Policy 11.22 — Eddie's Doggy Daycare, Paddock Farm, Harlow, Essex CM17 9HP

Behaviour Training & Enrichment Policy

Behaviour Training & Enrichment Policy

1. Toys — General Provision

All puppies and dogs have access to toys whilst at daycare. Toys provided include balls, tug-of-war ropes, interactive treat toys, and self-play items.

Self-play toys can be left in the area to be used as and when the dog pleases. High-value toys (kept on the staff member) are used to actively engage a dog or to reward a desired behaviour. Toys such as tug-of-war ropes can be used to train or further engage a dog.

2. Possession & Resource Guarding

Staff are responsible for evaluating possession over toys. Any dog or puppy that becomes possessive and shows guarding behaviour — growling, taking toys away from other dogs, standing over a toy with "whale eye" — must be removed from any situation where toys are not under constant supervision. Such dogs should only play with toys alone, or toys must be removed from the area.

3. Enrichment Activities

Small groups of dogs can be taught to scent for treats. Small pieces of food are hidden and dogs are led to them with the command "search" — engaging their noses and the forebrain associated with scent detection.

Dogs in appropriate health can be coaxed over small jumps and our agility courses, asked to stand and wait on elevated objects, and taught recall. Staff always carry treat pouches to motivate good behaviour and retain status as the leader with resource possession.

Confidence-building games:

• Tug-of-war — develops dog-to-human interaction, allows younger dogs to refine bite strength, positively channels prey drive, and lets the dog "win", building confidence. Staff retain ultimate control of the toy and the ability to use a release command.
• Fetch — including the two-ball method to refine the behaviour in difficult cases.
• Search — hide food, toys, or people and ask the dog to find them.

4. Playgroups & Individual Considerations

• Dogs are categorised by staff into appropriate play groups
• Older dogs that are physically less able receive careful consideration — more time alone or in smaller groups, with access to areas away from active social play
• Puppies under the age of 1 are given "time-outs" when appropriate — for no longer than one hour at a time — with their play monitored and actively directed. All interactions for puppies must be positive
• Dogs showing sporadic, out-of-character behaviour are monitored closely and documented; persistent cases may ultimately be deemed unfit for daycare, with this discussed with the owner
• Staff are trained in breed-specific needs. All behaviour is considered first in the context of the dog as a distinct species, then on a breed level. Breed needs must be given appropriate outlets

The outdoor space is set up with the natural dog in mind, focused on time outdoors in field and grassy areas to evoke natural dog instinct.

5. Grooming & Welfare Inspection

Grooming brushes are available for all fur types. Dogs are checked over regularly for:

• Ticks
• Condition between the toes
• Nail length
• Scratches, lumps, or bumps

All findings are documented on the daily welfare register; any incident is logged on the Incident Report system and reported to owners at end of day.

6. Training Philosophy — Balanced Positive Reinforcement

Eddie's enforces balanced training using positive reinforcement. Examples:

• Barking is negated through a simple "shh" command once food has been used to redirect attention
• Unwanted jumping and possession over objects or people is corrected and redirected
• Signs of resource guarding are addressed at the earliest stages
• Dogs are consistently given opportunity not restriction — reinforced for making the right choices (waiting by the gate instead of rushing through, recall on first call, settling on cue)
• We do not force these behaviours but make them desirable through continued engagement

7. Handling & Interaction Standards

• Staff must have the competence to handle dogs correctly and the ability to recognise and act on undesirable behaviours
• Wary dogs are approached as trained — less noise, less eye contact, more fluidity
• Staff do not loom over younger dogs; they approach slowly and calmly with more side-on body language so dogs are not startled
• Younger dogs are not over-handled and are not picked up to remove them from situations
• Only dogs that demonstrate appropriate puppy etiquette — showing avoidance and conflict resolution — are permitted to mix with puppies

8. Food in Training

Only puppies under the age of 6 months are fed during the daycare day (see Diet & Hygiene Policy EDDC-POL-006). For training treats, we use puppy-sensitive kibble; owners are made aware and may opt out. Exposure to novel food items is minimised because younger dogs' stomachs can be more easily upset. Some owners provide their own treats for use in enrichment activities.

9. Rest

Routine for younger dogs is critical. The Pup Academy ensures young dogs learn how to be calm and relaxed both with and without other animals present (see Puppy Socialisation & Habituation Policy EDDC-POL-026). Over-stimulated puppies show unwanted behaviour; owners document what is normal for their puppy on the booking form.

Puppies are never crated for rest or feeding for longer than one hour a day, with times in and out monitored.

10. Dogs Unable to Exercise

As we are an open-play daycare, dogs that are unable to exercise due to injury or other issues are not able to attend. Customers are made aware of this before they start, so that any dog joining is comfortable in an open-play environment.

In the rare case that a dog is isolated for any reason (for example, a customer unable to collect, or play classified as Inappropriate), the Harlow branch has an on-site field that allows isolated dogs access to walks. Any isolated dog must receive at least two 20-minute walks during the day.

11. Structured Socialisation & Levels of Play

All socialisation is monitored. Staff are explicitly trained: never leave an area if it means even one dog will be left alone. Groups are determined daily, with reference to our system's record of "buddies" and "enemies", and matched on size and age where appropriate.

Staff apply the Three Levels of Play (Appropriate / Questionable / Inappropriate — see Puppy Socialisation & Habituation Policy EDDC-POL-026 §9) and act accordingly.

12. Daily Structure

13. Cross-References

• Welfare Monitoring Form (EDDC-POL-009)
• Diet & Hygiene Policy (EDDC-POL-006)
• Incident Report Policy (EDDC-POL-020)
• Neutering & Spaying Policy (EDDC-POL-021) — Traffic Light System
• Puppy Socialisation & Habituation Policy (EDDC-POL-026)
• Behaviour Monitoring Policy (EDDC-POL-027)
• Section 4.4.4 — Behaviour Intervention SOP
• Section 4.5.1 — Enrichment & Daily Activity Planning SOP