Pet Boarding and Daycare Podcast with Dominic Hodgson

Are you trying to compete in the crowded middle of the market… when the real opportunity might be sitting at the very top?

If you doubled your prices tomorrow, would your business collapse… or would you simply make more money and start attracting a different kind of client?

And what if the secret to making significantly more money wasn’t squeezing in more dogs… but deliberately designing a business for affluent dog owners who happily pay for a better experience?

In this week’s episode of the Pet Boarding & Daycare Podcast, Dom continues the deep dive into the Affluent Attraction Strategy, explaining why the most profitable pet businesses intentionally position themselves at the top end of the market.

Fresh off a relaxing trip to Spain, Dom also talks about the importance of protecting your time and energy as a business owner — why taking proper breaks actually makes you a better leader, and how creating space away from the business allows better ideas and strategies to develop.

Dom delivers a masterclass on pricing psychology and premium positioning, as well as touching on why most daycare owners accidentally trap themselves in the crowded middle of the market. This episode breaks down exactly how affluent-focused businesses attract better clients, create stronger margins, and build calmer, more profitable operations.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

Want to work with the World Leading Pet Business Coach?  Discover if you’re a good fit to work with Dom by going to www.petbusinessmarketing.com/audition or click here 

Remember, the next big Barkleigh event is the PB & D Expo West which this year is taking place in Phoenix, Arizona, and…registration is now open. To secure your place click here now

Grab a copy of Dom’s latest book Mission ENRICH by clicking here now

Episode Highlights

[00:51] – Dom opens the episode and introduces part two of the Affluent Attraction Strategy.[02:00] – Broadcasting from Spain: why intentional downtime makes you a better entrepreneur and leader.[03:54] – Why business owners must delete, delegate, or redesign tasks that drain their energy.[06:30] – The lies entrepreneurs tell themselves about being “too busy” to prioritise their own wellbeing.[10:14] – Dom begins part two of the affluent attraction deep dive and explains why premium positioning works everywhere.[12:30] – Why most dog daycares drift toward the crowded middle of the market — and why that hurts margins.[15:00] – Pricing as a signal: how higher prices attract more affluent dog owners.[18:48] – Fewer dogs, better economics: how premium facilities create stronger margins with lower capacity.[22:30] – Understanding affluent buyers: how values, identity, and experience influence their purchasing decisions.[26:00] – The mindset barrier that stops most owners from raising prices and moving upmarket.[29:23] – Turning your daycare into a premium experience business rather than a busy warehouse of dogs.[32:46] – Dom previews his upcoming training session at the Pet Boarding & Daycare Expo West in Phoenix.

Are you building a dog daycare that attracts the right clients… or just more clients?

If your facility was completely full tomorrow, would that actually make you richer — or just more stressed?

And what if the real path to profitability wasn’t squeezing in more dogs… but attracting better clients who happily pay more for a better experience?

In this week’s episode of the Pet Boarding & Daycare Podcast, Dom dives deep into a concept that could radically change the way you think about pricing, marketing, and the clients you serve. 

Fresh off a trip to Dublin (where even the Guinness Storehouse has been thoroughly “Disnified”), Dom shares lessons on long-game thinking in business, why most owners focus on short-term marketing tactics instead of building lasting assets, and how premium experiences command premium prices.

With new luxury travel offerings including cruise ships offering gourmet meals for dogs, the world of pet care is undoubtedly shifting toward personalised, high-value experiences. The question is — are you positioning your business to attract the affluent dog owners who want them? 

Dom explains why the traditional “warehouse model” daycare — packed with dogs but struggling to turn a real profit — is becoming outdated, and how smart operators are moving toward a premium experience model that creates happier staff, calmer dogs, and significantly better margins. 

