Sonoma Dog Camp

It’s 10 on a Monday morning and more than 30 dogs have gathered in the landscaped outdoor play area and barn at the Sonoma Dog Camp. Looking out through an oversized glass partition at this conglomeration of canines, it strikes you that something is missing, but what? The dogs are engaged in sniffing, wrestling, chasing, and otherwise normal behavior… wait… there’s no accompanying cacophonous chorus of barking.
Mentioning this brings about a chuckle from owners Sue Simon and James Cribb.
“We work very hard on that behavior,” said Simon. “It makes things less stressful for the dogs and, because we are in a residential area, it’s important to be courteous of our neighbors.”
This is one of the surprising and carefully thought-out aspects of Sonoma Dog Camp that gives it a different feel than the usual kennel or boarding facility. Everything is designed to contribute to their slogan, “Making it easy to include a dog in your life.”
But, it begs the question: is doggie day care really necessary for a pet or is it a frivolous trend that simply helps assuage the guilt of leaving a dog at home if you work or are frequently gone during the day?
For Simon, it’s not a question of guilt or a substitute for a pet’s home. It’s offering a healthy environment where the dog can socialize and thrive in a place that is set up for animals to safely and securely learn and play.
“Even owners who work from home bring their pets here so the animal can have contact with other dogs and spend time being free to play or explore at their own pace,” said Simon. “Whether it’s once a week, or daily, Camp becomes a positive part of the pet’s and the owner’s lives.”
Sonoma was an agricultural area until recent years, where fences were few and the population small. Dogs could run free and be safe, and neighbors knew each other’s animals. Today, even owners with lots of land have to have fences, and development has meant increased traffic and roads. Coupled with the fact that in many families with pets, both adults work or volunteer, it creates a concern for safety and for the quality of the dog’s daily existence.
Alternatives such as Sonoma Dog Camp have emerged in response to changing conditions like these. Simon and Cribbs faced these issues with their own dogs, and ultimately chose to leave successful careers in financial services to start a business that would address these problems and provide new options for them and for others in similar situations.
In 2004, they renovated an old appliance store on Broadway, creating a light and warm environment. Finding the right materials for the dogs to spend their days in meant a lot of research. The ground cover had to withstand a lot of romping and be comfortable to animal’s paws. They settled on Trinity River Rock from Sonoma Materials, enclosed by no-climb agricultural fencing.
The outdoor area is broken up with wooden structures that the dogs can stand or lay on-or take cover under, and large, smooth boulders that they often drape themselves over for a nap or to soak in the sun. Every animal seems to find its own special nook for a nap or place to play king of the hill, depending on the time of day.
Interestingly, there are no toys or balls or food in the play areas. Cribb explains that toys would introduce things to fight over, and take the dogs away from their natural play. They are fed before they come to Camp, and, unless they have special dietary needs, or are young puppies, are not fed while they are at Camp. Overnighters are fed dinner and breakfast, either with food provided from the owner, or the brand that the store carries.
To prevent illness, all dogs are required to have up-to-date vaccinations and medical exams and must be spayed or neutered. If the animal needs an appointment with a vet, the camp has an arrangement with Altimira Veterinary for visits, and has relationships with the other veterinary offices in town.
OSHA sanitation protocols include a hospital-grade disinfectant, which is sprayed any time an animal urinates in the yard, so no bacteria is transmitted back and forth. At least two certified pet technicians are always on duty with the dogs, and keep a constant eye on “spills,” while playing with and petting the animals.
Grooming and therapeutic services are now available at Blossom’s Day Spa. Dogs can get baths and haircuts, nail trims, and, for the more indulgent, a softening paw wax or aromatic soaky bath with lavender and mint. Dogs with arthritic ailments can get relief with gentle massage to loosen their joints by a certified canine massage therapist.
There is a retail area decorated with original art, featuring, of course, dogs. Simon tries to carry products from local purveyors, lines like Ma Snax and Happy Tail Ale, the only beer made for dogs. And even the practical products are chosen for great design as well as durability. Dog beds, leashes, shampoos and other grooming items are as pleasing to people as they are to their pets. There are entertaining and out-of-the-ordinary toys, which, it turns out, are good for the dog too. The merchandise and services are chosen to allow a pet owner to do a lot of necessary things for their dog in one place.
Like kids going to school together, dogs at Sonoma Dog Camp develop play pals who become their fast friends. Clients find while walking around The Plaza or at the dog park that their dogs will insist on greeting a “friend” from Camp, and many times the owners have never met. It seems that a modern concept like doggie day care actually can become the best means to create friendships the old-fashioned way-just spending time together and having fun.