Assigning Playgroups – Case Studies

For this case study, you will be assigning dogs to playgroups. The following dogs have requested off-leash play. Assume that all have been evaluated and approved for group play and present typical breed behaviors. Assign each dog to a group and if you have concerns related to doing that note them in the comments section below.

Std Poodle 1 – 5 months Golden Mix – 18 months Doberman – 8 months Wire Fox Terr – 1 year Lab Mix – 2 years Rottweiler Mix – 1 year Husky –7 months Lab 2 – 4 years Cavalier 1 – 3 years Dachshund – 2 years Lab 3 – 15 months Boxer – 5 years Toy Poodle 1 – 2 years Chow mix – 7 years Weimaraner – 1 year Toy Poodle 2 – 2 years German Shpd – 3 years Beagle Mix – 2 years Shih Tzu mix – 5 years Corgi – 2 years Shepherd Mix – 4 years Beagle – 3 years Standard Poodle 2– 1 year Springer Spnl – 2 years Lab 1 – 9 months Great Dane – 1 year Westie – 3 years

Part 1: Separate by size

For Part 1, complete the table below to separate the dogs by size. Keep in mind that you can do a “rotation of playgroups” as there is space to keep dogs individually in the center.

Large Dogs Small Dogs Dogs Assigned: 1. Husky Wire fox terrier 2. Lab 1 Dachshund 3. Golden mix Toy poodle 1 4. Lab mix Toy poodle 2 5. Lab 2 Shih Tzu mix 6. Lab 3 Beagle 7. Chow mix Corgi 8. German Shepherd Cavalier 1 9. Std poodle 2 Beagle mix 10. Great Dane Springer spaniel 11. Doberman Westie 12. Rottweiler mix 13. Boxer 14. Weimaraner 15. Shepherd mix 16. Standard Poodle 1

Make notes of concerns or questions you have completing part 1. • Standard Poodle 1 – puppy is too young to mix into any of the adult playgroups • Large dog group has too many dogs unless you sub-divide and rotate playgroups • Wire fox terrier may be too high energy for small dog group • The Westie may be too intense for the small dog group

Part 2: Separate by activity level

Complete the table below for your large dog list. For each large dog, you listed in part 1, separate them by Very Active Dogs, Moderate Activity Dogs and Low Activity Dogs, based on typical breed behaviors. Assign each dog to a group and if you have concerns related to doing that note them in the comments section below.

LARGE DOGS Very Active Dogs Moderate Activity Dogs Low Activity Dogs Dogs Assigned: 1. Husky Golden Mix Chow mix 2. Lab 1 Lab Mix Boxer 3. Doberman Lab 2 Shepherd Mix 4. Weimeramer Lab 3 5. Std Poodle 1 German Shepherd 6. Std Poodle 2 7. Great Dane 8. Rottweiler Mix 9.

Make notes of concerns or questions you have completing the large dog activity level chart. • Standard poodle 1 puppy may be too young for the adult dogs • Puppies in Very Active Dogs (Husky, Lab 1 & Doberman) monitor play levels; may benefit from including a calm, low-key adult into their rotation

Complete the table below for your small dog list. For each small dog, you listed in part 1, separate them by Very Active Dogs, Moderate Activity Dogs and Low Activity Dogs, based on typical breed behaviors.

SMALL DOGS Very Active Dogs Moderate Activity Dogs Low Activity Dogs Dogs Assigned: 1. Wire Fox Terrier Toy Poodle 1 Shih Tzu Mix 2. Toy Poodle 2 Beagle 3. Daschund Beagle Mix 4. Corgi 5. Cavalier 6. Springer Spaniel 7. Westie 8.

Make notes of concerns or questions you have completing the small dog activity level chart. • There is currently no good match for the Wire Fox Terrier. You may need to find a good playmate for him • The Corgi and the Westie in the moderate activity level may be too high energy for the other dogs in the group • The Daschund may be too small for that group

NOTE: Ultimately you will have to try the different dogs together and then find a good mix that works based on each dog’s true activity level and playstyle. This exercise helps you to start planning ahead.

Part 3

Now consider the assignment of staff to supervise your groups. Assume formal dog body language training is provided to employees during their first 90 days of employment. Complete the tables below with your assignments from the staff listed.

Supervising Large Dogs

Staff on Shift: 1. Ginger – 9 months experience working in your facility 2. Jack – 4 months experience in your facility (no previous dog experience) 3. Yourself – Owner/Manager

Very Active Large Moderately Low Actively Dogs Active Large Large Dogs Dogs Staff Assigned: Ginger Jack Jack Owner/Manager Owner/Manager

Supervising Small Dogs

Staff on Shift: 1. Bob – 2 years experience working in your facility 2. Hannah – 6 years experience; 3 weeks in your facility (no formal body language training) 3. Candy – 3 months experience in your facility (no previous dog experience) 4. Yourself – Owner/Manager

Very Active Dogs Moderate Activity Dogs Low Activity Dogs Staff Assigned: Bob Candy Hannah Owner/Manager

Make notes of concerns or questions you have completing part 3. • The larger the dogs and the higher the activity level, the more experience the staff should have. Large dog group has too many dogs for 9 month staff experience level unless you sub-divide groups. • We recommend a staffing ratio of approximately 1 person to every 10-15 dogs depending on the size of the dogs and the experience of the staff member. • Hannah’s prior experience could allow her to safely manage the low activity dogs • Moderate activity groups can be challenging based on dog mix; utilize opportunity to provide hands-on follow-up training with Candy and assess her leader skills with this group