfortable, and engaging environment. Our experienced team evaluates every dog to match them with the most compatible group.
We understand that sometimes things don’t go as planned. If you anticipate being late, please let us know ahead of time so we can coordinate with our overnight boarding team and have your pup’s belongings ready at the door.
If you arrive after our closing time (8 PM on weekdays and 6 PM on weekends), a $15 fee will apply for every 15 minutes past closing, capped at the price of one night of boarding. If you’re more than an hour late without notice, your pup will board with us overnight.
To ensure your pup feels at home during their stay:
- Pack labeled, pre-portioned meals to keep their diet consistent.
- Include any medications they need, along with clear instructions.
- Bring a comfort item, like a blanket or a shirt that smells like you.
- Arrive early on your start date so your pup gets plenty of exercise to ensure a great first night of sleep!
You’re welcome to arrive anytime on the first day of your reservation!
We recommend checking in at least an hour before closing. However, arriving earlier gives your pup more time to play and burn off energy, helping them settle in for a restful night.
Boarding check-out is at 11 AM. If you pick up your dog after that, a half-day daycare fee will be added to your total.
For the first two nights, we’ll provide house food at no charge. If your dog is staying longer, we ask that you arrange for food delivery through Amazon, Uber Eats, or Chewy. Our team will portion the meals according to your instructions.
Cancelling is free right up until 24 hours before check-in. Past that point, and for a no-show, the charge is 50% of your first night. If the trip has simply shifted, we'd far rather move your dates than take a fee — get in touch and we'll sort it.
Yes — a 25% deposit is required for all non-member boarding reservations.
If you're booking a boarding stay for the same day as your dog's Meet & Greet, we take payment for the full stay at the time of booking to secure the space.
Our team can administer various medications, including eye ointments and drops, ear wipes and cleaning solutions, skin creams and ointments, paw soaking solutions, and oral pills, capsules, or liquid medications. If your dog requires oral medication, we recommend bringing pill pockets, cheese, plain low-fat cream cheese, or peanut butter to make the process easier for your pup.
We provide rest periods upon request and at the discretion of our counselors. After plenty of play, it’s essential for dogs to have time to unwind. Just like people, dogs can become overstimulated or tired from intense activity. A quiet rest period helps them relax, recover, and stay stress-free, ensuring they remain healthy, happy, and ready for more fun!
Yes — a Meet & Greet is required before daycare or boarding, though not for dog walking or grooming.
It takes about an hour and isn't a test your dog can fail. We're watching how they like to play so we can place them in the right group. It's charged as a half day, or a full day for stays longer than 4.5 hours.
A Full Grooming service provides an all-inclusive package for a complete makeover. This service includes a haircut and styling, a bath, a thorough brush-out, nail clipping, ear cleaning, a sanitary trim, gland expression, and teeth cleaning (if you provide a toothbrush).
On the other hand, our Bath & Brush-Out service focuses on essential grooming and coat maintenance. It includes a bath, a thorough brush-out, nail clipping, ear cleaning, a sanitary trim, gland expression, and teeth cleaning.
No — the rate covers the full appointment, so skipping a step doesn't reduce it. The exception is shampoo: supply your own and the $8.50 fee comes off.
Grooming appointments usually last between 1 and 4 hours, depending on factors such as your dog’s size, hair type, length, and condition, as well as the style of cut you’ve requested and any add-on services. Once your appointment is scheduled, our staff will provide an estimated duration for your dog’s grooming session.
To get the perfect cut for your pup, communicate your preferences clearly with the groomer. Feel free to bring a reference picture to illustrate your desired style. After the appointment, we’ll take photos of your pup’s haircut, so you can use them as a reference for future visits!
It depends on their breed, coat, and lifestyle. Long-coated dogs may need grooming every 4-6 weeks, while short-haired breeds might need it every 8-12 weeks. Our groomers can help you find the perfect schedule!
Absolutely! If you’d like your dog to stick with a particular groomer, let us know. Booking in advance is the best way to guarantee their availability and maintain consistency for your pup’s comfort.
Yes, we offer walk-in grooming services when our schedule allows, but availability depends on the day and our groomers’ schedules. To secure your preferred time and groomer, we strongly recommend booking your session in advance.
Cancellations made within 24 hours of the appointment will incur a $50 fee.
Your pup can wait in a crate at no cost, though we'd recommend collecting within an hour or two for their comfort. Alternatively, if they've already been through their Meet & Greet, they're welcome to join daycare for the rest of the day. And if you'd like to do a Meet & Greet right after the groom so that option is open next time, just ask and we'll set it up.
Instead of meeting the walker, you can provide detailed notes and pictures of where your pup’s items are located. This information will be logged in our portal and shared with the walker, or you can add it to your profile directly. This ensures your walker has everything they need to care for your pup properly.
We aim to provide the same walker but recommend having 2-3 familiar with your pup in case your primary walker is unavailable.
Yes, a $10 surcharge applies to same-day walk requests to accommodate schedule adjustments.
Create a designated spot with all your pup’s essentials, including their leash, jacket, towel, paw wax, wipes, treats, and a rain jacket. Providing clear instructions and notes about your dog’s routine, preferences, and any special needs will also ensure a smooth and successful walk.
You can schedule recurring appointments for daycare (with optional pick-up and drop-off), walking, and grooming on your preferred days. Let us know your desired schedule, and we’ll set it up for you. You can pause or cancel anytime without penalty, as long as you provide at least 24 hours’ notice. Alternatively, you can manage your recurring bookings through our customer portal!
As a one-time courtesy, we’re happy to extend your package by an additional month so you can use any remaining days.
Yes — bring two or three dogs from the same family and you get 15% off. It applies to daycare, boarding, walking and pick-up and drop-off. The one service it doesn't cover is grooming.
If your dog skips their second meal, we’ll notify you. For the third meal, we’ll offer our house food (pumpkin, rice, or chicken) to encourage eating. If your pup still isn’t eating, we recommend arranging for their preferred food to be transported to us to help stimulate their appetite.
If your dog becomes sick, we’ll quickly separate them from other dogs and provide individual care. We’ll call you right away to discuss the situation and suggest next steps.
If your dog is injured, we’ll clean the wound, take photos, and notify you promptly. In serious cases, we’ll take your dog to a nearby vet immediately and contact you as soon as possible. Your pup’s safety is our top priority.
We don't offer refunds — all sales are final. The same goes for packages: once a package has been used, it's no longer eligible for a refund.
When it comes to grooming, we want you to walk out the door happy. If anything needs a small touch-up, just tell us at pick-up and we'll make it right on the spot. After your pup leaves the store and you've approved the groom, the service is final.
We'll remind you before your package expires so nothing sneaks up on you. Any days remaining after the expiration date are no longer usable or refundable, so be sure to book them in!
Daycare cancellations are always free. For boarding, cancelling late or not showing up is charged at 50% of your first night. For grooming, a $50 fee applies to late cancellations and missed appointments.
Of course! Plans change — give us a heads-up and we'll adjust your check-out date so your reservation matches your pup's actual stay.
Yes. If a groomer within 10 blocks of us quotes less for the same service, we'll meet that price. Bring a receipt dated within the last calendar year showing what was done and what it cost, and we'll apply the match to your appointment.