At Dawgs in Motion we refer to Daycare as Daycamp; where your pup can play with all our other dogs!

We accept all breeds, ages, and sizes! 

PackPlay is one of our most popular services here at Dawgs in Motion! We have about 300 dogs that use our PackPlay service each week. PackPlay is always supervised by our great staff that are trained to recognize dog body language to maintain a safe play environment for all the dogs. For the dogs that do not do well with other dogs or may not be a good fit for PackPlay due to other reasons we do also offer our solo EnrichCamp option for daycare! In this service we will challenge your dog in healthy activities to help build a strong body and mind and ensure your dog is going home happy, healthy, and tired!

Our facility features three large, fenced in outdoor fields (with real grass!), four smaller fenced in areas, and two indoor space when Wisconsin weather strikes. Another great feature, NO STAIRS! Stairs can be challenging for young and old dogs, but they won’t have to deal with them here. The dogs run and play for several hours through out the day, with an nap and snack break in between. We do our best to keep the dogs outdoors in our largest areas, and to keep them comfortable no matter the weather or season.

Is PackPlay right for my dog?

PackPlay is a great way for your dog to burn some energy, make new friends, and get some healthy separation from you as the owner but it isn’t right for everyone. Every dog is different just like people and every dog is going to have a preference. For this reason we have several options for your pup.

A few helpful questions you may ask before starting group play would be:

Why am I looking at group play for my dog?

If you are looking to do PackPlay just because you ant your dog to play with other dogs or “learn to like them” this may not be a good fit for your dog. Not every dog wants to be social with other dogs and that is okay! Dog’s are individuals just like us and some may prefer the quiet company of one or two friends and not the loud busy daycamp space.

Does my dog like other dogs?

If your dog is fearful or reactive towards other dogs, PackPlay is not the right fit for them but our solo playdates may be a better option for you!

Is my dog anxious around loud noises?

If your dog is afraid or nervous around loud noise then a kennel setting probably isn’t the best fit. We frequently have more than 60 dogs or more present in a day and the hustle and bustle can be stressful and overstimulating to some dogs.

Is my dog anxious around strangers?

Our kennel is hands on. We do not feature attached outdoor runs to each kennel like some places and instead utilize large fenced in fields and outdoor play yards that. This means that our staff will be directly interacting with your dog and providing them personal care and attention during their stay while taking them out to these areas. If your dog is anxious around strangers they may not be comfortable in our facility.

Does my dog know basic obedience like come, sit, off, etc.?

In order to run PackPlay safely and effectively we need to ensure that our dogs are proficient in a few basics like recognizing their name or coming when called. Teaching your dog basic impulse control like off or leave-it is also important to ensure the playtime runs smooth while your pup is interacting with their friends. If your dog is struggling with this we can assist them through private lessons while they are here for their stay!

Does my dog have any medical conditions such as seizures, blindness, torn ALC, anxiety, etc.?

PackPlay is a busy environment with lots of activity. Dogs living with medical conditions should exercise caution as excess excitement and activity can exacerbate certain medical conditions.

Has my dog ever displayed aggression to people or other animals?

If your dog has displayed aggression towards other dogs or people PackPlay  is not the right fit for them. Safety is our top priority and we can not risk the safety of our guests or staff.

Am I doing this for me or for my dog?

This question is very important. We always strive for safety and positive interactions with our canine guests. It is important to understand that not every dog likes to be in large groups of dogs or in loud, busy environments. Some dogs prefer to live the calm and quiet life and there is nothing wrong with that! We want you to do the best thing for your dog. If you are choosing PackPlay just because you want your dog to learn to like other dogs it is not the right fit for you. We would encourage you to check out our customizable EnrichCamp service instead of PackPlay to better suit your dog’s physical and mental well being!

What should I bring to PackPlay?

* Quick release collar – flat buckle or martingale. Not a break away collar!

* Non-retractable leash – nylon, cotton, leather, bio thane, etc.

* Optional Lunch/Treats labeled with name (lunch time is 11:15-12:15)

* Optional Blanket for in your pup’s kennel

* Optional Toy for in your pup’s kennel

Our Group Structure

Dog’s participating in PackPlay are grouped based on size, age, temperament, personality, and other important indicators that we look for during their initial evaluation. We carefully select play groups based on these to ensure your dog is receiving QUALITY time out of their kennel space when they are with us. While we like to see the dogs out as long as possible we understand as dog professionals that not every dog thrives in a busy enviornment when exposed to prolonged stressors. For this reason we selectivly limit activity for dogs that show stress indicators after being out for longer periods of time.

Our Guarantee: 

We will always do what is best for your dogs physical and mental health!

Mornings: In the morning your dog will be placed into a specially created enrichment group with up to 9 other dogs. During their group your dog will work on mental and physical enrichment activities with our trained care counselors. Activities will vary based on the group, weather, season, and more! From small pack play and puzzle games to obstacle courses and obedience training your dog will be kept busy with health forward, quality enrichment time with our loving staff.