In this episode, you’ll discover:

Want to work with the World Leading Pet Business Coach?  Discover if you’re a good fit to work with Dom by going to www.petbusinessmarketing.com/audition

Remember, the next big Barkleigh event is the PB & D Expo West which this year is taking place in Phoenix, Arizona, and…registration is now open. To secure your place click here now

Grab a copy of Dom’s latest book Mission ENRICH by clicking here now

Episode Highlights

[00:51] – Dom opens the episode and previews a deep dive into the Affluent Attraction Strategy.[02:02] – Dom shares highlights from a recent trip to Dublin and why the Guinness Storehouse is a perfect example of “Disnifying” an experience.[05:50] – The 9,000-year Guinness lease and what it teaches about long-term thinking in business.[07:38] – Marketing assets vs social media noise — why lead magnets, books, and testimonials create lasting growth.[13:00] – Dog News: travelling across the Atlantic with your dog aboard the Queen Mary 2.[18:37] – Why being known for something specific makes marketing dramatically easier.[20:00] – The “warehouse daycare” problem: busy facilities that still struggle to turn a real profit.[22:31] – Why attracting better clients is far more powerful than simply attracting more dogs.[28:23] – Why affluent clients are more stable, more loyal, and more likely to buy additional services.[34:10] – Why higher prices improve staff morale, client experience, and dog wellbeing.

Are you focusing on the small stuff in your business… while ignoring the two things that actually determine your profit?

When was the last time you seriously reviewed your pricing — not just for a once-a-year increase — but as an ongoing strategy?

And if labour and pricing are the only two levers that truly move cashflow, valuation, and long-term freedom… why do so many owners hesitate to pull them?

In this week’s episode of the Pet Boarding & Daycare Podcast, Dom builds on a powerful conversation with Teija Heikkilä from Pet Vet M&A and breaks down what really drives profitability in pet care businesses. According to Teija, there are only two big levers that materially move business value: payroll and pricing.

Dom unpacks what that means in practical terms — from understanding labour ratios and eliminating inefficiencies, to getting comfortable charging what your services are actually worth. Along the way, he shares lessons from Disney’s premium pricing evolution, the psychology of fear around rate increases, and why underpricing doesn’t make you an ethical owner, but instead limits your ability to build a better facility, hire better staff, and create better outcomes for dogs.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

Episode Highlights

[00:51] – Dom opens the episode, reflects on travel, masterminds, and why getting out of your town sharpens your thinking.[04:30] – Dog News: “Genius dogs” learn by eavesdropping — and how to turn word association into a powerful marketing campaign.[07:13] – Using emotional triggers and brand conditioning to create stronger client loyalty.[13:01] – Teija Heikkilä explains the two big financial levers that determine business value: payroll and pricing.[17:18] – Labour ratios, inefficiencies, and why anything over 50% payroll demands immediate attention.[18:53] – The psychology of pricing fear — and why caring owners often become their own bottleneck.[28:24] – What Disney teaches us about premium pricing, positioning, and becoming comfortable not being for everyone.[31:29] – Why underpricing limits your ability to improve facilities, staff training, and long-term sustainability.[34:00] – Enrichment as low-hanging fruit: how selling more to existing clients instantly boosts revenue.[38:22] – Why fresh perspective, coaching, and live events remove emotional bias and unlock growth.

Huge thanks to our fantastic show sponsors Canine Lab Testing. You can learn more about their fast, reliable parasite testing solutions at: www.caninelabtesting.com

Are you, like most, treating your onboarding process as a formality rather than a serious sales opportunity?

When was the last time you stepped outside your facility — not to escape the chaos— but to study how other businesses engineer spending, loyalty, and experience?

And if even billion-dollar theme parks leave money on the table… what might you be missing?

In this week’s episode of the Pet Boarding & Daycare Podcast, Dom shares insights fresh off the plane from Orlando, where he attended a mastermind, held an event, visited both Disney and Universal, and spent a small fortune as a result (purely for research purposes, obviously).

