Category Archives: Uncategorized

Introducing Our New Course: Puppy Training 101

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Introducing Our New Course: Puppy Training 101 Dog lovers know that few things are more exciting (and exhausting) than welcoming a new puppy into the family. Their adorable faces and boundless energy and curiosity make them irresistible. But along with playtime and snuggles comes the important task of training that new family member — the earlier, the better. And many pet parents, caught up in the throes of new-baby love, don’t know when or where to begin. Helping puppy parents understand that proper training will not only create a stronger bond with their young dog, but also lay the foundation … Continue reading →


Get Ready to Learn at the DHA Business Leadership Summit

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Education and Insights for Pet Business Owners and Managers Are you ready to transform your dog care business? The Dog Handler Academy Business Leadership Summit is your opportunity to sharpen your leadership skills, network with industry professionals, and gain insights that will help you elevate your business to new heights. This two-day event is designed specifically for leaders in the dog care industry who are eager to grow and succeed. Event Details Dates: Monday, October 14, and Tuesday, October 15, 2024 Time: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (both days) Location: Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago O’Hare Rosemont, 5500 N River … Continue reading →


Our Latest Course: All About Pet Injury and Illness Guidance

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Introducing Our New Course 501: Dog Injury & Illness Guidance We are thrilled to announce the official launch of our latest course, Course 501: Dog Injury & Illness Guidance! This comprehensive training program is designed to equip you and your team with the knowledge and skills necessary to handle dog injuries and recognize common illnesses, ensuring the dogs in your care receive the best possible treatment and attention. (And, yes, that is our founder Eve’s dog Lilli in several of the videos!) The Need for Comprehensive Training in Dog Care Dog daycare and boarding facilities play a crucial role in … Continue reading →


Empowering Your Team to Thrive

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Thought Leadership: Empowering Your Team to Thrive In the world of pet care, the demand for exceptional services continues to grow. However, to succeed, businesses must go above and beyond the ordinary and strive for excellence. This is where nurturing thought leadership within your team becomes paramount. By empowering your employees to become thought leaders, you not only elevate your business but also create an environment and business culture where your team’s innovation (and expertise) can flourish. Let’s dig into strategies for nurturing thought leadership in your dog daycare and boarding business, ultimately empowering your team to learn and grow. … Continue reading →


Unleash the Holiday Cheer: Add-on Ideas for Your Dog Daycare and Boarding Business

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Unleash the Holiday Cheer: Add-on Ideas for Your Dog Daycare and Boarding Business As the holiday season approaches, pet parents are not the only ones getting excited about the festivities. Dogs, too, deserve a taste of the holiday spirit during their stay at your dog daycare and boarding facility. Enhance their experience with special add-on services, treats, and activities that will leave tails wagging and create cherished memories for both furry friends and their owners. Festive Pampering Package If you offer grooming or bath services, consider creating a holiday-themed grooming package that includes a bath, nail trim, and a spritz … Continue reading →


Nurturing a Pet-Friendly Work Environment in Dog Daycare and Boarding Businesses

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Nurturing a Pet-Friendly Work Environment in Dog Daycare and Boarding Businesses In dog daycare and boarding businesses, the dynamics extend beyond the furry clientele. Dedicated employees work behind the scenes, and they not only manage the daily operations but also bring their love for dogs to the workplace. Let’s explore the unique aspect of employees bringing their own dogs to daycare or boarding facilities and the policies that guide these paw-friendly practices. Creating a Pet-Loving Workplace Culture Dog daycare and boarding businesses thrive on a passion for pets, and what better way to foster that passion than by allowing employees … Continue reading →


Current Trends in the Dog Daycare and Boarding Industry

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Current Trends in the Dog Daycare and Boarding Industry The dog daycare and boarding industry is witnessing a transformative shift, as more pet parents seek high-quality care and unique experiences for their furry companions. With the pet care landscape evolving, it’s essential to stay up-to-date with the latest trends shaping the industry. Let’s dive into the current trends that are reshaping the world of dog daycare and boarding. Luxury Pet ResortsLuxury pet resorts are on the rise, offering dogs a vacation-like experience. These upscale facilities feature lavish amenities like swimming pools, spa treatments, and gourmet meals. Pet parents are willing … Continue reading →


