Daily Schedule
We are happy to share our daily schedule with you. We believe that a structured daycare environment, while fostering a small group concept with personalized support and guidance is a great way to help your dog be more relaxed, confident and happier in life.
Most dogs do best in smaller groups. So our groups are kept small with a maximum of 9 dogs, sometimes even less depending on the dogs energy levels, age, size and temperament to ensure the highest quality of care and attention.
We have carefully designed a structured day that will provide a balance of mental/cognitive stimulation, physical exercise, play, rest and socialization.
Our schedules are not strict - it sometimes depends on the mix of dogs or weather, but it generally follows this template:
8:15am-9:45am- Shuttle time. Morning pick-up shuttle. We are out on the roads in South Cowichan picking up our daycare attendees for the day. We collect our daycare dogs in the mornings, so you don’t have to make any amendments to your schedule.
9:45am-11:00am- Social time. Arrival at the farm. Front property gate closes. Everyone catches up in our smaller backyard play yard and K9 lounge. We start the morning off with either small group play or physical/movement activities. Dogs are supervised and groups are carefully curated to ensure the best group dynamics for each day. Our focus is to provide a healthy, positive social experience for your dog in a consistent, safe environment with trusted and familiar friends.
11:00am-12:00pm- Exercise time. Camp K9 Farm Run. Front property gate gets locked and everyone goes for a off-leash run, gets their zoomies out or goes on a sniffari walk around the farm property. Our acreage is fully fenced with 6 ft wire deer fencing.
12:00pm-1:30pm- Nap time. We have formal nap time inside the house. Dogs need a lot more sleep than humans do as it is crucial to their overall health. We have scheduled down/nap time to promote self-regulation and relaxation. Dog beds in all shapes and sizes are provided for our daycare attendee's. Crates available as well but usage is dependent on you and your pup's preference.
1:30pm-3:00pm- Enrichment time. One on one sessions of canine enrichment activity. In the afternoon we stimulate your dog's mind and provide canine enrichment through puzzle toys, interactive games and training exercises. New sounds, new smells, new objects, new textures, new tastes, new learned skills and tricks. Mental stimulation daily is just as important as physical exercise.
3:00pm- 3:45pm- Decompression time. Time to unwind, relax and practice our calm and neutral around others. A 'well-socialized dog' is one who can co-exist with other dogs in an environment and not constantly be moving and interacting. Having an 'off switch' is important. This is the time we learn to do nothing together so we can do everything together. Relaxing music is streamed during this time while digital report cards are sent to owners telling them about our day at Camp K9.
4:00pm-5:00pm- Pick-up time. Front property gate opens. Everyone waits for their individual arranged pick-up time inside the house. We only allow one or two dogs in the wait area at a time to avoid any over excitement or door dashing. (We do have a double door/gate as a safety precaution)
Dogs are encouraged to socialize, sniff, run, relax, work and play in safe & fun appropriate ways. We work on puzzles and sensory engaging activities that teach problem solving skills, improve body awareness, build confidence and reinforce polite social interactions. We practice safe play, recalls, sits, stays, waits, taking turns, impulse control, improve our listening skills and most importantly of all, have fun doing it all with great friends!
