Active Day-Care

Cancelling a scheduled active day-care appointment can be done until 5 PM the previous day. In case of cancellations after that the active day-care assignment is to be regarded as completed. We are kindly asking for your understanding at this point: our colleagues make a living out of the regular programs, their days are scheduled ahead and cancellations cause unwanted idle time during the day. It goes without saying that in case of force major, or other, unforeseeable events we strive to be flexible.

Payment is done to the active day-care colleagues directly, in cash or by credit card, either weekly or monthly ahead. If you require a corporate invoice, kindly contact our company directly.

The active day-care prices indicated on our webpage are base prices, which, with some minor exceptions, are applicable to the area within the virtual circle drawn by Hungária-Róbert Károly-Könyves Kálmán krt and its continuation on the Buda side. In the case of areas outside this circle we usually account a HUF 100 travel surcharge / km / occasion.

Of course we do, as they also need their regular exercise, sniffs and other stimuli. An encounter with a strange dog in a public space can always be challenging, which, in most cases, means a friendly sniffing, welcoming, thus not posing an otherwise different “threat” to dogs on heat.

Accidents are extremely rare, as in 99.9% of the cases the usual colleague follows the usual route with the usual pack of dogs. Accidents, thus, are really rare, which are hardly more serious that a not-so-friendly encounter with another dog – but these are handled very professionally and self-confidently by the colleagues.

The program, in itself, can already be a challenge under normal circumstances, as it is done in public areas where anyone, anything can come across. We might be able to provide active day-care for dogs who could be aggressive towards other dogs (after assessment), but in the case of dogs who are aggressive towards humans we cannot be of service in active day-care.

In most cases, due to the nature of the service, the owner is not at home when our active day-care colleague arrives to pick up the dog. The client provides a copy of the key in these situations. We store all keys safely, they are not made available to any other person except the colleague. We have, of course, a comprehensive documentation for the handover of keys, and we also fix the instructions for getting into the apartment/house (alarm system, safety locks, as well as other safety measures).

In each and every case we strive to have the same active day-care colleague assigned for a client. It might happen, though, either due to scheduling, due to illness or other, regularity-related issues that a dog is taken care of by two colleagues. In such cases you’ll get to know both colleagues prior to starting the assignments and you’ll not notice any difference otherwise.

The active day-care colleagues have many years of canine experience. They are true dog aficionados, have been dog keepers themselves for years or decades and are real dog enthusiasts. Most of them regularly take part in trainings, dog programs, many of them have volunteered in shelters, have done a lot of dog-related social work, too. Many of them do regularly dog sports, i.e. Canicross or Dogtrailing. They often organize dog excursions, participate in competitions, organize presentations and seminars.

Before, during and after the program our active day-care colleagues are happy to be in direct contact with you. In addition to that you can reach us any time on our central phone number: +36 1 246 23 06.

The group size is 8-10 dogs at maximum per colleague – this is the group size that can be handled safely in terms of transport and during the program, outside, in open spaces, free to run, off leash.

Dogs are kept on leash during the first 1-2 occasions only, at maximum, in order to check callability. After that, all participants in the program are free to run and are off leash. In this sense, we can only accept dogs who are callable and doing well off leash.

Yes, the active day-care program is held outside, in all seasons. Accordingly, during the winter months it might be necessary to provide the suitable clothing to our guests. During the hottest summer months there are more breaks and more activities in the shadow.

The length of the active day-care program is the time period between the last pickup and the first delivery home, meaning a period of approximately 6 hours – requests shorter than that are hard to handle as our colleagues are moving constantly with the dogs, they don’t leave any of them behind, they play and learn together. Despite this we always try to adapt to the slower and faster members of the group and make breaks when it’s necessary in order to move forward at a speed that is close to best for everyone.

