Find answers to common questions about doggie daycare, dog training, dog and feline grooming, boarding, health concerns, scheduling, and pet care at The Barrie Inn and Fido Fitness Club®.
Dogs at daycare enjoy supervised play, exercise, social interaction, enrichment, attention from staff, and opportunities to rest throughout the day.
Yes. Our experienced staff supervises daycare activities to help maintain a safe, structured, and enjoyable environment.
Some dogs enjoy attending daycare regularly, while others may benefit from a less frequent schedule. The right routine depends on your dog’s age, personality, health, energy level, and social preferences.
Yes. Rest is an important part of a balanced daycare experience. Dogs are given opportunities to relax and recharge between periods of activity and play.
Doggie daycare gives dogs opportunities for movement, play, and physical activity. It can be a helpful addition to your dog’s regular walking and exercise routine.
Not every dog enjoys a group daycare environment. Dogs have different personalities, play styles, and comfort levels. Our team can help determine whether daycare may be a good fit for your pet.
Yes. Fido Fitness Club® offers flexible options for pet parents who need either regular daycare or occasional daytime care. Contact us to learn which plans are currently available.
When arranged in advance, we may be able to transport your dog home for an additional fee.
When transportation is unavailable, you may have the option to board your dog overnight. We can provide our house food at the current applicable rate when the owner has not supplied food.
Please contact us as soon as you know you may be late so our staff can discuss the available options.
Dogs can begin learning at a young age. Puppy training often starts with simple skills such as name recognition, focus, handling, basic commands, and household manners. Adult and senior dogs can also learn new behaviors with consistent training.
Yes. Dogs can learn at nearly any age. Older dogs may need a different pace or approach, but they can still improve their obedience, manners, confidence, and communication.
Yes. Fido Fitness Club® specializes in working with rescued and adopted dogs, including dogs with fear, limited socialization, adjustment difficulties, or behavioral challenges.
Professional training may help improve many unwanted behaviors by identifying triggers, teaching alternative responses, and helping owners reinforce more appropriate habits.
Results depend on the dog, the behavior, consistency, and the training plan.
The amount of time needed depends on your dog’s age, behavior, learning history, training goals, and the complexity of the skills being taught.
Basic commands may improve relatively quickly, while behavioral challenges may require a longer and more consistent training plan.
Owner involvement is an important part of long-term success. Dogs learn through repetition and consistency, so practicing the trainer’s recommendations at home can help reinforce progress.
Yes. Leash walking and handler focus are common dog-training goals. Our trainers can help teach your dog how to walk in a more controlled and comfortable manner.
Yes. Dogs who have completed basic obedience may continue with advanced commands, distraction training, extended stays, recall work, tricks, and additional skill development.
Training should not erase your dog’s personality. Our goal is to improve communication and behavior while allowing your dog’s natural character to remain part of who they are.
A dog grooming appointment may include bathing, drying, brushing, nail trimming, ear cleaning, coat trimming, a haircut, sanitary trimming, and other requested services.
The exact services depend on the selected package and your dog’s individual needs.
All dogs benefit from regular coat, nail, ear, skin, and paw care, although not every dog needs a full haircut.
Short-haired dogs may still benefit from bathing, brushing, de-shedding, nail trimming, and ear cleaning.
Appointment length depends on the dog’s size, coat type, coat condition, behavior, drying time, and requested services.
A basic bath may take less time than a full haircut or extensive de-shedding appointment.
In many cases, yes. The groomer will assess the severity and location of the matting.
Light tangles may be brushed out, while severe matting may require a shorter haircut to avoid prolonged pulling or discomfort.
Grooming and waiting procedures may vary based on the facility, appointment flow, and your dog’s needs.
Contact our team before booking if your dog has crate anxiety or requires special accommodations.
Yes. You may request a preferred length or style.
The groomer will determine whether the requested cut is suitable based on your dog’s coat type, current coat condition, and comfort.
Many dogs need nail trimming every few weeks, but the timing varies.
Dogs whose nails naturally wear down during walks may need trims less frequently than dogs with limited activity or faster nail growth.
Yes. Puppy grooming can help introduce young dogs to bathing, brushing, nail care, handling, and grooming equipment in a gradual and positive way.
Yes. We work with senior dogs and make reasonable adjustments based on mobility, stamina, health, and comfort.
Please discuss any medical or physical concerns with us before the appointment.
Please tell us about any anxiety, fear, sensitivities, or previous grooming difficulties before the appointment.
Our groomers will use patient handling and determine which services can be completed safely and comfortably.
There are several reasons why a pet may develop dry skin, so speaking with your veterinarian should always be the first step.
Our groomers use high-quality dog shampoos and may recommend specialty grooming treatments based on your dog’s coat and skin concerns.
Please let us know about any allergies, sensitivities, medical conditions, or veterinarian recommendations before the grooming appointment.
