Do you know how to meet your dog’s needs?
Exercise, decompression, enrichment—everything our dogs need to be behaviorally well. Living in our human world is inherently stressful, so it is imperative our canine companions get proper time to just be a dog out and about. Here at Cloud 9, we’re all too familiar with dogs that are A LOT to handle. They might be anxious, reactive, or seem to have endless energy that is never fully satisfied. We’re here to help!
When it comes to satisfying activity for dogs, “more” is not always better—better is better (meaning quality activity matters most). With a training program designed by our Certified Professional Dog Trainer® and C9C co-owner, Jordan Bowdish, all services are crafted to the individual needs of each dog we serve. Whether your dog needs to cut loose in nature, get TRULY fulfilling exercise, or help coming out of their shell due to behavior challenges, our Field Trip service and Dog Days Out package are here for households looking to get their dogs content and relaxed through filling their emotional cup.
All featured dogs are from real Cloud 9 field trip report cards!
What Do Outings Include?
- Behavior protocols for managing behavior concerns such as fear, anxiety, and reactivity.
- Intake calls with our Certified Professional Dog Trainer & Behavior Consultant to discuss the ‘gaps’ in your current enrichment planning and design activity around it.
- Staff collaboration between handlers for a scientific approach to your service plan—data collection, gradually-increased challenge levels, and novelty for enrichment.
- Mental stimulation for your dogs—learning actual games, patterns, and activities to work their brains in ways plastic puzzle feeders never could.
- Practice around our Day Camp dogs in our facility for structured, real-world practice of their skills.
- Decompression Profiles in creating nature outings that actually “blow off steam” for your dog, develop confidence, and care for their instinctual needs.
- Ongoing follow up and communication with you between outings to continually adjust your care plan to the just-right challenge level for your dog by relaying what you observe at home between outings.
- [Dog Days Out Only] Combined Decompression + Public Distractions Work in one outing to check all the boxes of your dog’s needs for the day.
*Careful screening before sign-up ensures each dog is matched to a group appropriate for their needs. Eligibility restrictions apply.
How Do Cloud 9 Canine Outing Services Work?
- Meet Us –> We will come to your home to meet your household and go over care instructions to ensure you and your dogs are completely comfortable with the care plan before services begin. Meet & Greets are $25.
- Assessment –> Jordan will discuss with you to get to know your dog and their needs, talking through outing locations, restrictions, and goals with you over the phone before we start.
- Enjoy –> We will come to your home to take your dog on their outings, followed by a detailed photo, video, and written narrative report. Cloud 9’s central value of Community means we value close connections with the households entrusted in our care: ongoing discussion with us will remain available to continuously raise the bar on quality of care every time we serve your dogs.
Recurring schedules receive additional benefits—this includes discounts on services, access to Cloud 9 Dog Training Club and our Cloud 9 Behavior Support & Enrichment group, behavior calls with Jordan, and an exclusive newsletter to keep in the know with our Kalamazoo pet community!
Field Trip Outing Service Pricing
Field Trips
$49
Field trips are 60 minutes each and will focus on getting your dog out of the home to provide physical and mental stimulation, leaving them content and relaxed back home.
Dog Days Out
$290
Dog Days Out packages include four 90-minute outings. Dogs will spend the first hour on a decompression and exercise outing followed by public distractions skill work at a second location.
Frequently Asked Questions
What days/times/hours are field trips available?
Field trips run 365 days per year, 6am-11pm, as the rest of our in-home services do!
I have multiple dogs in the home: can they all attend field trips?
They sure can! However, we only take dogs out 1:1 (one at a time) on field trips. This is to reduce risk of safety or security concerns for your dogs when away from home. Options for multi-dog homes:
-Split up the days so we alternate which dog we take on which day.
-Divide the service time between the dogs (as is available with nearby locations).
-Book an extended visit for additional service time to take the dogs out one by one.
Various households have worked out a multitude of schedules that work best for them: we’re happy to help you plan for how to make the service work with your schedule, budget, and service needs!
What if my dog needs additional care after the field trip, like feeding?
We’re happy to complete any tasks you need, such as feeding, grooming, and the like, when we return your dog home after their field trip! You may also book the service as an extended visit or add on a drop-in visit as you see fit, though that is not required. We’re happy to talk with you to ensure you have all you need covered during your service!
Where will my dog go on their field trip?
They can go to an indoor location or outdoor that is pet-friendly, or over to our facility for a swim or romp as is available. We maintain a map of locations on our end of approved spaces to guide staff so we can take the hassle out of planning. We’re also able to accommodate any specific requests as to where they go per your instruction and comfort.
What do I need to provide for my dog’s field trip?
We need a harness to be able to safely secure them snug in the backseat of our vehicles, and a leash—preferably both a short leash and a long line (20-30 feet). Treats and towels for wiping them down are helpful, too!
They can wear whatever type of collars you’d like out and about—we’re happy to have them wear ANY type of equipment you usually send them in.
Will my dog be let off leash?
They can be! However, we only let dogs off leash in physically fenced areas of 4-feet in height of greater during services for their safety and security. We will not let dogs off leash where it is illegal to do so or without discussing this with you in their protocol.
What safety precautions do you take while you have my dog out in public?
Our staff all are REQUIRED to carry spray shield to defend against wildlife and other dogs at all times when we are working. Staff are trained on its use as a defensive mechanism for preventing any attacks from other dogs or people.
We do not let other dogs or people outside your dog’s immediate household come in contact with them during services.
We carry security clips that attach from collar –> harness of all dogs to use during services, so that if your dog slipped out of one, they are still attached.
We perform equipment fit checks before exiting a home every time we handle a dog.
We train staff on managing all common equipment found on a dog to prevent injury to themselves or your dog.
We train our employees on home security protocols to keep your home secure while we are away and the dog is out.
We train our employees on how to safely and smoothly enter/exit a vehicle with a dog, as well as how to transport them in a calm, relaxing environment.
…and more! Let us come out for a Meet & Greet to review this with you: we’re more than happy to answer any and all questions!