Every September Trycia and I take a trip (this is planned right after the busy boarding summer season at the PPP on purpose). Because Pampered Pooch Playground is our baby, I always worry about not being around should we ever be needed. Our wonderful staff did a great time holding things down while we were gone. It really is great to have employees that you can trust with your business when you are not around and everyone did great! We got back Friday night around midnight, and I was at the daycare by 9am on Saturday. I just like to go and make sure everything is good (which it was).
We were in Italy, and it was so nice to get away for a few days. We were taking a tour of Pompeii and they talked about how important dogs were in the community. They have a bunch of dogs living on the land, all of which are protected by the government (fully vaccinated) and up for adoption. Trycia and I stopped many time on the tour of this ancient city to pet the dogs. I wanted to bring one home with us!
While we were gone, we were always keeping track on the happenings at the daycare, since I am never able to fully unplug. We did come up with some new ideas for the dog daycare, which you you will see in the next few months. See, we can never really get away!
Have a good sunday!
Keith
While in Chicago, we made a quick visit to see my brothers new puppy!! What a cutie!!
The past 2 days, Trycia and I were in Chicago visiting her family that was in from Poland. Tuesday afternoon we had about 2 hours to kill and decided to check out some doggy daycares in the area. I can honestly say that I was not impressed.
The first one that we visited is one of the “premier” dog daycares in Chicago. We walked in and the lobby was super clean, granite counter tops, and flat panel tv’s.. Wow, the lobby looked good! Then they took us on the tour of the building where we saw one employee sitting and reading a book (to herself, not the dogs) while one dog was eating puke on the floor. The worst part was that she did not even get up to clean it (we were in there for about 5 minutes). In their big dog room, it was the same deal. The guy was sitting watching the dogs and there was a pile of poop on the floor. Wow!!
Then we walked down the street and visited another place. There it felt much more like the PPP when we walked in…. Until we talked to the staff. I asked the guy behind the counter what types of shots they require and he did not even know. They also told us they don’t limit the number of dogs, and you can show up anytime. The guy behind the desk did say that the owner was out, and he was just covering, but still…Wow!
On the way to the airport we talked lots about what we saw and how we can improve our own daycare! I am really happy with how we run our business. We don’t have granite counter tops, designer lighting in the lobby or big college degrees behind an executive desk in our office, but we have lots and lots of love for the dogs, our customers and our employees!! It is important to remember that our daycare is built for our 4 legged customers and we do everything with them in mind (I would rather save the money on granite counter tops and designer lighting and buy better play equipment, dog toys r make things easier for our staff). This is why we have been working hard on remodeling our grooming area (which will be completed this week).
Maybe we were overly critical, and never told the employees that we owned a doggy daycare in Minneapolis, but I was not impressed by what we saw at these “premier” and “posh” places. Both of the daycares we visited had more than 1 location and I honestly feel that when you start getting big like that, the quality and care declines… My point was proven 2 times today.
As always, if there is anything we can do to improve please let me know. We want to be the best dog daycare in Minneapolis.
Keith
Barley was one of the first Springers that attended doggy daycare.
A local rescue asked for some random facts about Pampered Pooch Playground and Bubbly Paws. So I put them together, and thought I would share them with you….
- The first dog to come to Pampered Pooch Playground was a german shepherd / st. bernard mix named Bindi, who quickly became Roxy’s BFF! Bindi was waiting at 6:45am the first day we opened and came every day for 2 years and still randomly pops in.
- The slogan of Bubbly Paws Dog Wash “Our Soap Is Dope” was created over a text message conversation with Sarah Beth Photography while we were at Pizzeria Lola (super dog friendly) eating and drinking.
- The first boxer to come to Pampered Pooch Playground 4 years ago when we opened was a rescue from Minnesota Boxer Rescue (Pickler).
- Before opening Pampered Pooch Playground Keith worked in radio for 11 years (chicago, des moines, cincinnati and minneapolis). He produced the Moon and Staci show on KS95 for 4 years. Both Moon and Staci were in our wedding party.
- The idea for Bubbly Paws Dog Wash came from a customer of Pampered Pooch Playground who complained that there was no place where he could bathe his dog.
- Pampered Pooch Playground was the first doggy daycare to have an iPhone, Droid and Blackberry app where customers can watch their dogs play.
- A large part of the Pampered Pooch Playground and Bubbly Paws business model is to give back to local dog rescues!
Lewis the doodle hanging outside at doggy daycare!