Anal-gland expression may be available during a dog grooming appointment for an additional fee.
Our groomers perform external expression only. We do not perform internal anal-gland expression, which should be handled by a veterinarian.
Dogs with recurring discomfort, swelling, infection, scooting, licking, or other anal-gland concerns should be examined by a veterinarian.
Not every cat needs frequent professional grooming, but many benefit from bathing, brushing, nail trimming, mat removal, sanitary trimming, or coat maintenance.
Long-haired, senior, overweight, heavily shedding, and mobility-limited cats may need additional help.
A feline grooming appointment may include bathing, brushing, combing, nail trimming, ear cleaning, de-shedding, sanitary trimming, mat removal, or a haircut.
The exact services depend on the selected appointment and your cat’s needs.
Many cats can be professionally bathed when appropriate handling methods are used.
Whether bathing is suitable depends on the cat’s temperament, health, coat condition, and ability to tolerate the process.
Yes. Long-haired cats may benefit from brushing, de-shedding, bathing, mat removal, sanitary trims, and maintenance haircuts.
Yes. Short-haired cats may benefit from bathing, brushing, de-shedding, nail trimming, and ear cleaning even if they do not need a haircut.
In many cases, yes. Loose tangles may be combed out, while tight or severe mats may need to be carefully trimmed or shaved.
The groomer will choose the option that minimizes pulling and discomfort.
Some cats can receive a partial or full haircut when needed.
The appropriate service depends on the cat’s coat condition, temperament, skin, health, and ability to tolerate grooming equipment.
Yes. Nail trimming may be completed as an individual service or as part of a grooming appointment, depending on availability.
The length of the appointment depends on the requested services, coat type, matting, behavior, drying time, and the number of breaks the cat may need.
Your cat’s safety and comfort come first.
The groomer may modify, shorten, or stop the service if the cat becomes excessively stressed or cannot be handled safely.
Yes. Senior cats can often be groomed with modifications based on mobility, medical conditions, stamina, and comfort.
Please discuss your cat’s health and physical needs before the appointment.
Regular brushing at home can help remove loose fur and prevent tangles.
The appropriate frequency depends on your cat’s coat type and tolerance for brushing.
Depending on the length of the stay and your dog’s activity level, your dog may sleep more than usual after returning home.
Dogs often enjoy full days of activity, interaction, and play while staying with us. Just as people may feel tired after an active vacation, dogs may need additional rest after boarding.
Your dog’s voice may also sound slightly raspy from barking or socializing. Some dogs may temporarily experience a nervous or sensitive stomach after a change in routine.
Contact your veterinarian if any symptoms are severe, persistent, or concerning.
Unaltered dogs may be accepted depending on their age, behavior, temperament, and conditions at the facility.
The safety and comfort of every dog in our care remain our priority. If a problem develops, we reserve the right to separate the dog from the general population or contact the owner for pickup.
Please contact us before booking so we can discuss your dog’s circumstances.
Dogs visiting us for grooming can be kept separated from other dogs when needed. Please tell us about your dog’s behavior, anxiety, or social concerns before the appointment so we can prepare appropriately.
For boarding and daycare, our options for keeping a dog completely separated from other dogs may be limited. Please contact us in advance to discuss whether we can safely accommodate your dog’s needs.
Our first-aid-trained staff monitors the dogs in our care for visible signs of illness, injury, scratches, or abrasions.
When we notice a concern, we will attempt to contact you before taking further action. In an emergency, we may transport your dog to a local veterinarian for treatment without waiting for prior approval.
Veterinary treatment and related expenses remain the responsibility of the pet owner.
Dental health is an important part of your pet’s overall well-being. We recommend regular veterinary dental examinations and professional cleanings when advised by your veterinarian.
Daily tooth brushing may help reduce plaque buildup, dental decay, and unpleasant breath, but it may not eliminate dental problems that require professional treatment.
Our staff can also provide general pet dental-care product recommendations.
A current copy of your dog’s vaccination records must be provided before an assessment can be scheduled.
Contact our staff for the latest vaccination requirements and submission instructions.
Contact The Barrie Inn to discuss the service your pet needs and confirm current availability.
New clients may be asked to complete a Client Agreement and provide current vaccination records before an assessment, daycare visit, or boarding reservation can be scheduled.
Yes. The Barrie Inn proudly offers discounted boarding in appreciation of active-duty military personnel, veterans, and first responders.
Contact our staff for current eligibility requirements and discount information.
The Barrie Inn is a full-service pet care facility, providing professional dog and cat grooming, daycare, boarding, and training services. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality of care for your beloved pet. Our mission is to provide an enjoyable experience for your pet while maintaining the safety and well-being of each animal entrusted to our care.
© 2026 The Barrie Inn, All Right Reserved.
