7 Ways to Make Your Dog Daycare Stand Out from the Competition

The pet care industry has been on the rise in recent years, and with it has come an increase in competition for dog daycares. In order to stand out from the crowd and attract new customers, it is important to offer something unique and special. Your clients, pet owners, are having more options put in front of them when it comes to places to leave their pet for dog daycare. If you haven't updated your business offerings in the past few years, it might be time to think about revamping your services to help stand out amongst the competition. The last thing you want to see is a decline in monthly clients because they're going to the competition.

Here are 7 ways to make your dog daycare stand out from the competition:

Offer Specialized Services

Think about offering specialized services that your competitors do not. This could be anything from agility training to dog grooming to doggy day trips. If you have the space, think about adding a splash pool. For one, they provide great content for social media. Who doesn't love watching videos of dogs playing together in the pool. On the other hand, it will also make your clients happier, because they'll know that Fido is playing in the pool all day instead of sitting inside his crate all day.

Create a Welcoming Atmosphere

Your dog daycare should have a warm and inviting atmosphere that makes dogs and their owners feel at home. This could be achieved through thoughtful design, décor and the overall energy of the place. Make sure that your business is sparkling clean, at all times. The last thing a pet owners wants to see when they bring in their dog is a big pile of poop on the floor. Make it a point to clean up any accidents as fast as possible. A clean environment shows your clients that you care about their pets. If they see a pile of poop on the floor, are they really going to want to leave their dog with you for the day?

Foster a Sense of Community

Encourage customers to get to know each other and create a sense of community by hosting events, offering dog-friendly social media groups, or arranging playdates. If your clients make friends with other pet owners at your facility, they can use it as a social meetup. Maybe they like catching up for a few minutes outside before they go in to pick up their pets. These little human interactions can be a great way to increase the stickiness of your business. If your clients know that they're going to bump into friends when they pick up their pets, there's a good chance that they'll stick around.

Invest in High-Quality Equipment

Investing in high-quality equipment and facilities will ensure that your dogs are safe, comfortable and well taken care of, while also providing a good impression to customers. Many dog daycares, unfortunately, tend to use old sofas and play equipment that they repurpose for the pets. It's a good idea on the surface, since its a low-cost way to get equipment into your business, but it also kind of shows that you're not investing in the best equipment possible. However, if your facility is packed with nice dog beds and different play areas for the dogs, your clients will know that you're taking good care of their pets when they're not there.

Offer Personalized Attention

Offer customized care and attention to each dog, taking into account their individual needs and personality. This could be as simple as noting their favorite toy or activity and ensuring they have access to it. Think about creating pet-specific storage location. You can keep each pet's toys safe so that when the owner shows up in the morning, you can reach down into the Fido box and grab his favorite stuffed animal. Your clients will be thrilled that you know what toys their dogs like using and it will show that you're going above and beyond to provide quality service.

Provide Exceptional Customer Service

Your customer service should be exceptional in all aspects, from your initial interaction with potential clients to the way you handle complaints and concerns. Customer complaints aren't always bad, since they can help you improve your business. If you're not using complaints and feedback to better your business, you're wasting a precious resource. Make it a point to interact with your clients and get feedback from them on how you can better your business. Anonymous surveys are an easy way for your clients to submit their opinions about your business without having to feel like they're going to be judged for these options.

Stay up to Date with Industry Trends

Keep up with industry trends and make changes as necessary. For example, if new technology becomes available that would make your business more efficient or customer friendly, consider investing in it. If you're a grooming business, or you're a daycare and boarding kennel that offers grooming services, make sure that your grooming tables are update to date. Using archaic grooming tables and bathing stations shows your clients that you put your business profit before the health and wellness of their pets, and that's not going to help you gain any new clients or keep current clients coming back for years to come.

By implementing these 7 steps, you can help your dog daycare stand out from the competition and attract new customers. Whether it's through personalized attention, a welcoming atmosphere, or innovative services, it is important to find a way to differentiate your business and make it truly special.

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