Virtual Tour of Woof! Play & Stay

Find the Hidden Dog and Get a $25 Credit Plus a $10 Starbucks Gift Card

Take a Virtual Tour of Woof Play and Stay Dog Daycare and Boarding Center on Google Maps

Hidden in some obvious corner of the Google Virtual Tour of Woof is a little doggy. Find him and we will give you a $25 discount and a $10 Starbucks Gift Card.

TAKE THE TOUR BY CLICKING HERE

Woof Play & Stay Doggy Daycare and Dog Boarding Center is an urban dog resort focused on the fitness and well being of dogs. We treat our dogs like family! For more information visit us online or call 206-397-4225.

Could Dog Daycare Save Your Job & Apartment?

Busy professionals who own dogs in an urban environment face all kinds of challenges, like balancing their work and social lives with caring for their furry best friend.

What happens when you have a serious deadline- like 10 hours of work that must be done in 6 hours- AND a mischievous dog with LOTS of pent up energy?  She or he needs exercise or bad things will happen. Really bad things, like digging up a potted plant and decorating your apartment with dirt...or even worse.

Doggie daycare could save the day!  That is, if you have dog that can play nicely with other dogs. If not, a professional dog walker might be an alternative.  But dog daycare is the better option if your dog has the personality for it.

Doggy daycare at a reputable center will provide your energetic and mischievous pal with plenty of exercise, human attention and socialization with other dogs. While you sweat to meet your deadline she or he will happily playing with their BFFs.

If you live in Seattle, WA check out Woof Play & Stay dog daycare and boarding center. Woof is located downtown near the Seattle Center and features free convenient parking. Visit www.woofplayandstay.com for more details.

Woof Play & Stay Dog Daycare Saved My Wardrobe

Is Doggy Daycare Right for All Dogs?

Awesome for some dogs…. 

Not such a good idea for others

Benefits of Dog Day Care
For human owners and canine companions

The short answer is no, doggie daycare is not a good idea for all dogs.  That said, dog daycare can be an amazing experience for dogs with a compatible temperament. Moreover, it can offer lot of sweet benefits- for both dogs and their human owners. It provides dogs with boredom relief, a healthy outlet for pent-up energy, exercise, socialization and constructive interaction with humans. Busy human dog owners enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing their dog is well cared for while they are away at work or play.  Dog daycare can certainly provide relief from some of the many stresses that naturally come with urban dog ownership.

Good Dogs- Just Not Good for Daycare

Not all dogs, however, are good candidates for the doggy daycare scene. Some dogs simply don’t enjoy interacting with other dogs. Others may be too timid, fearful, or consistently exhibit behaviors that are not compatible with responsible off-leash group play. This does not, by any means, mean that they are “bad” dogs. It simply means daycare is not a good idea for them. Fortunately, there are other beneficial options for these dogs and their human owners, including Homecare and On Demand Dog Care from Woof!

Temperament Checks to Test Compatibility

At Woof! Play & Stay we screen all potential resort guests with a Temperament Check. This gives us a pretty good idea of whether or not the dog is a good candidate for doggie daycare, but is by no means definitive. That’s why we carefully monitor new dogs as they interact with the pack for the first few times. Our top priority is the safety, health, comfort and fun of all dogs entrusted to our care. Should it become apparent that off-leash group play isn’t working for a particular VIP (very important pooch) guest, we separate them from the pack and provide individualized care. Depending upon the situation, this could be a short “time out” or for the rest of the day.

Trial Days- Because You Just Never Know

Interestingly, behaviors incompatible with responsible off-leash group play don't always show up right away.   Sometimes they appear after a few play days, a week or even a month.  Regardless, after one or more doggy daycare sessions, it may be determined that the dog is not a good fit with the Woof! Play & Stay dog daycare scene.  Should this be the case we will likely be able to offer the owner home care and dog walking services as an alternative, and apply the appropriate credit.

Urban Dog Boarding- Not Exactly a Traditional Kennel

Most boarding facilities in the city are much more like a dog hotel rather than a kennel.  Woof is no different.  Dogs boarding overnight spend most of the day, cage free, in an indoor dog park.  As such they are engaged in supervised off leash group play (dog daycare) during most of the day.  At most urban dog daycare centers the only time a dog is in a "Suite" or "Den" (fancy names for kennel or crates) is to eat. sleep or rest.

Many traditional dog kennels don't offer daycare, but they can offer walks, 1 on 1 play time and training. The dog spends most of his or her time in a large caged enclosure alone. Traditional kennels or homecare / pet sitting is the better choice for dogs who are not well suited for responsible off leash group play.

Responsible Dog Daycare & Boarding in an Urban Environment

Is knowing when to say no, and declining business when it is the right thing to do.  But damn, it's sooo hard to do- especially when you are a brand new business.  But it must be done, and we do it for the safety and well being of our staff and canine guests.  It's a no brainer.

As of the writing of this post, Woof! Play and Stay Dog Daycare and Boarding Center has been open for about 4 1/2 months.  What I did not realize ahead of time was that we would be turning down about 1 out of every 4 dogs that walked through the door, based upon the initial temperament check alone.  It's usually not a good sign when a dog snarls at you and threatens to bite your face off when you go to pet it.

