Staying Ahead of Potential Issues:
In a dog daycare setting, issues can escalate quickly if not monitored closely. Teaching staff to maintain a state of constant vigilance ensures they can intervene before a situation becomes problematic.
Implement short check-in intervals, where staff alert each other to any dogs they’re monitoring for potential issues.
Situational Awareness:
Staff should be trained to continually scan the play area every few minutes, looking for any early signs of stress, discomfort, or tension between dogs.
Use the term “Heads on a Swivel” as a reminder for staff to constantly shift their attention to different parts of the play area, rather than focusing on just one group or dog.
Encourage staff to develop a mental map of where each dog is and what they are doing at all times. This prevents surprises and ensures any shifts in behavior are noticed early.
360-Degree Scanning:
Staff should periodically perform 360-degree scans of the room to ensure they see the full picture. This can be trained through spot checks, where supervisors randomly ask staff about the current location and status of different dogs in the facility to test their awareness.
Drills: During training, set up scenarios where staff members must scan a room full of dogs and report any dogs showing signs of stress, agitation, or discomfort within a few seconds.
Team Communication:
Encourage staff to communicate regularly with one another, especially during high-energy periods or when multiple new dogs are introduced into the group. A quick heads-up between staff members can help prevent issues from going unnoticed.