An individualized and inclusive approach to fulfilling your dog’s social, mental, and physical needs!

Our unique approach to Daycare focuses on Enrichment, designed to provide biologically-fulfilling activities to meet each dog’s social, mental, and physical needs.

Dogs of all ages, sizes, breeds, and temperaments* are welcome!

Daycare is available once a week on Wednesdays, with drop off between 7-9am and pick up between 4-6pm.
Dogs may attend on a recurring schedule (monthly, biweekly, weekly, etc.), or irregularly as space allows.

* Dogs must be able to be safely handled by daycare staff. Dogs with aggression or extreme fear towards people may need to complete training first.

What Makes Our Daycare Unique?

Standard Daycare Programs

  • Free-for-all playtime all day long is overwhelming and overstimulating for many dogs!

  • Large groups playing generally means dogs are not matched according to temperaments and playstyle, which can lead to conflict between normally social dogs

  • Frequently, there are 15+ dogs per one daycare attendant, which poses a safety concern when conflicts arise between dogs

  • Dogs cannot rest well during standard daycare, because other dogs playing interfere with their rest, leading to grumpy behavior

  • Frequently can create overexcitement, overstimulation, and frustration towards other dogs - increasing reactivity or “aggression”

  • Dogs who may be nervous, get easily overwhelmed, tire quickly, or only enjoy the company of certain dogs or small groups often do not enjoy free-for-all playtime that standard daycare program offer, which can lead to stress and behavioral issues

  • Many daycare programs are managed by staff with no behavior or training experience, so they may allow bad behaviors to be practiced, or may not notice signs of stress from your dog

  • Dogs must enjoy the company of other dogs in order to participate - no options are given for dogs who prefer individual activities

  • Generally, dogs are required to be a certain age, and usually are required to be spayed or neutered.

Enrichment-Based Daycare at Canine Initiative

  • Enrichment-based daycare allows us to individualize the program for what each individual dog needs!

  • Small group playtime is available for dogs who enjoy it, and groups are put together based on size, temperament, and playstyle, which leads to a much safer and more positive experience overall!

  • Group activities are limited to just 5 dogs at a time, under supervision from at least one attendant at all times. Plus, a second attendant is always nearby during group activities.

  • In between enrichment activities, dogs rest quietly in their crates, kennels, or on backties. Quality play plus quality rest makes for a well-balanced day!

  • Activities are balanced to promote both healthy, appropriate play between dogs, and also the ability to be calm and neutral towards other dogs, reducing overstimulation and reactivity/aggression.

  • Daycare staff all have training experience, are well versed in canine body language, and can recognize any areas of concern and recommend adjustments accordingly to ensure a positive experience for your dog!

  • Individual enrichment activities are available for dogs who do not enjoy the company of other dogs! As long as dogs are comfortable with daycare staff, any and all dogs can participate in our Enrichment-based Daycare program!

  • Dogs of any age are welcome, and dogs do not have to be spayed or neutered in order to participate! (Intact males and intact females will not be allowed in playgroups together.)

Daycare Options

  • "Cool Canine" Program

    20-30 Minutes of Enrichment per Day
    Typically 2-3 Sessions

    COST:
    $30/day
    $275 for Package of 10 Days

    This program is recommended for lower energy or more mature/senior dogs, or for situations where the other options don’t fit the owner’s budget, but the dog would still benefit from getting out of the house. It should result in a low energy dog feeling reasonably tired at the end of the day, and a moderate energy dog feeling satisfied. It is not likely enough activity to satisfy a high energy dog.

  • "Playful Pup" Program

    40-60 Minutes of Enrichment per Day
    Typically done in 2-5 Sessions

    COST:
    $40/day
    $350 for Package of 10 Days

    • Most Recommended •

    This program is most comparable to the level of activity an average dog would have during a standard free-play daycare program. It makes for a good day of play, which should result in dogs with moderate energy levels going home tired, and high energy dogs going home satisfied.

  • "Dynamic Dog" Program

    60-90 Minutes of Enrichment per Day
    Typically done in 3-6 Sessions

    COST:
    $50/day
    $425 for Package of 10 Days

    This program is a LOT of activity - enough to tire out even high drive, high energy dogs! It is best suited for high energy dogs who have a lot of stamina and benefit from lots of playtime and activity.

    NOTE: Dogs must be able to participate in group activities (play groups, pack walks, etc.) in order to be eligible for the Dynamic Dog program.

What is Enrichment?

Enrichment: the action of improving or enhancing the quality or value of something. We want to bring Enrichment to your dog’s life!

Did you know? Play is considered a biological necessity in both humans and canines, the same as food, water, and air. We cannot reach our true potential or feel fulfilled if we do not have elements of play in our lives.

There are many ways to play. Some dogs like searching for treats, other like a vigorous game of tug, or doing zoomies, or playing fetch. Some like to roughhouse and wrestle with other dogs, and some like to play “tag.”

There is no right or wrong way to play.

Our Enrichment-based Daycare program allows every dog to express themselves through their preferred style(s) of play and activity!

Types of Enrichment Activities

Owners may request specific enrichment activities, or leave it up to daycare staff discretion! Dogs may do multiple sessions of the same activity in a day if preferred.
If left to our discretion, we will select activities based on your dog’s temperament and preferences.

