Daycare Activities & Playtime
Group Play, is it good or bad?
On this page you will see group play activities and Daycare guests engaged in play activities. Group Play is only done at the owner's request. Please read the entire page, there is some important information.
A normal part of our service for overnight guests includes your pet going outdoors into an individual outdoor area for fresh air, exercise and to relieve themselves. Anytime it is over 65 degrees they are free to go in and out as they please, the vast majority of the year, those doors are left open allowing that freedom.
With the popularity of dog parks and participation in socialization classes at an all time high, some dogs, not all, have become quite the "social butterflies". If you would like your dog to participate in group activity and play time, there are a few requirements.
You must be candid regarding your pet's personality. He or She must be "social" to other dogs of either sex. This means your pet has had experience in group play or has been to puppy classes, obedience classes or dog parks gaining experience in a social situations. There are some facilities that assume all pets will get along, until disaster strikes.
In our opinion Play Group is GREAT, however we recognize that not all dogs can participate...we cannot stress how important it is for a knowledgeable person to evaluate your pet.
There have been many dogs seriously injured by improper supervision and mixing of dogs that should not have been mixed. Group Play is not a concept that is suitable for all pets. A dog's relationship with other dogs and humans can be very complex. We have spent decades getting into their heads. We will evaluate every individual prior to allowing them to participate in group play. If your pet prefers not to, or by nature cannot participate in group play, and would rather be with people, that's ok with us, we will gladly be his playmate. Individual or Group activities are always supervised by handlers, we are the pack leaders. As the leader we assume the role of leader and gain the respect of the dogs. This insight is both instinctual and a learned skill from years of handling dogs, not by trial and error.
Group play consists of 5-7 dogs, divided into size, energy & age appropriate groups. This means, an 11 year old dog will not be put into a group with 3 year olds. They will not be compatible. The same is true with large breeds and small breeds. Also, many dogs have not been as exposed to social dog packs and do not like the ritual butt sniffing or mounting and will take offence. That aversion can result in defensive mechanisms kicking in. When a dog goes defensive in a pack situation things can escalate and get ugly pretty quickly.
There are fetch and chase games, in the summer there is pool time. There are slides and play structures to climb on, and yes they do go on them! Session times are determined by weather. If it is nice and the dogs are enjoying their time, we will leave them out. If it is cold or too warm, times may be shorter, but more often. Enjoy a few pictures below.
click photos to enlarge for a better view!
Play time is all year round! Of course we monitor paws and make sure that nobody is exposed for to long. All pets participating get free baths before going home. Summer or Winter Playtime is fun for all!
Rascal, Buster, Rez & Roxie! Farra, Teddy & Louie littermates, from different families that came to stay with us at the same time! Puppy socialization is so important, it builds confidence and you can rest assured that a well socialized puppy gets along well with everyone!
Puppy pools are a favorite! As are the playscapes the dogs DO go up and down the slides! Barney and Ozzie, two regulars that really enjoy their stays with us! We agree with the principals of Cesar Millan, a well exercised pet, in a disciplined environment, with affection and clear recognition of who the pack leader is, builds lasting stable relationships between our canine friends AND their caregivers. |Fetch Reservations|
If you should have any questions please feel free to contact our office. 586-293-1429
If you do not request the additional playtime for your pet that does not mean that he/she will be cooped up or in a cage, our guests have access to their individual outdoor run several times throughout the day as part of our regular service.
All pets that participate in group play get a complimentary bath before going home!
Special Offers! FETCH RESERVATIONS!! Online Tour Rates Business Hours Daycare Special!
YOUTUBE DOGS! Training Up North Weather Daycare Requirements
