Frequently Asked Questions

You've got questions? We've got answers!

What areas do you service?

Currently Retreat Days and training are available to clients and their dogs in Guelph, Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge. Our training is in-home, and therefore we are able to come directly to you! If you are outside of these areas and are looking for training, contact us and we may still be able to help.

Do you offer a discount on your services for foster dogs?

Yes! We admire all the hard work foster parents put in to caring for and finding loving homes for foster dogs, and we want to be able to give back. We offer a 20% discount on all services for foster dogs.

Do you have a cancellation policy?

We do have a 24 hour cancellation policy for our Retreat Days, but you will NOT be charged should you need to cancel due to an injury or illness to your dog or anyone else in your family. This of course includes if anyone is experiencing COVID symptoms, was exposed to someone with COVID, or is waiting on COVID test results. If you or someone in your home has tested positive for COVID, we ask that you stay home.

What are the requirements for Retreat Days?

All Retreat Day dogs over 6 months of age MUST be spayed or neutered. Dogs under 6 months of age who are not yet spayed or neutered can attend Retreat Days, but once they turn 6 months they cannot continue with Retreat Days until they have been spayed or neutered. All Retreat Day dogs must also be up to date on all vaccinations (or have a valid titre test) and must be comfortable around other dogs both on and off leash. If you are unsure of your dog’s social skills and whether or not they would be a good fit for Retreat Days, contact us and we can look at booking an Assessment Day for your dog. At this time we will determine whether Retreat Days are an option for your dog, or if training may be required first.

How are you handling payment?

We currently accept e-transfer, debit, and credit card payments.

We do NOT accept cash.

Tax is applicable to all Packlife products and services.

What does 'free play' during Retreat Days look like?

With a combined 8+ years of experience working as dog daycare attendants, we are more than familiar with managing play in a pack of dogs. All staff undergo an extensive training period in order to ensure they are comfortable monitoring and maintaining pack safety. All free play is fully supervised, and we are always sure to keep excitement and intensity of play at a low level. We run a tight ship during free play and don't allow things such as barking, jumping, humping, and any other kind of rough play. It is important to us that the dogs in our care are not only safe, but also learn proper play behaviours and manners that they can use when they are at home as well.

What is your training methodology?

We practice what is commonly referred to as 'Balanced Training'. This training method is a hybrid of positive reinforcement training and dog psychology. We believe it is important that you as an owner learn to communicate with your dog in a way that they understand, in order to deepen your relationship with them as well as to help you more easily manage and prevent unwanted behaviours.