5 Ways to Make Your Daycare More Attractive to Dog Owners

We we a couple dog daycares and boarding kennels in my hometown. One is located in the country side, has a 6-foot security fence and is always sparkling clean when you show up. The other is in the owner’s backyard and you can see the piles of poop that haven’t been picked up. Which do you think makes more money? Creating an appealing environment for dog owners is essential for the success of your dog daycare. Owners want to ensure their pets are well cared for and happy while they’re away. No one wants to leave their dog for the weekend at a place that doesn’t instill confidence in their ability to adequately take care of the person’s pet. By focusing on several key aspects, you can make your daycare stand out and attract more clients. Seeing as the pet care industry is growing rapidly, it more important now than ever to stand out.

1. Ensure a Clean and Safe Environment

The cleanliness and safety of your facility are paramount to attracting dog owners. Like I talked about in the opening paragraph, if the choice is between your business and the competition, whichever is cleaner will win. A well-maintained, hygienic environment assures clients that their pets will be in good hands. Implement regular cleaning schedules and use high-quality, pet-safe cleaning products to maintain a spotless facility. Safety features are equally important. Ensure that your daycare is equipped with secure fencing, non-slip flooring, and well-ventilated spaces. Conduct regular safety checks and address any potential hazards promptly. Clearly communicate your safety protocols to clients, so they feel confident that their pets are in a secure and clean environment. If you tell them that you check the fences once an hour and that there are security cameras located on each corner to keep an eye on the dogs while they play, that might give them the sense of security the require in order to leave their pet for the weekend.

2. Offer a Variety of Engaging Activities

Dog owners are looking for more than just a place to leave their pets; they want their dogs to have a fun and enriching experience. No one wants to leave the dog at a facility where it’s going to spend the majority of the day inside a kennel. People’s pet have become their children, so they want to be certain that their dog is enjoying their time during their stay at your facility. Offer a variety of engaging activities that cater to different dog personalities and preferences. This could include playgroups, agility courses, puzzle toys, and training sessions. A simple Google search will give you a ton of ideas that you can implement. You can also create themed playdates or special events to keep things exciting and fresh, like a doggie happy hour. The dogs can play and the owners can enjoy a glass of wine or beer and get to know one another.

3. Showcase Your Expertise and Qualifications

Dog owners are more likely to choose a daycare that demonstrates expertise and professionalism in pet care. Highlight the qualifications and experience of your staff on your website and social media profiles. Share their certifications in pet first aid, dog training, or animal behavior to demonstrate that your employees are top notch. Collect everyone’s certifications and display them on the back wall of the main entrance. This way, when clients enter your business, they’re instantly able to see that you take your business seriously, since they’ll see all the certifications that your employees have received. Lastly, on your website, make sure to highlight everyone’s certifications, so that people visiting your website can see that your staff is highly-skilled.

4. Create a Welcoming Atmosphere

First impressions matter. Ensure that your daycare has a welcoming and friendly atmosphere that puts both dogs and their owners at ease. Design a warm and inviting reception area with comfortable seating, engaging pet-themed decor, and clear information about your services. Try to create a distance between the check-in area and the main play area, otherwise you’re going to have too much chaos at the front door. Your clients’ dogs are going to excited either way when they show up since they can smell their friends. However, you don’t want them jumping and barking in the check-in area. A calm check-in area shows you know how to control your pack. Lastly, make sure that your clients know everyone’s name as well as the names of all the dogs. This will show clients that you really care for their pets. You can use DoggieDashboard’s Pet Name Game for this. It’s a multiple choice game for remembering pet names.

5. Leverage Positive Reviews and Testimonials

Last but not least, let’s talk about everyone’s favorite topic; online reviews. Word-of-mouth and online reviews play a crucial role in attracting new clients. Every sector of the economy can be reviewed these days, from the pizza place down the street to the plumber that comes to fix a leaky pipe. Dog daycare and boarding kennels aren’t any different. Reviews matter. Encourage satisfied clients to leave positive reviews on platforms such as Google, Yelp, and Facebook. Feature these testimonials prominently on your website and social media to showcase the positive experiences of other dog owners. Consider creating a testimonial page on your website or sharing client stories and photos on social media. This way, when potential new clients visit your website and debate giving your place a try, they can see what other people are saying. Since your reviews will all be glowing, you’ll have a great chance of getting this new client.

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