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Paws button: It is all fun and games at doggie daycare

Journal Staff Anyone who finds a mob of toddlers a handful hasn’t been to doggie daycare.
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Down here, guys! Horsing around was the order of the day at The Dog House doggy daycare on London Line. Here, pooches Raven and Echo, right, nuzzle each other playfully while Carl, centre, is the odd man out. Glenn Ogilive

Journal Staff

Anyone who finds a mob of toddlers a handful hasn’t been to doggie daycare.

At The Dog House on London Line, if the pooches aren’t chasing each other around the floor they’re jumping on and under the Fisher Price children’s equipment or running after balls.

A few laze around, taking life easy.

The business on the Golden Mile has a roster of 236 clients, mostly owners with work commitments or who don’t have time to exercise their pets. But only 47 dogs are allowed in the heated facility at any time, depending on size.

A Great Dane, for example, counts as two small dogs, said manager Tabby Haywood, a computer programmer by profession.

“There is no overcrowding. Each dog needs a certain amount of space to be comfortable.”

Each day brings a different blend of breeds with at least one person on the floor at all times to maintain order.

The Dog House will mark its second anniversary in March.

It has five employees and four volunteers keeping tabs on the four-legged guests.

And when a spat occurs the offenders are separated and disciplined in “time out”cages.

Like preschoolers, bad behaviour isn’t tolerated.

Operations manager Tabby Haywood gets a friendly mobbing at the The Dog House. Glenn Ogilvie
Operations manager Tabby Haywood gets a friendly mobbing at the The Dog House.Glenn Ogilvie

A soulful looking Emma checks out some play equipment. Glenn Ogilvie
A soulful looking Emma checks out some play equipment.Glenn Ogilvie

From left, Carl, Henry and Jax get in a little gentle play. Glenn Ogilvie
From left, Carl, Henry and Jax get in a little gentle play.Glenn Ogilvie


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