Dog Boarding and Dog Day-Care

It is not uncommon to board dogs for many weeks, even months (we already had years, too, not once!). In these situations, exactly as in the case of shorter boardings, we try to be the family instead of the family. Long term boarding can happen in the case of an extensive stay abroad, a longer physical recovery or the most diverse family or work situations. There is no reason to worry, you are not alone! In addition to providing a really competitive quote it is important to note that our guests can be visited any time, we upload pictures twice a week, and guarantee multiple platforms for constantly keeping contact with our colleagues. Don’t worry! Your dog will always recognize you, you don’t have to worry that he/she will not want to go home with you. These are quite emotional moments for our colleagues, too, though.

Let us present here the discounts that might not be visible immediately from our price list.

Dog boarding: all further dogs after the first one (from one client) are accounted for with a discount (HUF 5,400 instead of HUF 6,800 for all dogs after the first).

Dog day-care: all further dogs after the first one (from one client) are accounted for with a discount (HUF 4000 instead of HUF 5,500 for all dogs after the first).

Dog boarding duration: clients are entitled to 10% discount after 2 weeks, and to 15% discount after 1 month of stay.

Dog day-care regularity: we provide HUF 500 discount per occasion in the case of at least 4 day-care days per week.

Only fully satisfied clients have to pay at our facilities – it is exactly for this reason that we only charge anything after the service is done. Payment is possible in Hungarian forints, in Euros or in US Dollars in our boarding facilities (in case of foreign currency we take into account the medium exchange rate of the day), in cash or by credit card. In case of ordering transportation service, the boarding or day-care fee is paid to the transporter colleague (also possible by credit card). Kindly indicate in an e-mail (info@dogmopolite.hu) if you wish to receive a corporate invoice which we send you in pdf format the same day.

Our company welcomes dogs on heat with pleasure – based on occupancy and having been informed about this fact in advance by the owner. Every owner knows that dogs on heat are the source of a number of problems and difficulties. Those living in a house with garden have to fear "unexpected guests" arriving to their dearest. Owners living in apartments have to constantly monitor hygiene in their homes. During walks, both of them have to face or avoid the demanding moments of meeting with male dogs, sometimes with no success. For us, dogs on heat do not mean any problem. We keep them separated, in a friendly environment. The owners can always be sure that they get back their dogs in their original state, alone. Kindly note that our company charges 50% extra in addition to the regular boarding fees in the case of dogs on heat.

We prescribe the internal and external parasite control for dogs in order to avoid them in our facilities, meaning ticks, fleas, or other parasites that our guests might carry with them, thus avoiding their migration into or onto other guests. It is important to note, though, that despite the most diligent control and search, ticks and fleas are not always immediately visible, and most certainly not all them, as these sturdy animals can circumvent even the most sophisticated protection tools. Trust us: we never accept any dogs out of negligence or intentionally with ticks or fleas – but as a matter of fact, it is unavoidable that out of a few thousand cases, one dog has them. As with other, latent diseases producing no symptoms whatsoever, ticks and fleas are just another group of unwelcome guests, arriving with the dogs.

Of course, as with humans – at home, on the street, in any community. Unfortunately our facilities are just as much exposed to germs or pathogens as humans are in any community, or any child in a new environment. The rate of occurrence of these is only marginally linked to hygiene – most of the times these diseases or irregularities happen due to the changed metabolism of the guest (vomiting, diarrhoea), or other pathogens that can be contracted in the air, mostly respiratory, such as kennel cough – the latter is a very important topic, please read the corresponding separate chapter. The biggest problem is that in 99% of the cases the cause is an arriving guest who is carrying a latent disease, meaning it is not visible or detectable upon arrival, it is without any symptoms. We are exactly as much as exposed to these, as any other location or community.

