• Daycare 2.0 Is a Modern Approach to Dog Daycare

Daycare 2.0

K9 and Co Adventure Camp started with the intent of providing a modern approach to dog day care and as a result, we have implemented a Daycare 2.0 approach that was first created by the Dog Gurus - Robin Bennet and Susan Briggs.

Where traditional dog day care focusses on all-day play in groups of 30+ dogs with low staff to dog ratio, Daycare 2.0 provides more structure to the day by meeting your dogs Nutritional, Occupational, Physical, Sensory and Social needs. Group play is held in smaller groups with a 1:8 staff ratio resulting in higher quality play, more interaction with staff and more fun for everyone. With Daycare 2.0, dogs are rotated into groups that best fit their play style, energy level, exercise requirements or other factors. Staff become more involved in providing structured activities, such as training games and art projects, which are far more fun and engaging for all involved. Dogs learn how to settle down during rest time which helps overcome some of the potential issues with traditional day care including:

  • Overly-exhausted dogs

  • Some dogs being uncomfortable in large groups

  • Over-arousal which can lead to more aggression and increases the chance of injury

Benefits include:

  • Higher quality of play

  • Higher quality rest which is essential for emotional health

  • Higher quality interaction with staff who get to know each dog in a deeper way

  • Everyone is safer from the possible fall out of large-group over arousal

  • Nutritional

    What:
    Encourages dogs to use natural foraging behaviours to earn food.

    How at K9 and Co:

    Snuffle mat

    Lick mat

    Kongs

    Puzzle toys

    Why:

    Increased foraging behaviour may decrease unwanted behaviours such as excessive barking. It may also help increase physical activity, benefiting the animal’s overall condition.

  • Occupational

    What:
    Gives dogs jobs that encourage physical & mental stimulation.

    How at K9 and Co:

    Obstacle course

    Flirt pole

    Fetch

    Bubbles

    Why:
    Occupational enrichment helps keep dogs mentally stimulated, which combats boredom while also allowing them to release excess energy.

  • Physical

    What:
    Alter the complexity and quality of a dog’s space.

    How at K9 and Co:

    Swimming pool

    Splash pools

    Textured obstacle equipment

    Why:
    Provide outlets for positive expression of natural behaviours, and provide dogs with more control over their social and physical environment

  • Sensory

    What:
    Stimulate the sight, sound, & smell senses of dogs.

    How at K9 and Co:
    Sensory garden

    Scent wall

    Dig pit

    Why:
    Promotes calming behaviour and discourages negative behaviours like destruction or excessive barking.

  • Social

    What:
    Positive contact between dogs and other species.

    How at K9 and Co:
    Small play groups with low dog to staff ratio

    Supervised play with a vetted pack

    Why:
    A well-socialised dog will not become fearful, overstimulated, or aggressive when exposed to new people, dogs, places, or objects.

Traditional dog day care is like “recess” for your dog whereas Daycare 2.0 is like more like a day at “school” for your dog

The Dog Gurus

Learn more about Daycare 2.0 below.

A Science-based Approach.

  • RSPCA

    The RSPCA advocates for all animals to be provided with appropriate enrichment. Enrichment has been shown to have wide-ranging benefits for dogs including promoting relaxation, reducing stress and anxiety, improving resilience, strengthening bonds with their people, and preventing and treating undesirable behaviours

  • Purdue University

    Purdue University state that the purpose of enrichment is to reduce stress in dogs and to reinforce socialisation practices. Providing a dog with enrichment allows the animal to have a sense of control over their environment, which can help to reduce and avoid stress.

  • Ohio State College

    Ohio State College state that environmental or behavioural enrichment is the process of manipulating an animal's environment to increase physical activity & normal species typical behaviour that satisfies the animal's physical and psychological needs. It reduces stress and therefore promotes overall health by increasing an animal's perception of control over their environment and by occupying their time.

Enrichment add-on services.

Snuffle mat (15 min session)

$16

Lick mat (15 min session)

$16

Peanut Butter Kong

$5

Flirt pole (15 min session)

$20

Puzzle toy (15 min session)

$16

Obstacle course (15 min)

$20

Ball Pit (15 min session)

$20

Scent wall (15 min session)

$30

Did you know 15 minutes of sniffing is equivalent to a 1 hour walk?

See what customers are saying.

  • This place is phenomenal - Hayley is incredible and Douglas absolutely loves going here on a weekly basis. It has helped him learn to interact with other dogs well and not be afraid and it is different activities every time he goes - his confidence is just getting better and better. This is the best thing we have ever done and cannot thank the team enough for the love and care they take of our baby boy. Douglas loves you Hayley and so do we.

    Jodie M.

  • Definitely recommend. Love that the dogs can play and interact with other dogs in a controlled environment. They are definitely doted on throughout the day and I absolutely love the little report cards we get at the end of the day. They take plenty of stories and photos throughout the day top so you can keep track of your pup throughout the day too if you like.

    Cassandra K.

  • I love the report card. It's great to know how his day went In detail. The detailed feedback makes me confident that he has been cared for and given attention. There's plenty of photos that nack up the report. Other places are not transparent. Thank you for your care, Hayley. I really appreciate all your effort.

    Sue C.

  • Love the friendly staff. It's great they know my dog's name and are familiar with her personality. Perfect setting for dogs to learn to socialise with other dogs and people.

    Sheree T.

  • It's been great to see the progress Buffy is making being able to socialise with other dogs. She is loving it and it's so good for her.

    Jenny G.

  • Such a cool daycare! Hayley is a treat, always friendly and so good with the dogs 11/10!! Hayleys updates are honestly the best, living for them! My work colleagues and I ove watching the stories and updates!! Will be back!

    Kaitlin T.

  • Lucky always looks like he is having so much fun! comes home completely buggered!

    Mark H.

  • Absolutely amazing! Cannot wait to book Enzo in for another day with his new friends :) Alison was extremely caring and attentive, would 100% recommend to friends and family

    Jasmine P.

  • Cannot thank Hayley enough. She does amzimg job in looking after the dogs and spoiling them with love and cuddles. Chip always sleeps better when his been. It's been the best thing for him!

    Mom C.

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