If you operate a pet care business, you should already know that Enrichment is a key driver to profitable revenue and improves your average revenue per pet across boarding, daycare, and grooming services.
One of the most successful ways I’ve seen creative pet business owners grow the adoption of enrichment is through monthly enrichment themes. Below are several different themes that you can utilize to create a unique experience for pets and their parents.
These holiday-themed events provide festive fun for the dogs and create a memorable experience for owners, reinforcing service differentiation and loyalty to your daycare. As part of these themed events, it is important to leverage your pet care software to communicate with pet parents what you are offering and utilize your texting features within the software to share amazing photos and videos which will further drive FOMO for pet parents who didn’t decide to sign-up.
“Barking Through the Decades” (Time Travel Adventure)
Concept:
Dogs “travel through time,” visiting different decades to solve a riddle about lost treasures.
Activities by Decade:
- 1920s (Speakeasy Treats): Dogs “find” hidden treats in secret compartments (basic scent work).
- 1960s (Hippie Trail): Interactive play in a colorful sensory garden with textured surfaces, bubbles, and soft music.
- 1980s (Workout Mania): Dogs navigate through agility tunnels and jump over hurdles to collect neon “clues.”
- Future (Tech Time): Use automated treat dispensers or tech-driven toys to reward successful participation.
“Pirates of the Canine Seas” (Pirate Treasure Hunt Theme)
Concept:
Dogs embark on a treasure hunt for “Golden Bones” hidden by pirate pups.
Activities:
- Treasure Dig: Provide sandbox-style enrichment activities where dogs dig for toys or treats.
- Map Following: Create a “pirate map” with stations where dogs complete challenges to earn pieces of the treasure.
- Captain’s Obstacle Course: Dogs walk the plank, jump over barrels, and run through tunnels to prove their pirate skills.
- Golden Bone Ceremony: At the end of the event, dogs receive special golden bone-shaped biscuits.
“Woofstock Festival” (Music & Art Festival Theme)
Concept:
Dogs participate in fun festival activities while “solving” a problem like a “stolen” festival poster.
Activities:
- Canine Karaoke: Dogs bark to music tracks as part of a playful activity with their owners.
- Paw Print Painting: Dogs use safe, washable paint to make paw print art that will be clues to the storyline.
- Festival Games: Fetch the Frisbee or balloon popping as enrichment games.
- Final Act: Solve the mystery by piecing together the paw art to reveal the culprit!
“Pawlympics” (Olympic Sports Theme)
Concept:
Dogs compete in various games to uncover who “sabotaged” the opening ceremony torch.
Activities:
- Track and Field: A mini relay race or fetch competition to earn medals (treats).
- Swimming Challenge: Small pools with floating toys that dogs “rescue.”
- Puzzle Solving: Dogs use puzzle feeders to find clues about the saboteur.
- Awards Ceremony: Each dog receives a medal or ribbon for their participation.
“Howl-o-ween Whodunit” (Halloween Mystery Theme)
Concept:
Dogs investigate a haunted daycare to find out who “spooked” their favorite toy stash.
Activities:
- Trick Training: Dogs perform tricks to earn “treats” and clues.
- Costume Parade: Each dog participates in a parade to showcase their personality.
- Pumpkin Puzzle Feast: Use hollow pumpkins or themed toys to hide treats for scent work.
- Haunted Hide and Seek: Staff dressed as “ghosts” hide and call for dogs to “unmask” them with barks.
Thanksgiving Theme: “Pawsgiving Feast Hunt”
Concept:
Dogs “harvest” ingredients for a Thanksgiving feast while participating in gratitude-themed activities.
Activities:
- Turkey Trot: An obstacle course featuring hurdles (corn stalks) and tunnels (turkey burrows) for the dogs to navigate.
- Stuffing Scent Hunt: Hide scented “ingredient toys” (like plush carrots, corn, or turkey legs) around the facility for dogs to “gather.”
- Paw Print Gratitude Tree: Dogs create paw print art on paper leaves to be displayed as a “thankful tree.” Owners can write why they’re thankful for their pets.
- Mini Feast Activity: Offer dog-safe “Thanksgiving meals” with pumpkin, sweet potato, and turkey jerky in a puzzle feeder for mental stimulation.
Christmas Theme: “Santa Paws’ Workshop”
Concept:
Dogs become Santa’s helpers, completing tasks to earn gifts and save Christmas.
Activities:
- Gift Wrapping Relay: Dogs use their noses to “unwrap” boxes (treat puzzles disguised as presents).
- Reindeer Games: Agility course themed as “reindeer flight training,” including jumps, tunnels, and ramps.
- Stocking Stuffer Hunt: A treasure hunt where dogs find treats or toys hidden in stockings around the daycare.
- Photo with Santa Paws: A photo booth with a Santa costume for staff and festive props for the dogs.
- Christmas Tree Tug-o-Toy Challenge: Dogs play with festive tug toys decorated like Christmas trees or candy canes.
New Year’s Theme: “Paw Year’s Eve Paw-ty”
Concept:
Dogs celebrate the New Year with fun activities leading up to a “midnight” ball drop.
Activities:
- Resolution Relay: Dogs complete an agility course where each station represents a “New Year’s resolution” (e.g., jump over hurdles for “staying fit,” fetch a ball for “learning new skills”).
- Treat Countdown: Dogs participate in timed challenges (like finding treats in a snuffle mat) with a 10-second countdown for added excitement.
- Ball Drop Dash: Use soft, colorful balls in a ball pit to simulate a ball drop. Dogs search for special treat-filled balls.
- Dog Champagne Toast: Provide dog-friendly sparkling water or broth served in festive bowls.
- Paw-ty Hats: Dogs wear New Year’s hats (if comfortable) and pose for celebratory photos.
“The Canine Kingdom” (Fantasy Adventure Theme)
Concept:
Dogs act as knights and princesses, saving the “kingdom” from a dragon stealing all the bones.
Activities:
- Castle Exploration: Dogs explore a cardboard castle maze filled with hidden treasures (treats or toys).
- Dragon’s Den: A playful tug-of-war game representing a battle with the dragon.
- Royal Agility Course: Dogs jump through hoops (rings of the kingdom) and run through tunnels (castle gates).
- Crowning Ceremony: Each dog is knighted with a bandana or crown as a keepsake.
Incorporating themed enrichment events into your pet care facility not only enhances the overall experience for the dogs in your care but also builds a deeper connection with their owners. These events provide meaningful mental and physical stimulation for dogs, helping to improve their behavior and overall well-being while giving owners peace of mind knowing their pets are engaged and happy. Themed events also create unique marketing opportunities that set your facility apart from competitors, foster customer loyalty, and generate additional revenue streams. By making your facility a destination for creative, fun, and enriching activities, you strengthen your brand’s reputation as a leader in pet care while delivering an unforgettable experience for pets and their families.
