Why WE Insist on Enrichment-based Daycare!
Doggy daycare isn’t just play! It’s a key to a well-balanced, happy pup! Enrichment-based programs curb destructive behaviors, provide vital exercise, and boost social skills. The ASPCA highlights the importance of engaging a dog's natural instincts—playing, chasing, sniffing, and more for overall well-being.
That’s why we prioritize structured activities that make learning fun while reinforcing good behavior. Our mini-training sessions, manners practice, and seasonal events keep things exciting and rewarding. Here’s why enrichment matters:
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Mental Stimulation – Puzzle toys, scent work, and problem-solving games prevent boredom, reduce anxiety, and sharpen cognitive skills.
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Physical Exercise – Agility exercises and interactive play keep dogs fit, prevent obesity, and burn excess energy.
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Better Behavior – Engaged dogs are less likely to bark excessively, chew, or dig.
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Social Confidence – Exposure to new dogs, people, and environments builds confidence, especially in shy pups.
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Emotional Well-Being – Activities that tap into natural instincts provide purpose and fulfillment.
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Stronger Human-Canine Bond – Interactive engagement builds trust and deepens relationships.
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Routine & Structure – A predictable, enriching schedule reduces stress and builds confidence.
Enrichment-based daycare ensures a happier, healthier dog—both at daycare and home!
Daily Enrichment Activities Designed with your BFF in Mind
In addition to regular enrichment reducing doggy stress, it also helps build the bond between them and us (as their caretakers), so we introduce stimulating things daily like:
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Food / Treat puzzles
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Scent games
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Tunnel Fun
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Bubble Days
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Netflix "chill" days
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Pack walks
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And MORE!
How We Present Learning Opportunities for your BFF
We make learning fun while reinforcing good behaviors. We do that via mini-training sessions and practicing good manners on things such as:
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Teaching and using "SIT"
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Learning to “PLACE” and “STAY”
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Practicing gate control
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Use of our agility equipment
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Controlled entrance and exit to our facility
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Sometimes we throw in an occasional trick for fun!
Extra Activities You & Your BFF will both LOVE to indulge in!
Extra Activities You & Your BFF will both LOVE!
In addition to our daily structured activities, we also offer weekly, monthly or seasonal events as an optional add-on, such as:
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Puppy Painting
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Virtual Field Trips
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Seasonal Meals
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Themed FUN Days
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Splash days
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Photo ops of ALL kinds!
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AND MORE!
All you Need to Know about our Daycare Program!
Basic Rules of Daycare
Because doggy daycare requires a friendly, happy atmosphere in order to be successful, it is important that we establish ground rules for behavior. Your dog should be comfortable playing and socializing with other dogs and allowing a new dog into their area without feeling territorial. For the safety of all pets and staff, we require daycare dogs allow us to handle them whenever necessary. For this reason, you may observe us making them sit, stay, etc. and they will not be allowed to jump on us when leashing them or moving them around. This does not mean we don't LOVE your pet(s)! We want them to play and have fun, but it is important to us all that they respect us and behave when asked.
Who Goes Where
We have multiple play rooms and dogs are broken into groups according to many factors, including size, age, play-style, temperament and owner preference. Play groups are dynamic and change not only daily, but minute by minute depending on who is here, who comes in, and what is going on around them. Please be assured that while we will make every effort to accommodate your group preference, SAFETY IS OUR TOP PRIORITY. If we determine a different play group or room would work better for your pet's needs on any given day, we will move him/her at that time.
Our Typical Schedule
7am - 10am: Free Play - relaxed free play time to start their day off right! The dogs are encouraged to settle in, let loose, have fun, and get lots of love and attention from our staff. 10am - 12pm: Enrichment Time - structured activities include practicing threshold manners (gate control), learning recall by participating in group walks, practicing sit, place, and all around good manners. We also engage in other fun activities like story time, bubble play, fun on our agility equipment, etc. 12pm - 2pm: Rest Time - Around mid-day, the dogs naturally come to a point where they have had plenty of stimulation and settle down to have a chance to recharge. We turn the lights down and play calming music to soothe them into a good snooze! 2pm - 4pm: Afternoon Enrichment - Our groups are eager to learn and play again after a good nap so they enjoy more fun activities in the afternoon with our PM shift. 4pm - Closing: Free Play - After wrapping up the afternoon's enrichment fun, we close out the day with another round of free play where the dogs can again let loose and play happily until it's time to go home!
Daycare Enrollment Process
Please contact us to discuss your BFF’s daycare needs. We will explain everything in detail, answer your questions, and help determine whether Wag Time will be a good fit for you. Once you decide to enroll, we will help you through the process and make an appointment to get you started. Please bear in mind that we do need to schedule your dog's first day of play. You should allow a little extra time on your first visit, so that we have time to answer all your questions and asses your pet's personality. After your first day, we will help you decide if ongoing doggy daycare or one of our Special Programs will be beneficial to your pup and make sure we can provide the services you need.
Evaluation Day
Wag Time's Evaluation Day is your dog's first day of daycare where our staff will make a thorough assessment on how they do in our environment; we will make sure your pet is friendly and comfortable here! On your pet's first day, you may ask any last minute questions you have, and after that, our staff will take it from there and you can leave knowing your pet(s) are in great hands! We reserve a small daycare room for your pet to settle in after their arrival and we will begin our assessment. We want to ensure during our behavioral assessment that: Your dog is comfortable in this type of environment. Your dog is comfortable with our staff. Your dog is comfortable in a group play setting with other animals. Once we have had time to get to know your pet, we will then introduce them to their first friend. After we've had the chance to make sure your pup is friendly with others, they will be gradually introduced to their new group of friends over a period of time, one by one so that they are not overwhelmed. Then, once we feel confident that your BFF is happy, comfortable, and well adjusted...our staff will send a report card that includes some pictures and an update on how they have been doing with us so far! If there are any behavioral concerns, no matter how small, we will always communicate these things with you. Once your pet has completed their first day and passed the evaluation, you will be able to request reservations, purchases daycare packages, and will be eligible to sign up for any seasonal activity on our calendar!
What if My Dog Doesn't Do Well in Daycare?
Wag Time Pets is all about relationships. We work hard to build trust and confidence with you AND your BFF, so that they can be free to enjoy all we have to offer. That being said, we know not all dogs are created equally! Some like to jump right in, some like to observe first, and some never learn to enjoy the company of other dogs. However, we know that sometimes you may still need - or choose - to bring your dog to us. Maybe your dog has separation anxiety and cannot be left alone, or perhaps your goal is for your dog to be socialized, either with other people or eventually, with other dogs. We are here to help. We have Special Programs in place to allow most dogs to still come to daycare. These services are highly specific to yours and your dog's needs, so reservations are required if you utilize any of our Special Programs.