How is What Dogs Want Academy different than a daycare?
What Dogs Want Academy is a unique enrichment center dedicated to structured learning and outlets for our canine students. To ensure personalized attention, we maintain a strict staff-to-dog ratio, with no more than 8 dogs per staff member. Our enrichment activities are designed to develop key skills such as problem solving, confidence, focus, body awareness, and more- preparing dogs for success in their daily lives. While we offer supervised free time and encourage play, we ensure that dogs take regular breaks and respect each other’s boundaries and preferences.
Are you trainers?
We do not identify as traditional “trainers”. Instead, we do offer Family Dog Mediation services, which takes a more holistic approach. By considering your dog’s learning, environment, genetics, and self (their “LEGS”), we strive to understand the full picture of who they are. Our goal is to meet your dog’s unique needs, fostering mutual understanding and success for both you and your dog.
What type of dog does well at the Academy?
We believe that every dog is entitled to a rich and fulfilling life. Our approach is not breed-specific; instead we emphasize the importance of creating a customized enrichment plan that addresses the needs of each individual dog. To ensure a positive experience in our group setting, we require that all students be well-socialized with both people and other dogs prior to enrollment. For dogs that may not thrive in a group setting, we offer alternative options, such as private tutoring, to meet their specific needs.
When would you recommend private tutoring? What are the benefits?
Private tutoring is an excellent option for dogs that are selective, reactive, or simply perform better in a more focused, individual setting. Through this service, we provide the same enrichment activities offered at the Academy, but in 60- or 90-minute sessions conducted in the comfort of your home. This option is particularly convenient for those whose schedules do not align with the Academy’s standard pick-up and drop-off hours. The benefits of private tutoring include a one-on-one, distraction-free environment where your dog receives undivided attention, allowing them to excel in various games and activities. Additionally, this setting offers you the opportunity to observe your dog’s progress and learn the activities alongside them, should you choose to participate.
Can my dog go to daycare and the Academy?
While some of our students attend both daycare and What Dogs Want Academy, we recognize that this arrangement may not be suitable for every dog. Given our emphasis on enrichment and structured activities, we have observed that many dogs find it challenging to transition between our focused environment and the more play-oriented, open atmosphere of a daycare setting.
Can puppies attend the Academy?
We welcome puppies to the Academy once they are fully vaccinated, ensuring the safety of both themselves and our other students. To continue their education with us, male dogs must be neutered by seven months of age, and females must be spayed before their first heat cycle. While they are welcome to start with us before reaching these milestones, we may ask them to take a temporary break if their development begins to impact other dogs in our care. Enrichment is essential for dogs of all ages!
What is the age limit?
As mentioned, enrichment is vital for dogs of all ages. We do not impose an “age limit”. As long as your dog remains interested and engaged in our activities (or simply enjoys being present at the facility), we are delighted to continue working with them.
What kind of activities do the dogs work on?
Dogs engage in a diverse range of activities designed to promote various aspects of their development. Our tailored puzzles and games target key learning areas such as problem solving, confidence building, creative thinking, body awareness, focus, and more. In addition, we provide opportunities for dogs to express natural behaviors- such as sniffing, digging, and foraging- in appropriate and constructive ways. While we focus on equipping dogs with skills to thrive in their environment, we also believe they should have the freedom to simply enjoy being dogs.
Can I visit?
Before enrolling in the Academy, we request that you and your dog visit our facility during regular operating hours for a meet-and-greet and tour. However, once your dog is an active student, we generally discourage visits during school hours. Your presence can disrupt the learning process, not only for your dog but for the other students as well. Additionally, some of our students may be apprehensive around unfamiliar people, and we aim to maintain a comfortable environment for all.
What does the meet-and-greet consist of and how long does it take?
When you come for a meet-and-greet, please plan to spend approximately 45 minutes to an hour at our facility. During this visit, your dog will have the opportunity to meet some of our current students in a supervised, on-leash setting, allowing us to assess how they interact with other dogs. We will also take this time to answer any questions you may have about the program and provide a tour of our facility and yard space. Our goal is to ensure you feel comfortable and confident entrusting your dog to our care, while also confirming that your dog is a good fit for our Academy.
How do I pay for tuition?
We offer several convenient options for paying tuition. Tuition is billed at the beginning of each month for scheduled classes. You may choose to keep a card on file with us for automatic monthly payments, or if you prefer, we can send you an invoice via email, which can be paid through Venmo or GoDaddy.
What is your cancellation policy if my dog can’t make it to class one day?
If your dog is unable to attend a class, please notify us as early as possible so we can make any necessary arrangements. Should you miss a class and have provided advance notice, we will apply a credit to your account for the following month. However, we regret that no credit will be offered for absences without prior notification or communication.
Can my dog come on any day? Do you offer drop-in service?
During your meet-and-greet, we will assess your dog’s personality and suggest the most suitable days for their attendance, taking into account the dynamics of other students and the overall atmosphere. Based on this evaluation, you can select a day that best fits your schedule, provided we have availability. To help your dog acclimate, we do request that you maintain a consistent schedule (coming the same day or days each week). We do not offer drop-in services, as this can disrupt existing classes and cause undue stress for your dog due to changing group dynamics.
If I leave to go on vacation, will my dog lose their space?
If you plan to travel with your dog, we are happy to hold your spot for a few weeks, and we encourage you to enjoy your time away with them. However, if your dog is absent from class for over a month, we cannot guarantee their spot will be available upon your return. Due to limited class space and an active waitlist, we are unable to reserve spots for extended periods of absence.
Do the dogs have downtime? Are they ever kept in crates?
We encourage daily nap time for the dogs. Typically, we allow the dogs to determine when they need a break. When it appears that rest is needed, we dim the lights and pause all activities. Additionally, we have a “decompression room” available throughout the day for dogs requiring extra rest or solitude. This space provides opportunities for sniffing, a naturally calming behavior for dogs. We do not use crates at the Academy; instead, if a dog needs some alone time or is causing disruption, they are moved to another room or taken outside to the yard for a break and time to decompress.
What if my dog doesn’t like one of the other dogs in class? What if one of the other dogs doesn’t like my dog?
We accommodate a diverse range of personalities among our students and do not expect all dogs to become best friends. We typically organize two to three separate classes each day, grouping dogs based on compatibility and their ability to work well together. If we encounter significant issues that could impact the safety or comfort of any dog, we will consider alternative days and schedules to better align conflicting dogs with different groups. Our goal is to manage varying personalities effectively, ensuring that all students remain safe, secure, and have a positive experience.
Do you allow dogs that guard resources?
Resource guarding is a natural behavior in many dogs, and each dog is unique in how they may display it. If a dog exhibits resource guarding tendencies, we will discuss this with the parent to develop a management strategy, such as ensuring they are not placed in situations where this behavior could pose a challenge. However, the safety of all individuals at the Academy is our top priority. Should resource guarding present a safety concern for our staff or other students, alternative arrangements, such as private tutoring, may be necessary.
Has a dog ever been expelled from the Academy?
This may not be the ideal setting for every dog. If a dog exhibits aggression toward other dogs or staff members that puts safety at risk, we will require them to leave the program. In such cases, private tutoring may be a suitable alternative if the aggression is limited to interactions with other dogs. Additionally, some dogs may become overwhelmed or overstimulated by the group environment, hindering their ability to focus on activities. For these dogs, private tutoring and a one-on-one environment can also be a beneficial option. Furthermore, if a dog is clearly unhappy or unwilling to participate in the group setting, we respect their needs and will not force them to continue attending.
