We take health and safety very seriously and only want the best for your fuzzy family member. Please review our vaccination requirements and policies call us today to schedule!
Our Pursuit of Enrichment for Doggy Daycare
One of our primary goals at Sterling K9 is to elevate what we have seen and experienced as a dog’s traditional experience at daycare. We’ve accomplished this by implementing enrichment-based programs for all levels of care throughout our facility. In contrast with a traditional daycare model, when a dog is introduced at Sterling K9, careful measures are taken to ensure that your dog is engaged in environments that are designed to specifically elicit the behaviors we want to encourage. These behaviors include sitting at doorways, off-leash recalls, and sitting still for grooming. Our facility has been designed with the assistance of noted industry experts to ensure we provide the dog’s entrusted to our care space to explore, build confidence and interact safely with other dogs.
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Just as important, the foundation of our staff training is to instill confidence and leadership, resulting in staff that can properly recognize when to allow dogs to interact with each other, and when to become engaged by eliciting, and then reinforcing a desired behavior. With this system, basic physical needs are met, but new puppies and adult dogs alike are also engaged in positive learning…both passively and actively throughout the day.
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Whether your dog participates in our small-group off-leash play program or personal play programs, our focus is providing enrichment activities in a safe and nurturing environment.
Our Vision
We have an appetite to grow…to provide something that is substantial, more meaningful, experiences that are intentional and deliberate…offering today's companion dog more than an average life. We owe it to them.
We have reading material just for your family in mind. Click on the following or ask
us about our Orientation Day Process , and Owner Page.
There’s No Way Around It – Dogs Need Space to Be Dogs
By nature, dogs do not like picking fights or engaging in highly stressful or aroused environments. They would rather move away than continue in a confrontation. However, when they are not given the opportunity to have ample space and a healthy managed environment, this can attribute to stress. For most dogs (some breeds more than others) it is normal for them to seek control of their environment, even if it includes engaging in very aggressive behavior.
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By providing off-leash, small group enriched play programs delivered by carefully trained staff, we are able to provide a safe, thoughtful and healthy stay for your dog. By fostering our small group concept, our staff have the opportunity to engage deliberately with the dogs to facilitate their acquisition of positive behaviors and new skills. As a result, dogs learn how to interact harmoniously with other dogs and our staff members.
Both indoor and outdoor spaces are outfitted with carefully selected products and staff-administered programs designed to provide your dog a stimulating and blended day filled with both physical and mental exercises. Our play group curriculum is designed to be delivered to a minimal group size, allowing staff to effectively interact with each group. Groups will rotate throughout the day from a group room to individual kennels. Kennel time affords the dog some alone time with a puzzle toy, one-on-one attention for play or a massage from a staff member, snack time, or a rest period. Our entire facility is complete with a audio system providing soft and soothing classical music selected specifically for dogs. To add additional comfort during rest time, our lighting systems allows us to dim the lights for a cosy ambience.
The Importance of Positive Reinforcement
A common practice we have seen demonstrated in the dog daycare industry is the use of spray bottles and noisemakers to gain control of a deemed undesired behavior. We consider this type of approach to be a negative interaction. This teaches them that they will only stop this particular undesired behavior when compelled to do so with a squirt bottle or noisemaker. At Sterling K9, our approach is to instill positive reinforcement which technically speaking is “a consequence of some particular behavior that makes that particular behavior more likely to happen again”. For example, suppose you give your dog a treat for lying down on cue. The treat has now positively reinforced lying down. So can squirt bottles be a part of positive reinforcement behavior? Nope…not unless the dog likes the water spray and the spray makes him more likely to repeat the behavior you responded to with spraying. While our daycare team does not provide formal dog training, we do promote addressing adverse behavior in ways that promote the health and mindfulness of all dogs that stay with using positive and encouraging approaches.
Small Group Off-Leash Play Programs
The foundation of our small group off-leash play programs is structure. Sessions are timed and include:
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A staff member / dog ratio of no more than 1:8 during group session times
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The use of FitPAWS® and Blue-9™ equipment designed to tone up your dog’s body, increase core strength, stabilize weak areas, improve body awareness, coordination, range of motion, confidence, our bond with your dog, and more.
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Buddy play
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Our large enrichment rooms are designed with the use of K9 Grass®.
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Chill time accompanied with a puzzle toy, treat, one-on-one time with a staff member
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Nap time
Enroll Today!
The first step to making an appointment is to create a profile for your pup. Once your pup's profile is created, our team will call your vet to get your vaccines. To get a free Peanut butter-filled kong for your pup's first visit, download the app illustrated below and schedule your first reservation today!