Daycare goes to the dogs

As Stan’s back legs dug into the fresh, green turf to gain speed, Diesel cornered him, causing him to do a quick 180 and run in the opposite direction.

Stan jumped on Diesel in retaliation, gave him a little love nip and took off again. They jumped on each other until they got tired and slowed to a walk, eventually parting ways with extra butt sniffs.

Just another day at doggy daycare.

Dogs at SPCA’S newly opened Feilding Doggy Daycare race between four different outdoor and indoor areas.

While they are separated by size and personality, all get on like a house on fire.

It’s easy to see why manager Claire Kelly said at the end of the day dogs would be returned to their owners absolutely knackered.

The centre, which opened on Monday, provides a day boarding service for dogs to encourage socialisation with others, as well as basic training and grooming.

Profits from the facility will go back into funding SPCA services in the region.

Manawatu SPCA general manager Danny Auger said the first 18 months of a dog’s life was a key socialisation period.

‘‘Being around other and older dogs they’ll pick up little tricks, behaviour and body language,’’ he said.

‘‘One of the things we see in the SPCA is dogs aren’t getting outside of their home or away from their owners and when they get out they become dangerous around other people.

‘‘A lot of dogs also get separation anxiety if they’re away from their owners and at home alone all day at a young age.’’

At the centre dogs can experience water play along with the hundreds of other toys and gadgets to keep them entertained. They have tugging ropes, tunnels, balls and soft toys to go to town on.

‘‘This is the first doggy daycare for SPCA,’’ Auger said.

‘‘If this one goes well we’re looking at opening one in Whanganui.’’