Business

Dog's Day Out gives humans a rest

Beth Koller and furry friends relax at Dog's Day Out.

By Bill Moss, Published: May 23, 2013

Beth Koller has already seen success stories at A Dog's Day Out, her new doggie daycare center on Maple Street near Five Points.

"I have an 11-month Rottweiler, with this 70-year-old gentleman that's had Rottweilers his whole life," she said. "This one he can't handle it, so he started bringing him here. It was a recommendation from a friend of mine who's a trainer. The dog came, he played, went home."
The owner "left him the next day for 3½ hours on his porch, didn't destroy his porch, didn't eat his plants, didn't eat his cushions. He said, 'I've never been able to do that.' But he's a puppy. He needs to play. That's what I'm here for. And now it's going to be easier for him to train that dog. Dogs need to play."
Play they do at A Dog's Day Out, which seems like day camp for dogs whose owners don't have the time or schedule to take them out in the middle of the day or play with them as much as dogs need play.
Co-owner Jeff Mueller, a contractor and the former owner of the Town Tooter shopper, said the basic premise that creates a Dog's Day Out customer is, "How does your dog spend his day while you're at work or away from home?"
In many cases, a dog greets its owner with pent-up energy. It may act out its frustration with too much time on its paws with destruction behavior.
"Instead of the dog jumping all over them, 'oh, it's good you're home, I missed you all day, let's go play,'" Koller says, "they get to enjoy the dogs in a more peaceable state."
The doggie daycare has more than 10,000 square feet of play area, including 2,000 square feet indoors for days that are rainy, too hot or too cold.
A veterinary technician for 15 years, Koller says she saw the need for an indoor-outdoor doggie daycare that caters to busy working people, vacationers or visitors. She spends hours every day making sure the dogs adjust to the facility and one another. She throws a ball, fills a kiddie pool when it's hot and generally keeps the dogs active, except during their noon to 2 p.m. "quiet time."

A mixed menagerie
One day last week, she had 14 customers: Luna, a husky mix; Odin, a Lab mix; Corky, a Labradoodle; Bella Mae, a shepherd mix; Curbie, her own Jack Russell-Chihuahua mix (who someone kicked to the curb in California); Jazz, a Labrador; Captain Jack, a Schnorkie; Coco, a long-haired Chihuahua-Papillon mix; Tigger, a Shih Tzu; Geste, a Rottweiler; Raven, a black Lab; and Hershey, a chocolate Lab. Like most people, she smiles a lot when she talks about dogs.
"I love what I do. I enjoy watching them play," she says. "It's something that dogs need to do. They're pack animals. They come in here to play. They go home, they're easier to train, because their brain is engaged. They're listening to mom because they've got that play out of them."
Open 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Dog's Day Out also offers grooming, nail clipping, ear cleaning and bathing by appointment. Dogs must be well-socialized, not aggressive or overly anxious, and not "overprotective of toys, space and people." First-time dogs get a free half-day evaluation.
"The dog gets to know us and we get to know the dog," Koller said.
She also requires the dogs to have shots and veterinarian-approved flea control. They must be spayed or neutered if over eight months old.
Prices are $12 for a half day (up to five hours) and $20 for all-day care. A 10-day package is $170 and 30 days at the facility runs $480. Koller does not board overnight, and weekend care is by appointment only.

A Dog's Day Out is at 942 Maple St., off North Main Street three blocks north of Five Points. For information or appointments call 828.692.0200 or go to adogsdayoutnc.com.