If you’ve ever wondered what a day at Kim’s K-9 looks like behind the scenes, you’re not alone! We often get questions about our daily schedule, so let’s pull back the curtain and walk you through a day in the life of a Kim’s K-9 pup, and more importantly, why our structure is such a big deal!
Spoiler alert: all-day play sounds fun in theory, but it’s a fast track to cranky, over-tired dogs and avoidable fights. At Kim’s, we’ve created a balanced routine that gives pups time to play, rest, train, and just be dogs in a safe, structured way.
The Daily Flow
For Boarding Dogs:
- 7:00 AM – Morning potty break
Every pup gets a chance to stretch their legs and do their business before the day kicks off. - 7:30 AM – Breakfast in their crates
Crate meals aren’t just a convenience, they're a safety tool. Eating in their own space helps pups feel secure and prevents issues like resource guarding. - 8:00 AM – Digest & rest
Bowls are removed for cleaning, and pups have time to relax before playtime. This break helps reduce the risk of bloat and allows for proper digestion.
For Daycare and Boarding Dogs:
Our pups are split into two groups across each of our four playrooms (eight groups total!). That means we can carefully match dogs by size and playstyle, keeping things safe and fun. Each group rotates through structured play and rest periods. Read more about how we separate our groups here!
Morning Play Sessions
- 9:00-11:30 AM
Each playgroup gets:- Potty breaks with crate manners practice
- Enriched play with access to indoor/outdoor spaces (weather permitting)
- Training touchpoints like waiting at doorways, “Fido, come here” recalls, 4 on the floor manners, and “leave it”
Midday Reset
- 11:30 AM – Lunchtime (if needed)
It's recommended for pups under 6 months or those with special dietary needs to get lunch. - 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM – Facility closes
Time for cleaning, staff breaks, and most importantly, quiet time for the pups to nap, decompress, and digest. This reset helps them regulate their energy and emotions, keeping everyone happy and safe for the rest of the day.
Afternoon Play & Enrichment
- 1:00-4:30 PM
Rotations pick back up with the same training touchpoints plus enrichment activities like:- Bubble chasing
- Pool pawtys
- Obstacle courses
- Follow the leader
- Box shredding
- Hula hoop games
- Scent immersion
- Music pawtys
- Boundary games
These add a mental workout to the physical fun and help fulfill each dog’s needs, whether they’re an athlete, an explorer, or a thinker.
Evening Wind-Down
- 4:30 PM – Dinner for boarders
- 5:00 PM – Bowls removed for cleaning
- 7:30 PM – Final potty break
- 8:00 PM – Bedtime
Each pup is safely tucked into their individual crate for the night with their belongings, where they can fully rest and recharge.
A Few Extra Notes
- Day Training & Bootcamp dogs follow this same structure, plus they get pulled out for focused 1-on-1 training sessions multiple times throughout the day by their trainer.
- Add-On Activities like Snuggles or Slatmill? We weave those in around the group schedule, giving pups special 1-on-1 moments without disrupting the group.
- Daycare Drop-Off is 7–9 AM and Pick-Up is 4–6 PM.
Having a clear schedule helps keep the playgroups harmonious. Late drop-offs can disrupt the social dynamic and make it harder for new dogs to integrate safely.
Why This Schedule Works
At first glance, our schedule might seem excessive, but just like how kids might need naps between school and soccer practice, pups need breaks to settle their nervous systems, prevent overstimulation, and stay safe.
Overtired dogs are more likely to make poor choices, struggle with impulse control, and lash out during play. That’s why every part of our day (yes, even rest time) is designed with purpose.
At Kim’s K-9, we’re not just here to tire dogs out. We’re here to build them up into confident, social, well-rounded pups. Want your pup to join in the fun? Contact us today to get your pup signed up for their FREE trial day of daycare!
