DayCare - Program Guidelines

What is Canine DayCare?
 

DayCare is kenneling, supervised play sessions and minor training. The goal of Canine DayCare is to safely socialize and build up the dog’s confidence by rewarding him for acting calm and friendly in a variety of situations. The focus is on positive interactions (with people and other dogs).  DayCare is intended to help pet parents prevent behavior problems at home, provide dogs an enriched environment during the day, and to provide positive  socialization learning.

 

Who Attends Canine DayCare?

 

IMPORTANT DayCare Safety Recommendation:  Only offer Doggie DayCare to dogs that have attended puppy parties, socialization classes and participated in DayCare prior to four months old so that you know the dogs in DayCare and have learned reliable canine social skills. Only dogs of known, reliable temperament are eligible for DayCare.

What is Canine Recess?

Dogs can hang out in large runs by themselves or with their friends for DayCare. Recess provides added positive play and exercise for DayCare dogs. Play sessions require a skilled professional who knows how to put dogs into play groups who are matched by similar ages and temperament. Basic temperament categories include: Fearful, Confused, Independent, and Friendly. 

Recess occurs when a qualified professional (can be a skilled volunteer) can provide direct supervision.  If any dog gets too worked up (arousal rate goes to high) the qualified supervisor needs to interrupt play (in a jolly, relaxed manner) to give the dog who is worked up a short time out.  Once the dog is calmed, the dog may return to play. During recess the supervisor can throw balls to increase fun and exercise.

Listen to, Canine Jolly Routine

Recess is only for dogs who do not show aggression. Off leash play (recess) can be done in a fenced yard area. For small dogs, an exam room or large run can provide play and canine company.

To check for compatibility, walk two dogs together in a parallel fashion and watch their body language.  You can also allow dogs to meet with chain link between them to see how they respond to each other.

Listen to, Canine Leash Aggression

IMPORTANT TIP:  For dogs who tend to get too worked up or if unsure, leave the leash hooked to collar so that you can always pick up the leash to interrupt play.

DayCare Rules

Dogs or puppies should not be fed before coming to DayCare so t hey will be more responsive to food treats for training. Families should try to walk and allow dogs to eliminate before coming to DayCare, unless toilet training is a DayCare objective. Some dogs prefer a surface at home, or do not understand that different surfaces may be used for elimination.
 
Food Rewards

Food treats can be used to reward anything and everything we want from the dog. Use small pieces (size of Raison) of beef jerky or freeze dried liver. If the dog is fearful or aggressive, don’t give a treat when observing these behaviors. As time passes, the dog may become relaxed. Give small treats for acting relaxed. Give treats for following instructions such as  sit, down, wait, watch. Insist the dog sit before exiting a run or door and before being released to off leash play.

Take the dog on a veterinary hospital "field trip" to associate getting treats with being in an exam room, sitting on the scale, etc.

 

Behavioral Education

• Listen, Canine Drag Line

• Listen, 02 Learn to Earn - Attention

• Listen, 03 Learn to Earn - Greetings

• Listen, 04 Learn to Earn - Food

• Listen,05 Learn to Earn - Raise the Bar

• Listen, 06 Contented Confinement

• Listen, Puppy Gentling and Distraction Techniques

• Body Block Method - When dogs jump on people, the person needs to turn away and not give the dog any eye contact or physical touch. The person can give the instruction, "Sit" in a firm voice (with back turned). If dog sits, then turn back to the dog, crouch, put a thumb under the collar to prevent charging forward, give praise and a treat for sitting.