Like most everyone who opens a dog daycare, I love love love dogs! But more importantly, I'm interested in them. I like learning everything I can about them, and "everything" just keeps growing.

When I decided to open Doggie Pause in 1997, I immediately began studying whatever I could find about dogs: training, behavior, nutrition, general health. This was at a time when scientific research on dogs, neglected for so long, was exploding. I joined dog-related organizations, attended seminars, and talked to professionals every chance I got. My background was 20-plus years in healthcare management, hundreds of hours volunteering at an animal shelter, and my own dogs. Like most people, including trainers, I had very little experience in working with dogs in groups.

 

Once I opened for business in 1999, I quickly came to understand that, vital as the "book learning" might be as background, there was no substitution for the actual experience of watching dogs interact in a group setting. I learned a great deal, continued my efforts to learn more, and am no less fascinated today than I was in the beginning.

From the outset, I had a firm idea of the type of facility I wanted : a clean, safe, fun place that would enhance the lives of the dogs who came to us. I researched air flow and disinfectants, floor surfaces and fencing options, training modalities, diet guidelines and staff training. I looked at toys, bedding material, and adjuncts such as music and aromatherapy. I continued (and still continue) to modify as indicated. I knew that the accepted staffing levels of 1 attendant to 15 dogs was not enough to accomplish what I wanted: an environment that allowed for not merely supervision, but lots of 1:1 interaction that was tailored to each dog.