As discussed in the previous, vaccinations-related question, the youngest age for active day-care is typically 4 months – after this, provided that the puppy has been administered all necessary vaccinations, there are no reasons not to start outdoor activities. It goes without saying that starting the day-care as soon as possible is very important for the healthy development of the dog (please see Dog Walking menu, or F.A.Q. question for details):

We can start with active day-care as soon as all the puppy vaccinations have been provided. Regarding timing, this might vary slightly from vet to vet, but most typically this means two combined and one anti-rabies treatment, usually until the age of 4 months (at the latest). As soon as the protection is effective and the dog can become part of a community based on the vet’s opinion, we are more than happy to welcome him/her for the active day-care program.

It is important (and mandatory, as a matter of fact) to have the vaccination pass / passport (or a least a photo of it) with us during the walks, as the service is done in public spaces. In addition, we’d appreciate the collar and the leash, of course, as these are also mandatory in public spaces. Should your dog have a favourite food brand and he/she is used to eating during the day, then we appreciate if you provide that for us – however, we usually recommend eating after the program.

Dogs need physical and intellectual stimulation, since a lot of the behavioural problems such as barking, chewing, digging and so forth originate from isolation, boredom and insufficient physical activity. It is a proven fact that physical activity and the inherent intellectual challenge have a very positive effect on these problems. The British NOAH (National Office of Animal Health) and a number of world-renown professional institutions have proven that daily activity is essential for preserving your dog's health and the intellectual and physical balance. Physical stimulation is not just extremely important for the comfort of your dog, but it builds muscles, prevents depression and overweight, eliminates joint-related health problems and improves the heart function and behavioural habits. In addition to all this, guests have the opportunity for a great socialization and lots of play together.

Our active day-care colleagues are mostly “set” for regular assignments – simply because of the nature of the service – and also because they make a living offering this service on a regular basis. It would be very hard to sit and wait until one-off active day-car assignments come through the door, on five days a week, all weeks of the month. It is for this reason that we, whenever we can, sign contracts for regular active day-care services.

Our active day-care is basically a full-day program. Our colleague pick up the dogs between 7 and 9 AM and deliver them back typically (depending on the season, too) between 4 and 6 PM. We offer this service on weekdays, as – based on experience – the owners love to, and have the time to spend the day with their dogs.

Where the active day-care program is held, as well as the covered area and distance are depending on logistics – why would our colleague cross the city once again for a certain area, when the last pickup point is in the opposite direction? It is exactly for this reason that we have not only one, but 3-4 favourite places at the outskirts of the city, where large, open fields ensure extensive exercise and play for the dogs: these can be large meadows, forests, river- or lakesides.

Yes, our active day-care program includes transportation from and to the client’s home.

The dog day-care programs are held in one of our centres, meaning in one the three large dog boarding and day-care centres or the two small grooming-day-care salons during their opening times. The service, per se, does not include transport, but it can be requested, of course, at a separate charge. The dogs play, exercise, socialize in a heated-cooled indoor environment and our garden, based on their preference.

In our active day-care program our colleagues pick up the dogs from their homes with a van, and together with 8-10 other dogs, spend the day at the outskirts of or outside the city, on large meadows, open areas, vast fields, lake- or riversides, playing, exercising. After the programme, the colleagues transport the dogs home – thus, this service includes transport.

Our company uses the same client documents in the case of services rendered at the client or on field. These consist of: Order Form, Dog Form and Client Consent Form. We register all data of the owner and all details of the service on the Order Form. The dog’s general data, health-related data, background information, behaviour-related information and service goals are registered in the Dog Form. In the Client Consent Form the client consents to our General Terms and Conditions and acknowledges the service provided and the details contained in the document.

If you choose to use our active day-care services, then we are primarily at your disposal via telephone (+36 1 246 23 06) or e-mail (info@dogmopolite.hu). In addition, you can also register for this service on our homepage through our online form. The most important questions we are asking in case of active day-care are: For what kind of dog? Under which address? On which days? After starting the service you’ll be in direct contact with our active day-care colleague for possible changes or other requests.