It’s a lesson in finding the hidden money in your business (something Disney are absolute masters at doing), engineering unforgettable and gossip-worthy experiences for your clients, and why growth-minded owners must deliberately expose themselves to better ideas. 

Dom breaks down the key difference he noticed between Disney and Universal when it comes to monetising their attractions and how that directly mirrors what most pet care facilities are (and aren’t) doing with meet-and-greets, inductions, add-ons, and upsells.

Alongside that, you’ll hear the first snippet in a new mini-series with Teija Heikkilä from Pet Vet M&A on building a business that’s ready to sell — and why running your business as if you could sell tomorrow actually makes it calmer, more profitable, and more enjoyable today.

Plus, there’s details on the newly opened registration for Pet Boarding & Daycare Expo West in Phoenix with Rebecca Shipman.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

Huge thanks to Teija Heikkilä from Pet Vet M&A for sharing her wisdom. Click here to find out more about Pet Vet M & A.

Want to work with the World Leading Pet Business Coach?  Discover if you’re a good fit to work with Dom by going to www.petbusinessmarketing.com/audition

Remember, the next big Barkleigh event is the PB & D Expo West which this year is taking place in Phoenix, Arizona, and…registration is now open. To secure your place click here now

Grab a copy of Dom’s latest book Mission ENRICH by clicking here now

Episode Highlights

[00:51] – Dom opens the episode, reflects on 90-day goals, and previews a packed show.[03:02] – Fresh off the plane from Orlando: why investing in masterminds speeds up growth and reduces business loneliness.[05:39] – Meeting Barry Jacobson (Club 33, Golden Oaks) and marketing legend Brian Kurtz — and the confidence of true experts.[08:43] – Hidden money in your business: the question every operator should be asking.[11:20] – Disney vs Universal — and the glaring monetisation difference most businesses ignore.[15:32] – Backend sales, engineered experiences, and why spending can feel like part of the magic.[18:25] – Why exposing yourself to better businesses sparks smarter decisions at home.[21:03] – Teija Heikkilä on building a business you can sell tomorrow — and why that mindset changes everything.[27:10] – Burnout vs optimisation: how small financial tweaks can dramatically increase business value.[35:33] – Pet Boarding & Daycare Expo West preview: Phoenix location, keynote highlights, and why live events matter.

Huge thanks to our fantastic show sponsors Canine Lab Testing. You can learn more about their fast, reliable parasite testing solutions at: www.caninelabtesting.com

Are you trying to be everything to every dog owner…and finding your marketing feels noisy, crowded, and hard to differentiate?

Have you ever worried that specialising or niching your services would shrink your audience…when it might actually do the exact opposite?

And what if focusing on a specific type of client, dog, or service could make your marketing easier, your pricing stronger, and your business more profitable?

In this week’s episode of the Pet Boarding & Daycare Podcast, host Dom Hodgson dives into the powerful, and often misunderstood, concept of niching and specialisation in pet care businesses. Sparked by another catch-up with Rebecca Shipman from Pet Boarding & Daycare Magazine, Dom explores how the magazine’s special cat-focused issue highlights a major opportunity inside the industry: becoming known as a specialist instead of just another general provider.

Alongside insights from the latest magazine edition, Dom shares real-world examples from his own business journey from his niche adventure dog walking and targeted training services, to specialised coaching programmes and enrichment-based daycare positioning. The episode also includes practical promotional strategies designed to help owners reset momentum, generate revenue quickly, and position themselves as community leaders and trusted experts.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

Want to work with the World Leading Pet Business Coach?  Discover if you’re a good fit to work with Dom by going to www.petbusinessmarketing.com/audition

Remember, the next big Barkleigh event is the PB & D Expo West which this year is in Phoenix, Arizona! You can register for the event and be the first to find out when tickets go on sale by clicking here now

