In the Spring of 2020, we received calls from many people concerned about how they were going to socialize their new puppy when they themselves were finding it safer to stay away from other people. By July of that year, we launched our Puppy Daycare program for dogs between 8 weeks and six months of age, and we continue to this day. We have been voted the Bangor region’s Best Kennel every year since 2002 and recognized as one of the top 10 Kennels in New England every year since 2020.

We understand that your precious pup is a family member, and you want them properly cared for just like any other family member. Unfortunately, many in the pet care industry are not sufficiently focused on ethics because regulations are outdated and often very lax. Their policies are not transparent, and as a result, your dog may be treated in a manner that is detrimental to their physical and emotional well-being. That is why we proudly display our ethics policies and encourage you to check them out. If you are considering other facilities, please also ask to see their ethics policies. If they don’t exist… well, that says it all. Read our ethical policies by clicking here.

To enroll in Puppy Daycare, you and your puppy must be enrolled in or have completed the Puppy & Rescue Headstart-ONLINE class at ForceFreePets.com. Other requirements are that our guests are comfortable in our care, that we can safely handle them, that they are current on the vaccinations we require, that they do not need constant medical care or observation, and that they enjoy the company of other dogs.

Puppy Daycare at the Green Acres Kennel Shop can provide your pup with the following:

• Exposure and an opportunity to interact with other puppies of a similar age, size, and playstyle while under the direct supervision of our trained technicians.
• Exercise. Daycare is a great place to burn off that excess energy while romping off-leash with a new canine buddy in a safe, supervised environment.
• Human contact. During the day, your companion need not be alone while you are gone. Our pet care technicians are here because they love spending time with dogs and providing knowledgeable pet-sitting and pet care services.
• A safe environment with friendly, experienced dog sitters. When you leave your dog at Green Acres, you can rest assured that they will be in the best care.

Puppies that spend their day in Green Acres Puppy Daycare enjoy the following:

Their own spacious, indoor-outdoor run. Runs are left open, weather permitting, for puppies to go in and out at will. You won’t find your puppy crated at this Daycare.

Two twenty-minute group playtimes. One session occurs in the morning and another in the afternoon. Each playgroup is supervised by staff members who have completed extensive training in canine behavior and canine group play dynamics. There are never more than five dogs per staff member in a group. Dogs are evaluated and assigned to a playgroup based on age, size, temperament, and play style. Your dog’s enjoyment and  safety are our primary concerns. Dogs in our puppy daycare must be able to get along well with other dogs.

A tasty, nutritious snack that is mentally stimulating. In between playtimes, guests are given food puzzles to provide mental enrichment. Dogs love working on getting to the food inside. Snacks may include healthy biscuits, a carrot, an apple, and other tasty treats. If your dog has special dietary needs that need to be considered at daycare, please let us know, and we will do our best to accommodate them.

Green Acres Kennel Shop is a pet-friendly, force-free, fear-free facility. We meet or exceed the standards set in the Position Statements of The Pet Professional Guild (PPG), the behavior management guidelines of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), and the American Society for Veterinary Behavior (AVSAB) Position Statement on Humane Dog Training,

Green Acres has limited space for Puppy Daycare dogs from 7:00 AM until 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday. You may book for one day a week or more; however, not all dogs do well with Puppy Daycare five days per week. Weekly guests may reserve Puppy Daycare space up to several weeks in advance. We require a minimum of 24 hours advance notice if you will not be bringing your dog on a day you have booked, or you will be billed for that day. We may make exceptions for family emergencies.

Our regular Daycare program is challenging to get into because of our long waiting list. However, puppies in daycare go to the top of that list when they age out of Puppy Daycare at 6 months.

Puppy Daycare is not a substitute for you training your puppy at home, as you are learning in our Puppy Headstart class. However, it is an excellent opportunity for your puppy to experience other people and puppies in a controlled and safe environment. We hope your puppy will join us!

Puppy Daycare is currently $25.day.

If you would like to learn more about our Puppy Daycare program, we encourage you to stop by for a tour.