K9 Keep Fit Frequently Asked Questions

Will my dog get to go outside?

YES! Our outside yard is just one doorway away from our indoor Social Room. During Socials and Playtimes, that door is either kept open or we regularly move dogs from inside to outside and back in again. The amount of time spent indoors vs outdoors is influenced by the weather and the preferences & needs of that day’s pack. The outside yard is partially covered for sun & rain protection.

How do you choose which dogs pack walk together?

MOSTLY BY ACTIVITY LEVEL. We group our packs based on a commonality of energy level and stamina while keeping in mind everyone’s safety and comfort. ALSO, since we’re also a training facility, we’re always looking to improve the lives of all our dogs. For instance, for dogs showing fear of traffic and other outdoor stimuli, we work to build their confidence by matching them with steady, more confident, well-behaved walkers.

Are there activities and opportunities for Senior Dogs?

YES! We have several dogs over the age of 7 who attend our daycare program. During morning and afternoon Socials, we have a “Senior Lounge” area within the greater group that allows for voluntary mingling and rest times. If a senior dog doesn’t have the stamina for Neighborhood Pack Walks, they get one-on-one playtime with staff or paired playtime with a dog pal of similar ability and play style. One-on-one playtime with staff may include a game of fetch, light agility play, or some simple trick-training.

How long is a Neighborhood Pack Walk? How many Pack Walks will my dog go on each day?

EACH PACK WALK IS BETWEEN 1 & 2 HOURS. EVERY ABLE DOG PACK WALKS TWICE EACH DAY. The length of a pack walk is determined by the dogs in the pack, their energy level and stamina. Every hour, we walk between 2 ½ and 3 miles.

Will my dog be kenneled or crated during daycare?

OCCASIONALLY! First, know that we never give dogs ‘time-outs’ for ‘bad behavior!’ As trainers, we prefer to work on improving or replacing those behaviors rather than simply removing a dog who’s displaying difficult behaviors.

So why do we kennel and crate our daycare dogs? Well, we find that dogs need their naptimes and downtimes just like we humans do, so all dogs have a one-hour rest time during staff lunch hour and individual breaks as needed throughout the day. This is especially true because at K9 Keep Fit Active Daycare, our dogs are thinking and learning and exercising to the height of their ability each day. Expecting a dog to walk, run, play, learn, and socialize for up to twelve hours while maintaining a good state of mind and body is just too high of an expectation. That being said, all dogs participate in Group Socials during drop-off & pick-up hours, and all dogs are out of their kennels & crates pack walking, playing, and/or socializing for the greater majority of our mid-day hours.

Do you work with any rescue groups?

YES! Our primary rescue group relationship is with South County Tail Waggers (SCTW). SCTW Dogs in foster homes come to K9 Keep Fit Active Daycare to practice their socialization skills and get their exercise needs met. A dog who displays self-control and polite behavior is much more likely to be quickly adopted than one who, for instance, jumps on everyone they meet, pulls walkers down the street, or just can’t focus on what the humans around them are asking them to do.

During holiday seasons, K9 Keep Fit runs dog food and toy drives for the benefit of South County Tail Waggers. Other organizations that we support with assessments, daycare, and training include San Jose Animal Advocates and the St. Francis Animal Protection Society.

How will I know that my dog enjoyed his or her day at K9 Keep Fit daycare?

JUST ASK! When you pick up your dog, we’ll be happy to tell you what activities your dog participated in, how far they walked, and what kind of play they engaged in and with whom. We also post pupdates on Facebook and may take video of special moments to show you at the end of the day. Our goal is to provide the most enjoyable exercise for your dog’s body, mind, and spirit.

What activities happen when the weather is unsuitable for Neighborhood Pack Walks?

One-on-One Play with Staff, Paired Play with Dog Pals, anything that your dog enjoys doing!

One-on-one play with staff may include fetch, frisbee, agility play, or basic obedience practice, should that be the owner’s goal.
Paired play with another like-minded dog
Small group play, with same play style.

Every day, we choose our activities based on which dogs are here and how we can best give each one of them top-quality care, exercise, and education.

How do you support training goals in your daycare?

COOPERATION! If your dog is in or has been through training, please let us know what commands or behaviors you’re working on. This way, we can work in cooperation with you to reinforce behaviors you like and disallow behaviors you’re trying to overcome.

Where will my dog go potty?

OUTSIDE! About 90% of the time, your dog will go potty in our outside yard or while out on their Neighborhood Pack Walks. Occasionally, a dog will “make a mistake” in the Social Room or in kennel. These mistakes are immediately cleaned up and the affected area is thoroughly sanitized.

May I drop-off or pick-up my dog outside of regular hours?

YES! But you must make special arrangements since we’re likely to be out with the dogs on Neighborhood Pack Walks between 10am and 4pm. There’s no charge for a one-time special circumstance. However, after the first time, you’ll be charged a $10 convenience fee for each special-hours drop-off or pick-up.