FAQS

NEW CUSTOMER PROCESS

What are the requirements for boarding my dog? 

We have a few requirements that you must agree to when making a reservation with us. Your fur baby must be: 

•  Boarding Readiness Evaluation must be completed for stays 1 day+.

•   Up to date on all required vaccines (Bordetella, Leptospirosis, DAPP/DA2PP). We verify vaccine records.

• Up to date on all flea and tick preventative treatment. We verify flea and tick prevention prior to every reservation.

• Spayed/neutered 

• Friendly with other dogs and humans. Has not displayed any aggressive behaviors in the past. 

• COMPLETELY potty trained (goes outside) and does not mark their territory inside the home. 

• Up to date on flea and tick medication. Does not have any of these at the time of boarding. 

• Is not sick or does not display any signs of sickness (e.g.cough, excessive sneezing, etc.) and does not have any contagious conditions. 

• Does not display aggressive behaviors & does not have a history of biting/attacking other dogs/humans.

• Is not territorial over toys, items, or belongings, 

• Is not destructive of property, belongings, or items. Does not have a history of being destructive in the past. 

• Do not attempt to run away or escape (including bolting out doors upon opening, jumping over gates/fences, digging). 

• Baths are required within 24 hours of each stay.

Do I have to pay for the boarding readiness evaluation?

 Yes, you will have to pay just like any service we provide. The first step (meet and greet) is free. Doggy daycare and the one-night trial boarding stay are charged at our standard rates. Please see our Services page for current pricing.

BOOKING & GETTING STARTED

Where are you located? 

We provide dog boarding and doggy daycare services in Kapolei, Hawaii.

What is the best way to contact us? 

We strive to return all calls as quickly as possible; however, due to high call volume, responses may occasionally be delayed. 

Please keep in mind that due to a high volume of calls and frequent spam calls, we are only able to return calls that include the following information:

• Your name
• Your fur baby's name
• The dates you are requesting for boarding

Additionally, if you are a new guest, please ensure you contact us at least one month before your requested stay to allow sufficient time to complete the Boarding Readiness Evaluation process. Unfortunately, we are unable to return calls regarding boarding requests that do not allow adequate time for completion of the evaluation process.

For the fastest response, we recommend contacting us by text message or email.

For the quickest assistance, we recommend reaching out by text message or email. Visit the "Contact us," tab for our number and contact.

I made a reservation. What will happen next?

After making a reservation, you will automatically be sent a confirmation email. Please make sure to review this email as it includes important information needed for drop-off and pick-up. 

Chelsea will also be in contact via text for payment information for your upcoming stay. 

When should I reserve my fur baby's stay? 

New customers: While there is no strict deadline to make a reservation, we highly recommend securing a booking no less than one month in advance to ensure you can complete the boarding readiness evaluation promptly. When reserving your first stay, we will ask you to complete the boarding readiness evaluation. Please keep in mind this is a lengthy process. 

The Boarding Readiness Evaluation includes:

§     Step 1: Meet and Greet 

§     Step 2: Trial Run Doggy Daycare ( after passing meet and greet)

§     Step 3: One Night Trial Boarding (after passing the trial doggy daycare)

Upon passing this evaluation, your fur baby is welcome to stay with us as long and as much as you like! 

We’re unable to accept new guests who haven’t completed this process if you contact us less than two weeks before a stay of one day or more.

Returning customers: While there is no strict deadline to make a reservation, we highly recommend securing a booking at least one week in advance.

Peak times: Our busiest time of the year is November-December, March, and May-August. Oftentimes, our furry furrends book their stay 2 months out. We highly recommend making a booking as soon as you know the dates you would like to reserve. During peak times, you are very unlikely to secure a booking when reserving the month of your reservation. We accept reservations on a first-come, first-served basis.

These recommendations allow us to confirm availability and provide adequate time to prepare you for a successful stay. 

Do you have a maximum boarding stay length?

We do not and your fur baby is welcome to stay with us as long as you like.

DROP-OFF & PICK-UP POLICIES

Can I come inside when I drop off my dog to say "bye?"

