A Day in the Life
When it comes to creating a well-rounded working relationship with one of our dogs, we believe that consistency and mutual respect are key. Our team is a part of every aspect of care for our animals, from cleaning kennels and feeding time, to vaccinations and training. While the team is here during the day, Sonny and Shannon are here through the night, as the kennel is just steps away from their home. If something is amiss, Shannon will likely be out to the kennel within moments to ensure any nervous energy is dealt with and that the dogs are content.
7-9 AM – The team arrives and begins the day. We strive to ensure the dogs have both mental and physical stimulation 7 days a week with minimal time confined to the kennel. As the day begins, the dogs have the opportunity to have a social hour with other dogs who complement their personality. This time allows the dogs to establish pecking order and good pack behavior. Throughout the morning, they will have access to an onsite pond, a large, wooded area, tall grasses, and different obstacles. Through this process, the dogs are being introduced to ‘hunt’ and learn to ‘turn on their nose.’ During this time, the kennel is being maintained to impeccable standards. Cleanliness is of the utmost importance to us. Clients are often surprised when they come and comment that, “They’ve never seen such a clean facility.”
9-9:30 AM – While free-running and establishing good manners within the pack is important, we believe it is just as important that the dogs are taught to be calm and content when confined as well. As part of their training, the dogs will spend time learning self-control and arousal regulation. This practice teaches them to be calm but also ready to be put to work at any given time. No different from us humans, dogs will thrive with a consistent and productive morning routine. A dog cannot be trained to their fullest potential if their mental health is not in order. Our breeding females go through this exact routine.
9:30 AM – 4-5 days each week, we leave the kennel and head to different locations for our training day. We visit different warehouses, factories, churches, schools, sporting events, and even concerts. There are also days when we stay at the kennel to free-run, swim, and play ball just for fun. This provides important enrichment and helps us to observe their task engagement, application, and overall quality of life. During the training day, we are continuously collecting data and evaluating the dogs to help the candidate work to its full potential and not fall through the cracks.
2-3 PM – Arrive back at the kennel for free-run and socializing time with dogs who complement one another. By keeping our days consistent and productive, the dogs are worked to their full potential. They’ve had both physical and mental stimulation. When the dogs are treated with this type of respect, they are calm and at peace. With a mindset like this, the dog has every opportunity to learn and achieve its optimal performance.
4-5 PM - Our day is winding down. At this time the team will feed the dogs, clean trailers, and tend to any other maintenance needs throughout the kennel. We don’t have a dedicated husbandry crew; the trainers take responsibility for every aspect of the dogs’ care and quality of life.