Despite the multiple years of experience of our colleagues, the tens of thousands of dogs in our care over the past years and the hundreds of thousands of guest nights, accidents happen during the service. Those dogs who don’t do anything, only eat, drink and sleep, cannot suffer any accidents, of course. But let us consider that dogs are feeling, thinking, instinct animals who get into a totally new environment with new dogs and new people – because of this, despite the most careful and professional care and precautions, accidents do sometimes happen – but are really, really rare. Where dogs move, play, befriend other dogs, chooses a flock, an accident can happen within a second. If this is just a minor issue, we take care of it in-house, and of course contact the owner immediately. In the case of more serious accidents (which is even more rare), we immediately organize veterinary assistance.

We’ve heard this question so many times in the past years. Despite the biggest efforts and hygiene, dogs cannot stay as clean as they arrived sometimes. A multitude of causes can be mentioned here. Many times it happens that we receive a hygienically neglected dog already – to put it mildly, with tangled, neglected hair, in a disastrous state. But even if we get a totally clean dog, here again arises the question of balance: should we keep the dog inside, locked away, or should we let him/her run and play freely, together with the others, happily. Let us not forget that we have a large garden and sometimes the weather is not on our side, either. Naturally, according to capacity, we strive to give back every guest in a cleaned state, even more so when we’re dealing with a more tenacious situation. Please, do not forget, however, that dogs always catch more dirt during play, game, fun and exercise from their environment, or from other dogs, than in or near their homes, in their usual surroundings, where they might go to the street only once or twice a day for a walk.

It is believed that the owner and the breeder are the two persons the dog never forgets, irrespective of the time that passed since they last saw each other. We kindly ask the owners not to be worried: if the dog is happy to see them, it might be due to the fact that a lot of time has passed – most probably that’s the reason, not because he/she didn’t feel good with us. We could ask the question whether it would be better if the dog wasn’t happy to see the owner? – it would be suspicious, to say the least. They are sometimes so happy when the owner arrives that they sometimes even run a happiness “pee” round in their adoration.

One of the most important and most frequently asked questions, many times hand in hand with the topic of “Clean dog – Dirty dog”. Simply because: if the dog does not do anything, only eating, drinking and sleeping, not going out, he/she will stay clean – but remain without friends and new experiences. This is a delicate balance, as the colleagues have to take into account the different temperaments, client needs and basically all other requests and parameters to guarantee the best solution. Well, to be honest, we prefer to make it as good for the dog as possible, meaning as much play and exercise as possible for a happy and well-balanced guest. For this reason we try to make them play with each other as much as possible and expose them as much as possible to each other. But! Play can go over into a quarrel within the fraction of a second, which might leave a mark on the dog despite the most vigilant surveillance and direct proximity of the colleague. This might be bruises, bites, strains – if it is more serious, then the necessary measures are immediately taken. However, based on our statistics, we have had a visible injury on less than 1 dog out of a 1000. As we stated: we try to create the perfect balance and assess the temperament of the play in advance, but despite every effort, accidents happen. We still say that in the other 999 occasions, the play and game was worth it because it made our guests happy.

One of the most important and most frequently asked questions. It is important to point out that there is no 100% protection against kennel cough – just as in the case of human flu, new, mutated virus stems appear regularly. Furthermore: kennel cough has nothing to do with hygiene, it is place-independent, it can happen and pop up anywhere and everywhere where dogs are together, the virus, causing flu symptoms, is transferred and contracted through air.
The “combined vaccination” is only effective against a certain part of the pathogens causing kennel cough (distemper virus, adenovirus, or parainfluenza virus in the case of certain vaccinations). As an amendment, our guests can be vaccinated against parainfluenza and Bordetella brochiseptica. This can be done with an injection (Pneumodog, basic (first) vaccination at an age of 4-6 weeks, to be repeated after 2-3 weeks, then yearly once), or (preferred) in an intransally (Nobivac KC at an age of 3 weeks, with protection after 3-4 days against Bordetella, to be repeated yearly). At the same time it is important to note, that, in spite of the protection and due to the nature of the disease (might be transferred by less frequent pathogens), your dog might still get sick (in spite of the minimal risk and maximum hygienic standards). The disease often heals by itself, such as a cold among humans. With antitussives, anti-inflammatories, expectorants, vitamins and immune strengtheners, or occasionally antibiotics, the healing can be accelerated and coughing relieved.

