Safety is our top priority

In Massachusetts, Ollie's Law requires all dogs six months of age and older are required to wear both a rabies tag and a dog license tag when attending daycare. 

• What it is: Issued by your veterinarian, this tag confirms that your dog has received a current rabies vaccination.
• Why it matters: Rabies vaccination is a legal requirement and a critical step in preventing the spread of this deadly disease.
   

• What it is: Issued by your local town or city, this tag registers your dog with the municipality. 
• Why it matters: Licensing helps local governments track dog populations, enforce animal control laws, and quickly reunite lost pets with their owners.
   

• Rabies Tag: Provided by your veterinarian at the time of vaccination.
• Dog License Tag: Apply through your local town or city hall (check their website for forms and fees).
   

• Failure to properly license your dog can result in municipal fines and will suspend your dog's ability to attend daycare.
• Both tags should be securely attached to your dog’s collar at all times.

At The Whispering Wolf, we believe there’s no such thing as a bad breed. We proudly welcome dogs of all breeds, sizes, and ages. Our goal is to ensure every dog is happy and feels safe and comfortable in our care.

To support this, we’ve developed a thoughtful, three-tiered assessment process designed to evaluate each dog’s social temperament, energy level, and basic training before joining one of our play groups.

Step 1: Meet & Greet
This initial meeting lets both you and your dog visit our site and explore. It provides us a chance to introduce ourselves and explain The Whispering Wolf philosophy—what we like to call a "Bark-essori" approach. We prioritize healthy socialization, outdoor play, and letting dogs just be dogs in a safe, structured environment.

We’ll observe your dog’s comfort level, body language, and behavior. Behaviors that may raise concern at this stage include:

• Obsessive barking
• Baring teeth
• Extreme reluctance to walk or be handled
• Cowering behind you for the majority of the interaction

 Step 2: A scheduled 1/2 Day Trial Visit with a Small Group
Next, your dog will spend time with a small, mixed group of very friendly and submissive dogs. This allows us to assess your dog’s response to a calm, controlled pack environment. 

 Step 3: A scheduled Full Day Trial Visit with a Larger Pack
If Step 2 goes well, we’ll introduce your dog to a larger play group to further evaluate how they interact during active pack play. 

Throughout this process, we assess:

• Social temperament
• Basic training and responsiveness
• Energy level and play style 

During trial visits, we closely monitor your dog for signs of fear or aggression, including:

Signs of Fear:

• Hiding from other dogs or staff
• Standing by the exit for extended periods
• Persistent whining or barking

Signs of Aggression:

• Baring teeth or growling at non-aggressive dogs
• Snapping or charging
• Mounting or displaying signs of extreme dominance
   

Pack play isn't the right fit for every dog—and that's okay! If your dog shows signs that they're not comfortable in a group setting, we’ll let you know and may recommend alternate care options. This does not mean that there is anything wrong with your dog. They just may be better suited to one-on-one social time or quieter environments. Our goal is to create the best experience possible for every dog in our care—social, safe, and stress-free.

 The Whispering Wolf does not allow intact males over the age of 6 months or intact females over the age of 8 months to participate in our play sessions. Intact dogs (both males and females) can disrupt a peaceful play environment and display negative behaviors.

WHAT NEGATIVE BEHAVIORS?

• Leg-lifting and marking
• Fixation on a non-dominant, usually smaller dog: Think how you would feel having a large stranger follow you around constantly and not providing you any space for 5 hours straight!
• Excessive Humping: Self-explanatory, but when an intact dog humps the wrong dog it leads to fighting. 
• Tennis ball and water bowl aggression: We have plenty of both here so chances are when a fight breaks out over a tennis ball or a water dish an intact dog is usually at the center,

THIS DOES NOT MEAN YOUR DOG IS BAD!
On the contrary, your dog is lovely and we adore them, however, 7 months is the age that most dogs reach their sexual maturity.

ADDITIONAL REASONS:

• Intact males and females pose a risk of unwanted pregnancy!
• Intact females can cause fighting among competitive suitors whether the suitors are intact or not. They just smell THAT good.

FEMALES IN HEAT

If a female goes into heat while at daycare, we will separate her from the pack and ask you to come and get her as soon as possible.

General: The Whispering Wolf, LLC is owned and operated by Jen Wight.  Location: The physical location for The Whispering Wolf is 51 Brattle Street, Arlington, Massachusetts. Telephone: The phone number for The Whispering Wolf is 617-642-WOLF (9653). Business Hours: The hours of operation are to ensure staff has adequate time to provide a safe and clean environment for all dogs in our care. The Whispering Wolf is open Monday thru Friday 7:30am-5:30pm for daycare operations. Saturdays and Sundays we are open occasionally for special training or event purposes. Holiday Hours: The Whispering Wolf is closed on most major holidays. Additionally, we reserve the right to close for inclement weather especially when the public schools choose to close due to unsafe road conditions. Evacuation Protocol: In case of emergency, The Whispering Wolf is equipped with a security and fire alarm system. Should an evacuation be necessary, all owners will be notified to pick up their pets as soon as reasonably possible. For pets that are not able to be pick up, The Whispering Wolf will provide reasonable services depending on the situation. The Whispering Wolf is not responsible for injury or death that occurs as a result of natural weather occurrences for pets that remain in our care.  Emergency Services: The Whispering Wolf does not provide veterinarian services. In case of an emergency, pets will be brought to VEG (Veterinary Emergency Group) at 357-359 Fresh Pond Pkwy, Cambridge, MA 02138. All charges incurred are the responsibility of the pet owner. The Whispering Wolf is not responsible for injuries that occur as a result of daycare play.  

• All dogs accepted into daycare must pass a  3-tiered assessment including a Meet & Greet, ½ Trial Day and Full Trial Day to ensure they are a proper fit for the daycare setting.
• All dogs must provide proper documentation of vaccinations before joining a play group for assessment.
• All dogs must arrive to daycare with both a current Rabies and Town License tag (Per Ollie’s Law). We reserve the right to deny admission to any dog who arrives without both tags. 
• All dogs must remain current on Rabies, Distemper/Parvo and Bordetella vaccines. We reserve the right to deny admission to any dog if their vaccines are not current. Please be aware that the Bordetella vaccine takes several days to be effective. It is your responsibility to bring your dog’s vaccination records from a licensed veterinarian at enrollment and each time your dog’s vaccines are renewed. Vaccines that are not administered by a veterinarian cannot be accepted because we cannot confirm the proper dosage, storage, and administration of those vaccines.
• We do not accept intact males over 6 months and unaltered females over 8 months for services. Unaltered females cannot be in heat. Should a female in our care go into heat during their stay, they will be required to be picked up by their owner or emergency contact.
• All dogs attending and participating in pack play should be in overall good health and must be fit to play in an active environment. Dogs that have hearing conditions can be successful in pack play, but dogs with vision impairments are generally not comfortable in a group of dogs. If your dog has hip or joint conditions, or other physical conditions, please discuss them with your veterinarian before your dog participates in pack play. Please let us know if your dog has any health issues.
• Fleas: All dogs attending The Whispering Wolf are required to be free of fleas and ticks and be on a monthly flea treatment. If a dog is found to have fleas and/or ticks, we will attempt to contact you regarding options, and the dog will be placed in isolation until picked up for the day. 
• Check-in/Check-Out: Dogs will only be released to the owner or to persons identified prior to pick up by the owner via written consent (email or text).
• Leash: For the safety of our staff, customers, clients, volunteers and visitors, all dogs are required to enter and exit the facility on-leash. It is the owner's responsibility to ensure that the leash fits properly and isn't too loose.

• Food and treats are not administered for daycare attendees unless arrangements are previously made.
•  All meals, treats, or medications requested by the owner will be administered to dogs in a private area, away from other dogs, to ensure safety and prevent food-related conflicts. 
• We do stock house food and that can be administered for $5/feeding. Please be sure all food is brought in a labelled, sealable, disposable container.  The Whispering Wolf is not responsible for the loss, damage, or cleaning of any containers or personal items (including food bowls, tupperware, etc.) brought into daycare. 
• Medication is only administered with proper documentation, per the instructions documented. The Whispering Wolf does not supply medication or keep a supply of medication outside of basic first aid supply. Medication must be brought in the original packaging with the prescribed instructions included. Please also bring pill pockets, cheese, peanut butter or any other items that set your dog up for success when taking their medications.

Cleaning & Maintenance Policy

To ensure the safety, cleanliness, and well-being of every dog in our care, The Whispering Wolf maintains strict cleaning protocols for all areas of the facility.

