FAQs

We take puppies into our Day Care unit as long as they have had their vaccinations and are ready to learn how to socialize. We have had several puppies who started coming to us just as we opened, and they have now grown up together to be sociable and well-behaved young dogs.

We will check the vaccination certificates of all new entrants into day care. We require the basic vaccines such as rabies, distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and leptospirosis, and ask you to have your dog vaccinated against kennel cough as well (both Parainfluenza and Bordatella).

No. We ask you to inform us in case of illness, and to not bring a dog which is not well.

We assess all dogs before taking them into day care by having a Trial Day. We assess the initial suitability and potential for your dog to integrate with our groups safely, and shall have a fully transparent discussion with you at the end of the day about our observations and whether we feel this is an appropriate option for your dog, or whether he would benefit from training before trying again. Please note that as a principle, we do not take aggressive dogs into the day care unit. If in doubt as to suitability or socialization skills with other dogs, we would ask you to first book a 30 minute introductory session with one of our trainers for assessment.

As a principle, we do not take aggressive dogs into the day care unit. If in doubt by the owner as to suitability or socialisation skills with other dogs, we would ask you to first book a 30 minute introductory session with one of our trainers for assessment. That said, we have taken in many dogs who have not been used to other dogs due to the pandemic and lockdowns, and these have become well adjusted and happy dogs, thrilled at spending their days in the company of their buddies!

Our personnel has had many years of experience looking after dogs, as dog walkers and having worked in boarding kennels and day care centers with large groups of dogs. Their primary goal is to foster and maintain harmonious and respectful relationships amongst the dogs without taking any undue risks. New dogs are integrated with great care and step by step. We do not accept resource guarding, for example. Our groups of dogs are selected on the basis of age, size, breed and individual character.

No. We assess the suitability of your dog during the Trial Day and have a frank discussion with you as owner. We have had many successful integrations of dogs who have grown up during the pandemic without having contact with other dogs, and are now thriving as part of our groups of dogs who are now their buddies. Please note, however, that we do not accept aggressive dogs in the day care unit. If your dog is reactive with other dogs, we suggest that you book an initial introductory appointment with one of our trainers to discuss what is and what is not possible.

Yes. However, bitches in season can not come to the Day Care unit during the whole period so as not to disrupt the harmony amongst the dogs.

The Day Care unit is open 07.00 – 19.00. For the schedule, think children’s nursery, with play time and learning interspersed with periods of rest. The dogs will usually arrive between 07 and 0900, and will be put into their usual groups for the morning. New dogs will be carefully assessed during these first few hours, carefully introducing them to the other dogs in the selected group, one by one, and later (assuming all goes well) with the other dogs in the group. Walks begin c. 10, either in the nearby forest areas or in the park adjacent to our building. The dogs return around lunch time, and those that have lunch will be fed separately. Quiet time is usually from c. 12.30 until 14.00, when the dogs relax with their buddies. The dogs have short walks, play and training sessions in the afternoons, with pick up to go home starting c. 17.00, depending on the schedules of their owners.

The dogs are usually taken for one long walk (1-1.5 hours) in the forest or nearby park areas, and short walks in the afternoon. An additional long walk may be incorporated in your dog’s schedule upon request.

We train walking on the leash and recall with the dogs on each walk. Only when we feel that we have the full attention of the dog and with the express permission of their owner, will we let a dog run on a long lead. Our existing dogs in the group also help with this training as they know how recall works. New dogs are always on long leads. The dogs are not allowed to stray from us even when off the lead for maximum security.

The days are strictly scheduled, with walks, play and learning, as well as ample time for “calm time” with naps and chilling with buddies on our comfortable sofas and in the dog beds. We teach the puppies and young dogs in our care to learn how to calm down and relax.

Visitors to our Day Care unit are always surprised at how quiet it is! New dogs may bark out of excitement and at the unfamiliarity at first, but soon learn from the others to stay calm. We discourage over-excitement, and want to maintain good relations with our neighbours – as you would at home. That said, we recognize that some dogs “talk” more than others: we will have to assess whether this barking is due to the personality of the dog, or whether this means that the dog simply is not comfortable in a day care environment.

We accept all breeds but can not look after dogs which are classified as dangerous under the Luxembourg rules. Please refer to the prevailing regulations on this subject.

Yes, you may book lessons or grooming during the day. Most of our courses are with both dog and owner, but we can organize private lessons without you upon request, for leash pulling and/or other general educational issues you would like to have help on. In any case, our personnel typically work with the dogs in our care during the day with the aim of fostering good behavior generally.

The size of the groups out walking depends on the breeds, sizes and individual characters of the dogs, as well as how familiar they are with our routines and with the others. Excluding our own dogs, who may or may not accompany the groups, we would normally walk out with groups of 4-6 dogs.

We devise the exercise and walks according to the needs of each dog. An old or injured dog would only have short walks as required. We would organize more mentally stimulating and taxing activities for the more sedentary dogs.

Yes, as specified by the owners. Each dog should have their own food rations brought with them, or we can store dog food in the individual labelled boxes of the dogs. The same goes for medication if required.

Our Day Care unit is based on dogs staying with their friends in large well-lit and ventilated and air-conditioned rooms. We have 8 rooms ranging from 20-50m2. We do not keep the dogs in boxes or cages.

Martha & Friends Dog Wellness is not a boarding kennel. However, for dogs who are regular visitors to our Day Care unit and whom we know well, we offer the possibility of boarding, depending on availability of space, to look after them for holidays, weekends or during your business trips.