One of the most important and most frequently asked questions. In the vast majority of cases (99.9%) we get a healthy dog and we give back a healthy and happy dog after the stay. At this point, however, let us point out a few facts. It might happen that the boarded the is not healthy already at the outset, meaning we receive the dog in an unhealthy condition (even, if the owner does not acknowledge or accept this fact) – we can think here of overweight, general depression, introversion, temporary or chronic disease – many of these often in a latent state. Naturally, we immediately inform the owner of a negative change in health, and the owner also empowers us by signing the Client Consent Form to undertake anything and everything necessary for preserving the dog’s health and proceed to a veterinary clinic. Most frequently (though, all in all very seldomly) these changes are related to appetite, digestion or mood. We deal with the topics of injuries and kennel cough below. Let us point out that despite the highest efforts of maximum hygiene, a carefully designed and implemented animal welfare program and the most devoted and committed care, diseases can happen.

One of the most important and most frequently asked questions. We have to acknowledge that dogs are feeling creatures, and just as humans, they do not immediately feel well in a new environment, in a new community. They are sometimes even puzzled why they are left in a new place – have they done something wrong? It might even happen that this state of mind prevails during the entire stay, however, let us point out here that most of the dogs fell extremely well and return home as happy as ever – or even happier. If, however, the dog might need some time to ease up after the stay (one case out of a hundred), then please consider this as absolutely normal. Let us also point out that in most cases dogs are in a heightened state of mind, are happy as they make a lot of new friends, play a lot, exercise a lot and are not bored for a minute.

One of the most important and most frequently asked questions. In most cases, the body weight does not change during boarding. In certain cases, however, body weight loss can occur, and here we wish to point out that we never, never ever save on dog food (this, per se, is of course a major cost but by far smaller than other overhead costs of running the business). There can be several reasons for the loss of body weight, the most prominent, probably, is that dogs move and play a lot more, thus burn a lot more energy, than at home. The other reason is that they get into a new environment, far away from the owner, this in itself might already be a reason for the lack of appetite (and combining it with the previous reason, well, a weight loss is even more understandable). A latent disease can, however, also occur which was not apparent upon arrival – naturally we inform the owner of these circumstances immediately. Another problem might be the new diet – the owner might think that the food we offer is certainly a delight for the dog, but it might turn out that it isn’t. All in all: despite that fact that we provide even more food than the owner recommends, it is sometimes simply impossible to make the dog eat the usual quantity, in the usual rhythm, let alone to eat more, however hard we try. And we guarantee you – we try really, really hard.

One of the most important and most frequently asked questions. The owners have to acknowledge that dogs are feeling creatures and that they always behave differently in a new environment, away from their home. There is nothing the owner or the new place (a boarding facility, for example) can do against it – as is the case with a child who is having his/her first camping trip. You can rest assured, though: everything goes absolutely smoothly most of the times. Seldomly, however, dogs might need a few days to ease up, to integrate. And just as some humans in a new group, in a new environment, there will always be guests who are unable to make this step, to ease up, that is – even if the colleagues do everything in their power to help. In these situations they might turn inwards, lose some appetite, lose some weight too, as they might miss the owner and their home. We always do everything we can to make even these guests feel at home away from home, though. Let us assure you, it is totally normal for a difficult case, described above, to take a few days to return to his/her previous energy and mood level after returning home – this is no reason for panic.

Dogs who are aggressive towards humans, given the methods of handing and boarding, are unfortunately not able to be boarded with us. We are really sorry!

Thanks to the different options of our facilities, yes, we are happy to welcome dogs who are not socialized or friendly with other dogs, as long as they are not aggressive towards humans and our colleagues can deal with them. We play and exercise with them and keep them separated – they also sleep separated from the others.

