What do I need to board?

We will have you set up a client portal and need your dog's current vaccinations from a vet showing age-appropriate rabies, distemper, parvo, bordetella and a negative fecal done within the year. New dogs or dogs who have not been here in over a year will need to do a consultation and are subject to our foundations in four to learn our marker words, recall outside, calm crating, leash manners and proper play. Daycare play is not available for dogs over 6 months that are not fixed or aggressive dogs.

What is the foundations in four?

Before we take new dogs, we schedule a consult to make sure your dog is going to have a low stress, enjoyable stay. Foundations in four teaches safe boarding routines and sets up owner communication, so your dog settles confidently when boarding and you know exactly what to expect during their stay. Foundations in four is four full days, two days a week, that prepares dogs for our care environment. It does not replace a full training program. For our safety and sanity and the other boarding dog's safety and sanity, dogs who do not respond to their name, will not stop when told, excessively bark or whine, engage in destruction, attempt to climb, dig or tear at fences or doors to escape or fight others, potty inside, jump on people and gates, hump others, do not eat or drink, act aggressively or are possessive of people, dogs or objects are subject to more training before we will take them to board while you are on vacation.

How old does my dog need to be for daycare?

3 months with 2 rounds of parvo vaccines done. Dogs over 6 months must be spayed/neutered according to IA IDALS requirements for group play.

Can daycare make my dog like other dogs?

No. Daycare is not for "fixing" dog- aggressive or dog-avoidant dogs. While we may use it in a training plan to rehabilitate a dog, it should not be seen as the only way to socialize a dog. Aggressive dogs are not accepted for daycare.

Do you train dogs with behavioral issues?

Yes, I have years of experience with various behavior issues including: separation anxiety, destruction, crate anxiety, dog-dog aggression, sibling aggression, potty issues, fearful dogs, reactive dogs, submissive peeing, constant barking, counter surfing, trash eating, biting for grooming, owner-possession, food aggression, body mutilation, OCD issues.

Do you train dogs at my home or yours?

We spend 1-12 weeks with your dog staying here, either with a board and train or daytrain program, this allows us to see your dog in a neutral environment and get it out of old habits. After the initial foundations are set up, we do follow up training with you with group lessons, in home lessons, real life lessons in the park or stores or through video chat.

How much does training cost?

Training costs varies based on length, needs, wants, and current behavioral issues. We use the consult to see where you are with your dog, what your wants and needs are and set up a final plan for you. Starting costs for 12 week dayschool- 1,250, 2 week basic board and train- 1,500, foundations in four- 250. Payment plans include half now, half at drop off.

Dealing with Anxiety & Velcro-dogs

Cooper Creek Kennels L.L.C
Oct 23, 2019
1 min read

When a dog is always expecting lots of attention and affection, without having to do anything for it, they tend to show signs of severe anxiety. Some examples- cannot be separated from their human without crying, barking, pottying, tearing up doors, crates, pacing, panting, not eating, getting into their humans personal space to demand attention.

If we continue to give our dogs lots of unearned affection/attention, they will feel entitled to ask for more and more, and become stressed/anxious/frustrated when they do not get what they want when they want it.

When we stop their mindset about expecting and demanding affection whenever they please, we can greatly reduce their anxiety. We can do this by:

Cutting on unearned physical affection- practice NILIF- Nothing In Life Is Free so they can become more content and independent. Every treat/toy/food must be earned
Ignore them- we are teaching ourselves not to be anxious once separated from the dog, the dog will feed off of our anxiety as well
Down time- we are conditioning them to become more confident and trusting of us

Separation anxiety is a conditioned response. We have to learn to ignore the dog or this “obsession of togetherness” along with lots of spoiling and very little structure/leadership will lead to a load of anxiety related behaviors.

If we can exercise the discipline to give the dog some time alone, we can let the dog learn how to feel content without constant arousal or attention, so they will know how to be more independent and comfortable.