Articles

  1. Staff positioning for maximum playgroup visibilitySafe off-leash play depends on what staff can see, how quickly they can interpret it and whether they can reach a dog before excitement becomes conflict. In a…
  2. Spotting Escalation Before Redirected Aggression SpreadsA calm dog group can change quickly when excitement, frustration or fear builds around one individual. Redirected aggression occurs when a dog cannot reach the…
  3. How to Use a Timer System to Structure Play IntervalsA timer system gives dog daycare teams a consistent rhythm for off-leash play, rest, observation and changeovers. Instead of relying on a busy staff member’s…
  4. Teaching dogs to come when called through group noiseA reliable recall is one of the most valuable safety skills in a dog daycare or off-leash playgroup. It allows handlers to interrupt a chase, move dogs away…
  5. Flooring Choices That Protect Dogs in Off-Leash CareFlooring is one of the quietest influences on a dog’s experience in daycare. It affects how confidently a dog accelerates, turns, stops, rises, and joins play.…
  6. Creating a Written Policy for Playgroup EmergenciesA busy off-leash playgroup can change in seconds. A friendly chase may become a collision, a dog may panic during a storm, or a resource dispute may draw…
  7. How to Evaluate a Dog’s Recovery Rate After a High-Energy Play SessionA dog’s recovery rate after vigorous play provides valuable information about fitness, arousal, stress, and overall suitability for group care. In a daycare…
  8. Why rotating enrichment matters in dog daycareA well-run dog daycare is built around more than physical exercise. Dogs also need opportunities to sniff, investigate, chew, solve simple problems and settle…
  9. Rest period schedules for safer dog playgroupsA well-run off-leash playgroup depends on more than compatible dogs and attentive handlers. Dogs also need predictable opportunities to lower their arousal,…
  10. Reading Whale Eye During Active Dog PlayIn a busy dog daycare, play can change in seconds. A dog that was chasing, wrestling, or bouncing with a playmate may suddenly feel trapped, overwhelmed, or…