Margo stands on the seat of a picnic table and looks on as her friend Kona sits in the shade of some playground equipment. The French bulldog and husky make the most of their time at day care. Dogs that attend Club K-9 Doggy Daycare in Centerville play ball, cool off in wading pools and take naps in real beds.
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It may seem excessive, but for pet owners, doggy day care is a good way to avoid behavior problems that come from unattended pets left at home for for long hours. These problems may include barking, whining, destruction of property and frequent accidents.
"My husband and I work a lot of hours," Theresa Kraus said. Kraus of Loveland is a marketing manager for General Electric in Kettering.
"We felt it was unfair to keep Stanley (a 2-year-old, 65-pound boxer) crated up for long periods."
On her way to work twice a week, Kraus drops Stanley off at Club K-9, a 6,000-square-foot indoor facility. There is an additional 2,000-square-foot outdoor play area.
Christina Smart, who has operated Canines to Felines pet sitting service in the south suburbs for the last eight years, opened Club K-9 in March. The cage-free environment can hold up to 50 dogs at a time.
Smart said her greatest challenge has been to educate people about doggy day care. Club K-9 is not an overnight service, instead, it provides supervised facilities from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays where healthy, social dogs can run and play.
"Owners can bring them as often as they like. We have a handful of people who bring their dogs when their pets have some energy to burn off," Smart said.
"One of the benefits of day care is that when I come home from work and I'm tired, Stanley is tired too," Kraus said.
Doggy day care is not a new concept. Cincinnati has a number of facilities.
Club K-9 requires that all dogs older than six months be spayed or neutered.
Dogs must be current on their rabies and bordettela shots and receive preventatives for heartworm, fleas and ticks. The animals must also pass a behavioral evaluation to determine if the pet will be comfortable with strangers.
Once admitted to Club K-9, a dog can spend the day playing in and around colorful playground equipment or resting in a quiet area. All areas are supervised by humans to ensure the animals remain clean and safe. Fees for doggy day care range from about $12 for a half day and $20 for a day. Other services, such as dog training, may also be available. For more information about doggy day care, call Club K-9 at 291-DOGS
Club K-9 Doggy Daycare Invites Dog Lovers to a Free Open House
Club K-9 Doggy Daycare, Inc. is now open in Centerville, Ohio. In this new facility, dogs are supervised as they play off leash with other dogs while their owners are at work. Club K-9 provides a safe, stimulating environment to socialize with other dogs and people. Dogs can run and play indoors and out, lounge on toddler beds, or play in baby pools.
Centerville, Ohio (PRWEB) March 20, 2004 - Centerville's first doggy daycare, Club K-9 Doggy Daycare, Inc. will host an open house from 10 am-4 pm on Saturday, March 27 at 95 Compark Road.
Doggy daycare is often compared to a child's daycare center. Dogs are dropped off in the morning to enjoy a fun day playing with their friends and at the end of the day their dog mom's and dog dad's pick them up. At Club K-9 there is 6000 sq feet of indoor space to romp and 2000 sq. ft outdoors to enjoy the fresh air. Dogs play with tennis balls, bubbles and in the summer they can even hop in the baby pools for a little swim. When they need a break they can lounge on a toddler bed just their size and enjoy a nice belly rub. For the dogs that need to learn some puppy manners there are also dog training classes held evenings and weekends through Pawsitive Pet Solutions, LLC.
"There are many reasons that dog owners use doggy daycare," explains Christina Smart, owner of Club K-9 Doggy Daycare, Inc. "Many dog owners hate the thought of their dogs being home alone all day while they are at work. The dogs may become destructive or even show signs of separation anxiety. Doggy daycare is also a great place for young dogs to learn social skills and an outlet for their puppy energy. At Club K-9 we strive to fulfill the dogs social, mental, and physical needs through interaction with other dogs and people."
Club K-9 Doggy Daycare requires an evaluation prior to attending daycare and they also require health records showing the dogs are up to date on all vaccinations and a flea and heartworm control program. Dogs over 6 months must be spayed or neutered. Because Club K-9 is a cage-free environment each dog is evaluated to see if he will be able to play nicely with the other dogs.
Due to the safety requirements above, Club K-9 asks that pets do not attend the open house. Christina Smart will be on hand at the open house to give tours and answer questions. For further information on Club K-9 Doggy Daycare call 291-DOGS or visit www.clubk-9doggydaycare.com.
Contact: Christina Smart
Owner, Club K-9 Doggy Daycare
Phone: 937-291-3647
Website: www.clubk-9doggydaycare.com
October 2004 Volume 1 Issue 1 Centerville Commerce
Club K-9 Doggy Daycare
New business gone to the dogs
Christina Massie loves dogs. In fact, she loves them so much, she figured there had to be lots of other dog owners who, like her, wanted the best for their canine
family members. So in March, she put her theory to the test and opened Club K-9 Doggy Daycare.
"Doggy day care is perfect for people who work long days and want their dogs exercised or socialized," said Massie.