Louis is a Goldendoodle that has been coming to doggy daycare for over a year now. He is soooo excited to walk in the door he can hardly contain himself! Louis loves all dogs and can be seen playing in the Ruff House or Waggers Way, depending on his energy level 
He loves water and when he can’t play with the hose outside he likes to dump water on the floor and lay in it. Louis can also be seen in our spa getting groomed by Tami. We love having Louis visit us at Pampered Pooch Playground!
I want to send a big thank you to all of our employees who worked extra hard the past few days (and today) at doggy daycare as the floor guys installed our state of the art floor in the Ruff House. Doing construction with dogs is never easy, and it is even harder when you can’t use a 3000 sqft play area and the temperature is 112 with the heat index outside. We made use of our training room and the Canine Cove. To keep the dogs cool, our AC was blasting. Late last week I called the guy that invented the flooring, and asked if the weather would be too hot or humid. He said no, the humidity actually helps to keep the smell down and help it dry faster (who would have thought). So full speed it was. So thanks again to our wonderful staff who helped to keep things running smooth on one of the hottest days OUTSIDE in the states history!
Now.. About the floor…. This is a new concept in flooring and we are the first in the Twin Cities to use it! It is not epoxy, it is not rubber, but a mix of the 2. Rolled rubber flooring (even when properly installed) can hold smells, and epoxy floors are hard on dog’s feet and create injuries.. But when you mix the 2.. You get doggy daycare gold! The next room on the list to get a makeover is Waggers Way.
Just wait until tomorrow, we know the dogs will love it! The big question.. Who will be the first to break it in???
Have a good night!
Keith
On these dangerous days, we limit the amount of time our doggy daycare dogs are outside.. We go out for about 5-10 minutes and then come back in to the air conditioning. As always there is always plenty of water in all of the play rooms and we make sure everyone is getting enough water!
Many people have asked me what to do if their dog has heat stroke.
Signs of Heat Stroke
The following signs may indicate heat stroke in a dog:
Increased rectal temperature (over 104° requires action, over 106° is a dire emergency)
Vigorous panting
Dark red gums
Tacky or dry mucus membranes (specifically the gums)
Lying down and unwilling (or unable) to get up
Collapse and/or loss of consciousness
Thick saliva
Dizziness or disorientation
What to do if You Suspect Heat Stroke
If you have even the slightest suspicion that your dog is suffering from heat stoke, you must take immediate action.
First, move your dog out of the heat and away from the sun right away.
Begin cooling your dog by placing cool, wet rags or washcloths on the body - especially the foot pads and around the head.
DO NOT use ice or very cold water! Extreme cold can cause the blood vessels to constrict, preventing the body's core from cooling and actually causing the internal temperature to further rise. In addition, over-cooling can cause hypothermia, introducing a host of new problems. When the body temperature reaches 103°, stop cooling.
Offer your dog cool water, but do not force water into your dog's mouth.
Call or visit your vet right away - even if your dog seems better. Internal damage might not be obvious to the naked eye, so an exam is necessary (and further testing may be recommended).
Source - About.com
This weekend Trycia’s sister was in town with her family and they brought their 2 year old black lab, Roman. Roman is a regular face at a doggy daycare in Wisconsin, and this weekend he checked out Pampered Pooch Playground. He had so much fun playing with all of the high energy dogs in the Ruff House. He gives the PPP 2 paws up! Roman might be the most ball obcessed lab that I have ever met!
Today, we took their family to Bubbly Paws to give roman a bath, and made a super cute video.
Roxy chews on a bone while one of our construction contractors looks things over.
Over the next few weeks we will begin some remodeling at the doggy daycare! We always try to keep things fresh and new looking!! The outside of the building will be getting a facelift with new paint and grass, we will be re-doing our food prep and grooming area and the Ruff House will be getting a pretty large makeover. Most of these projects will be scheduled during non-peak times, so there will be very little inconvenience for our customers and our dogs. We are very excited about all of the changes that will be taking place and will update you on all of the projects once they get started.
Have a great day!
Keith
Elsie (right) is relaxing on the couch next to Jeepers (left)on the 4th of July in the Canine Cove.
This past weekend was a packed weekend at the Pampered Pooch Playground – Dog Hotel! All of our overnight guests had so much fun staying over and enjoying our large outside area, and then running back in to the great air conditioning. All the dogs were so behaved and it was kinda sad to see so many of them go home today! This morning I was helping to do baths, which is my new favorite past-time. I really enjoy doing baths! We do a free bath after 5 nights in our dog hotel, but you can request a bath anytime your pooch is at daycare or spending the night.
I hope everyone had a great 4th of july weekend!
Keith
