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What is Dog Daycare?

Dog daycare is a place for dogs to socialize and interact with other dogs in carefully supervised surroundings. The dog daycare environment is similar to child daycare; dogs play together off-leash, there are supervisors, structured activities, treats, and rest periods. All daycare dogs must be able get along peacefully with other dogs and daycare staff, in order to function properly in a dog daycare facility.

Why Dog Daycare?

Dog daycare is a place for dogs to get the exercise they need to maintain proper health. Extended free-play sessions and structured games exercise both the body and the mind.

Dog Daycare provides opportunities for dogs to socialize with other friendly dogs. Dog Daycare also gives dogs a chance to learn new things and overcome fears, by watching and/or shadowing a more experienced dog.

The structure, learning, social interactions, and exercise that daycare dogs receive helps to curb undesirable behaviors at home, such as chewing, shredding, and other chaos-inducing behaviors. Dogs are more content when they have the proper balance of physical, mental, and social activities.

A Dog's Day At Poco's Playhouse!

A typical day at the playhouse will consist of lots of play time, plenty of rest, continuous access to water, treats, meals (if requested), and all sorts of fun activities, with a separate play area available for small dogs. The day may involve lots of outdoor play in good weather, or mostly indoor play on days of inclement weather. Pooch Patrol members and Playmates will play games, have contests, and even make arts and crafts to take home to the family. A local pet photographer will visit on a regular basis for those who may want to have some professional pictures of their four-legged loved ones. Playmate yearbooks will be offered for purchase annually.

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PHOTO GALLERY

Written by Cindy Miller, Toledo Business Review Staff!

Nikki Badman thought she would enter the field of counseling but found her way into animal behavior. Now she is the founder and owner of Poco’s Playhouse, a doggie day care at 12726 Eckel Junction Road in Perrysburg. 

Poco is Nikki’s fluffy, white, 17-month-old Maltese looking for some pals. “When I worked in the animal lab at BGSU, I was able to take Poco with me to work. During the day, people stopped by and played with him. I thought how sad for all those dogs penned up at home while their owners are working. By the time you get home from work, there’s too much to be done to play with the dog. So I began to research doggie day care.” 

Fortunately, not only does Poco have pals, but Poco’s Playhouse is a great place for dogs to spend all or part of a day, or week. An enrollment application and temperament assessment are conducted before dogs are accepted. Days at the Playhouse begin at 7:00 a.m. and continue through 6:00 p.m., and dogs can attend for an hour, a half day, full day or an entire week.

Large open areas encourage dogs seven months and older to romp with one another.  There’s also a fenced outdoor area. Dogs must be spayed or neutered and have proper vaccinations before being admitted to Poco’s Playhouse. 

Once there, the fun begins. Nikki has some structured activities and free play. For animals feeling a bit stressed by the action, Nikki provides a space for rest where they can view the fun but remain on the sidelines. There are couches and blankets, even a television for viewing dog favorites such as “The Dog Whisperer” or 101 Dalmations. 

Nikki did not simply sail through high school and college and into a career with animals. In fact, she dropped out of high school and ran away from home when she was 16. “My parents were divorced, and initially I lived with my dad, which left me unsupervised most of the time,” Nikki explains. 

When she was 13, Nikki went to live with her mom, a time she describes as “trying to mix water and oil”. After a few years she left home.  Soon she was pregnant, homeless, and without a high school education. She is quick to note that her relationship with her parents is restored.

“I had to get my wiggles out,” Nikki recalls. “I was too proud to call home when I found out I was pregnant.” 

Watching her son grow up in a ghetto, listening to gunshots at night, was her wake up call. “I was always smart enough to get good grades; I just got bored,” Nikki says. “I always knew I would go to college.” 

She passed her GED on the first try and enrolled at Morehead State. Two and a half years and an abusive relationship later, she decided to return “home”, which is northwest Ohio.  She transferred to Bowling Green State University and finished her undergraduate degree in psychology and biology. She will receive her master’s degree this summer in scientific and technical communications.

“I made horrible decisions when I was younger,” Nikki says, and urges other young people who become discouraged to hang in there.

“Don’t ever think you don’t have options. The teen years and early 20s are the roughest. It’s normal to be confused, scared, to feel inferior. But once you get through it, the fun begins!”

She credits her mother as her number one inspiration. “Mom had me when she was 17 and put herself through college. Now she works at the University of Toledo.”

“And my son, Rich, inspired me,” she quickly added. “The first few years of his life we lived in cockroach-infested places,” Nikki says of her life in a ghetto in Flint, Michigan. She knew she would do anything so that her son wouldn’t have to grow up in that. 

“I had to go through some nasty stuff to be a better person, but I wouldn’t change what I went through because who I am is because of my past. I like who I am.” 

Rich is now 15 and a freshman in Perrysburg. He has a black belt in karate and is active in sports. “I’m really proud of him,” Nikki said. “He has a big heart and cares about people.” Rich also helps out at Poco’s Playhouse in his off time. 

Nikki encountered obstacles when she tried to obtain financing for Poco’s Playhouse, which she attributes to the fact that, although she has good credit, she has never had a credit card. True to her nature, Nikki Badman did not let that stop her. 

She was told she had written an “exceptional business plan” but did not qualify for loans. Instead, she used a home line of credit, borrowed from family, and sold some items and her savings to make Poco’s Playhouse a reality. “I’m proud to say that Poco’s Playhouse--even though I just opened in December--was able to pay all of its bills from Poco’s Playhouse revenue last month.” 

Nikki is already planning expansions, adding space both inside and out, and offering training for behavior issues, basic training and agility. 

“I have a lot I want to do in life.  Education just opens my mind to so many ideas,” Nikki says. “I do not forget where I was not too long ago,” and while saying this, she pulls out two old, worn bean bag chairs that were the only furniture she had when returning to Ohio.  Now, Poco gets to snuggle on them.

Photo Gallery

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