We have the possibility of keeping dogs together, partially together, or totally separated, too – not all guests are socialized to the same degree, and many clients do not wish to have their small breed be together and exposed to the temperament of giant dogs anyway. An accident can occur even under the strictest surveillance in the matter of seconds. For this reason we have designed the layout of our facility in a way that small breeds are separated from the large ones – the small ones move totally freely and even during night time they are only separated by small pens, reaching until an adult’s knees, behind which our small guests reside with their toys, and sleep during the night in their beds. The large dogs, who are well-socialized and friendly with each other, play among themselves during the day. Here, however, we prefer them sleeping separated for a good night’s sleep. The third category is the large dogs who are unfriendly with each other – in this case, we play with them separately and of course, they sleep separately as well.

We are extremely proud that our facilities are among the best and most advanced in Hungary. Based on the recommendations – or rather stipulation – of the British PIF and the Florida-based American IACP our facilities are dedicated dog boarding and day-care facilities (they are not transformed (or not even transformed, as we have seen) private homes), they dispose of heated and cooled in-door sleeping and playing areas and offer a wide array of activities (large garden, agility track in Szentendre and Szigetszentmiklós, too, as well as slides, trampolines, tunnels, playground games, etc.). We have the possibility to separate partially or fully all dog sizes from each other as well.

The supervision of our guests is done by colleagues with many years of canine experience. They are true dog aficionados, have been dog keepers themselves for years or decades and are real dog enthusiasts. Most of them regularly take part in trainings, dog programs, many of them have volunteered in shelters, have done a lot of dog-related social work, too. Many of them do regularly dog sports, i.e. Canicross or Dogtrailing. They often organize dog excursions, participate in competitions, organize presentations and seminars.

Our dog boarding and day-care facilities offer the full array of the following three brands: Brit Premium (included in our boarding and day-care prices), Acana and Orijen. We offer each and every sub-category in these brands: from junior to senior, from tiny to giant size, from ordinary to hypoallergenic. We mix this dry food, in case of need, with canned food, based on preference. If our guest is not used to these brands, maybe not to dry food at all, we are happy to welcome the habitual food from home – it can be anything, we are happy to store and prepare it for your dog.

The integration is not a uniform process – at times it is very easy, at times extremely hard, though. Both the dog owner’s and our colleagues’ lives are made substantially easier if the dog is well socialized and easy to integrate into a community. In general, the integration process is a carefully monitored and managed process: our colleagues stand next to the dogs and carefully watch how he/she reacts to the others and how the others react to him/her. We integrate the dog slowly and gradually into our dog community, averting any possibly arising, minor signs of aggression. We follow and monitor the process until it becomes evident that the new guests feels safe and sound in the community.

Socialization means the co-existence of dogs with their peers, a successful integration of a dog into another group of dogs – not only in the short, but much more in the long run. Socialization needs to be started at an early age, typically 4-5 months, in order to avoid any problems during the dog’s later life when meeting another dog – be it on the street, in public spaces, dog runs, dog boarding and day-care facilities, basically anywhere. Socialization is an integral part of our service at our dog boarding and dog day-care facilities, as – unless explicitly requested otherwise – the dogs get into a community, making a lot of new friends along the way.

Of course. Our colleagues diligently consult with the clients about temporary or chronic diseases and we register each and every instruction on the client form. Our colleagues can be reached at all times during the stay for enquiries. It is important to highlight here that all our boarding facilities are in contract with a vet clinic who is constantly at our disposal, 24/7, so in case of an emergency we are able to offer professional and emergency aid. We, furthermore, dispose of in-house transportation means for a case of emergency.

Our dog boarding and dog day-care facilities can be visited any time during the opening hours. However, we reserve the right to recommend the times for the visits, as there are more and less suitable times for that based on the daily routines and programmes – taking these into account we are happy to welcome visitors with the only note that a dog, who already got used to the facility, the circumstances, our colleagues, might feel stressed to see a family member visiting. This might jolt them out of their environment and the socialization process might start from scratch.

