Sending your pup off to daycare is a big deal. How do you know if they’re having fun, feeling safe, and making furry friends? PLAYtrain® is built to give you peace of mind while your dog gets to play and learn healthy behaviors. At JM Pet Resort & Veterinary Clinic, we’re honored to be a trusted part of your pet’s care routine, and we’re here to answer all your burning questions about PLAYtrain® Doggie Daycare.     

Whether your pup is a first-time visitor or a seasoned PLAYtrain® pro, you might have some questions about what your dog is up to during their day of play. Made with pet parents in mind, this FAQ guide is here to answer your questions—to help you feel confident, informed, and excited about your pup’s PLAYtrain® experience.     

Q: Why can’t I see my dog on the webcams?

We love that you want to check in on your pup’s day! Sometimes, dogs move between yards based on their group or enrichment needs, which may place them outside of your usual camera view– try checking one of the other cameras to see if they’re in a different yard! Depending on the time of day, your pup may also be inside for a rest so they can recharge and take a break from all day play. You can access our PLAYtrain® webcams here.     

Q: I’m used to seeing my dog on camera #__. Why were they in a different group today?

Great question— and one we often get from our longtime PLAYtrain® clients! Our most seasoned, stable pups sometimes help our team mentor new dogs. If your pup has shown confident social skills and excellent behavior in group play, we may invite them to assist in helping another group build confidence. Think of them like being a classroom TA— our experienced pups lead by example!    

Q: Why are some dogs wearing drag leashes?

You may notice your pup— or one of their daycare pals— wearing a rope leash that trails behind them. These are called drag leashes, and they’re one of many tools we use in PLAYtrain® to support healthy play, reinforce good behavior, and keep every dog safe.     

PLAYtrain® Specialists may use drag leashes to:    

  • Encourage recall or redirect excitable pups who might resist coming inside when playtime ends. 
  • Gently access shy or nervous dogs without reaching for their collar, which can feel startling. 
  • Quickly interrupt and redirect overstimulated behavior like roughhousing, barking, or boundary-pushing play. 

Drag leashes help us step in calmly during teachable moments— without disrupting the group. They’re just one of the ways we help our dogs build confidence, learn manners, and thrive in a safe, structured environment.  Want to learn more? Check out our full blog on why we use drag leashes in PLAYtrain®!    

Q: Why are some dogs wearing a muzzle while playing?

At JM Pet Resort, muzzles are used as positive training and safety tools— never as punishment. You might see a pup wearing a basket muzzle during PLAYtrain® to help them socialize safely, prevent them from ingesting things they shouldn’t eat, or work through training goals with confidence.     

Muzzles allow some dogs to enjoy more freedom and opportunities they might not otherwise have—like playing with friends or receiving care—while keeping everyone safe. When properly fitted and introduced with positive reinforcement, basket muzzles are comfortable and breathable, allowing dogs to pant, eat, drink, and even take treats!    

Like drag leashes or Haltis, a muzzle is one of many tools we use to help dogs thrive in a supportive, enriching environment. Our goal is to promote healthy play, respectful socialization, and an enjoyable experience for every pup. Learn more about how we use muzzles as training tools.     

Q: How is my dog doing during Daycare?

We’re always watching and taking notes about every dog's behavior— successes and challenges! While all dogs are closely monitored throughout the day, if you’d like a deeper look into your dog’s experience and how they’re doing during the day, you can request a detailed Report Card! It’s a wonderful way to see their progress, group dynamics, and playtime highlights— all for a nominal fee.     

In addition to Report Cards, we offer other services to add to your pup's experience. Check out this flyer for alternatives. Just ask the front desk the next time your pup comes to visit for a day of PLAYtrain®!    

Q: What are the requirements for my pup to attend PLAYtrain®?

All dogs must be up-to-date on required vaccinations, have a valid city or town license and nametag, and wear a properly fitted Martingale collar while on-site.     

Required Vaccines:    

    • Distemper
    • Bordetella (booster every 6 months)
    • Canine Bivalent Influenza (2-dose series)
    • Rabies

Strongly Recommended Vaccines:    

    • Leptospirosis
    • Lyme

We require proof of a valid city or town pet license in accordance with Massachusetts Chapter 140 laws. You can upload vaccine records directly to your Pet Portal or ask your veterinarian to send them to info@jmpetresort.com.     