Unfortunately, we don’t allow owners inside the home outside of scheduled meet and greets. This is for the safety of both the dogs and the humans involved. We do a lot of behind-the-scenes work to build trust and create a calm, consistent environment for every pup staying with us. Some dogs may be nervous around unfamiliar people, and unexpected visitors can disrupt their sense of security. Thanks for understanding and helping us keep things peaceful and safe!

Can I just come by to pick up/drop-off my dog when I am ready? 

To put it into perspective, do you just show up to your doctor’s office whenever it works for you? No way! Just like a medical or any other scheduled appointment, we ask that you stick to your scheduled drop-off or pick-up time.

We care for many fur babies each day and also value our family time. Because of that, guests must respect their appointment times. We do not allow unannounced arrivals and will not be available if you show up without notice. 

If you need to make changes to your scheduled time, we require at least 24 hours’ notice. Being mindful of timing helps us stay organized, provide the best care for your pup, and ensure that pick-ups and drop-offs go smoothly for everyone involved.

As for meet and greets, if you are more than 10 minutes late, we will have to reschedule your meet and greet. 

 Thanks so much for your understanding and cooperation!

BOARDING WITH US

What should I provide for my fur baby's stay? 

Please READ the following to ensure a successful stay for your fur baby. Failure to bring necessary supplies for a successful stay may bring about extra fees.

We ask that you provide:

         •      food

         •      treats

         •      crate (if your fur baby uses one regularly)

         •      toys

         •      dog waste bags

         •      All dogs must be given a bath before their stay.  If you are not able to wash your fur baby please let me know. I can wash them for you (at an extra charge).  

§    Beds or blankets (not required), preferably with your scent, help keep your fur baby comfy when you're away.

***If it is obvious that a fur baby is unwashed, I will wash them once they arrive, which includes an extra charge(see bath fee on website).

Thank you so much!

Will I get updates during my fur baby's stay? 

Well of course! We will send plenty of pupdates so you will know what your fur baby is up to while you are away! We also love taking photos so you will receive a lot of cute photos of your fur baby. In addition, every guest receives a complementary photo of their fur baby with a backdrop of the ocean. Check out an example on the "Gallery" tab of our website. 

Is someone home full-time with the dogs?

 We are homebodies! Chelsea works from home and would love your fur baby’s company.

If we do leave the home, we don’t leave for more than 5 hours. We prefer to be at home because use hoomans have separation anxiety from our fur babies.

Where will my fur baby sleep? 

 We have designated sleeping areas in our home where each fur baby will rest. Overnight, each pet sleeps in their designated space to ensure everyone's safety and comfort while the household sleeps. We recommend bringing your pet's favorite blanket or bed to help them feel relaxed and at home during their stay. In addition, if your fur baby sleeps in a crate at home, we can provide a crate for them to sleep in. 

Will my fur baby be taken on walks? 

We love walks! We now offer optional walking bundles so you can customize your dog’s stay! If your pup loves extra outdoor time, you can opt in for daily walks as part of their boarding visit. This lets us tailor their experience to match their energy level and your preferences. Our walking bundles are a great way to give your dog some extra enrichment and one-on-one time.  When booking your dog’s stay, you’ll be asked to choose a walking option.

Will my fur baby be kenneled? 

Peaceful Psyche does not keep dogs in a kennel. Your fur baby is free to have fun. The only instance a dog is kept in any enclosed structure/cage/crate would be if you choose to bring their crate. If so, they will NOT be kept in there all day. The only instance they will be kept in the crate is if the business owner leaves the facility or during nighttime (if that is where your fur baby sleeps when at home). Even when sleeping in the crate, your fur baby will be kept in our bedroom. The purpose of the crate is to provide your fur baby with their safe space so they have a safe haven as they adjust to a new environment. Not to keep them confined. 

 I want to make sure my fur baby is relaxed during their stay. Is there anything I can do to make them feel more comfortable? 

We find that fur babies who come to us on a consistent basis are the most comfortable. When finding a dog sitter, we highly recommend finding one dog sitter you can trust and sticking with the same sitter. This way, they have a set routine when coming to stay with us. It can be overwhelming going from sitter to sitter.  We also love familiar faces!

OTHER DOGS & SAFETY

Will there be other fur babies staying with my fur baby? 

