Our Pursuit of Enrichment for Doggy Daycare

One of our primary goals at K9 Club is to elevate what we have seen and experienced as a dog’s traditional experience at daycare. We’ve accomplished this by implementing enrichment-based programs for all levels of care throughout our facility. In contrast with a traditional daycare model, when a dog is introduced at K9 Club, careful measures are taken to ensure that your dog is engaged in environments that are designed to specifically elicit the behaviors we want to encourage. These behaviors include sitting at doorways, off-leash recalls, and sitting still for grooming. Our facility has been designed with the assistance of noted industry experts to ensure we provide the dog’s entrusted to our care space to explore, build confidence and interact safely with other dogs.

Just as important, the foundation of our staff training is to instill confidence and leadership, resulting in staff that can properly recognize when to allow dogs to interact with each other, and when to become engaged by eliciting, and then reinforcing a desired behavior. With this system, basic physical needs are met, but new puppies and adult dogs alike are also engaged in positive learning…both passively and actively throughout the day.

Whether your dog participates in our small-group off-leash play program or personal play programs, our focus is providing enrichment activities in a safe and nurturing environment.

Our Vision

We have an appetite to grow…to provide something that is substantial, more meaningful, experiences that are intentional and deliberate…offering todays’s companion dog more than an average life. We owe it to them.

There’s No Way Around It – Dogs Need Space to Be Dogs

By nature, dogs do not like picking fights or engaging in highly stressful or aroused environments. They would rather move away than continue in a confrontation. However, when they are not given the opportunity to have ample space and a healthy managed environment, this can attribute to stress. For most dogs (some breeds more than others) it is normal for them to seek control of their environment, even if it includes engaging in very aggressive behavior.

By providing off-leash, small group enriched play programs delivered by carefully trained staff, we are able to provide a safe, thoughtful and healthy stay for your dog. By fostering our small group concept, our staff have the opportunity to engage deliberately with the dogs to facilitate their acquisition of positive behaviors and new skills. As a result, dogs learn how to interact harmoniously with other dogs and our staff members.

Both indoor and outdoor spaces are outfitted with carefully selected products and staff-administered programs designed to provide your dog a stimulating and blended day filled with both physical and mental exercises. Our play group curriculum is designed to be delivered to a minimal group size, allowing staff to effectively interact with each group. Groups will rotate throughout the day from a group room to individual kennels. Kennel time affords the dog some alone time with a puzzle toy, one-on-one attention for play or a massage from a staff member, snack time, or a rest period. Our entire facility is complete with a audio system providing soft and soothing classical music selected specifically for dogs. To add additional comfort during rest time, our lighting systems allows us to dim the lights for a cosy ambience.

The Importance of Positive Reinforcement

A common practice we have seen demonstrated in the dog daycare industry is the use of spray bottles and noisemakers to gain control of a deemed undesired behavior. We consider this type of approach to be a negative interaction. This teaches them that they will only stop this particular undesired behavior when compelled to do so with a squirt bottle or noisemaker. At K9 Club, our approach is to instill positive reinforcement which technically speaking is “a consequence of some particular behavior that makes that particular behavior more likely to happen again”. For example, suppose you give your dog a treat for lying down on cue. The treat has now positively reinforced lying down. So can squirt bottles be a part of positive reinforcement behavior? Nope…not unless the dog likes the water spray and the spray makes him more likely to repeat the behavior you responded to with spraying. While we do not provide formal dog training, we do promote addressing adverse behavior in ways that promote the health and mindfulness of all dogs that stay with using positive and encouraging approaches.

Small Group Off-Leash Play Programs

The foundation of our small group off-leash play programs is structure. Sessions are timed and include:

• A staff member / dog ratio of no more than 1:12 during group session times
• The use of FitPAWS® and Blue-9™ equipment designed to tone up your dog’s body, increase core strength, stabilize weak areas, improve body awareness, coordination, range of motion, confidence, our bond with your dog, and more.
• Buddy play
• Time outdoors in our 2,600 sq. ft. play area designed with the use of K9 Grass®, an agility course, and a popuri of adorable dog houses.
• Chill time accompanied with a puzzle toy, treat, one-on-one time with a staff member
• Nap time

FitPAWS® and Blu-9™

We can even add a massage to your dog’s stay! We use the Pet Stick®, invented specifically for pet use. The Pet Stick® decreases muscle stiffness and increases range of joint motion.

Massage for Fun

• Promotes softer, more glossy coats
• Relaxes and calms hyperactivity
• Promotes socialization and trust
• Provides passive exercise

Massage for Therapy

• Decreases muscle stiffness and increases range of joint motion
• Helps ease pain and increase comfort
• Promotes circulation
• Relieves muscle tension and soreness

Massage for Performance

• Increases muscle tone, stamina and elasticity
• Enhances joint movement and gait
• Facilitates posture and balance
• Makes muscles feel better, work harder, last longer and recover faster

Please see our À La Carte Menu for all offerings to further personalize your pet’s stay with us.

Private WebCams

We have cameras in all of our indoor and outdoor play areas. Our cameras are password protected and can only be viewed by pet parent’s who currently have a pet that is checked in with us.

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Small Group Off-Leash Play

Full Day Daycare Pricing

 

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Requirements and Vaccinations

• Behavior assessment  to ensure that we make the best placement decisions for your pet during his / her stay
• Female dogs over 6 months old must be spayed
• Male dogs over 8-9 months old must be neutered
• Rabies – 1 or 3 year
• DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza)
• Leptospirosis – administered yearly and bolstered if your dog is not current
• Bordetella -annually and administered at least 10 days prior to check-in to ensure maximum efficiency and protection against kennel cough
• Canine Influenza – recommended, but we will defer to your vet’s recommendation
• Fecal exam – required every 12 months
• Heartworm exam – required every 12 months

Cancellation Policy

We do understand that sometimes the best laid plans can change. If you need to cancel your reservation for an upcoming stay, please call us at (248) 250-9838.  Cancellations made prior to 48 hours of check-in will not be charged.  Cancellations made with 48 hours of check-in will be charged the full rate.  No-shows will also be charged the full rate.

Daycare Reservations

Daycare for your pet may be scheduled by contacting us at (248) 250-9838 or by clicking the Request Reservation button.

Request A Reservation