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What makes us different?
We have hands-on, supervised play groups.
We have a ratio of 1 person for every 10 dogs. Our playgroups for small or older dogs average
8 or fewer dogs, and our playgroups for large dogs average 5 to 6 dogs. We take a very hands on approach to supervising the playgroups. The dogs are allowed to play and have fun while we actively observe and guide the dogs to help them make positive choices and respect their playmates. We also interact with every dog to check for anything out of the ordinary, brush their fur, or give them affection, if they enjoy that, to encourage a positive relationship with being handled.
We customize our play groups every day.
We compose customized groups every day based on our knowledge of each dog’s play style,
size, age, and energy level. We have 5 to 8 different play groups a day depending on their various needs, with at least one person supervising each group. After each pick-up window, we re-customize the groups to suit the needs of the dogs who are with us all day. Our goal is to make sure every dog has their best possible day with dog friends that they are most fond of.
We have multiple outdoor play spaces in addition to indoor shelter.
We have large outdoor play spaces that can accommodate plenty of running and zoomies.
Our yards also provide lots of opportunities for dogs to find their own rhythm, especially if they
prefer to do lots of sniffing and lounging while their friends run around. We often leave the
doors open from the yards to an indoor common area, so dogs can rotate themselves inside as they see fit, with human supervision of course! There are plenty of water bowls inside the rooms, kennels, and outside in each yard that are rinsed and replenished often.
In summer… We have grass, shade, and indoor spaces where we can rotate playgroups in
hot or monsoon weather. We keep all walkable surface areas cool by rinsing them often to keep sensitive paws safe, plus multiple splash pools and misters to keep dogs feeling refreshed.
In winter… The dogs love the cooler weather! We actually see an uptick in activity in the cold
months. For those dogs who are smaller or have less hair, we have space heaters, blankets, loads of beds, and plenty of access to indoor and sheltered spaces.
We don’t encourage nonstop play all day, and here’s why:
Structured rest times are important because they teach the dogs how to get more intune with their body’s needs. A fast moving brain that is allowed to ramp itself up incessantly will never slow down enough to notice feelings like thirst, bathroom needs, or fatigue until the dog is completely exhausted or over its threshold. We aim to help the dogs develop their emotional health by having them rest for short times near familiar companions who lead calmness by example. Treats may also be used to create some ease by rewarding the dogs when we put them up for rest. Over time, excitable dogs learn to find their “off” switch and become better stewards of their own overall health.
For puppies, it’s not good for their growth plates and developing cardiovascular system to exercise too much. In general, it's recommended to limit play to 5 minutes per month of age, twice a day. For example, if your puppy is 5 months old, they should only be exercising for 50 minutes a day to prevent injury. For more information on this topic, visit this website: https://www.purina.co.nz/articles/dogs/puppy/play/puppy-exercise
We advocate for the dogs.
Progress takes time and effort, which we are happy to give the dogs in our care. We focus on
what progress looks like for the dogs as individuals. Like humans, dogs can be extroverted or
introverted; they don’t all learn at the same rate; they don’t all react to their environment the
same way. It’s very important to meet them where they’re at, so we use our expertise to
determine what a dog can handle. This includes the length of time they can be at daycare
during the day and the types of dogs they can interact with. We work with our human clients to
make sure their dogs are accommodated as much as reasonably possible, and to have the
socialization and progress made at daycare reinforced at home. It's a priority of ours to collaborate with our clients to help their dogs succeed.
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