Grab a copy of Dom’s latest book Mission ENRICH by clicking here now

Episode Highlights

[00:51] – Dom previews the episode, introduces the magazine’s niche-focused issue, and explains why specialisation is becoming a major growth strategy in pet care.[03:49] – Dog News: Amazon Ring’s AI-powered lost dog tracking feature and how technology is creating new community-based service opportunities.[05:45] – How building strong local relationships can position your facility as the central hub for pet owners in your town.[10:05] – Dom sits down with Rebecca Shipman to explore the latest Pet Boarding & Daycare Magazine and its cat-specialised industry insights.[12:22] – Why cat boarding and other specialised services are growing rapidly — and the untapped revenue opportunities they create.[20:18] – Dom shares his personal business journey and how niching helped him attract affluent clients and build stronger brand positioning.[23:27] – The biggest fear owners have about specialising — and why narrowing your focus often expands your opportunities.[26:06] – How niching simplifies marketing, improves content creation, and strengthens search visibility.[28:2] – Promotional reset strategies: creative event marketing ideas tied to holidays, seasonal promotions, and themed enrichment weeks.[31:15] – Educational marketing in action: using storytelling, entertainment, and dog behaviour education to increase client loyalty and sales.

Huge thanks to our fantastic show sponsors Canine Lab Testing.You can learn more about their fast, reliable parasite testing solutions at: www.caninelabtesting.com

Should your daycare or boarding facility offer one simple all-inclusive price… or a menu of optional add-ons clients can choose from?

Is charging for enrichment, upgrades, or premium services genuinely unethical… or is it actually better for dogs, staff, and your long-term business health?

And could sticking to an all-inclusive model quietly limit your profit, your service quality, and your ability to stand out in a more competitive pet care market?

In this week’s episode of the Pet Boarding & Daycare Podcast, host Dom Hodgson dives into one of the most debated topics in the pet care industry: all-inclusive pricing versus add-on service models, and why many owners are unknowingly leaving money, opportunies, and client satisfaction on the table.

Drawing on years of consulting with dog daycares and pet resorts across the world, Dom breaks down the emotional, ethical, and strategic arguments owners use to justify all-inclusive pricing before unpacking the real business, behavioural, and customer-experience reasons why structured service ladders often produce better outcomes for all.

Along the way, Dom shares lessons from Disney storytelling, cruise ship revenue models, airline seating structures, and real-world enrichment programme implementation to show why offering choice isn’t about charging more but rather about delivering better.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

Want to work with the World Leading Pet Business Coach?  Discover if you’re a good fit to work with Dom by going to www.petbusinessmarketing.com/audition

Remember, the next big Barkleigh event is the PB & D Expo West which this year is in Phoenix, Arizona! You can register for the event and be the first to find out when tickets go on sale by clicking here now

Grab a copy of Dom’s latest book Mission ENRICH by clicking here now

Episode Highlights:

[00:51] – Dom opens the episode and introduces the all-inclusive vs add-on pricing debate dominating the pet care industry.[03:00] – Lessons from masterminds and Disney’s Animal Kingdom: why storytelling and experience design create standout businesses.[11:54] – Dog News: debunking common dog training myths and how simple, localised content builds marketing authority.[17:30] – The emotional argument behind all-inclusive pricing and why many owners link charging more with caring less.[21:00] – Why enrichment consistency often fails inside volume-based business models.[23:30] – Good, Better, Best pricing ladders and how service tiers increase profit without adding new clients.[26:53] – The fear of upselling and why most sales resistance is actually a communication problem.[29:00] – Cruise ships, airlines, and luxury hospitality: how premium upgrades drive massive backend revenue.[31:30] – Front-end sales vs backend sales and where long-term business profitability is really built.[33:30] – Why choice, personalisation, and optional upgrades lead to better dog experiences and stronger client loyalty.

Huge thanks to our fantastic show sponsors Canine Lab Testing. You can learn more about their fast, reliable parasite testing solutions at: www.caninelabtesting.com

Are you focusing heavily on scent, activity, and social play…but overlooking one of the dog’s most powerful senses?