From 7:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. her 6000-square foot building is filled with dogs of all shapes and sizes that spend their days playing with each other, cooling off in the baby pools or lounging on toddler beds. There is also a 2000-square foot, fenced-in area outside where the
dogs can enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. Dogs are not crated unless, Massie said, "they need a timeout."
According to Massie, who owned a pet sitting business for seven years before she open Club K-9, dog day cares are popular in many large cities.
Dogs are evaluated for temperament before they're accepted. Massie makes sure the dogs can be handled and watches them with other dogs to see how well they get along.
Right now, Massie, her husband and friends are staffing the day care, but business has grown enough that Massie plans to hire two people.
Club K-9 is located at 95 Compark Dr.
For more information call 291-DOGS, or visit their Web site at www.clubk-9doggydaycare.com, or stop by their Open House on October 2 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Idea Cafe's Biz Profiles in Pets & Animals
Club K-9 Doggy Daycare, Inc.
Name: Christina Smart
Location: Centerville, OH
Type of Business:
Doggy Daycare Center
What does your business do?
Clients drop off their dogs to play and socialize with other dogs in a cage-free environment. It is similar to a child's daycare except owners drop their dogs off in the morning on their way to work and pick them up in the evening.
When and why did you start the biz?
The main reason that I started the business is my passion for dogs. I also own a professional pet-sitting service so I knew that I'd enjoy working with them every day. The pet care industry is growing by leaps and bounds every year so I felt it was a good business to get into. We just opened in March of 2004.
How Many People are in your Company?
4
Where's your office?
We leased a 6,000 sq ft warehouse for our doggy daycare. The owner ofthe building was great about letting us make whatever changes we needed so we converted it into a true doggy dream.
Our reception area has a wall-size mural of a park with a dog (modeled after our dog). Our lounge area has plenty of cozy toddler beds for the dogs to cuddle up on and they can even watch TV in there. The largest portion of the building is wide open so the dogs have plenty of room to run and play.
We do have a 2,000 sq ft outside area that has play equipment and baby pools for our water-loving dogs.
What's the toughest part of running your biz?
The toughest part of running the business is that since we started on a shoestring budget I have to work all day every day. There are no sick days when you work for yourself. We are open 12 hrs a day and even with the new part-time help, I am still here for all of it. Now that we are getting busier, there is a lot of work that has to be done after our open hours making for even longer days.
What's the most fun part?
I think the best part of this business is that I am spending my day with dogs. I am continually fascinated by their behavior and interactions. When I am having a tough day, I can cuddle with a dog or watch them roll around on a couch together and it puts things in perspective. I also get to hear the "thank you" of all the dog owners when they come to pick up their tired dogs at the end of the day.
Anything you would have done differently?
I think all my friends and family would agree that the one thing I should have done differently would be to not break my leg at our open house. It really could not have been avoided as it was just a freak accident, but still, it drastically changed the first several months of the business. I broke two bones in my leg and also broke my ankle, so I was not able to walk for almost 3 months. I was very fortunate that I had lots of great friends and family along with my wonderful husband who kept things running while I could not.
What's next on the horizon for your biz?
Our next step with the business is to continue picking up new clients and hiring more staff. We are planning on installing web cams within the next 6 months so that owners can log on and watch their dog play with his buddies.
What advice do you have for others?
One piece of advice I would give is to really believe in yourself. If you have a good business plan and you have given plenty of thought to if you are ready for all the hard work of starting a business, then go for it. I once read a quote from someone who said, "Jump, then build your wings on the way down."
How do you use Idea Cafe to help your biz?
Idea Café is great! I love the newsletters I get through email as they always remind me to go to the website and explore a little more. I love to read the profiles of all the different businesses that show you don't have to have a cookie-cutter franchise to be successful. I also love all the tips about marketing that I have gotten off of the site. There are also a lot of great forms to help get you started in many areas.
School (where, still in school, degree)?
Degree in Law Enfocement - never used
Prior jobs or business?
I currently own a Professional Pet Sitting Service along with the doggy daycare.
What are your pets' names?
Monty, the Best Boxer in the World
Do any of these pets help with your biz?
My dog Monty is a huge help in my business! We often joke that he is the true president of the company. Really he is more like the activities director keeping all the dogs entertained throughout the day. He often helps us evaluate the dogs that want to come to daycare to make sure they are going to work out here.
Is there any one person or event in your life that led you to go into business for yourself?
I don't think there has been one particular person that has lead me to go into business but I will say I have a great support system. I have a great family who supports me and this "unusual" business. My husband helps out tremendously, and I don't think I could do this without him. I have a lot of people who believe in me and my ability to make this business successful.
Anyone you publicly want to thank?
I would love to say hi and a huge thanks to everyone who helped keep things going during my broken-leg days. I don't know where we'd be without the help of everyone during that time.
Cams allow owners to watch doggies' daytime doings
By Katherine Ullmer
Dayton Daily News
CENTERVILLE | It's 4 o'clock. Do you know where your doggie is? What he's up to? Who he's pal-sy-wow-sying around with? How he's behaving while you're at work?
