Dog Daycare
Available at our Hershey Rd. Location
Dog Daycare in Elizabethtown, PA
At our Hershey Road location, you’ll find lots of happy dogs playing and learning in one of our indoor or outdoor play areas, equipped with a fun splash pad for cooling off during the warmer months.
We recognize and value the individual characteristics of each pup, so we offer a variety of Daycare programs tailored to each pet’s size, disposition, playstyle, and preferences. Whether it’s Traditional Daycare, Enrichment Daycare, Puppy Social Skills, Pawsitive Experiences, or a Day Stay, we have a Daycare program that is just right for your pup.
We’ll spend time getting to know your pup so we can recommend a Daycare program that includes loads of fun while setting your dog up for success.
Find out which Doggie Daycare Program is best for your pup by calling to speak with a Reservation Specialist or by submitting your information below so we can contact you!
Features: Daycare, Training & Bathing
Which Daycare Program Suits Your Dog Best?
We want to get to know your dog! One of our dedicated Reservation Specialists will take the time to learn all about your pup before setting an evaluation appointment.
While your dog is with us, our Behavior Assessment Coordinators will conduct a comprehensive evaluation. We will keep you informed about how the day is progressing, what your dog is enjoying most, and any other observations we make.
At the end of the evaluation, we will speak with you and recommend the Daycare Program that sets your pup up for success. We will continue to communicate with you to ensure each visit provides experiences and opportunities for your dog to thrive!
Daycare Programs
Traditional Daycare Program
Traditional Daycare dogs are highly social, and happy playing and interacting with a group of canine friends. Dogs in this program are accustomed to the group Daycare environment since most started Daycare at an early age.
While it is called Traditional Daycare, it’s anything but run-of-the-mill. Our team interacts with the groups to ensure each visit promotes confidence and good behavior to bring out the best in your pup.
We practice group sits that teach paying attention, focus, and waiting a turn. We work on gate boundaries to keep pups from darting out the minute a gate or a door opens. We even play follow-the-leader, chase bubbles, and so much more to ensure each pup has a fun-filled and enriching day of play.
Enrichment Daycare Program
Enrichment Daycare consists of small group play sessions with structured activities that provide both physical and mental stimulation. We match dogs who compliment the temperaments and playstyles of the other dogs in the group.
Our Enrichment Program is beneficial for every dog, but especially dogs that require a healthy and positive outlet for expressing their natural breed instincts.
- Highly Intelligent Dogs can become bored very quickly and benefit from structured games and activities that stimulate their brains.
- Dogs that are new to socialization and Daycare benefit from playing in smaller groups to avoid becoming overly stimulated.
- Dogs with high prey drive, herding instincts, and working or sporting breeds need a healthy, positive outlet for expressing these natural instincts so they can relax and show more patience when they return home.
- Senior Dogs that love to have fun but have a shorter tolerance for larger groups and longer playtimes benefit from the rotation of enriching activities and nap times throughout the day.
Tiny Town
We know that big dogs and little dogs can be the best of friends, but when our tiniest guests visit Playful Pups Retreat, we take every precaution to provide the safest environment for every pup to stay, play, and learn. Tiny Town is specifically designed for small dogs that are similar in size and share complementary temperaments, preferences, and playstyles.
When your pint-sized pup visits Playful Pups Retreat, you’ll have peace of mind knowing they are happy, safe, and having loads of fun in an environment meant just for them.
Pawsitive Experiences Program
We developed our Pawsitive Experiences Program to help dogs that are new to socialization build confidence and social skills by exposing them to new situations, new people, and carefully selected dogs, all in a safe and secure environment.
Dogs that Benefit from the Pawsitive Experiences Program:
- Dogs that are nervous or shy in new situations, with new people, other dogs, or both.
- Dogs that didn’t have the opportunity to learn valuable socialization skills during those critical imprinting puppy stages
- Recently adopted dogs who may still be a little nervous in their new home or with new experiences
- Dogs who are eager to play with other dogs but become overly stimulated in the group play environment
- Dogs that are nervous and may suffer from separation anxiety
Day Stay Program
Our Day Stay Program is for dogs that are happiest with one-on-one human interactions with a member of our pet care team.
This program is also ideal for pet parents who only need occasional daytime care for their dogs. Membership is not required for this program.
Day Stays are provided at our Milton Grove Rd Lodging location. We recommend you book early since space is limited.
Puppy Social Skills Daycare Program
Puppies from 9 to 20 weeks benefit from the social skills and experiences we introduce during their early imprinting stages of life. Our trainers introduce appropriate puppy behaviors such as basic doggie etiquette, leash walking, and confidence-building activities to set puppies up for safer interactions later in life.
