The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
THE CANINE CLUB OFFERS A VARIETY OF SERVICES
The business offers dog day care and dog grooming services
The Canine Club in Elyria Township prides itself on its free-roam approach to dog day care and dog grooming expertise.
“The business has been here for 15 years and it has always been a dog day care and grooming service,” said Marlo Munnich, owner of the business, located at 41909 North Ridge Road. “We offer the day care. It’s what we call a free-roam day care.
“I have 4,000 square feet inside and 4,000 square feet outside. It’s free-roaming, meaning all of the dogs are together. They are not separated. There are no different sizes; they’re just all together with my staff that is fully trained in dog behavior.”
Munnich said grooming is by appointment, but walk-in services also are offered.
For day care, The Canine Club is open from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., every other Saturday.
“For grooming, we do three days a week; Tuesday, Thursday and Friday by appointment,” Munnich said. “I’ll do some walk-in nails and some walk-in baths, but it’s mostly by appointment.
“It’s pretty much anything grooming wise.”
Munnich said the day care is the biggest part of the business.
“It offers not just physical stimulus, but it also offers mental stimulus and exercise for the dog,” she said. “They are better acting with each other. They are shown how to play better with other dogs, and find little groups they like to hang out in.
“When a dog is on a walk, it’s more of an isolated, guided experience. But, at the day care, they learn more about interacting with other dogs and getting along with them and what dogs they’d rather be with. It’s that mental work along with the exercise.”
Munnich said a lot of her clients work full time.
“They bring the dogs in during the week so they are not home alone,” she said. “I also have some clients that bring them two times a week to get outside and play.
“It’s easier for you to bring your dog to me and wear them out than for you to take the time and bring them to the park. Most of my clients are folks that don’t want to leave the dog alone at home.”
Roam-free experience
Munnich said owners leave their dog with her for them to have that free-roam experience.
“A lot of others have runs where certain dogs are with other dogs, and they are separated from the rest,” she said. “Mine is more open and square footage wise, mine is one of the largest.
“I have the outside area, but also a large warehouse for the dogs to run around in. When the dogs come in, they take off running and they can go throughout the whole property.”
Emily Williams, groomer at The Canine Club, said the business can groom all kinds of dogs.
“People like to bring their dogs here because other places might not do the breed,” she said. “We will do any sized dog and any breed ... even pit bulls.
“I was also recently certified for senior dogs. It’s a little different technique and care for their age.”
Jen Figueroa, day care worker at The Canine Club, said the staff gives potential new dogs a test run to see if the day care is right for them.
“We just pay attention to each dog,” Figueroa said. “I think we’re different just because how careful we are.
“We do the meet-andgreet to test if they can get along with the other dogs and see if they are capable of coming. Of course, they are dogs, so you do have occasional fights, but it’s few and far between.
“We do the testing just to see if they would get along with the other dogs.”