Supporting Clients Through the Loss of Their Beloved Dogs

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Supporting Clients Through the Loss of Their Beloved Dogs The bonds formed with dog daycare and boarding clients and their furry companions often run deep. However, when a dog passes away at home, it’s crucial to extend your support and compassion beyond your business transactions. Within the pet industry, understanding how to navigate this sensitive situation is essential. Here we’ll discuss the empathetic measures you can take to comfort grieving clients and also handle matters like refunds or gestures of sympathy. Express Heartfelt Condolences When a client’s dog passes away, even if it occurs while the dog is not in … Continue reading →


How to increase income at your dog business without raising prices

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How to increase income at your dog business without raising prices Running a dog daycare and boarding business can be a rewarding venture, but it can also be challenging when it comes to generating income. While raising prices may seem like a quick solution, it’s not always the most feasible option, especially when you consider your local competition. Fortunately, there are several ways to increase your income without raising prices. Here are several effective strategies to consider: Offer Additional Services If you don’t already, consider offering additional services to your clients, such as grooming, training, or in-home pet checks. These services can … Continue reading →


Inspiring Your Dog Daycare Team Members

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Inspiring Your Dog Daycare Team Members As the owner or manager of a dog daycare and boarding business, you know how important it is to have a team of dedicated and passionate staff members. Your staff is responsible for caring for the dogs in your facility, providing a safe and enjoyable environment for them to play and rest, and maintaining the cleanliness and order of your facility. To achieve this, it’s essential to inspire your staff to be at their best—day in and day out. Here are some tips on how to inspire your team members. Set clear expectations: It’s crucial … Continue reading →


Offering more benefits for your dog daycare employees

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Offering more benefits for your dog daycare employees By Eve Molzhon I am, like many of you, trying to look at how to offer more benefits to my dog daycare team members without breaking the bank. Health insurance always seems problematic for small businesses. So instead I looked at how to do stuff outside the box. What could you do outside the box? Could you negotiate with a chiropractor to give free chiropractic care for your staff through you paying for your staff to go for an adjustment once a month? Could you work out something with a small business that does massage therapy where … Continue reading →


Discussing how to set boundaries with your dog daycare staff

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Discussing how to set boundaries with your dog daycare staff As a leader, more than likely you’ve had to learn how to set boundaries for yourself, boundaries between you and your clients, and boundaries between you and your staff. It’s tricky to negotiate and determine those boundaries.  Your staff are like your family because—let’s be honest—you likely care about them. You’re going to defend them and back them up. A lot of our staff struggle with having healthy boundaries with their families or in their personal lives. One of Eve’s staffers asks to work every shift during Christmas and Christmas Eve. But … Continue reading →


Winter Weather Preparedness for Your Dog Daycare

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Winter weather preparedness for your dog daycare Let’s talk about winter weather preparedness. Whether you’re on the East Coast or West Coast, it seems everyone is experiencing colder, harsher weather than anticipated. We’ve all experienced ice this year. For those of us that are in cold, snowy, icy climates all the time, you might consider getting ice cleats for the bottom of their shoes. You may otherwise want to do a boot program where you have various boots of various sizes so your staff can wear them when they’re going outside.  When it comes to the dogs, that’s where it gets a … Continue reading →


Hiring, pay, and incentives for your dog daycare staff

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Hiring, pay, and incentives for your dog daycare staff We’ve all been there, and many of us are there right now. It’s tough to find, hire, train, and retain good employees. Especially now, it’s important to shift your focus from just hiring anyone who can scoop poop (and might stay with you for only a few weeks) to someone who can do much more—if and when they are given the opportunity to do so. You’ll want to hire individuals who have skills and a personality that set them up for success in your business, like those who are positive, friendly, … Continue reading →


Time is money at your dog daycare

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Time is money at your dog daycare Time is money, and many dog daycare and boarding businesses can’t afford to waste time grading paperwork or training every new hire on all of the basics necessary to get up to speed on their job. Many dog businesses are swamped right now and their owners and managers are just treading water.  Owners and managers don’t have time to teach new hires how to clean up dog poop, urine, and vomit. They don’t have time to show new employees the various types of collars, leashes, and harnesses and how to take them off … Continue reading →