Why Smaller Playgroup Sizes Matter

The Dog Gurus believe only a small portion of family pet dogs actually enjoy off-leash play. (We estimate that less than 40% of dogs really love to play with other dogs.) This is the reason we love strong evaluation processes that help to identify those dogs that love dog-to-dog play. But the structure of your groups can have a big impact on whether or not the dogs are really having fun….and smaller groups may not only be better for the dogs, they can also be more profitable for your business.

For years, I have used my own dog, Denver, as an example of a dog who loves playing with small groups of dogs, but becomes irritable and aggressive when he plays with larger groups. Denver is a Labrador Retriever and he is joyfully happy when he chases and wrestles with 3-4 playmates. But when he is put in a nice group of more than about 6 dogs, his arousal level goes over the top and he gets overly stimulated. This results in more aggressive displays than I think is good for him or for the other dogs. For many years I considered this a unique trait of Denver. After all, he is high energy and easily aroused. I recognized his limits and simply kept him in smaller groups. He was happy and, as his pet parent, so was I. However, after over 20 years of observing off-leash play, I actually think a huge number of dogs are just like Denver and would actually prefer smaller groups.

In the past we have always assumed that with the right dogs and the right training of your staff you could handle groups of up to 15 dogs. And that is still our staffing ratio. For some facilities with large rooms or large outdoor spaces, this meant you could put 30 dogs together with 2 staff members, or 45 dogs with 3 staff members. Our measure of success was that if the dogs were not stressed, and no one was getting injured then this was an acceptable way to run your daycare. We would still agree with this premise and this has become the norm within the daycare industry.

But I would challenge you to look at a model that might include more rest periods and smaller playgroups. Check out this month’s Implementation Plan for Daycare 2.0 and try it with a small group of dogs that are normally in your larger group. Critically analyze the results. You might just find that the dogs play differently, they are more relaxed and that the staff is having more fun. On top of that, you will also find this model is more profitable for your business. You might find that, like Denver, lots of dogs play differently when they are with a smaller group of dogs.

Here are some questions to consider as you give this model of care a test drive:

• Do the dogs still play the same way in the small group as they do in the big group?
• Do you see any new play behaviors as they play in small groups?
• Is there more activity or less activity when the dogs have shorter, high quality times of play?
• Do the dogs seem just as tired when they go home?
• Does your staff find it easier to interact with the smaller groups?
• Does the staff have more fun with the dogs?
• Is the staff more relaxed?

Use these questions as a starting point and brainstorm with your staff whether or not you think this model is better for the dogs and for those who care for them. This new model of daycare can set your facility apart from the daycare that does day long play in large groups by providing dogs with more one on one attention. I also think you’ll find the dogs are happier, the staff is happier, and your business can generate more revenue without having to add more space.

Give it a try and let us know your results.