We are not just all day play - At Paws At Play, your pet will be well cared for by our dedicated, caring trained staff. Our goal is to create a fun and safe environment where pets love to come and play and where owners can confidently place their trust in our standards of care. At Paws At Play, unlike traditional doggie daycare centers, we are not just an energy outlet but a place that dogs come to learn, build more confidence, and experience mental exercise. We incorporate real life skills that we feel are important to reduce stress and add balance to their everyday lives. We want your dog to learn something new every day while they are in our care. We will encourage walking on different surfaces, exposure to water, the ability and patience to wait at entryways and doors, appropriate play styles between dogs, and reinforcing obedience.
THE TRADITIONAL DAYCARE MODEL Traditional doggy daycare models consist of large groups of dogs. This can lead to overstimulation, escalated arousal which leads to aggressive behavior, tired and stressed out staff, and an exhausted dog. Many dogs don’t fare well in a large group environment (just like lots of people), causing the dog to simply retreat or become frustrated or aggressive within a play space.
Large groups are also harder to control. Free play time becomes frenzied as dogs have free reign in a frat-like party atmosphere. This can lead to injuries for both the dogs and staff. Dogs may return home overtired or overstimulated after a long day away.
THE ENRICHMENT MODEL Daycare that is considered enriching utilizes smaller groups of 8-10 to enhance social interaction between other dogs and their human caretakers. This allows for a variety of balanced play and learning, as well as deeper bonds between the animals and staff.
When a dog is in an enhanced daycare, the use of games and puzzles to stimulate and teach brings structure and stability for both dogs and staff. Dogs may learn to begin resting when given a certain puzzle or toy. They will also be taught social manners through play. In structured and free play, dogs may be introduced to engaging spaces like water, sand, or playground equipment built especially for canine exercise.
In an enriching daycare setting dogs are given enough quality rest time, which is key to their emotional and physical health. Injuries from overstimulated play are virtually non-existent and staff have more time to personalize interactions with their doggy crew when they’re left to care for a smaller group.
BENEFITS OF ENRICHMENT With balanced activities versus busy time, an enriching daycare for dogs balances rest and play in a way that creates a more harmonious pet. Relational quality between dogs and their owners is enhanced when their pet thrives in their own space.
Small playgroups allow for more positive interaction between staff and pets, leaving pet parents confident that their pooch will thrive after they come for pickup. Enriching daycares also acknowledge that shorter unstructured play times actually lead to better play. When integrated with rest time and skill training, these experiences better the dog in both mind and body.
The Paws At Play Experience Want to learn more about what an enhanced daycare has to offer your furry best friend? At Paws At Play provides a safe place where dogs can play in small groups and learn life skills while you’re away. With lots of outdoor space for your pups to run and play, our enriching doggy daycare is part of a multi-service facility for four-legged and two-legged friends to relax, learn, play, and stay.