Here at Noah’s Ark we take pride in offering an excellent service not only for you as an owner but for your furry companion too. During the time your dog is in our care we ensure that they are in a happy, stress free environment. This entry is what you can expect from a normal day in Noah’s Ark Dog Day Care.

The day starts off anywhere after 7.45am, as all our wonderful dogs begin to arrive they give their last goodbye kisses to their owners and we take them through to our large play hall or outside yard depending on the weather. This is where we keep all their belongings and dinners (in a sectioned off area), any buckle collars are swapped to one of our quick release collars for safety and a full body health check is done on each dog to ensure all staff are aware of any issues.

Then the fun starts! All our dogs are able to play freely with each other and staff members, there is access to a wide range of toys and play equipment to stimulate them. On warmer days we use paddling pools and other water toys to keep them cool and their minds busy! Our staff are trained to monitor behaviours and teach them polite play with each other.

At 12pm we start our lunchtime feeds, food is only given to dogs which owners have provided food for to keep to their routines. Each dog is fed in a separate area away from the other dogs and they’re given as long as they need. We can use different food bowls such as slow feeders to enrich them as they eat and ensure the dogs practice good food manners when presented with their food, working on behaviours such as snatching food. During lunchtime each dog is once again health checked to ensure we keep on top of any injuries or illness’.

After lunchtime all the dogs have run off most their energy during the mornings play, so the afternoon can be used to focus on basic training tailored to each dog and owners needs, we can work on things such as recall, sits, down, waits and other basic commands which helps to mentally stimulate your dog.

Dogs start to be collected at times to suit the owners and we say our goodbyes. Each dog has a daily report card filled out so you know what your dog has got up to during the day and so we can keep a record of anything we might need to pass on.

A Day In The Life of Alfie

Meet Alfie, he is a 1 year old cockerpoo that has been using Noah’s Ark Day school service for a while now. This is an insight into what Alfie and all the other dogs get up to in a typical day at school. He loves playing with his friends and having big cuddles!

Alfie’s morning!

First things first! Alfie gets dropped off by his Mum in the capable hands of Noah’s Arks Staff. His mum gets asked how he has been since we last saw him and if there is anything we need to be aware of. We take his lunch and put it in a safe place so no one else can eat it on their way past. Alfie will sometimes give his mum a cuddle goodbye if he’s not too excited to get into school to kick-start his day.

After saying goodbye to his Mum, Alfie makes his way up the ramp to meet one of his teachers who is stood waiting to welcome him with open arms. Getting Alfie into school takes no time at all, the only thing standing in the way are the doors. After a quick health check to make sure he’s okay he’s on his way through. Finally, Alfie is in school! What to do first?

Alfie gets greeted at the door by the dogs that are already in school, has a sniff and runs about enjoying himself with his friends whilst he has the energy. Another dog arrived? It’s okay, this time it’s Alfie doing the greeting. After all the dogs have arrived in school the real fun begins! The teacher that greeted Alfie in reception goes up to join in the fun with the other teachers already in with him.

Mornings are varied in school, some dogs come in and have a quick power nap after being woken up by Mum and Dad but not Alfie. Alfie spends the first part of his mornings playing with his friends and his favourite toys, enjoying bits of training either 1-2-1 or group training. Depending on weather, sometimes Alfie will enjoy some time outside with friends, playing with a ball or in the paddling pool. If not, he’s happy to play on the slide and the different levelled platforms dotted around school.  Alfie and his friends also taken out several times to allow him to toilet during the morning.

LUNCH TIME!!!

Alfie’s turn comes after waiting so nicely while others eat. Alfie’s name is called and he heads on through to the food room where he patiently waits for his dinner to be served. After wolfing down his 5* cuisine (lovingly provided by Mum), Alfie gets another health check. His ears, eyes and nose along with body, feet and mouth are all checked carefully by our staff to ensure Alfie is still in fit condition as he was when he walked through the door. He is let outside for some fresh, cool air and another toilet time if he needs it. After this he is let back into school to continue playing. (All of our day schoolers get fed separately to ensure no one has any food they’re not meant to and allowed to the toilet by themselves just in case they are a bit shy)

Time for Afternoon Classes!

The afternoon lessons may consist of a group game of fetch or playing in the sun, no matter what lessons his teachers have planned, Alfie loves spending time in the school with our staff. A bit more training maybe? Alfie has a training plan that his teachers have made for him after his Mum told us what she would like him to learn while in school. (You can see what training is done with our dogs in next month’s blog).

After all this learning and playing with friends, it’s time for Alfie to have his much beloved power nap. Alfie finds his favourite bed of the day and curls up for a good dream. Sometimes he even shares the bed with his friends.

Alfie wakes himself up just before his friends go home. He says good bye to them just before they go and has some last minute fun and cuddles with his teachers of the day and his friends.

Home Time for Alfie!

Alfie’s name gets called down the radio and he knows that Mummy’s here to pick him up to take him home. After a quick goodbye to his friends and a goodbye to his teacher, he rushes down the ramp to see Mum. Alfie is always so excited to see his mum at the end of a long and tiring day. He meets the teacher on reception at the bottom of the ramp and dances about that much it’s hard to keep him still to put his harness on him. Finally it’s on and it’s time to reunite him with his Mum. She receives his report card and off they go until the next time Alfie comes to school!