As many know I ran a program with both daycare (playdays) and bootcamp (dayschool) in Las Vegas. It was successful, effective, and fun, but not without its imperfections.
Now, since moving to Oregon I was hired as a day trainer with the goal of cleaning it up and starting a day school program.
This is a great opportunity and something I love to do but I've been putting it off until after we were stabilized in our house. We're still sleeping in the livingroom and barely a dollar from broke but we're close enough that its time to start planning.
I would love any opinions you guys have in helping me not only replicate the previous program but make it even better.
As a recap in Vegas we took dogs in anytime between 7a-6p on weekdays, dogs would rotate in xpens while we trained except for selected and appropriate group play. We had three treadmills, fitpaws equipment, and could work on anything from basic manners to agility and behavioral work. We offered half days and full (4hours was the break) as well as packages for better rates if paid up front. We sent each dog home with a report card that stated what they did, how they did, and what we proposed for the future.
Here we take dogs front 7a-9a and then pickup can be from 2p-6p. Half day is 9-2 and we offer rate packages as well. We crate dogs upon arrival and then we walk them one or two at a time to work on leash and door manners, we walk at 9, 1, and 4, the rest of the day is currently free play with moderate manners reminders (barking, impulse control, learning to back off when asked, group sits and downs, redirection, etc).
Ideally the owner of the business would like to keep the day training (daycare with basics) as is. She has a strong client base and aside from improving it by returning to its mission statement (the trainer I took over for loved the dogs but encouraged overstimulation and a general lack of control) she's happy with it.
Alternatively she would like me to get the dayschool program up and running as we have had a lot of interest and also feel it will reach those not suitable for so much group play throughout the day.
So... After reading where we are at what is your input? Things you've seen work? Things you've seen not work? Things you haven't seen but would like to?
Thanks in advance!
Now, since moving to Oregon I was hired as a day trainer with the goal of cleaning it up and starting a day school program.
This is a great opportunity and something I love to do but I've been putting it off until after we were stabilized in our house. We're still sleeping in the livingroom and barely a dollar from broke but we're close enough that its time to start planning.
I would love any opinions you guys have in helping me not only replicate the previous program but make it even better.
As a recap in Vegas we took dogs in anytime between 7a-6p on weekdays, dogs would rotate in xpens while we trained except for selected and appropriate group play. We had three treadmills, fitpaws equipment, and could work on anything from basic manners to agility and behavioral work. We offered half days and full (4hours was the break) as well as packages for better rates if paid up front. We sent each dog home with a report card that stated what they did, how they did, and what we proposed for the future.
Here we take dogs front 7a-9a and then pickup can be from 2p-6p. Half day is 9-2 and we offer rate packages as well. We crate dogs upon arrival and then we walk them one or two at a time to work on leash and door manners, we walk at 9, 1, and 4, the rest of the day is currently free play with moderate manners reminders (barking, impulse control, learning to back off when asked, group sits and downs, redirection, etc).
Ideally the owner of the business would like to keep the day training (daycare with basics) as is. She has a strong client base and aside from improving it by returning to its mission statement (the trainer I took over for loved the dogs but encouraged overstimulation and a general lack of control) she's happy with it.
Alternatively she would like me to get the dayschool program up and running as we have had a lot of interest and also feel it will reach those not suitable for so much group play throughout the day.
So... After reading where we are at what is your input? Things you've seen work? Things you've seen not work? Things you haven't seen but would like to?
Thanks in advance!