Discussions

Hello eBrandoners,  
 
As a born & raised Brandonite and passionate dog owner, I have some curiosities as to whether Brandon could support an indoor dog park facility. As someone with an entrepreneurial spirit, I'm starting the process of researching the local market before venturing into a new business.  
 
So here is where I need all dog owners who like to use leash-free dog park facility to participate in answering a short 10-question survey to assist in my research endeavors.  
 
If you could take a few minutes out of your busy day and answer this survey, it would provide me with the first bit of tangible data. This in turn will help me decide if there is a feasibility of opening an indoor dog park facility in Brandon.  
 
Thanks, in advance, to everyone to participates in the survey!  
 
Here is the SurveyMonkey link  
 
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NGMTHY6

I don’t have a dog so I can’t take the survey, but that could be a great idea! Maybe a little canteen set up with dog and human treats and doggy playground, sounds like a good time for all!

Take the survey. There is a spot showing 0 dogs in the household.

Did it

It might be a great idea on the -40 days but I don’t know if it’s sustainable. We have such nice summers here. I couldn’t imagine going to take my dogs for a walk inside. When I could be outside in the sun.

To respond to Orien, some of us have breeds that make it very difficult to have them outside on warm, humid, hot days. Our dog who is a pug isn’t exercised as much in the winter or summer due to temperatures.

I was saying that a kennel with this as a feature would be my business venture if I was able. I took your survey and I wish you all the best as you research and figure out this ideas feasibility.

with high costs of rent, hydro, insurance, keeping the interior clean and sanitary, staff wages, how many dogs would you need to visit every month?  
 
does Winnipeg or other big cities have indoor off leash dog parks?  
 
Maybe an already successful doggy daycare could have an indoor social afternoon once a week

My husband and i were talking about this over the winter, especially over those really cold stretches where we could hardly take our dog out. So many times we thought an indoor dog park would be a great option. I for sure think Brandon could support this!

The Paw Resort and Wellness Centre... great indoor gym/play area for dogs, safe secure structured play groups rotated throughout the day for dogs of all sizes, ages and play styles.

would children be allowed? what if dogs weren't used to children?

Like previously mentioned "The Paw Wellness Center" pretty much what youre planning.

But this is pretty much a setup for failure. The cost of a membership vs things offered and paying utilities is a very big difference. I do no see any money making in this, especially from spring to late fall.

Hey eBrandoners! Thank you for all your responses to this thread and for those of you who have participated so far in the online survey. I appreciate that comments are being honest but polite.  
 
Just to clarify, this facility is meant to be a safe, secure and controlled environment for owners to take their dogs to socialize with other dog and a place to spend time interacting with your dog (ie walking track).  
 
This is not a doggy daycare, although that might be a possibility in the future, hence the reason for asking the question about what other services would entice you to use such a facility.  
 
As well, policies and staffing would be in place to ensure that dogs and their owners were following facility rules like cleaning up after potty messes. Also there would be requirements to show proof of vaccinations & vetting, with a questionnaire and liability forms to be filled out upon first visit to the facility.  
 
Many of you have commented that there would be issues during summer months to sustain such a facility. However, many people, like myself, cannot tolerate summer months for its extreme heat and humidity, and many breeds have difficulty with the same weather. And not to mention, I hate walking in the rain and dealing with mosquitoes in the evening. LOL  
 
Again, thanks eBrandoners for your input. Keep it coming: I'm reading your responses and contemplating your ideas.

I'd love to drop my dog off at a large daycare facility for the day at that price. But $15 just to use it for an hour or so? Yes, it says for the 'day' but who is going to spend more than an hour or so there?  
 
For comparison, it is would cost pretty much the same as taking a couple kids to PlayTime (or whatever it is now) for the afternoon.  
 
Might do it once a year during winter but thats about it.  
 
 
Fun idea but likely not feasible.

who is paying for this??? best not be the tax payers.

I think that the costs associated won't be offset enough by use. I think people will love having the 'option' but that infrequency of visits along with budget constraints of pet owners mean that it'll be a nice option but likely not used enough to have someone maintain it cost wise?  
 
Something like some of the kids play places ... people love to have them but hate the cost. But how one earth is a business supposed to function when no one wants to pay?  
 
I just think that once it's up and running, people aren't likely to regularly pay for fees. Who knows, though? I like your entrepreneur spirit! And it's a good idea, I just think perhaps Brandonites won't continue to pay for it, for what it would cost for a reasonably sized building.

I just can’t imagine keeping up with the pee and poop and hair everywhere. I think it would be yucky