Once accepted, we have found that about 1 out of 7 or 8 turn out not being a good fit for either our day care or dog boarding services.  Sometimes it's a realization over time, and sometimes it's a specific incident.  Regardless, once we learn that a dog is overly stressed by daycare, or can't play in a manner we deem responsible and appropriate, it's over.  Explaining to the owner that their dog is not a good candidate for Woof doggy daycare or boarding is extremely painful.  Especially when the owners are super nice people and their dog is really sweet.  Yet it must be done for the safety and/or well being of all concerned.

About Woof! Play & Stay

Woof Play! & Stay is an ultra-clean and modern dog daycare and boarding center located in downtown Seattle, near the Seattle Center and Space Needle.  Focused on the fitness and well being of dogs, services include premium dog daycare, luxury dog boarding, expert dog training and professional dog walking.

Dog Care Service Areas

Woof! Play and Stay is honored to serve Seattle, Washington, including the neighborhoods of South Lake Union, Downtown Seattle, Lower Queen Ann, Belltown, Uptown, Denny Triangle, Capitol Hill

Urban Dog Obedience Training

Group Classes Start February 2017

Basic & Intermediate Levels

Proper training is essential for the fitness and well being of dogs. It's even more important for the sanity of owners, especially when they live in the city. Not only will training strengthen the human-dog bond, it will open up a world of opportunities not available to those with unruly pups. Simply put, urban dog owners with well behaved dogs have so much more fun.

Woof will initially offer 2 levels of Urban Obedience Training (Basic & Intermediate). These classes have been specifically designed to help city dogs and their humans to not just survive in an urban environment, but to THRIVE in one of the most dog friendly cities in America.

Classes will be limited to a maximum of 8 members. To reserve space and receive details, pre-register by calling 206-397-4225 or emailing brad@woofplayandstay.com

The classes will be held in downtown Seattle at Woof! Play and Stay dog boarding and daycare center.  The address is 100 Taylor Ave N Seattle, WA 98109

Basic Urban Obedience Training

Instructor

Kelly Morrisroe

Prerequisites
Dog must be 6 months old, current on all vaccinations and non-egressive

Number of Classes & Cost
Series of 6 classes for $180

Schedule
Tuesdays 7pm - 8pm, starting February 7th
- or -
Saturdays 11am - 12pm, starting February11th

Intermediate Urban Obedience Training

Instructor
Kelly Morrisroe

Prerequisites
Basic Urban Obedience or pass a test

Number of Classes & Cost
Series of 6 classes for $180

Schedule
Saturdays 12pm - 1pm, starting February11th

Woof! Play & Stay is an urban dog resort and activities center located in downtown Seattle  Services include premium dog daycare, luxury dog boarding, expert dog training and professional dog walking.  Learn more about our dog and pet care services at www.woofplayandstay.com

In addition to group dog training classes, woof also offers private dog training classes that can be conducted  either with or without the owner present.

Combination dog training and boarding packages are also available.  Drop your dog off for a 3 or 5 day fun, but intensive dog training program tailored to your specific dog training goals.

                                                                    

Dogs Need Vacations Too!

Check out this fun home made promo video.

Located near the Space Needle in downtown Seattle, Woof! Play & Stay offers luxury dog boarding, premium dog daycare, expert dog training and professional dog walking.

Dog Boarding: How to Minimize the Stress Away from the Home

Leaving your best friend behind can be the hardest part of preparing for vacation. Take these extra steps to help the transition from home to boarding kennel go smoothly.

Do a Test Run: It’s good to know your dog will adapt to a specific boarding facility before you’re 1,000 miles away. Putting them up for a night of boarding a few days before you leave will help them get used to new surroundings and assure them that you’ll come back soon. If you have any questions about the facility or the daily activities there, ask if you can take a tour or interview the current dogs.

Pack Mementos: Dogs find comfort in the familiar, so bring anything along that might remind them of home during lonely afternoons. A T-shirt you’ve recently worn, for example, will retain your scent, easing separation anxiety. A favorite chew toy will both remind dogs of playtime at home and help relieve stress naturally through the act of chewing.

Pay Your Vet a Visit: Most dog-boarding facilities require proof of vaccinations before your dog can stay there. Ask which ones are required and have them done in advance of your dog’s stay. 

Write a Note for the Staff: If your dog has special needs—such as a sensitive stomach averse to certain treats—the staff should be aware of it ahead of time. Jot down any specifics, such as how much food your dog gets at each feeding, how often your dog takes medication, and any other important information that will help them care for your pet.

Don’t Freak Out: When leaving your dog, it’s important not to make a big deal out of your departure or to cry into their kibble. Your dog can sense your stress, which could lead them to think something’s wrong. If you stay upbeat about the impending vacation, chances are your dog will, too.

This blog post is sponsored by Woof! Play and Stay urban dog resort.  Located in downtown Seattle near the Space Needle, Woof offers luxury dog boarding, premium dog daycare, expert dog training and professional dog walking.