Is Puppy Play & Stay a Good Fit for My Dog?

Choosing dog daycare or boarding isn’t just about availability. It’s about fit. Every dog has a different personality. Some thrive in busy, high energy environments. Others do better in calm, structured spaces with intentional supervision. At Puppy Play & Stay, we’re not trying to be the right place for every dog in the Lakeville area. We’re focused on being the right place for the right dogs.

Here’s how to know if Puppy Play & Stay is the right place for your dogs.

Dogs Who Thrive Here

Dogs Who Enjoy Structured Play

We believe dogs do best with balance. To us this means:

• Supervised group play
• Intentional rest periods
• Temperament-based play groups
• Staff actively engaged with the dogs

If your dog enjoys social interaction but also benefits from breaks and boundaries, they’ll likely do very well here.

Dogs Who Are Social, But Not Overstimulated

Some facilities run large, open-play environments all day. That works for certain dogs. It doesn’t work for all of them. We group dogs based on personality, energy level, and play style. Not just size.

If your dog:

• Plays well with others
• Responds to redirection
• Doesn’t escalate quickly in group settings

Then they’re a strong candidate for Puppy Play & Stay

Dogs Who Do Better With Consistency

Dogs that thrive on routine tend to settle in quickly here because we follow predictable daily rhythms. Dogs know when it’s time to play, rest, eat, and wind down. That consistency reduces stress, especially during boarding stays.

If your dog struggles in chaotic or constantly changing environments, a structured setting can make a big difference.

Dogs Whose Owners Want Transparency

If you’re the type of owner who wants to know:

• How dogs are grouped
• How behavior is monitored
• How staff intervene during play
• What a full day actually looks like
• Live webcams to check in on your furry friend

Then you’ll probably feel comfortable here. We’re clear about our process because safety and structure matter.

Dogs Who May Not Be the Right Fit

Being honest is what builds trust between you and Puppy Play & Stay.

And we may not be the right fit for:

• Dogs with a history of aggression toward other dogs
• Dogs who cannot tolerate group settings at all
• Dogs who experience extreme separation distress that requires one-on-one care beyond what a structured daycare environment provides

If we believe your dog would be safer or more comfortable in a different setting, we’ll tell you. That’s part of responsible care.

What Happens Before Your Dog Joins

We don’t just drop new dogs into a group and hope for the best. And every new dog goes through an evaluation process. We observe:

• Temperament
• Play style
• Response to redirection
• Comfort level in a new environment

This protects your dog and every other dog in our care. If they’re a good fit, great. If not, you’ll leave with clarity on why instead of guesswork.

A Quick Self-Check

Your dog is likely a strong fit if:

• They enjoy being around other dogs
• They recover quickly from excitement
• They don’t guard food, toys, or other items in social settings
• They settle when given downtime
• They’ve done well in structured environments before

If you’re unsure, that’s normal. Many owners are. That’s why evaluations exist.

Serving Lakeville & Surrounding Communities

The easiest way to know if Puppy Play & Stay is a good fit is to schedule an evaluation. This way you don’t have to guess, and you don’t have to hope it works out. After the evaluation, we give those new to Puppy Play & Stay an amazing trial, so you (and we) can know for sure whether your dog is a good fit here long-term. After all, each day has a slightly different grouping of dogs playing.

After that, you’ll know, and we’ll know whether your dog will thrive here before asking you to commit to daycare or boarding. And that’s the way it should be. Which is why we designed it that way.