The list below is not necessarily exhaustive, but covers the majority of our standard Enrichment activities!

  • Play Groups

    Small groups of 2-5 dogs are paired together based on size, temperament, and playstyle, to gives dogs fun, balanced, safe, playful socialization experiences with their canine friends!

  • Pack Walks

    Structured leash walks which may include up to 2-5 dogs. Pack walks are a great opportunity for dogs to engage in a calm social activity! One of the most valuable social activities!

  • Solo Walks

    Individual structured walks are a great way to burn both physical and mental energy by providing activity that also promotes cooperative behavior, polite manners, and focus.

  • Hike/Sniffari

    Hikes or “sniffari” walks are typically done on a 15-50’ long leash. Dogs can lead the way, walk, run, sniff, explore, and just be a dog! Hikes may be done solo or with up to 3 dogs at a time.

  • Treadmill

    Our Dogpacer motorized Treadmill or Canine Customs dog-powered Slat Mill can be a great opportunity for dogs to burn off steam, especially in inclement weather!

  • Tug Games

    Dogs can play interactive games of tug either with daycare staff, or using our Spring Pole suspended tug toy setup! Tug is a great positive outlet for dogs who like to mock “fight.”

  • Ball Time

    Little balls, big balls, and everything in between! We can play fetch, catch, or let the dog pick their game!
    (Group ball time may be available as well, for dogs who don’t mind sharing.)

  • Flirt Pole

    A fast-paced game perfect for dogs with high prey drive! The flirt pole has a soft tug at the end, and the dog can chase, catch, and tug the toy to their heart’s content.

  • Food Puzzles

    Get your dog’s nose and brain engaged with a variety of different treat dispensing toys, food puzzles, and other food search games! A great opportunity for calm fun.

  • Tricks

    Simple trick training can be a great mental workout for your dog! Teaching your dog new things is an excellent way to build confidence and burn mental energy.

  • Obstacles

    Confidence building exercises, body awareness games, and simple agility obstacles can be a fun way to exercise your dog’s body while also developing body awareness and focus!

  • Weight Pull

    Resistance training (drag work) may be available for dogs who fit in my weight pull harness, or if owners have a weight pull harness. Weight pull is a great low-impact exercise activity.

  • Outings

    Trips to town, local parks, or pet-friendly public places may be available on occasion as time allows. Dogs must have good public manners and ride quietly crated in a vehicle.

  • Seasonal

    From pool time or trips to the lake for swimming in the summer, to playing in leaves in the fall, and snow play in the winter, there are a variety of seasonal activities dogs can enjoy!

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Daycare Requirements:

  • Dogs must be fully vaccinated to attend (rabies, parvovirus, distemper, and bordetella vaccines)

  • Dogs must be on flea/tick prevention and free of both internal and external parasites

  • Dogs must be physically sound, without any signs of pain, soreness, open wounds, stitches, etc.

  • All breeds and sizes are allowed!

  • Dogs of all temperaments are welcome, but dogs must allow daycare staff to safely handle them. If dogs are uncomfortable, flighty, reactive, or aggressive towards daycare staff, a training program may need to be pursued prior to being eligible for Enrichment.

  • Attendance can be weekly, biweekly, monthly, or on any schedule the owner prefers, so long as we have space available.

Enrichment and Play Group Safety:

  • Owners are responsible for disclosing any and all medical or behavioral notes to daycare staff, and for clearly communicating any activities that the dog should not be allowed to participate in

  • Behavior and group play are closely monitored by daycare staff to develop proper play skills and interrupt any inappropriate or potentially dangerous behavior

  • We believe that an all-positive environment with no rules or boundaries lends itself to potentially dangerous situations. For the safety of our daycare pack, we implement warnings and interruptions, as well as fair, clear corrections as needed to stop any problematic behaviors that could lead to conflict or other behavioral problems

  • High arousal activities such as entering the group, moving through doorways going inside or outside, prepping to go home, etc., will be monitored closely, and dogs will be required to practice controlled, polite behavior in these situations

  • High energy play is allowed - that’s part of the fun of daycare, after all! - but attendants will interrupt/redirect any play that is escalating too high, and will select play groups of dogs who have compatible energy levels and play styles

  • Our daycare dogs who are social with other dogs will at times be used to help socialize our training clients’ dogs who are completing day training or board and train programs. Interactions with training dogs will be closely monitored by a trainer, and dogs with any history of or tendencies towards aggressive behavior will be muzzled and typically leashed when socializing in playgroups, for additional safety.

  • Owners will be kept apprised of any changes in their dog’s behavior in daycare to ensure that all of our dogs are enjoying their time with us. We ask owners to keep us informed of any changes in the dog’s life that may influence their behavior at daycare - diet changes, changes in exercise routines, new (human or dog) additions to the family, any incidents outside of daycare (for example: “an off leash dog charged us on a walk, and my dog has been nervous/defensive since then”), etc.

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Join the Pack!

To express interest in joining our Daycare, please fill out the application below.

Please note that if all of our weekly openings fill with recurring clients, you may be put on a cancellation list/waiting list and may not be able to start immediately. After receiving your application, I will be in touch to either schedule your dog for daycare, or inform you if you’ve been put on a waitlist.

 
 

Daycare Application: