Sending your dog to the right daycare has many benefits, including opportunities for socialization, mental stimulation, and exercise. Daycare can be a valuable solution for curbing destructive behaviors that stem from boredom or separation anxiety, and a regular daycare routine can even help shy dogs build confidence. However, not every daycare suits every dog, so it’s essential to assess your dog’s individual needs carefully when choosing a daycare. We hope this FAQ provides helpful insights into what to consider when selecting the best services for your pup.

Hang Around Hound is a non-aversive open-play facility. This means we do not believe in using fear or pain to handle our dogs, and they are out of kennel playing with friends most of the day.

At Hang Around Hound, we prefer to let dogs just be dogs. We want to be place for them to relax with their friends and unwind. In that spirit, we do not ask them to perform specific training routines or pose them for photos. We try to give them as much freedom to choose how to spend their time, whether wrestling with a buddy, playing with toys, or napping. We are always ready to intercede on their behalf if they appear overwhelmed and need one-on-one attention and support.

Theresa and James have a combined 45+ years in professional animal husbandry.

Theresa
Even before Theresa began her professional career in pet care, her passion for animals was evident. She started pet-sitting for neighbors at just 8 years old and, by the age of 12, was volunteering at the local municipal shelter every weekend. This dedication continued throughout her high school and college years.

After graduating from college with a BFA in 2010, Theresa moved to California and made the Bay Area her home. Within the year, she was working as an independent contractor with a dog-walking company in San Francisco. In 2013, she was among the first dog walkers in the city to obtain the newly mandated dog walker permit for San Francisco city parks.

By 2016, Theresa was ready to turn her extensive experience into a business, laying the groundwork for what would become Hang Around Hound. In the summer of 2017, she launched the company, and a year later, moved it from her home to a commercial space at 2350 Jerrold Ave. In 2019, she earned certification from San Francisco Animal Care and Control to teach the dog walker permit class. In the summer of 2024, she proudly completed a Master of Professional Science in Animal Science and Behavior.

James
James’s connection with nature and animals began early in life, and his passion only grew over the years. In 1995, he reached a major milestone by earning the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout, the highest achievement within the Scouts of America. That same year, he took a significant step toward his future career, graduating second in his class from the Cincinnati Zoo Animal Academy.

Following graduation, James secured a position at the Cincinnati Zoo. Over the next two years, he developed his skills and deepened his knowledge, forming a strong foundation in animal husbandry and management. However, in 1997 after completing a coarse with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) James felt the pull of new opportunities and made the decision to move to Colorado.

In 1999, James accepted a role in the commissary at the Denver Zoo. This critical position involved managing and preparing specialized diets for the zoo’s diverse animal population. James also began working at the Dumb Friends League, a local animal shelter when in addition to his work hours, accumulated over 10,000 hours of volunteer foster care for animals in need. This work allowed him to connect with animals in need of rehabilitation and rehoming, strengthening his commitment to animal welfare and rescue.

By 2013, James felt it was time for another shift. Drawn to the vibrant and progressive animal care community in California, he relocated to the Bay Area. In 2015, he joined San Francisco Animal Care and Control. His expertise and dedication were recognized in 2018 when he was awarded the Certificate of Honor from the City of San Francisco. This honor celebrated his instrumental role in the emergency management of a state-certified pop-up animal care facility that provided essential recovery and support for animals impacted by the devastating Paradise fires.

In 2022 after providing years of support, James officially joined the Hang Around Hound team, where his unwavering dedication to animal welfare, and adaptability in the face of new challenges has become a stable pillar of the company.

All dogs are required to have vaccinations for:
• Rabies
• DHPP
• Bordetella

We strongly advised dogs to also have the following vaccinations but they are not required for attendance.
• Leptospirosis
• Canine Influenza 

All dogs should be neutered or spayed by 12 months of age. Some exemptions will be considered for breeder restrictions or health reasons but all dogs MUST be altered by 24 months of age. If behavior-related issues start to occur, we may request a dog take a break from daycare until a neuter or spay can be performed.

All dogs are required to be on a flea or tick-repellent regiment.

We have no breed or size restrictions at this time. 

 Welcome to Hang Around Hound!
The first step is to set up a profile for you and your pup!

• Click the Client Portal on the home page. This should take you to the log in page for our website.

• Please use your full name for your account username and a regularly checked email address.

• Fill out the profile for yourself

• Click the "Pets" tab in the navigation bar to add a pet.

• Fill out one profile per pet.

• Request a Meet and Greet. These can be made online and a confirmation e-mail should arrive within 24 hours. If we are unable to accommodate the chosen meet and greet time or date we will call or email you to reschedule.

• If you would like to have a pre-Meet and Greet conversation please feel free to give us a call. 

A Meet and Greet is an opportunity for us to get together and see if we are a good fit for each other. We clear the play floor and welcome you and your dog into our facility to take a look (and a sniff) around. After a chat about your dog's specific needs and behaviors, we will introduce a few of our helper dogs to your dog to observe dog-on-dog behavior. We are primarily looking for overt aggression towards us or our dogs or levels of anxiety that may lead to injury. Meet and Greets also give your dog the experience of leaving the daycare with you. We believe this helps the dog understand you will come back for them and helps mitigate first-day anxiety.

Meet and Greets are about 30-60 minutes long.

There is a green cub in front of our building that says 10 min, but we are the ones who requested it and currently the only ones who monitor it. Please feel free to park there during your meet and greet if it is available.

