Pack Socialisation & Training (Pack Days)

Pack Socialisation & Training

Dogs are social animals and can learn a lot from one another. Our pack socialisation and training (Pack Day) service is designed to give your dog the opportunity to have safe and appropriate interactions with other dogs, allowing them to form healthy balanced relationships with them.

This specialty service is suitable for all dogs and we can even take dogs that may not normally do well with other dogs or struggle in a day-care like environment.

Structure, rules, boundaries and leadership are a massive part of this service, it allows us to build strong relationships with each dog giving them the confidence to look to us for safety and security. We teach and expect all dogs to be polite and exhibit appropriate social skills, which means we can help nervous dogs become more confident and boisterous dogs become more respectful.

As part of the service we also work on recall and basic commands and general manners. At ick-up and drop-off we also work on leash manners and walking skills. This little extra enable us to maintain a leadership role and owners often find it benefits their dogs behaviours at home.

The goal of this service goal is to build confidence in the dogs and allow them the opportunity to be part of a well-rounded pack, while still having to practice good behaviours and social skills. We find its an excellent supportive service to clients already doing training with us!

More Details

What’s involved?

Once a week we will collect your dog from your home, in our custom crated dog van and take them back to our facility for 1.5 hours of socialisation and training.

During the time we implement a variety of exercises to teach manners, as well as off-leash socialisation and basic training of commands such a recall and sit/down/stay. The whole time your dog is with us we are working on basic manners and state of mind and ensuring all dogs are calm and respectful.

Once they are tired and mentally fulfilled we load the pack back into the van and drop them back home!

Before your dog joins

We do require all dogs to do one 1:1 training/assessment session with us before they join the pack. This session allows us to build a relationship with your dog and teach them the ropes. Being pack of a large pack is a new experience for many dogs we like to make sure they trust us and not just throw them in the deep end.

Because this is a supportive service for owners who are committed to having healthy relationships with their dogs and setting them up for success, we do prefer that owners have completed one of our foundational training programs.

Note: While we do our best to get a good feel for whether a dog is suitable before doing any introduction session, doing a session does not guarantee your dog will be able to join the pack. In these cases, the dog will need some more intensive training to be able to join, if this is the case we will discuss this with you.

Pricing

Training Walk/s (Assessment)

All serviced areas
$150 per session. Includes pick-up & drop off.

Cost of weekly Pack Socialisation & Training

Training rate
In some cases, dogs need a little extra guidance and support to help them settle into the pack. These dogs will initially go onto our training rate for pack days. Then once they have settled the will go onto out regular rate.

Riversdale, Mandeville, Gore
$45 per dog. Includes pick-up & drop-off.
Training Rate: $65. Includes pick-up & drop-off.

Invercargill & Mataura
$50 per dog. Includes pick-up & drop-off.
Training Rate: $70. Includes pick-up & drop-off.

Note: We may be able to service other areas nearby the ones above, however owners may need to meet up for pick-up & drop-off.

Our Pack Socialisation & Training is a great supportive service to owners who are raising puppies or working to improve their dogs behaviours. We generally require owners to have attended our Laying the Foundations Workshop before their dogs join our Pack Days. However, if you have done, or are doing training elsewhere feel free to reach out and see if this service is the best way for us to support you and your dog.

FAQ's

Payment and Cancellation Policy

Maintaining stability within the pack to ensure every dog is getting the best out of our service is our number one priority – and to do this we need to know who is coming on which days.

Payment is required for all days enrolled, regardless of attendance.
Payment is required before your dog’s assigned days. Invoices will be sent out each Monday for that week’s pack days. You are welcome to set up automatic payments to make things easier for you.

Payment Waiver or Discount at Our Discretion:

We understand that unforeseen circumstances may arise, and as such, payment may be waived or discounted at our discretion based on the situation.
Please feel free to reach out to discuss any unique circumstances, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
Note that payment will not be required if we, Dogs By Design, cancel Pack Socialisation and Training for any reason.

Cancellation Policy:

A two-week notice is required for the cancellation of Pack Socialisation and Training services.
Rejoining our pack after cancellation will necessitate the same process as a new client joining and may require you to go onto a waiting list until a spot becomes available.

Can my dog attend on a casual basis, or do they need to come weekly?

We do require owners to commit to this service weekly. We have tried taking dogs casually in the past and we find that they struggle to settle into the routine and structure of the session and the pack, which then affects the rest of the pack. You will find you and your dog will get more benefits from long-term weekly attendance too.

What if my dog is unwell one week?

On the unfortunate occasion that you dog is unwell let us know as soon as you can to cancel that weeks socialisation & training. Please note the avoid payment policy though.

I need to stop our weekly Pack Socialisation & Training?

If you need to cancel this service permanently, we do need two weeks notice. Please note the cancellation policy above.

What areas do you service?

We currently service Riversdale, Mandeville, Gore, Mataura & Invercargill. If you live around those areas please get in touch as we may be able to organise something

What time will you pick-up and drop-off my dog?

This varies depending on the number of dogs in the pack and what we do on the day. Dogs will be collect between 8-10am. Drop-off will normally be between 2-3pm.

I won’t be home at pick-up and drop-off!

That is totally fine. We are more than happy collect your dog from your property without you there. If your dog is kept inside while you are out you are more than welcome to give us a key to use, if you are comfortable with that.

Does this service operate rain or shine?

It does indeed! A bit of bad weather generally doesn’t bother the dogs and the humans just put on the appropriate clothing. If the weather is so bad it was deemed unsafe we would cancel.

My dog isn’t always good with other dogs, can they still attend?

We are definitely able to take dogs that don’t have the best social skills, this is our area of expertise! If your dog does have serious aggression with other dogs then we may have to do other training first. If you are unsure please feel free to get in touch.

My dog has no recall and can’t be let off-leash, can they still attend?

Absolutely! This service is perfect for your dog. Because of the structure, rules and boundaries we implement along with the training aspect, we should be able to improve your dog’s off-leash behaviour (with a bit of effort on your part too). Any dog who is not reliable off-leash is kept on a lead or long-line until they can be trusted.