Have you ever considered that the bedding, cushioning, and physical comfort inside your facility could be one of the biggest opportunities to improve behaviour, client confidence, and revenue?

And what if enrichment didn’t always require more labour…but instead could quietly increase value while using the space you already have?

In this week’s episode of the Pet Boarding & Daycare Podcast, host Dom Hodgson sits down with Fred Silber from Pet Therapeutics to explore one of the fastest-growing areas of enrichment: comfort-driven enrichment — and why the sense of touch is becoming a major differentiator for premium dog daycares and pet resorts.

Fred has spent decades working in pet product design and behavioural comfort solutions, helping facilities move beyond basic raised cots and into structured, science-backed comfort environments that reduce fear, anxiety, and stress in boarding dogs.

Together, Dom and Fred unpack how luxury-style bedding, pressure-based comfort, and smart enrichment bundling are helping facilities improve dog wellbeing, increase customer retention, and unlock new revenue streams — often with minimal additional labour.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

Huge hanks to my awesome guest Fred Silber for sharing his knowledge. Find out more about Pet Theraputics by going to PetTheraputics.net

Want to work with the World Leading Pet Business Coach?  Discover if you’re a good fit to work with Dom by going to www.petbusinessmarketing.com/audition

Canine Labs Testing are the amazing sponsors of this episode. Go to CanineLabsTesting to find out more about their fabulous service that keeps your facility parasite free!

Remember, the next big Barkleigh event is the PB & D Expo West which this year is in Phoenix, Arizona! You can register for the event and be the first to find out when tickets go on sale by clicking here now

Grab a copy of Dom’s latest book Mission ENRICH by clicking here now

Episode Highlights

[00:51] – Dom opens the episode with a lesson from The Apprentice, and why business owners must stop confusing activity with achievement.[07:16] – Dom challenges listeners to focus on the high-impact activities that truly move their business forward.[10:21] – Dog News: Westminster Best in Show inspires creative marketing and user-generated content ideas for daycare owners.[12:28] – Meet Fred Silber and the growing concept of comfort-driven enrichment in pet care.[13:12] – Why the sense of touch is often overlooked, and how pressure-based comfort helps reduce fear and anxiety.[14:17] – Luxury bedding bundles, upgrade packages, and the real-world profitability operators are seeing.[17:25] – The science behind leaning, compression, and why dogs naturally seek supported resting environments.[21:17] – Senior dogs, anxious dogs, and creating comfort solutions for different behavioural and physical needs.[25:39] – Near-zero labour enrichment and how comfort upgrades improve guest experience without adding staff workload.[30:30] – Selfie stations, front-desk sales opportunities, and using comfort products to drive client engagement and retention.

Huge thanks to our fantastic show sponsors Canine Lab Testing.

You can learn more about their fast, reliable parasite testing solutions at:

www.caninelabtesting.com

Do you have a business idea sitting in your head, half-built in notebooks, daydreams, and late-night conversations?

Have you ever wondered what actually separates a pet business that gets funded, built, and launched from one that stays stuck in planning limbo?

And what if a business plan wasn’t just a box-ticking exercise for the bank… but a tool to clarify your vision, your values, and the business you really want to build?

In this week’s episode of the Pet Boarding & Daycare Podcast, host Dom Hodgson sits down with Claire Pickens, founder of Clarity Group, to unpack the surprisingly personal, practical, and often misunderstood world of business planning for pet care businesses.

Claire has spent three decades inside the animal industry — as an employee, owner, executive, and now as the go-to specialist helping pet resort and veterinary entrepreneurs turn ideas into fully-formed, fundable, future-proof business plans.