The most important thing is to treat and deal with the dogs based on their breed, age and temperament – based on these, there are substantial differences regarding the daily routine and programme, and then there are the seasonal differences, too…

The day always starts with extensive play and game outside; this is the time when the colleagues clean up small “accidents” that happen during the night and the guests can enjoy the fresh morning air. From spring until autumn, our garden is basically interconnected with our in-house areas free of any barriers. After the morning rituals, such as morning snacks, breakfast, some special treatments comes a short rest, then the second round of game and exercise – and yet another (and continuous) round of cleaning. After that comes some afternoon snack, sometimes dinner, a little rest, then the evening exercise and game session. The scope of activities and tasks that our colleagues assume during these times is extraordinary multifaceted and challenging – with substantial emphasis on hygiene and play with the dogs. In addition to that comes the socialization of new arrivals, their introduction into the group, the continuous supervision as well as other, administrative tasks.

Due to the difference described in the previous points, dog boarding services are mostly required when our clients move from one place to another, have a longer period of work to do, have to travel or spend time abroad due to work or family matters, or even because of a long-term missions outside the country – and with no one near who could do the supervision of the pet. Well, these are mostly the situations when we become a family instead of the family. Day-care is most often needed when the owner is not at home during the day with the pet – this is the most obvious and common reason. However, more and more people turn to us because day-care has a really positive effect on dogs. They come for play, for entertainment, for finding new friends, to socialize (especially important for young dogs) to exercise, to be exhausted after a day of rich programmes – in one word: to feel good during the day.

Although the facilities are one and the same, the main difference between the two concepts is time: while dog boarding means at least one guest night spent at the facility, dog day-care, as the name suggests, means a day-time program only. While dog boarding periods can last starting from one night all the way to multiple months, a day-care unit is typically one day, usually on a regular basis, which can be used on all days of the week, for months or even years.

The dog day-care programs are held in one of our centres, meaning in one the three large dog boarding and day-care centres or the two small grooming-day-care salons during their opening times. The service, per se, does not include transport, but it can be requested, of course, at a separate charge. The dogs play, exercise, socialize in a heated-cooled indoor environment and our garden, based on their preference.

In our active day-care program our colleagues pick up the dogs from their homes with a van, and together with 8-10 other dogs, spend the day at the outskirts of or outside the city, on large meadows, open areas, vast fields, lake- or riversides, playing, exercising. After the programme, the colleagues transport the dogs home – thus, this service includes transport.

Currently, our company operates three large dog boarding and dog day-care facilities and two grooming salons-day care salons (in addition to the other two, grooming-only salons). The three dog boarding facilities (4,000, 5,000 and 10,000 sqf each with 10,000, 25,000 and 46,000 sqf gardens) operate under the following addresses:

Dog Boarding and Day-Care centre Buda: 1116 Budapest, Mesterházi u. 6-8.,
Dog Boarding and Day-Care centre Szentendre: 2000 Szentendre, Rózsa u. 16.,
Dog Boarding and Day-Care centre Szigetszentmiklós: 2310 Szigetszentmiklós, Gyári út 47.

The two small grooming and day-care salons are located in district 3: 1036 Budapest, Lajos u. 63., as well as in district 6., 1064 Budapest, Rózsa u. 94/B.

Our dog boarding facilities are mainly reachable via telephone, this is the most plausible means of communication with the colleagues as those, who do the job, are the ones who can tell the most about the dogs. For this, please dial the following, corresponding number:

Szentendre dog boarding facility: +36 20 311 50 75,
Buda dog boarding facility: +36 20 331 19 25,
Szigetszentmiklós dog boarding facility: +36 20 311 56 32.

Our central telephone number is +36 1 246 23 06, should you encounter any difficulties. We are available via e-mail too, of course, any time, as well as through our online chat interface on the webpage. You can also speak to us on the following Facebook pages:

Corporate FB page: www.facebook.com/Dogmopolite
Szentendre dog boarding facility FB page: www.facebook.com/DogmopoliteKutyapanzioSzentendre,
Buda dog boarding facility FB page: https://www.facebook.com/DogmopoliteKutyapanzioBuda/
Szigetszentmiklós dog boarding facility FB page: www.facebook.com/DogmopoliteKutyapanzioSzigetszentmiklos.

These are the platforms where we regularly upload dog boarding life pictures from our facilities.