Puppy Daycare is customized based on your puppy’s specific developmental needs. We introduce playtime with adult dogs and other puppies their age and work on crate training and potty training. We will also introduce nail trims, baths, and being handled in a way that prepares your puppy for vet visits, grooming appointments, and more.
Our trained team members are here to help get your puppy started on the right paw!
Personalize the Day for the Ultimate Daycare Experience
We are proud to offer more than simply daytime care for pets. With our menu and variety of personalized services, you can create the ultimate Daycare experience for your pup!
Personalized Enrichment Sessions
Choose a brainy game puzzle or a one-on-one enrichment session to enhance the day with a challenging experience or personalized play.
Interactive Treats
Your pup will love our yummy frozen peanut butter stuffed kong or an interactive tasty treat that stimulates the senses and helps them relax and recharge before returning to play!
Birthday Celebrations
In addition to your FREE day of Daycare during your pup’s birthday month, you can pamper them with a relaxing and refreshing premium bath and receive a 15% discount, plus a birthday bandana and a bag of yummy treats! You can also select a birthday toy for only $10 to complete the special day.
Free Birthday attendance and special discounts are some of the many benefits of being a member of Playful Pups Daycare.
Bathing Services
Let’s face it, dogs play with their mouths, and hugging a fresh-smelling dog is so much more enjoyable than the alternative. We can send your pup home smelling and looking their best after a Basic or Premium bath! You can select from an assortment of services, including De-shed Treatments, Poochie Pedicures, yummy-smelling seasonal shampoos, and more!
Polite Pups Training Sessions
If your pup has a foundation of basic training skills, we will help you reinforce and expand on those obedience skills. If your pup has never had any formal training, our trainers can introduce new behaviors for basic manners and obedience. Consistency is the key to instilling the desired behaviors, and we are here to help you stay on track so that good manners become lifelong habits for your pup. Learn more about all of our Training Programs.
Evaluation Day
We value the unique characteristics of every dog, so all dogs are scheduled for an Evaluation Day, which includes a comprehensive behavioral assessment. When you arrive to pick up your pup, we will review what we observed during the visit and which program we recommend to set you and your dog up for success.
Our Evaluation process does not result in dogs passing or failing since we have a variety of Daycare and Training Programs to meet the needs of each pup.
We offer an array of programs to meet the varying needs of dogs, including Traditional Daycare, Enrichment Daycare, A to Z Day Training, and an innovative program, Pawsitive Experiences, specifically designed for dogs who need extra help building confidence and social skills so they can move into a group play Daycare environment.
We will recommend the program that is best for your dog, and then we will help you decide on your membership level and a Daycare package that suits your schedule.
Read more below on why our clients bring their dogs back for Daycare year after year.
Playful Pups Daycare Membership
Because our Daycare Programs are tailored to the unique needs of each guest, we manage the number of dogs in each program to benefit each group and each dog that participates. Our goal is not a crowded Daycare but manageable and safe groups that provide quality experiences for each pet.
Our Playful Pups Perks Membership is required for all dogs to attend the Traditional or Enrichment Daycare Programs, as it allows you to secure the days you prefer to have your pet attend each week.
Dogs take time to warm up to new playmates, and it can take multiple team members to ensure that initial interactions are safe for every dog. As a member, your dog will establish a routine with the other dogs in their group, so they focus on fun and enriching experiences during each visit instead of spending time re-acclimating to new dogs coming in and out of the group.
The Playful Pups Perks Membership Program consists of three levels, with valuable discounts on lodging, baths, nail trims, free birthday attendance, special events, and more, depending on the level you select.
Similar to a child’s Daycare or Preschool, Daycare at Playful Pups ensures that your pup plays with the same doggie friends each visit, enhancing the cohesiveness of our playgroups and the safety and well-being of every dog.
- The discounts and free services included in each membership level are valued well over the monthly membership fee.
- You can select the level that includes the perks that interest you most!
- Limited memberships are available to maintain the safest staff-to-pet ratios and the highest level of engaging experiences for each pet.
- The more your pup visits, the more fun they have, and the more you save on the daily rate!
Call us today at (717) 689-3756 so we can begin learning all about your pup and schedule the first visit!
Playful Pups Perks Membership
Savings to Honor Your Commitment to Your Pup!
To ensure we provide the most enriching experiences for each guest and meet the increased demand for our unique Daycare Programs, we created a Playful Pups Perks Membership.
When you schedule regular Daycare visits, we honor your commitment to your pup and the safety of our Daycare groups by offering you exclusive member benefits that translate into huge savings on the services you value most.