Together, Dom and Claire break down what actually goes into a strong plan, why most owners rush this stage, and how writing things down now can save years of expensive mistakes later.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

Thanks to my awesome guest Claire Pickens for sharing her wisdom. Find out more about Claires services by going to SmallBusinessDreams.com

Want to work with the World Leading Pet Business Coach?  Discover if you’re a good fit to work with Dom by going to www.petbusinessmarketing.com/diamondnow

Canine Labs Testing are the amazing sponsors of this episode. Go to CanineLabsTesting to find out more about their fabulous service that keeps your facility parasite free!

Remember, the next big Barkleigh event is the PB & D Expo West which this year is in Phoenix, Arizona! You can register for the event and be the first to find out when tickets go on sale by clicking here now

Grab a copy of Dom’s latest book Mission ENRICH by clicking here now

Episode Highlights:

[00:51] – Dom sets the scene and introduces why business planning is the missing step for many pet entrepreneurs.[02:30] – A Town Farm renovation story — and the powerful business analogy of clearing space before you can build something new.[09:30] – Why chasing too many projects at once leads to overwhelm, and how deleting before adding creates momentum.[14:40] – Meet Claire Pickens: three decades in animal care, from barn work to executive leadership to business planning.[17:30] – Why experienced executives are now entering pet care — and the fresh thinking they’re bringing with them.[25:05] – The real purpose of a business plan — and why the numbers aren’t the most important part.[30:12] – Claire’s eight-step planning process, from elevator pitch to market analysis to financial projections.[33:39] – The question most owners never ask: how many people do you actually want to manage?[38:00] – Hidden surprises in insurance, utilities, staffing, and emotional client management — and why planning exposes them early.[41:00] – How Claire turns years of scattered ideas into a bank-ready, 20–30 page plan in under 60 days.

Huge thanks to our amazing show sponsors Canine Lab Testing. You can learn more about their fast, reliable parasite testing solutions at: www.caninelabtesting.com

Does your pet facility smell similar to most others… like nothing in particular?

Or worse, have you become nose-blind to something your clients notice the second they walk in?

Did you know scenting wasn’t just about odour control…but one of the simplest ways to create a high-value, premium brand experience?

In this week’s episode of the Pet Boarding & Daycare Podcast, host Dom Hodgson sits down with Kevin Rhodes from Air Essentials to explore one of the most overlooked elements of experiential marketing in pet care: scent. And we don’t mean scent work, we mean how your facility actually smells.

Kevin has spent nearly a decade working with luxury hotels, resorts, and now pet boarding facilities, helping those businesses eliminate odours, create instant positive first impressions, and build memorable brand environments through professional scenting systems.

In this conversation, Dom and Kevin unpack why pet facilities often become nose-blind to their own environment, how scent links directly to memory and emotional recall, and why top hospitality brands treat smell as part of their brand identity, not an afterthought. They dive into odour mitigation, branded signature scents, seasonal scenting, anxiety-reducing pet-safe fragrances, and how facilities are quietly using scent to increase perceived value, client trust, and repeat bookings.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

Thanks to my awesome guest Kevin Rhodes for sharing his wisdom. Find out more about AirEssentials by going to AirEssentials.com

Want to work with the World Leading Pet Business Coach?  Discover if you’re a good fit to work with Dom by going to www.petbusinessmarketing.com/diamondnow

Canine Labs Testing are the amazing sponsors of this episode. Go to CanineLabsTesting to find out more about their fabulous service that keeps your facility parasite free!

