5 Star Boarding

• Spacious Lodging

• Specialized Care

• 24/7 Online Registration

Sleep and Play - $43 a night

Sleep and Play 2nd dog - $36 a night

Dog play is vital to a dog’s social activity. During the puppy stage, puppy play is where dogs learn how to understand and use dog body language. When puppies play it helps them understand their environment and how to avoid conflicts with other dogs. Dogs need to exercise their mind and their body. Play is great for a dog’s mental and physical exercise.

All boarding dogs get ample playtime. We strongly recommend if this is your first stay, to sign up for a Side Kicks 1st day. This is a time set aside for our experienced kennel staff to test your dog’s play personality and get them established in a playgroup. For first-time boarders, bringing them in for a day of play is a great way to start getting them acclimated to a new environment. If a Side Kicks 1st day is not set up before boarding, we can’t guarantee our staff will have time to establish your dog in playgroups.

All of our playgroups are supervised and each group has 3-5 dogs in each group. A 20-minute play is equivalent to a 1-hour walk. We allow dogs to play for 20-30 minutes then let them have a rest. It’s important to stop dog play before dogs get overtired.

The four-play styles we have are; rough and rowdy, playful, gentle dainty, and human play.

1. Rough and Rowdy - Dogs with this playstyle, often play with high energy. These dogs often play body-slamming,

   chase, knocking each other over, and wrestling.

2. Playful - Dog with this playstyle has more of a puppy like play These dogs often play by neck biting,

   wrestling and chase.

3. Gently Dainty - Dogs with this playstyle often are referred to as the “socialites.” They enjoy being around other dogs and often mimic cat-like play. Dogs can have quick exaggerated motions but never touch the other dogs.

4. Human play - Dogs with this playstyle are dogs who don’t enjoy being around other dogs. We offer human play to give these dogs mental and physical exercise. These dogs have enrichment time with our staff. Such exercises include fetch, food puzzles, tug time, sniffy walks, etc.

Playful Daycare

• Knowledgable Staff

• Specialized Playgroups

• Small Playgroups

Dog play is vital to a dog’s social activity. During the puppy stage, puppy play is where dogs learn how to understand and use dog body language. When puppies play it helps them understand their environment and how to avoid conflicts with other dogs. Dogs need to exercise their mind and their body. Play is great for a dog’s mental and physical exercise.

Dogs have their own personality and playstyle. Some dogs do not do well with pack play. At SKDT we recognize that dogs have their own playstyle and do best with other dogs with a similar playstyle. When your dog first comes to SKDT we ask that you schedule your dog for the Side Kicks First Day. On your dog’s first day, we set aside time to get to know them, learn their playstyle and get them established in playgroups. All of our playgroups are supervised and each group has 3-5 dogs in each group. A 20-minute play is equivalent to a 1-hour walk. We allow dogs to play for 20-30 minutes at a time then let them have a rest. Play groups are run all day, allowing for rest time in-between plays. It’s important to stop dog play before dogs get overtired.

The four-play styles we have are; rough and rowdy, playful, gentle dainty, and human play.

1. Rough and Rowdy - Dogs with this playstyle, often play with high energy. These dogs often play body-slamming,

   chase, knocking each other over, and wrestling.

2. Playful - Dog with this playstyle has more of a puppy like play These dogs often play by neck biting,

   wrestling and chase.

3. Gently Dainty - Dogs with this playstyle often are referred to as the “socialites.” They enjoy being around other dogs and often mimic cat-like play. Dogs can have quick exaggerated motions but never touch the other dogs.

4. Human play - Dogs with this playstyle are dogs who don’t enjoy being around other dogs. We offer human play to give these dogs mental and physical exercise. These dogs have enrichment time with our staff. Such exercises include fetch, food puzzles, tug time, sniffy walks, etc.

Full day daycare - $28

Daycare package - Buy 10 get 2 FREE $285

Doggie Day Spa

• Gentle Handling

• Specialized Grooming

• Experienced Groomers

Training Classes

Level 1 Classes

• Positively Puppies -6 week course $165

  • Positively Puppies is a class for puppies up to 6 months of age at the start of the class using positive reinforcement and clickers. Lessons include basic cues such as sit, down, and stand. Other topics include potty training, nipping and chewing, walking politely on a leash, greetings, socialization with non-family dogs and people, body handling, and a few fun tricks. Your puppy will also work on obtaining their AKC Star Puppy Certificate.