As part of our exclusive Perks Membership, your pup will have a reserved spot on the days you select. Depending on the Membership level you choose, either Premium, Plus, or Basic, you will enjoy a collection of FREE or discounted monthly services that are only available to our members. A few examples include:
- Free Daycare Day during your pup’s birthday month
- Free Daycare party attendance
- 20% off Basic & Premium Baths
- Free Monthly Poochie Pedicure
- 10% off Overnight Lodging
- AND MUCH, MUCH MORE!
After the evaluation, we will explain all the details about each level and help you decide which perks appeal to you and your lucky pup!
All dogs must maintain one of our three levels of Membership each month to guarantee a spot in our daycare program.
Choose the Best Doggie Daycare for your Dog
Choosing the best doggie daycare for your best friend is an important decision. Convenience, location, amenities, and cost are considerations but there are other essential factors to consider:
Safety First. Nothing matters more than safety. A reputable facility will put safety first. We achieve this through:
- Formal training for staff on canine behavior and safe dog interactions. All employees who handle dogs are thoroughly trained.
- Dogs should go through a play style assessment. This assessment determines the dog’s attitude toward other dogs.
- Dog daycare groups should be divided by size and play style. We evaluate each dog to determine the best playgroup based on play style, size, and temperament.
- Constant Supervision is a must. Most pet parents assume all facilities provide this. Unfortunately, it’s not a reality for most pet care facilities. It is for Playful Pups Retreat. We have reliable, passionate, and well-trained staff to ensure the pack is monitored the entire time.
- To ensure the health and safety of all pets that stay with us, we require each doggie daycare guest’s vaccinations are current against the most common canine illnesses. We verify current vaccinations with each veterinarian. This extra step provides peace of mind that your dog is playing with healthy dogs.
Features: Daycare, Training & Bathing
Why Do I Need Daycare?
Benefits of Dog Daycare
Daycare activities ensure a mentally and physically healthier pooch.
Playful Pups Retreat’s dog daycare can help alleviate behavior problems such as separation anxiety, destructive chewing, and barking. These behavior problems can be a result of being left alone, being under-stimulated, or simply a lack of adequate exercise.
If you spend time away from home during the day and do not want to leave your best friend home alone or your dog simply has too much energy and not enough ways to exercise, then Playful Pups Retreat’s dog daycare may be a perfect fit for you and your dog.
- Highly recommended by leading veterinarians
- Loads of fun playing, socializing, and making new friends
- Dog-safe playground equipment and outdoor play yards with room to romp and play
- Super fun doggie splashpad for Summer fun!
- Birthday parties, doggie arts and crafts, and holiday festivities
Doggie Daycare can make a major difference in both you and your dog’s life. Doggie daycare provides exercise, playtime, fresh air, and an opportunity to build socialization skills and burn off all that excess energy!
- Socialization with dogs and people can help a dog learn how to navigate confidently in our world.
- Socialization can also reduce new experience anxiety, which can lead to unwanted behaviors such as excessive barking, chewing, or nipping.
- Well-socialized dogs, on the other hand, remain calm, taking things in stride.
- Beginning proper socializing is ideal when your dog is still a puppy, but adults can also learn.
Explore all of our Doggie Daycare options: Traditional Dog Daycare, Enrichment Dog Daycare, Puppy Social Skills Daycare and our Day Stay Program.
Dog Daycare Policies
Because the safety and well-being of every dog is of utmost importance, we have the following guidelines:
- We require a one time/week minimum attendance for all our daycare programs.
- Maintain one of our monthly memberships to attend our Traditional or Enrichment daycare programs.
- All puppies over 7 months of age must be spayed/neutered before being evaluated for doggie daycare.
- All dogs must have their core vaccines to attend daycare. This includes Bordetella, DHPP, and Rabies.
- An annual negative fecal exam is required.
- Adult rescue dogs should be in a new home for at least 4 weeks before coming to daycare.
- Some dogs are happier with ½ days of daycare. After your evaluation day our team will make suggestions as to the best daycare or training program option, as well as best days of the week/timeframes to set your dog up for the greatest success.
Monthly Membership and Daycare for as low as $26.25 per day, depending on the level of membership and number of weekly visits you select. The more your pup attends, the more you save!
Dog Daycare FAQs
I love how friendly and caring staff is. Rocky loves being there, I can leave him there knowing he will have fun with his furry friends and be loved by his human ones. I would not change this place for any other.
Karen Z. of Palmyra PA
The individual care and concern the staff give each dog is second to none. I was very worried how Cass as a recent rescue would do in a kennel, but it was clear the staff gave him the time he needed to adjust and knew how to handle a shy dog.