All dogs receive a break and lunch time (if owner provides lunch or snacks) in the afternoon where they are returned to their camp rooms to rest and recharge.

 Afternoons: In the afternoon our large group play begins and the fun continues. During our large group play the dogs are grouped into one of 4 groups based on the criteria listed above. During large group play dogs will engage in more structured socializing, games and activities such as bubble chasing, fetch (in a healthy manner with boundaries and limitations), sniffari adventures, follow the leader, agility (for those structurally sound to engage), obedience training, and more!

Getting Started with PackPlay or EnrichCamp

1. To get started in our daycare program you must first fill out the pet summary in full so that we can make an initial evaluation on your dog. This can be found on your  portal.
2. Once you have filled out the pet summary you can fill out your vet contact information and the remaining information in your customer portal.
3. Owners must then submit vaccination proof for distemper and bordetella (kennel cough) for all dogs and rabies for dogs that are 16 weeks or older.
4. You will then submit a request for an evaluation for your dog (if signing up for PackPlay).
5. Once your request is approved you will receive notification of confirmation and you will then be able to fill out the customer agreement (this is a one time agreement per human customer so if you have already filled one out for a previous pet you will not need to do this again).

Please Note: 

Dogs that participate in our daycamp service must be spayed or neutered if they are over 2 years of age. Females that are in season are not able to attend daycamp until after their cycle has completed.

PackPlay Introductions and Evaluations

 We introduce new dogs to PackPlay slowly over an entire day. New dogs that are approved to try PackPlay will sign up for their first day evaluation. On this day your pup will work with our camp counselors who will evaluate their behavior, temperament, and understanding of basic obedience. Your evaluators will fill out an evaluation form that goes over the dogs willingness to work with staff in the different areas of our facility including our camp rooms and play areas. If your pup does well then they will have a chance to meet some new playmates.

Dogs are introduced one at a time. Their behavior is first observed between fences to provide plenty of space for your canine companion to feel safe and comfortable. Next they are introduced to a single playmate selected just for them for their introduction based on their initial behavior. Dogs and puppies that do well with their first dog will have a chance to meet a second or even third playmate (if they continue to do well), each time getting one-on-one attention with that new pal. If they have a good reaction and are enjoying the time with the other dog we will slowly add more dogs to their group one at a time to evaluate their behavior in our smaller enrichment groups. This is all done on an individual basis to ensure your dog is having the best experience possible.

Our evaluators take into account the many factors that may affect your dog’s behavior when at our facility such as if your dog is demonstrating puppy behavior, if the weather may be causing a change in behavior, adaptability, and much more. We will not fail a dog unless we have concerns for the safety, health, and well being of your dog, other clients dogs, or the staff. We do our best to try and work with all dogs that come to our facility and offer training for those that need some work in areas such as handling or obedience.

If your dog passes the first part of their evaluation they will have their large group play introduction evaluation, which takes place in the afternoon. This evaluation will then test your dog’s compatibility in a pack setting with the other dogs and replicated a normal day of daycamp. We will test to see how your dog dogs being integrated into a group that has already been established while also having more dogs added as the group is formed.

Some reasons a dog may not pass evaluation

At Dawgs in Motion we are always putting the safety and happiness of all of our guests first. With this in mind there are some cases where we may decline a dog for our group play. Listed below are a few of the more common reasons a dog may not be a good fit for pack play.

Aggression: This is an obvious one. Dogs that show aggression towards the staff or other dogs are not a good fit for group play. If the aggression is being demonstrated due to fear we would be willing to work with the dog through training and our solo EnrichCamp option to help acclimate and socialize your pup and help them become more comfortable depending on the individual dog and the behavior being shown. Dogs that show aggression out of dominance or reasons other than fear or lack of confidence would be referred to our in-home trainer.

Lack of Obedience: Dogs that participate in group play need to know the basics – Name, Come, Sit, and Leave-It. This helps our teams to manage the groups and the dog’s behavior and help to guide them on proper play styles and movement through the building and play areas safely. We do make exceptions for puppies that are still learning and dogs that are enrolled in classes. Please remember that even if your dog responds to obedience cues at home with you, our environment is different than your home and dogs may act differently in this setting.

Excessive Mounting: Dogs mount sometimes to initiate play, rank themselves in the pack, and to relieve stress. While mounting once in a while in the group is a natural and normal thing (even for females or altered dogs), it can become a problem when it becomes excessive. It can upset the other dogs leading to potential altercations and is a sign that your dog is stressed and anxious. If your dog would mount excessively we would not be able to allow them in the group play setting. 

Face-barking: Just like with mounting, this is often a way for dogs to initiate play and communicate with one another but when it becomes excessive and your dog does not listen to corrections from staff and their other companions, it can lead to other dogs becoming stressed and uncomfortable which in turn can cause altercations.

Muzzle Punching: Just like someone punching you in the shoulder or jabbing at you, this behavior, when repetitive or harsh can cause companions to become annoyed, sore, and unhappy with the behavior. Dogs that muzzle punch will also often nip at their targets causing their companion to become scared, sore, or upset. 

Testimonials