We have several safety measures in place. In general, dogs prefer to settle their differences without resorting to violence. Some posturing and body language along with a few grunts and growls are enough to settle most disputes. With that being said, all dogs have the potential to get upset at each other, just like people. Additionally, some dogs are not properly socialized from a young age, some have unfortunate experiences that affect their future behavior, etc. Therefore, we have the following safety measures in place:

    • Every dog must meet certain admission requirements before being accepted, including attending a trial day and going through a “temperament test,” during which we evaluate their behavior to see how well suited they are to our type of environment. Doggie daycare is a high-stimulation environment, and it is not suitable for all dogs.
    • Our staff members are trained to read canine body language and look for signs of potential aggression, to step in before an incident happens, and to use humane and effective preventative measures such as redirection of focus, positive reinforcement, audible correction, squirts of water, or time-outs when needed. Note: Piedmont BARK staff members are prohibited from using corporal punishment of any kind. Please do not ask us to “smack” or “pop” your dog if they misbehave. We won’t do it.
    • We are proactive about keeping owners up-to-date on their dog’s behavior. We inform owners immediately if any behavioral concerns are observed, and recommend obedience and/or behavior modification training as needed. Dogs should at least have good name recognition/recall before entering a group play situation. We do not have trainers on staff, but we do try to reinforce basic obedience. Specific behavior-modification training must take place outside of the daycare environment.
    • We turn away any dog that we deem a risk to itself or others. This includes dogs that display repeated, excessive, unprovoked, or unpredictable aggression.
    • We place all dogs in an appropriate playgroup based on size, age, temperament, and physical condition.
    • We regroup dogs that seem too shy or overbearing for their current playgroup.
    • We are very careful about how we introduce dogs into an already established “pack.”
    • When moving groups of dogs from one area of the facility to another, we do so in a calm and methodical manner.
    • We never allow valuable resources (such as food, treats, or toys) into the playgroups, as dogs are naturally inclined to guard them.
    • We intervene in play behavior that gets too rough, inappropriate, or out of control.
    • We intervene in dominance stand-offs before they escalate into aggression.
    • We remain calm and monitor our own behavior and body language to ensure we’re sending the right signals. We carefully watch how the dogs respond to our presence and change our behavior as appropriate.