Q: What if the weather is bad? Does my dog still play? 

Yes! Rain, snow, or shine, PLAYtrain® is on. We have multiple indoor play spaces and covered yards to ensure your pup gets physical and social stimulation— even when the weather doesn’t cooperate. And honestly? Most dogs think playing in the rain or snow is a blast.     

That said, your pup’s safety and comfort always come first. During severe weather— like thunderstorms, icy conditions, or blizzards— we limit or pause outdoor play and move all activities inside. Our team closely monitors the weather and adjusts the day’s schedule as needed to keep every dog happy, safe, and having fun.      

Q: What if my dog is shy or nervous around other dogs?

That’s okay— and more common than you might think. PLAYtrain® is designed to meet your pup where they’re at and with their individualized care in mind. Our small-group structure means we can match your dog to the right playgroup, whether they’re still finding their confidence or need a curated group of friends to play with. Learn more about the benefits of PLAYtrain® and our unique playgroups here.     

Q: When is my dog going to move to a different playgroup?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer—and that’s by design. Every dog has their own unique personality, play style, and social confidence, and our PLAYtrain® Specialists are here to, you guessed it, meet your pup exactly where they’re at.    

We carefully observe each dog’s comfort level, confidence, and communication skills in group settings to determine when (or if) transitioning to a new playgroup is the right move. While your dog might enjoy playing with the neighbor pup or siblings at home, our daycare group play is a different dynamic altogether—it’s structured, fast-paced, and full of energy from a wide range of personalities and play styles.    

When we feel a pup is showing signs they may be ready for a new group, we introduce the transition gradually and intentionally. They’ll start their day in their regular group, and later, a team member will calmly walk them into a new playgroup for a short trial. This first impression matters—a lot.    

Imagine walking into a party where everyone turns to greet you at once! It might feel slightly overwhelming or intimidating. Dogs can feel the same way, and our goal is always to avoid overwhelm and ensure that new introductions are smooth, confident, and positive.    

If your pup shows comfort and appropriate social behavior during this trial, we’ll continue testing these “half-days” for a short period until they’re ready to make the full transition. Our Specialists monitor each interaction closely, taking detailed notes and adjusting plans as needed to make sure every dog is placed in a group where they will thrive.    

While there’s no guaranteed timetable for changing groups, consistency in attendance is one of the best ways to support your dog’s social growth and increase their likelihood of graduating into a new group. That’s why we offer several cost-effective daycare options to keep pups coming regularly!   

🐾 Our PLAYtrain® Package lets you pre-pay for 11 visits and get the 12th free.

 🐾 For our more frequent visitors, our monthly memberships offer big savings and VIP perks across daycare and select Resort services.    

Whether your pup stays in the same group or moves to a new one, our PLAYtrain® team is constantly evaluating and curating playgroups to keep the experience balanced, safe, and positive for every dog.    

Q: Is there a way to save on daycare visits?

Yes! We offer a few different options for savings and VIP perks:    

  • PLAYtrain® Package: Buy 11 days of daycare, get the 12th free.

  • Monthly Memberships: Pre-pay for 20 days and receive 7% off select services all month long.

Our PLAYtrain® packages and memberships are a great way for frequent visitors to enjoy more playtime—while their humans enjoy extra savings.    

Bonus Q: Why do you call it PLAYtrain®?

Because we believe in play with purpose. PLAYtrain® is all about combining fun with structure—ensuring dogs have a blast while also reinforcing healthy behaviors and social skills. You’ll see motivational training techniques used throughout the day, even during pick-up and drop-off (like automatic sits at doorways or practicing calm greetings). Every interaction is a teachable moment.   

 Still have questions? We're happy to help!  

Talk to any of our PLAYtrain® Specialists or Client Care team members, follow us on social media, and ask about our bi-monthly Nutrition Seminars and our Health4PETS® Extras like report card add-ons at the front desk. At JM Pet Resort, your dog’s day is our top priority—and we’re so glad to be part of their story.