Yes, we offer transportation services in Budapest and the suburbs, be it in connection with a service of ours (dog boarding, dog day-care or dog grooming), or as an independent service. The cost of transport to and from our dog boarding and dog day-care facilities varies according to the followings: Buda <> Buda boarding facility: HUF 3,500 per direction, Pest <> Buda boarding facility: HUF 4,500 per direction, all of Budapest <> Szentendre and Szigetszentmiklós dog boarding facilities: HUF 4,500 per direction, suburb <> all of our facilities: HUF 4,500-HUF 5,500 per direction. Distances over 25 kms are subject to a separate price offer.

The dog boarding and day-care facilities operated by our company all use the same client documents. These consist of: Order Form, Dog Form and Client Consent Form. We register all data of the owner and all details of the service on the Order Form. The dog’s general data, health-related data, background information, behaviour-related information and service goals are registered in the Dog Form. In the Client Consent Form the client consents to our General Terms and Conditions and acknowledges the service provided and the details contained in the document.

The dog should have all the puppy protection vaccinations provided. Regarding timing, this might vary slightly from vet to vet, but most typically this means two combined and one anti-rabies treatment, usually until the age of 4 months (at the latest). As soon as the protection is effective and the dog can become part of a community based on the vet’s opinion, we are more than happy to welcome him/her.

The anti-rabies vaccination (yearly mandatory in Hungary) is absolutely required, and the combined vaccination is highly recommended – this is the pre-requisite for boarding your dog. We also recommend the administration of the intranasal “vaccine” or drops against kennel cough (please read separate F.A.Q article about kennel cough below).

What is really important – and mandatory – is the vaccination pass (or passport, that is) of the dog(s). These certify that the necessary vaccinations have been administered and contain also important information for filling in the check-in documents.

We are glad if you can bring the collar and leash along. We will store these safely and will hand them back upon departure, together with all other belongings.

If the dog is used to having a special diet different from the Brit Premium, Acana or Orijen brands (and if these are not appropriate), then we also kindly ask you to bring the usual food along. We will store it in the appropriate and prescribed manner (refrigerated or deep-frozen) and guarantee that only your dog will be fed with it.

Oftentimes, guests arrive in a transport box, with pillows or even their own beds, which we, of course, make available to your dog(s) only. However, kindly be informed that we have our own beds, linen, covers, toys, everything. It is important to note that guests can do damage even in their own belongings in a new environment.

You are more than welcome to bring favourite objects or toys along, but kindly note that – if not explicitly requested to do otherwise – these might be used by other guests too, therefore, they might be damaged as well.

If your dog requires any special treatment (especially, but not limited to, medical or other, health-related treatments), then kindly bring these along, too.

The opening times of our dog boarding and day-care facilities are between 7 AM and 8 PM during workdays and between 8 AM and 8 PM during weekends and holidays. Beyond these opening times – of course – there is 24/7 supervision in our facilities, that goes without saying. Our small, dog day-care (grooming) salons are open between 9 AM and 7 PM on workdays and between 9 AM and 3 PM on Saturdays.

The central telephone number of our headquarters is +36 1 246 23 06, our central e-mail address is info@dogmopolite.hu.

Our dog boarding and dog day-care facilities can be reached directly on the mobile numbers below:
Dog Boarding and Day-Care Centre Szentendre: +36 20 311 50 75,
Dog Boarding and Day-Care Centre Buda: +36 20 331 19 25,
Dog Boarding and Day-Care Centre Szigetszentmiklós: +36 20 311 56 32.

Two out of the four grooming salons operate as small day-care facilities, these are located in Óbuda (district 3. of Budapest) and in the city centre (district 6).
To reach our dog grooming and day-care salon in Óbuda, please dial +36 1 426 00 70, to reach the salon in district 6, please dial +36 1 720 52 81.

These are the landlines of our salons – in addition to these, all our colleagues have their own company mobile phone – for the numbers, please see the bottom of our webpage or under Contact. We recommend using the mobile phone numbers in certain situations, mostly when the drying machines are on and it takes some time to hear the landline. In addition to the above contacts, you are also welcome to use the chat function on our webpage, and, of course, you can ask for a quote or make a booking with the help of one of the online forms.