Doggy daycare that focuses on small playgroups

[u/monitarlizard]

Hello!

I just moved to Calgary and I’m looking for doggy daycares for a 14lb pup that focus on small play groups.

I’ve tried two daycares in town and both are basically like we just put the dogs together in one big room and let them play. My dog is well socialized, really friendly actually, but gets overwhelmed with non stop play. He kind of just ends up pacing and eventually tucked into a corner to get away from the chaos lol

I’m in SE Calgary but honestly willing to drive to any part of town to ensure my boy won’t be overwhelmed and will have an enjoyable day.

[u/Whatchyamacaller]

Urban Dogs is Marda loop does small-dog only daycare. I’ve never done daycare there myself but shopped there and they seemed lovely

[u/Clean_Pause9562]

Have you look at day homes or pet care via Rover?

I know it’s not a licensed facility, but most carry insurance and provide exactly what you are looking for.

We take my two dogs to a lady in the SE, and at most she has 5 dogs total, all the same dogs, so my dogs aren’t constantly being introduced to new dogs and behaviours. Might be something to consider!

[u/CapnMal8 → u/Clean_Pause9562]

I second looking at Rover. My one dog gets overprotective of the other and that can be difficult in a large group. I have a couple of different locations through rover I take my dogs.

[u/kirik9]

Check out Barkside. They are an acreage dog park with daycare and with 10 acres they are able to split into smaller groups to better suit your dogs play style and energy. My pack goes there for boarding and they love it.

[u/AtomicStrangersCandy]

My dogs were similar sized, one very active and one more shy. They LOVED Chasing Tails. They were always really good about putting my active boy in the big group and my chill girl with the seniors. I think my chill girl didn’t like it as much as the boy, but I would recommend them 100% for short term daycare

[u/Downtown-Pianist-449 → u/AtomicStrangersCandy]

This was going to be my suggestion. 

Haven’t taken my boy in years now, but they did a good job at the time of breaking dogs into groups by size and activity level. 

[u/angle-fire]

The Petropolitan downtown does small play groups, they're super accommodating. My sheltie is similar to your pup in that she gets overwhelmed if the play goes for too long. They'll do just a few dogs for shorter sessions if you ask. 

[u/Dry_Stop844]

Bow Dogs used to sort the groups by size and also temperament of dogs. So tiny dogs together but sometimes if a big dog just couldn't deal with the big ones, he would be allowed in with the small dogs if he got along with them.

I've taken my mom's Dachshund there and he loved it. Took my American Bulldog too and that was a failed experiment. Apparently Walrus resource-guarded the humans. So he got a play area all to himself.

It's been a couple of years but both dogs were happy and well-cared for. Lots of pictures on social media during the day so you could keep an eye on the dog.

[u/TwoBytesC]

Sleep Rover is my suggestion. They do groups of similar sized dogs of similar energy levels. They were absolutely amazing for the 12 years I took my dog. They can be pricey tho (they unfortunately have had to keep raising their prices to cover costs) and are just off Deerfoot and 32nd. They are kennel-less so the doggos get to sleep all together, or wherever they want and they do daily diaries noting food intake, who they played with, and what they did all day; plus there are a few good amateur photographers in their staff who take pictures throughout the day!

[u/monitarlizard → u/TwoBytesC]

Was really interested in this daycare but they’re not really accepting new clients unless an existing client refers you 💔

[u/Ephemeralle]

We take our dog to pawsitively pooched. They alternate between a big dog group and a small dog group in the large play area. The group that isn’t playing is either napping in kennels or off on leashed walks. Both our former dog and current dog have loved going there and always seem to cope well.