Colchester Canine Creche – Pooch Paradise!
“I think we stand out because of the amount of effort we put in. We put a lot of effort into physical and mental interaction with all of our dogs. We’re always playing different games, at different times of the day so, it keeps things fresh and it makes for a good environment for the dogs. Our aim is to make sure all dogs are happy and content with the level of interaction and they can chill out on the sofa if they need a break” – Matt, the owner, on why Colchester Canine Creche stands out and are different to their competitors.
As you know by now, Colchester Streets is always on the lookout for new business owners and independent businesses to highlight. So, when Colchester Canine Creche got in touch to ask if we wanted to visit – we jumped at the chance. Who wouldn’t want to spend their morning playing with dogs and taking pictures?
Established in July 2019, the creche has grown immensely and is one of the most popular doggy day care centres in Colchester - pooch paradise! Matt decided to go into the dog business because he had been in his previous job for more than 20 years and could not progress further so, he decided to take the plunge and make a big change in his life.
The creche itself has over 100 dog registers with them and before a dog is accepted, they go in for a triall to see how they behave and interact with other dogs off the lead. Matt’s main focus is on socialisation, physical and mental stimulation through various games, agility and having both indoor and outdoor play areas. You can book your fur baby in for either a half day or full day which is ideal for those who work full time and need their dog to have the interaction and exercise.
Deciding to get a dog is a big decision, and training it can be quite tricky, especially if you have not owned a dog before. Colchester Canine Creche even host regular “puppy parties”. This is a great chance to learn simple behavioural techniques such as: clipping claws, preventing puppy biting and giving your puppy the chance to interact with other dogs off the lead, and the owners come away with lots of knowledge that will be helpful for the future. You will also be able to walk away with a “goody bag” with lots of natural treats inside that will certainly be useful to help train your dog.
The creche is open Monday-Friday 8.00-18.00 and early drop off is available if it is pre-arranged with Matt. The prices are also extremely reasonable - a half day (5 hours in the morning) will cost £18.50 and a full day is just £27.50. If you are a regular customer of Matt’s, he will also give you a package allowing you to save some pennies, and as a thank you for your support.
The mornings are primarily based outside and when most of the games take place. Dogs will generally have more energy in the morning and be more interactive with one another. If a dog is there for the half day, they will get to take part in the various games and enjoy burning off all of that energy before they go home for a well-earned snooze!
The afternoons are more chilled for the dogs who are there all day. The creche does have a “chill out” zone which is used more by the older dogs, who do not want to play all day. At 3pm every afternoon, Matt has introduced “story time”. Which is exactly what it says on the tin. Matt, or one of his apprentices will bring out some big dog beds and mattresses, get all of the dogs to sit and chill while a story is read. This is good mental stimulation as they will be listening to a calm voice and lower energy levels, ensuring the dogs don’t feel too tired or lethargic.
Another really cool thing about the creche is the themed weeks. Matt regularly holds “themed weeks” to keep things fresh and to just have a bit of fun. Some of the recent themes include Christmas, Valentine’s and Crufts. Throughout the themed weeks, Matt will dress up, play new, exciting games and each dog will win an award for something they’re good at. For some, it may be agility based, for others it may be interaction based. It is not a competition as each dog and breed has their own personality and abilities. After all, they’re like humans – we’re all good at something!
If you’re looking for somewhere to take your dog for interaction, training, or somewhere for them to be safe while you’re out at work, then look no further. It was a truly wonderful experience visiting the creche and the dogs are extremely well cared for and looked after. Matt has his own Labrador called Charlie, so he knows the importance of having interaction with other dogs off the lead and learning basic training and behaviour.
