04/06/2025
We survived Spring Break 2025!
It’s been a long, tiring but enjoyable week! We’ve had the pleasure of meeting several new friends who stayed with us and reconnecting with many old ones. This is why Spring Break is so special to us: it is the “kick-off” for the boarding season for us as we gear up for the busy summer, but it also allows us to emerge from the long, cold winter and reunite with many familiar faces while also welcoming new ones. A sincere THANK YOU from all of us! As Spring Break comes to an end, we will return to our usual, less hectic schedule, for now.
We would like to take this opportunity to address a problem area we've been noticing and clarify any misunderstandings or uncertainties and make clear our expectations.
Dog Training, Basic Obedience and Leash Manners:
Making the Most of Every Interaction
(Blog Post #1)
We try to make every encounter and interaction with a dog (your dog) a TRAINING OPPORTUNITY! Training is an ongoing, continual, lifelong process and “If you don’t use it, you lose it.” Practice every day, every time you attach that leash! Don't let a good opportunity to teach your dog or to reinforce what has already been taught, pass you by.
Every day, while your dog is participating in daycare, we are training, and reinforcing, that training. While it isn’t a formal 1:1 lesson, every dog is included in our built-in training. Some of the things we try to train and reinforce, among other things: impulse control and making good choices, proper play/greeting etiquette, basic obedience such as “sit”, door and gate manners, and for what it’s worth, leash manners when coming in or going home. Usually, through repetition and consistency, a dog’s daycare experience only gets better as they learn what is and what is not appropriate behavior. But this is also applicable to your dog’s life at home, isn’t it? It just doesn’t work if there is no structure, boundaries, or consistency at home too.
We assume, maybe wrongly, that everyone wants a pleasant leash-walking experience with their pet and for their pet to be at least somewhat obedient. While we do not ever expect “perfection” from any dogs when they’re excited and happy to be coming to daycare, we do expect owners to want to work with us and with their pet in these training opportunities. None of us want to get hurt nor do we want you, your pet, or anyone else, to be injured because of the inability or lack of interest in training your dog some very basic obedience and leash manners.
If you are unable to control your dog, we are more than happy to help. We can give tips and advice on tools and methods for leash and obedience training. We have individual sessions available during daycare for more focused training. We will even walk your pet to and from your vehicle if it is difficult for you or to demonstrate those tips. Your willingness to ask for and receive help when offered goes a long way and it is recognized! We are beyond grateful when owners meet us halfway in the handling and training of their dogs and this is not at all directed to those who are working with us to help you and your dog! We WANT to partner with you so you and your dog can build a strong relationship. But, when it is clear to us, through your actions, inaction, or disinterest, that you’re putting in zero effort and not willing to put in the work, it makes our efforts meaningless.
Our commitment to making every moment a training opportunity stems from the belief that continuous practice is key to maintaining and enhancing your dog's obedience training and leash manners. This shared effort ensures a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. Remember, our team is here to support and guide you with tips, tools, and individual sessions, but your dedication and involvement are essential for meaningful and lasting progress.
