About Paws in the City

About Paws in the City

Paws in the City is a dog daycare and grooming business at "689 Maple Ave Holland, Michigan 49423",

owned by Tracy VanOpstall and her husband Dave. It describes itself as "a Boutique Dog Daycare".

Daycare hours are "M-F 7a-6p" with "Drop off between 7am-1pm", closed all major holidays and "the week

between Christmas and New Years". The site asks owners to email rather than call:

"Admittedly, we aren't great at answering the phone-we are usually to busy with the dogs!"

The facility

"Our facility has rubber floors for extra padding and traction while the pack plays. Salt lamps,

diffusers, and live plants are placed through the facility making the air quality better and cleaner.

Our outdoor area has a six foot tall fence, with the gate padlock closed, to ensure safety at all

times. There are separate play areas to accommodate temperament, energy level and size." Days are not

timetabled – "I believe in following the dogs lead, so we don't have set schedules" – and dogs are

always supervised.

Daycare is charged as "one set fee": "If your dog needs feeding during the day, medicines, or any

specialized care, its all included". Every dog goes home with "a homemade, all natural dog treat and

personal report card so you know how your dog spent their day". A free trial day is offered, subject to

the rules-to-play page.

Training

Two training options are published.

1. **Training added to a daycare reservation.** The owner chooses a command through the booking portal

and the trainer works the dog during the day. The site argues the setting is the point: "Working on

training while your dog is in a daycare facility provides a high distraction environment. If we can

get your dog to listen to commands while at daycare you have a much greater chance of your dog

listening to you at home!" Specifics published: "we offer basic obedience; sit, stay, come and

place", treats provided including options for dietary restrictions, "a detailed report card and

explanation of what the trainer worked with your dog on", take-home tips, video clips of the

session, and "20 minute training sessions are $25". The reason for the length is stated: "Most dogs

are mentally exhausted after 20 minutes, this is about as long as we can get them to pay attention!"

Some dogs are run as "two 10 minute training sessions" instead. Bookings are made in the portal by

choosing "train with Lauren" and the command to work on.

2. **Group classes**, which the owner attends with the dog, covering "the basic commands every dog

should know; sit, stay, come, place." Sign-up is via the portal or in person.

Admission policy

"We have more required vaccines than most daycares, and a zero tolerance policy for aggression. Not all

dogs are daycare dogs; but all dogs are good dogs! For some its simply to stimulating of an

environment."

Owner

Tracy VanOpstall writes that after "22 years in retail, I decided it was time to take a leap of faith

and take care of animals here on earth". She is at the daycare full time; Dave "works in the non profit

sector".