Remember, the next big Barkleigh event is the PB & D Expo West which this year is in Phoenix, Arizona! You can register for the event and be the first to find out when tickets go on sale by clicking here now

Grab a copy of Dom’s latest book Mission ENRICH by clicking here now

Episode Highlights:

[00:51] – Dom introduces the episode and explains why scent is one of the most overlooked opportunities in pet care.[02:07] – A personal update from Dom on why focus and clarity matter when building a business that stands out.[07:30] – Dog news: the rise of wellness in pet care, and what modern pet parents are willing to pay more for.[11:30] – Meet Kevin Rhodes from Air Essentials — the man helping luxury hotels and now pet boarding facilities that want to smell as good as they look.[13:30] – Why even clean facilities can suffer from hidden odour problems, and how nose-blindness catches most owners out.[14:53] – How scent links directly to memory and emotional recall, and why first impressions are formed in seconds.[17:43] – Why plug-ins, sprays, and candles don’t solve the real issue, and what professional scenting systems do differently.[19:49] – Signature scents, seasonal aromas, and how luxury brands use smell to build identity and recognition.[28:30] – The study showing dogs prefer certain scents, and how specific fragrances can reduce anxiety in pet environments.[38:00] – Disnifying, “five-sensing” environments, and why scent is the heavyweight champion of premium experience design.

Huge thanks to our amazing show sponsors Canine Lab Testing. You can learn more about their fast, reliable parasite testing solutions at: www.caninelabtesting.com

Are you still running a “play all day” daycare and wondering why some dogs struggle, staff burn out, and profit stays tight?

Do you want to add enrichment… but feel like it will be complicated, expensive, or hard to execute?

And what does good enrichment actually look like when it’s done properly — for the dogs, the staff, and the business?

In this week’s episode of the Pet Boarding & Daycare Podcast, host Dom Hodgson  sits down with Jess Okon from Blue Nine Pet Products for a wide-ranging, packed conversation on where pet care enrichment is heading, and why it’s fast becoming the defining factor between average daycares and premium facilities.

Jess shares real-world experience from managing high-volume daycares, building boarding and training departments, and working with facilities across the country. Together, Dom and Jess unpack how enrichment has evolved from simply “letting dogs play” into structured brain work, smaller groups, calmer environments, and personalised dog experiences — and why clients are increasingly willing to pay for exactly that.

They dive in to understanding every individual pet’s preferences, simple enrichment ideas that cost almost nothing to pull off, and why mental stimulation beats endless physical exercise every time.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

Thanks to my awesome guest Jess Okon for sharing her wisdom. Find out more about Blue9’s amazing products by going to Blue9.com

Want to work with the World Leading Pet Business Coach?  Discover if you’re a good fit to work with Dom by going to www.petbusinessmarketing.com/diamondnow

Canine Labs Testing are the amazing sponsors of this episode. Go to CanineLabsTesting to find out more about their fabulous service that keeps your facility parasite free!

Remember, the next big Barkleigh event is the PB&D Expo West which this year is in Phoenix, Arizona! You can register for the event and be the first to find out when tickets go on sale by clicking here now

Grab a copy of Dom’s latest book Mission ENRICH by clicking here now

Episode Highlights

[00:51] – Dom checks in from Austin and reflects on his time aboard the Barclay Pet Pro Cruise.[09:28] – Live from the Barclay Pet Pro Cruise: attendees share their takeaways on marketing systems, pricing confidence, and introducing good-better-best packages to drive profit. [13:51] – Meet Jess Okon: from grooming and high-volume daycare management to shaping enrichment thinking at Blue Nine.[21:16] – The shift from “play all day” daycare to structured brain-first enrichment, and why thinking beats exhausting.[22:30] – How enrichment improves behaviour, staff engagement, and client trust — all at the same time.[25:39] – Teaching dogs to problem-solve and communicate, and how simple brain work creates calmer facilities.[28:30] – Simple enrichment ideas that cost very little, but dramatically improve the dog’s day.[33:30] – Why smaller groups, rest cycles, and rotation matter more than adding new equipment.[36:30] – Interviewing the dog in front of you, and tailoring enrichment to individual needs rather than breed stereotypes.[40:30] – Using enrichment products and add-ons to increase profits, without adding more dogs or more stress.

Huge thanks to our fantastic show sponsors Canine Lab Testing.You can learn more about their fast, reliable parasite testing solutions at:www.caninelabtesting.com