On average, we have 10-15 dogs per day.

Our maximum number is 30, which usually occurs around big holidays such as the 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years but we can fill up for three-day weekends as well.

During summer from mid-May to mid-August our daily average may be closer to 20 dogs.

This section is under construction due to a website redesign

This section is under construction due to a website redesign

At Hang Around Hound, we understand that despite our best efforts, life can be unpredictable. For that reason, we prefer to be extremely flexible in our cancellation policy. Essentially if your dog does not arrive for a requested service they will be removed from our calendar and you will not be charged. If you realize your dog may be missing a stay that they have scheduled please let us know as soon as possible so we may open up their space to other clients.

Yes! We offer baths and nail trims as long as dogs will allow us to perform these services with out harming themselves or us. If we are unable to complete these services we will let you know and remove them from the invoice.

Baths and nail trims may be added to any daycare or boarding service.

Since we are an open-play facility, we’re unable to accept dogs that display overt aggression toward other dogs. However, we do assess dogs on a case-by-case basis. If your dog is simply shy around other dogs or needs a bit of extra space, we’re open to working with them to see if Hang Around Hound is the right fit.

Yes, in most cases. At Hang Around Hound, we have staff on-site 24/7 to care for dogs who cannot be left alone or separated from people. For dogs who need extra human companionship, we can bring them into our apartment above the daycare to stay with us at night. If a dog requires closer supervision or have destructive tendencies, we may need to kennel them in our bedroom for safety.

We work closely with owners to determine the best approach for their dog’s needs. However, in some rare cases, separation anxiety may be specific to the dog’s owner, meaning they may still experience anxiety even in our care. If this seems like a possibility, we recommend scheduling a short trial visit to ensure we can provide the right support before committing to longer stays.

For your dog’s boarding stay, please bring:

Food:
Enough to cover their entire stay, along with any special feeding bowls if needed
(e.g., wobble or slow feeders).

Medications:
Include all current medications and detailed instructions for administration, including times of day.

Treats(Optional):
Feel free to pack treats for your dog, especially if they have allergies or specialized diets. Please note due to safety concerns we do not allow dogs to chew rawhide products in daycare.  

We have a refrigerator and freezer for perishable items.

We kindly ask that you leave all other personal items at home, including toys, beds, blankets, and regular bowls. Because our environment is communal, we cannot guarantee other dogs won’t have access to your dog’s belongings, and we aim to prevent any possessive behavior. Rest assured, we provide appropriately sized stainless steel bowls that are washed daily for mealtime.

Your dog’s sleeping arrangements will be tailored to their individual needs and comfort level. Here’s how we accommodate different dogs:

Kennels:
Most dogs sleep in their own separate kennels with blankets, providing a cozy and secure space for rest.

Play Spaces:
For dogs who are uncomfortable with kenneling but need to be separated from others at night, we offer the option to sleep in one of our designated play areas on a lifted cot with blankets.

Cage-Free Group Setting: Dogs that have been thoroughly vetted for temperament and compatibility may sleep in a cage-free, group setting, allowing them to rest comfortably alongside their furry friends. They are each provided their own cot and blankets as well.

Apartment Above the Daycare:
Dogs with separation anxiety or those who need close human companionship can stay with us in our on-site apartment above daycare.

We prioritize your dog’s safety and emotional well-being and
are regularly adjusting to your dog's current needs as their sleeping preferences may change from one stay to the next.

A typical day at Hang Around Hound is structured to ensure your dog is well-cared for, stimulated, and comfortable from morning to night. Here's what a day looks like:

6:00 AM – Early Morning:
Our team starts bright and early with a thorough cleaning of the daycare to ensure a fresh and safe environment. We welcome early-bird clients and begin preparing for the day ahead.

Morning Potty Break:
All dogs are let out onto the play floor for their first potty break and to stretch their legs. This is a time for them to start the day with some social interaction and light play.

Breakfast & Medications:
After the morning potty break, dogs are separated into individual spaces for breakfast and any necessary medications. This ensures each dog gets the right food and care they need.

Digest & Group Play:
Once breakfast has had time to settle, we organize the dogs into curated playgroups. These groups are tailored based on the dogs attending that day and are adjusted regularly to create the most positive and enjoyable interactions.

Daytime Activities: Throughout the day, your dog will enjoy supervised play sessions, rest periods, and opportunities for enrichment. Whether it’s a romp with friends, time with our staff, or relaxing in their preferred space, we aim to keep your dog happy and engaged.

4:30 PM – Afternoon Wind-Down:
As the afternoon winds down, some dogs may be kenneled or moved to quieter areas to help mitigate overall energy levels in the daycare as clients begin arriving for pick-ups.

7:00 PM – Dinner & Medications:
Dinner is served, and medications are administered if needed. Each dog is given time to eat in peace, ensuring they feel calm and secure during mealtime.

Evening Play & Final Potty Break:
After dinner and a brief rest, the dogs head back onto the play floor for one last round of play and their evening potty break. This final romp helps them expend any remaining energy before settling down for the night.

9:30–10:00 PM – Bedtime:
We prepare the dogs for bed with fresh blankets and ensure each dog is comfortable in their designated sleeping space. Whether it’s a kennel, play area, group setting, or our apartment, your dog will be cozy and ready for a restful night.

Our goal is to make each day at Hang Around Hound enjoyable engaging, and stress-free for your dog while keeping them safe and cared for.