About Us
Providing safe, structured playgroups and training for dogs and puppies in the Agawam area since 2001.
How We Got Started
Busy working families often find themselves in need of a support service to help meet the social and training needs of their family pet. We pride ourselves on helping dogs become content, grounded, well-behaved members of society that their owners can live with and be proud of.
The products and services we offer
Recommendations Received (5)
"I highly recommend K9Capers for your dog's daycare needs. Heather has a Bachelor's Degree in..."
Read more
"I highly recommend K9Capers for your dog's daycare needs. Heather has a Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science and understands fully social behaviors and group dynamics. Behavioral evaluations are conducted, which is extremely important. Her facility is quiet, clean and smells good! She utilizes training and has fun programs. The dogs are happy! In an unregulated industry where anyone can open a pet business, it's the qualified and passionate pet professionals that will stand the test of time. "
Recommendations Given (8)
"One of the most diverse and recognized training centers in the area, no matter what type of..."
Read more
"One of the most diverse and recognized training centers in the area, no matter what type of class you are looking for with your dog you will find it here! "
"Nicoll takes great care of each and every pet as an individual for all of your grooming needs. ..."
Read more
"Nicoll takes great care of each and every pet as an individual for all of your grooming needs. Gentle, compassionate, and great product knowledge and consultations as well. Best in the area!"
Recent Activity
My day center was forced to downsize by 2/3. Now we have a much smaller stable center with a regular group of dogs, and we are at about 80% capacity. We have started to have a handful of new inquiries, but our state is having a new outbreak and the news is reporting the death of the first...
(more)
My day center was forced to downsize by 2/3. Now we have a much smaller stable center with a regular group of dogs, and we are at about 80% capacity. We have started to have a handful of new inquiries, but our state is having a new outbreak and the news is reporting the death of the first dog that tested positive here, so that my bring things to a halt yet again.
We are open, but operating at 20% since mid-March. We have not paid April rent. We have had no communication from our landlord either. My attorney advised I apply for EIDL funds before contacting them, which we did as soon as the applicaiton was available, but we have heard no response. ...
(more)
We are open, but operating at 20% since mid-March. We have not paid April rent. We have had no communication from our landlord either. My attorney advised I apply for EIDL funds before contacting them, which we did as soon as the applicaiton was available, but we have heard no response. Seems everyone is in a holding pattern to see how this all shakes out.
All calls go to answering machine. Cold calls are deleted. The high volume and random types of services called about area big waste of my limited phone time.
(more)
All calls go to answering machine. Cold calls are deleted. The high volume and random types of services called about area big waste of my limited phone time.
1 Reply
I wish I had been a lot more savvy about managing staff and HR protocols right from the get go. That is/was a steep learning curve and you need to make sure all your ducks are in neat rows when you are a very small business.
(more)
I wish I had been a lot more savvy about managing staff and HR protocols right from the get go. That is/was a steep learning curve and you need to make sure all your ducks are in neat rows when you are a very small business.
Holidays are coming, how about advertising some gift certificates?
(more)
Holidays are coming, how about advertising some gift certificates?
1 Reply
I set aside time to read/ respond to email every day, 365 days. I do not do phone calls on vacations, weekends, etc. but I do respond to email messages.
(more)
I set aside time to read/ respond to email every day, 365 days. I do not do phone calls on vacations, weekends, etc. but I do respond to email messages.
When I ran two businesses, they had distinctly different time and scheduling demands. My service facility has distinct hours on set days, and I worked 6 hour morning shifts and scheduled appointments then as well. Then I have great support staff to work afternoon and close up, freeing up my...
(more)
When I ran two businesses, they had distinctly different time and scheduling demands. My service facility has distinct hours on set days, and I worked 6 hour morning shifts and scheduled appointments then as well. Then I have great support staff to work afternoon and close up, freeing up my afternoons and weekends for the "other" business, which was a home-based small farming operation. Well trained happy staff at my service business were the key to making both work.
I prefer website/ email contacts so I can get something back in writing to keep track of, so I will contact services with that easily available first, and skip folks that only have phone/text contacts. Depending on how urgent it is, 24-48 hours for response. I usually send message to 2-3...
(more)
I prefer website/ email contacts so I can get something back in writing to keep track of, so I will contact services with that easily available first, and skip folks that only have phone/text contacts. Depending on how urgent it is, 24-48 hours for response. I usually send message to 2-3 services, wait, then contact the next couple if I don't get an answer. I will wait a little longer and try a 2nd time if it's someone STRONGLY recommended though.
I try to make it as easy as possible for them to find what they are looking for (information) online so they can decide for themselves if they want to move forward with connecting with us. I'd rather have an informed customer that has self-selected to spend time starting a relationship with,...
(more)
I try to make it as easy as possible for them to find what they are looking for (information) online so they can decide for themselves if they want to move forward with connecting with us. I'd rather have an informed customer that has self-selected to spend time starting a relationship with, than waste time annoying someone that has already decided we are not for them. I also offer FB messaging, email, or website to cover as many of their preferred means of contact as possible. Lots of folks don't want to do phone calls anymore.
1 Reply
Great answers here. Sometimes it's really important to make sure the client knows EXACTLY what your service is, and we need to help them decide if they are actually looking for what WE offer or not. They'll never be happy if they really wanted a different variety of the service than what you...
(more)
Great answers here. Sometimes it's really important to make sure the client knows EXACTLY what your service is, and we need to help them decide if they are actually looking for what WE offer or not. They'll never be happy if they really wanted a different variety of the service than what you have on offer. Don't be afraid to upgrade, redefine, clarify, and streamline your materials when there seems to be confusion with clients on what they can ask for and what they can't. If you are a small personal service, there are quite a lot of folks who have no problem asking (pretty outrageous) requests. How you handle that is up to you, but I have no problem "breaking up" with bad relationships to make room for more wonderful ones. It's the clients that are appreciative and give mutual respect in the relationship that keeps us going!