• Attentive Adults - 6 week course $165

  • Attentive Adults class is designed for dogs 7 months or older at the start of the class and adult dogs who need polishing to be that perfect sidekick.  This  class that focuses on getting and keeping your dog's attention, coming when called, walking politely on a leash, greetings, calm sits, downs, stays, self control, and a few fun tricks. 

• Impulse Control mini class - 3 Week Course $125

  • This class will focus on teaching your dog to have impulse control.  This is a 3 week mini class.  Classes are 1 hr for 3 weeks.  A video orientation will be sent out prior to the start of class.  You will need to watch the video orientation in entirety.  This class will really focus on transforming the relationship between you and your dog. 

Level 2 Classes

• Mindful Manners - 6 week course $165

  • Mindful Manners continues the work we began in your foundation class and helps you work towards a polite side kick. Subjects include waiting calmly at the doorways, settling in public, refining loose leash walking, and solidifying stays. Skills learned will help you pass your AKC CGC (Canine Good Citizen Test.) *This class is for dogs who have gone through one of our foundation classes (SKDT 101 or SKDT 102).

• Tricks, Clicks & Come - 6 week course $175

  • This is a level 2 graduate class.  (Prerequisite is 101 or 102) 
    Throughout this class, you and your dog will learn the required
    tricks for your AKC trick dog title. 

• AKC K9 Fit Class Side Kicks on the Move- 6 Week Course $150

  • This is a low impact exercise class for you and your dog.  We will work on fitness for both the owner and dog, impulse control for the dogs, and proprioception of the dogs. We will work on the tasks needed to earn your AKC Fit Dog title. 
    Now more than ever, fitness is important for both dogs and people. The most commonly recommended exercise to improve fitness is walking. Walking is considered a safe activity that improves muscular strength, circulation, memory, weight loss, increases energy, helps with sleep, and reduces stress. The American Heart Association recommends walking a minimum of 150 minutes per week. Participation in the AKC FIT DOG program will bring health benefits to both you and your dog.
    In this class, your dog will practice the  AKC CGC test items working towards earning your Advanced AKC CGC title. This class will also work towards students earning their AKC Fit Dog certification.

Level 3 Classes

• Comforting Canines Therapy Dog Class - 4 week course $125

  • This class is designed for owners and dogs who want to do therapy work. This is a class that will help you and your dog pass the appropriate testing to do therapy work. We will focus on testing material from the AKC GCG, CGCU & CGCC. This class is taught by an AKC CGC and ATT evaluator. Prerequisites: SKDT 101 or 102  & SKDT 201 or previous private training sessions with an SKDT  trainer. *

  • Must get instructor permission if training has been private training. 

Reactive Dog Class

• Level 1 Reactive Dog Class - 6 Week course $195

  • Course materials you will receive;

    1. A written curriculum and a homework guide.

    2. A video library of the training skills.

    3. Chin, Lili(2020).Doggie Language. Summersdale Publishers Ltd.

    Reactive dogs are dogs that overreact to things int heir environment by barking, lunging, and even growling. Dogs that respond this way are often fearful or frustrated and may even be described as aggressive.
    In this 6 week class, we will show you how to manage your dog's environment, to reduce their stress and work to change your dog's behavior. Working to change their behavior will, in turn, change their emotional response to their trigger or triggers. We use a positive reinforcement approach.
    ​This is a semi-private class with a max of 3 dogs per class. The session lasts for 6 weeks. We meet for 45 min. each week. 

• Level 2 Reactive Dog Class - 4 week course $130

  • This class is a Level 2 class. The prerequisite for this class is SKDT 103.
    In this class you will learn advanced tools to help your dog with their reactivity and work around more dogs in staged real life settings. You will receive a written curriculum along video training.
    Oct - Feb classes will meet at dog friendly stores around the Springfield area.
    May - Sept classes will meet at different parks and dog friendly stores.

• Reactive Dog Private Training classes - 6 Week Course $275