Outdoor Cleaning & Maintenance

• The play yard, bio-break spot, and walking areas are continuously monitored during use for dangerous debris, evidence of wildlife, and feces.
• Artificial turf, agility equipment, and toys are sanitized weekly.
• Water bowls are collected and thoroughly cleaned at the end of each day.

Indoor Cleaning & Maintenance

• Playrooms are spot-cleaned as needed throughout the day and fully cleaned once daily.
• Bedding, agility equipment, and toys are sanitized weekly.
• Water bowls are collected and cleaned daily.

General Cleaning Responsibilities

• General cleaning is performed as needed throughout the facility.
• All employees share responsibility for maintaining a clean, safe, and healthy environment for the pets in our care.

Outbreak Protocols

In the event of an outbreak of communicable illnesses such as Kennel Cough, Canine Influenza, Parvovirus, or Papillomavirus (common in puppies); The Whispering Wolf reserves the right to close unexpectedly for up to 48 hours to conduct a thorough deep-clean of all indoor and outdoor areas before reopening.

• Majority of the day is spent in play groups, aka packs. Packs are divided mostly based on age, size, ability and energy levels as determined by the assessment process. Additional consideration is given for temperament, individual requests and special circumstances.
• The Whispering Wolf has three indoor play areas and a large, fenced in outdoor area. These spaces are designed to provide safe, comfortable, and enriching environments for all dogs in our care.

• Daycare payment is due at the time of pickup and can be paid in person using cash or check. Online payment is available through Venmo or via Square with a credit card. 
• To maintain the safety of the pets in our care, The Whispering Wolf does not take walk ins. Reservations made 24 hours in advance are encouraged. When you make a reservation in advance,  you will receive a confirmation via email. 
• Same day reservations can be requested, but may be denied if we do not have availability.
• Cancellations must be made 24 hours in advance. Same day cancellations will be charged the full price.

• While we pledge to provide a safe, healthy environment for our employees and dogs, we do acknowledge that bites and injuries can occur. We will provide basic first aid as needed. If further care is required, we will follow our emergency protocol.  The Whispering Wolf is not responsible for any injury as a result of dog play or your dog being in a group environment.
• Risks: While we strive to achieve a safe environment for all dogs, we cannot prevent accidents, injuries, illnesses or changes in behavior. When you bring your dog to The      Whispering Wolf, you accept these risks and you release The Whispering Wolf and its staff from all liability arising from the occurrence of such events. In addition, The Whispering Wolf will not pay for vet bills if your dog becomes sick or is injured while with us.
• While we do our best to supervise all activity, The Whispering Wolf cannot prevent injuries and accidents 100%. While accidents and injuries can occur at any time, there is a greater risk of an accident or injury if a dog participates in group play. Our group play is well staffed and our playroom supervisors are trained, but they are working with live animals that can be unpredictable. Dogs can sometimes receive puncture wounds or cuts, scratches, broken nails, sore paw pads, sprains or other injuries in group play. You need to be sure that you are comfortable with this prior to choosing group play for your dog. Also, it is important to check over your dog after they have participated in group play. While our staff checks over all the dogs in our care daily, punctures and cuts can sometimes be missed and can sometimes happen without our staff’s awareness. Even a small cut or puncture can become infected or cause more serious issues if not cleaned and properly cared for. It is your responsibility to closely check your dog for any injuries and to ensure that they receive the proper care.
• The Whispering Wolf reserves the right to discontinue a dog’s daycare membership if they are determined to be the primary aggressor in any altercation, or if their behavior poses a risk to the safety of other dogs or our staff.
• All witnessed incidents involving aggression or injury will be documented and reported to the dog’s owner as well as to the Arlington Animal Control Officer, in accordance with local regulations.

Photos, videos and webcam footage of the dogs, staff or clients may be used on the website, social media, lobby displays or in other marketing material. You consent to our use of your or your dog’s image, likeness and name in such marketing materials. All photos, video and webcam images are the property of The Whispering Wolf.

• The Whispering Wolf is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on age, race, orientation, religion or sex.
• Employment with The Whispering Wolf is at will and can be terminated at any time, for any reason.
• The Whispering Wolf does not guarantee hours. Schedules are subject to change at any time.

Dogs considered abandoned (dogs left over the course of several days without proper arrangements and payment for such arrangements) will be placed with a local rescue group to find a suitable and loving home. You understand and agree that if you abandon your dog, you may be unable to retrieve the possession of your dog and will have no recourse against The Whispering Wolf.