We typically accept up to 6 returning fur babies at a time, along with up to 2 new guests. If we do not have any new guests, we can accommodate up to 8 returning guests.

While these are our maximum numbers, we rarely reach full capacity. Our busiest periods are typically during school breaks and holidays.

On average, we have about 1–2 other dogs staying with us at any given time. We limit meet-and-greets and new guest bookings so that we can prioritize availability and space for our returning guests.

We limit the number of dogs we accommodate in order to ensure quality time and safety within the home. We only have a limited space and keep all fur babies separated when leaving the home. We make sure we have adequate space for your fur baby to feel comfortable during their stay. 

Are there any human children around?

Nope! We just have furry babies (Copper and Momoko).

My fur baby is small, I am nervous about the other dogs. 

Luckily, we only take a few dogs at a time and notice if your dog is feeling uncomfortable or nervous. We provide smaller fur babies their own space if they are small and get nervous around other dogs. This way they can feel at home. We do not want to add to the stress of them missing you while you are away.

How do you manage socialization?

We watch all of our guest interactions very carefully and are protective of all of our guests. If we see your fur baby is uncomfy, we are quick to intervene.

Regardless of size, if we notice that your furry companion is feeling overwhelmed around certain dogs or in group settings, we'll provide them with a safe and comfortable space either on their own or right next to us, depending on what makes them feel most at ease. Rest assured, all dogs under our care are continuously supervised throughout their stay.

We carefully monitor all interactions and believe that quality of play is more important than quantity. Not every dog enjoys group play, and that's okay. We adjust each dog's experience based on their comfort level, personality, and behavior.

If a dog consistently displays inappropriate social behaviors, such as bullying, excessive mounting, pestering other dogs, or repeatedly ignoring another dog's boundaries, we will separate them from the group. Dogs that are unable to participate respectfully in a group setting may not be accepted for future stays. This is one of the reasons we conduct a thorough Boarding Readiness Evaluation process.

What does play time look like? 

We don’t allow mounting, excessive barking, bullying, or overly rough play during group time. While some of these behaviors are common, they can cause stress or tension in the group. If your dog frequently mounts or shows similar behaviors, we’ll remove them from group play, as it’s not conducive to a calm, positive environment. 

We have zero tolerance for humping and step in immediately, even before it happens. After observing so many dogs over the years, we’ve gotten very good at reading body language and can usually tell when a dog is about to try. While humping can be caused by excitement, stress, or habit, it often makes other dogs uncomfortable and can quickly lead to tension or fights. We also absolutely do not allow dogs to chase other dogs, when it’s clear the other dog isn’t okay with it.

If a fur baby looks uncomfy during play, we break it up.  We are sticklers for respectful play. Our goal is to make sure all dogs feel safe, comfortable, and able to enjoy their time with us. 

Do you provide boarding for aggressive dogs that have to be separated from others?

Please see requirements above. We do not board aggressive dogs and do not provide training or accommodate separating dogs from others. Keep in mind we are not dog trainers.

PRICING

How much do your services cost?

Please see our services page.

Does Peaceful Psyche offer discounts? 

We do not offer discounts, including extended stays, military, or Kamaʻāina.

Our rates are carefully set to reflect the individualized care, supervision, and attention each dog receives during their stay. At $75 per 24 hours, our standard boarding rate averages just over $3 per hour of care. We believe that choosing a boarding provider is about more than price alone. The quality of care, experience, and environment your dog receives are equally important considerations. Because our rates are already set at a fair and reasonable level, we do not offer additional discounts.

Does Peaceful Psyche have increased holiday rates?

Yes, please see pricing on our services page. We  charge holiday rates for the  following:

• All federal holidays

• Memorial Day weekend (Friday through Memorial Day Monday)

• Thanksgiving weekend (Wed-Sunday of Thanksgiving)

• Winter holiday season: December 23 through January 1

• Hawaiʻi DOE Spring Break

• Hawaiʻi DOE Fall Break

• Independence Day weekend (Friday through Monday, when Independence Day falls on or adjacent to a weekend)

LEARN MORE

Are there other ways to learn more about Peaceful Psyche? 

You are more than welcome to check us out on Instagram @copperandmo

You can also check out the "gallery" tab on our website to see pictures!