Mary Jane Clark does.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the office manager of a Kettering real estate appraisal office, doggedly monitors three live Web cams on her office computer. She's peeking at her 1 1/2-year-old golden retriever, Satchel, at a Centerville doggy daycare.
Her boss doesn't mind.
"I can leave it on the screen and just glance over when I get a chance," she said.
Club K-9 Doggy Daycare in Centerville, where Satchel hangs out, is one of a growing number of pet daycares and boarding centers across the country with live Web cams. There's even a Colorado-based Web site, www.onlinedoggy.com, that helps set up the pet Web cams and helps people locate video pet care across the country.
"People like to bring their dogs to daycare so they can socialize and they like to watch what their dogs are doing," said Club K-9's owner Christina Massie. "Sometimes people send the link to other people in their office."
Grandparents in other states even watch their grand-pups on the Web, she said.
Leslie Walker, owner of the Pet Shack Resort in Washington Twp., a dog and cat daycare and boarding operation, uses eight live pet cams (www.petshackresort.com).
Installed three years ago as a security measure, the cameras help entertain and calm the pet owners, Walker said, especially when they are on vacation.
We can even have the dog wave to them, she said.
It gives the owner a lot of peace of mind, even on Christmas.
They can see them wagging their tail and having fun, and it makes them not feel so guilty for leaving them.
For Clark, a lot of the appeal is entertainment.
It is fun to watch. If there's any dog in the picture, my dogs there, said Clark of Satchel, nicknamed Mr. Popularity because he gets along with dogs of all ages.
Clark spies on Satchel running and playing ball during the day while, she and her fiance, Dick Isenbarger of Centerville, are at work.
Clark gratefully says Satchel is wearing himself out so he's not so wild at night.
On Thursday, when she called up one of Club K-9 Doggy Daycare Web cams (www.clubk-9doggydaycare.com/DoggyWebCam.html) about 4 p.m., she caught Satchel sitting on a couch in the Doggy Den, where the dogs wind down for the day.
Satchel was surrounded by two little white dogs who like to start things, and a variety of other dogs, big and little, who came and went.
Assistants Lacy Fickert of Miamisburg and Jessie Gerhardt of Kettering occasionally came into the picture to play with and separate some of the dogs.
Earlier Satchel had been in the Romper Room where the toys are. He was in and out of a tube and could be seen sitting on the top of a plastic slide.
When Satchel was a puppy and home alone, he would destroy things, including books, paper and carpeting, Clark said.
He obeys a lot more now, she said.
I don't know if he knows I'm watching him, though I tell him when I pick him up.
For some people, going to the dogs is not a happy thought, but to Christina and Matt Massie, it is the fulfillment of a dream.
The Massies' two Centerville businesses, Club K-9 Doggy Daycare Inc. and Canines to Felines Pet Sitting, provide unique services for pets and their owner "parents."
Extras"My mom has a drawing I made when I was 10 years old that has me surrounded by dogs," said Christina Massie, who knew at an early age that she wanted a career working with dogs.
Christina and Matt first met during junior high at Kettering Middle School. They continued their friendship through high school, but didn't start dating until after they graduated from Kettering Fairmont High School in 1995.
While Matt studied industrial communication at Wright State University, Christina studied law enforcement at Sinclair Community College, with the intent of working with dogs in a K-9 unit.
"I started pet-sitting on the side while I was in college, and by the time I graduated I realized that I didn't want the law enforcement part, I just wanted to work with dogs," Christina said.
Matt learned about Christina's passion for working with canines early on in their relationship.
"On my first date I think I took Matt with me to dog sit."
Christina started her own business, Canines to Felines Pet Sitting, shortly after graduating from Sinclair. She took every opportunity to immerse herself in the field of pet care.
Meanwhile, Matt graduated from Wright State in 2001 and went on to complete a master's in business administration.
With Christina's interest in dogs and Matt's business background, it was a match made in heaven when the couple married and opened Club K-9 Doggy Daycare in 2004.
"We couldn't do what we do without great dogs and their 'parents,' a great staff and a great landlord," said Matt, who follows professional guidelines with one staff member per every 10 to 15 dogs at their facility at 95 Compark Road.
"We do a lot of continuing education with our staff. We even brought a national speaker to the area. We want it to be a clean, safe place. Somewhere, we would feel comfortable taking our own dogs."
The couple adheres to strict guidelines when accepting dogs to Club K-9. Each canine is evaluated prior to acceptance.
The facility, which has Web cams positioned throughout, consists of three large canine-equipped indoor rooms, a separate room for smaller breeds and a large outdoor play area that includes a pool and sprinklers for summer play.
Regulars in the program are also eligible for occasional overnight stays and invited for the all night New Year's Eve party that allows "parents" to enjoy the evening without worrying about their pooch.
For more information, or to watch the pets on the Web cams, visit www.clubk-9doggydaycare.com.
Contact this reporter at (937) 432-9054 or jjbaer@aol.com.
