Holiday Dog Boarding, Flu Vaccine Daycare Requirement, 2026 Pricing, Food Drive, and more!

Hello Dojo Family,

I hope you’re all doing well. Can you believe it’s already November? I sure can’t — but I’m excited to be entering the holiday season.

As promised, I’m reaching out to share some important Dojo updates. We have a lot happening, including new flooring, vaccine policy updates, holiday boarding availability, 2026 pricing, and more.

New Flooring

We’re so happy with our new floors. They’re seamless and non-porous, which makes it much easier to keep the space clean and sanitized. The pups really seem to love it, too.

Dog Flu Vaccine Update

As mentioned in our previous update, beginning January 1, 2026, all pups will be required to have the Dog Flu vaccine in order to participate in daycare, boarding, and grooming.

This was not a decision we took lightly. Your dogs’ health and safety always come first. Last year, many pups across Chicago — including some here at the Dojo — faced upper respiratory infections. We consulted with trusted veterinarians, and they agreed that this vaccine provides additional meaningful protection.

We understand some of you may have received different guidance from your veterinarian. We hear you, and we will provide waivers when appropriate, especially when recommended by your vet. Our goal is to keep every Dojo dog healthy and safe.

As we enter peak cold and flu season, please continue to be mindful and keep pups at home if they are showing signs of illness. Thank you for helping us maintain a healthy environment for everyone.

Thanksgiving and Holiday Boarding

We have added additional staff support and are able to accept a few more Thanksgiving week boarding reservations. Christmas is right around the corner and is already filling quickly, so please submit reservation requests as soon as possible.

November Food Drive + Whistlemania

Throughout November, we are collecting food donations for the Irving Park Food Pantry. We understand that times are challenging for many families, and we deeply appreciate any support you are willing and able to provide.

We also want to extend a huge thank-you to everyone who attended our Whistlemania event this past weekend. Together, we assembled nearly 800 whistle kits—an incredible show of teamwork and compassion from our Dojo community.

At The Dojo, we do not believe in aggression or conflict over borders or imaginary lines. We recognize that everyone holds their own views on immigration, and we respect that. What we cannot support is the cruelty displayed by some federal agents toward vulnerable individuals.

In light of that, we’ve made whistle kits available in our lobby for anyone who needs one.

Our Dojo family continues to demonstrate kindness, empathy, and generosity in so many ways. Thank you for always showing up for others and helping us strengthen our community. A special shout out to Lucy and Bernie's family for coordinating the event.

2026 Pricing

Our 2026 pricing will be announced in the coming weeks and will include a modest rate increase.

However, current clients will have the opportunity to lock in their existing daycare pricing through 2026. Any client who has a membership on autopay, or signs up for one before the end of the year, will retain their current rate into the new year.

This applies to all daycare memberships and prepaid packages. Please note that autopay must remain active to hold the rate. If it is paused or canceled, the grandfathered pricing will no longer apply.

If you prefer to move to the 2026 pricing instead, simply let us know and we will assist you.

Thank you again for your support and for being part of the Dojo family. We truly appreciate you and your pups.

With love,

Oscar + The Dojo Team