Pets get star treatment at new dog day care

Max didn't play well with others. In fact, he hated the others. He fought. He ran wild.

Frustrated and unable to control Max's behavior, his parents toyed with the idea of giving him up. Maybe sending him to a group home.

Until day care. At first, Max mostly hung out in the lounge area watching videos. But these days he has ventured off the comfy chairs to participate in everything from craft time to swimming time. His parents even are talking about getting a second dog. Yes, Max is a dog. And his "day care" is Dog Day Afternoon, 116 S.E. Monroe, a place where dogs learn the ABCs of being a good dog. "We treat this just like child day care," said Julie Castaneda, who co-owns the Topeka business with her husband, Phil. "I've dreamed of it and imagined what it would look like for 10 years. It's a dream that just wouldn't go away." This isn't your typical pet-sitting service. The lounge area is stocked with "dog-appropriate" movies, such as "Otis and Milo," to provide entertainment for the not-so-sociable dogs. And for the more rambunctious furry friends, Dog Day Afternoon features plastic playground equipment with ladders and slides that promise "a howling good time," as Castaneda puts it. Good dogs are rewarded. When the American Eskimo dog conquered her fear of the baby pool, she went home with a ribbon. So does the winner of the daily relay race. Dogs that don't behave are sent to the time-out fort, although Castaneda proudly says she doesn't have a discipline problem in this school. The threat of the fort is usually enough to deter mischievous dogs. Actually, it is almost a dog resort. Manes are brushed, toenails trimmed and dogs are taught the importance of good dental hygiene. Those with lackluster manes can try a color enhancer. A hot tub to ease the pain of dogs with joint problems is planned. "It's all about doing what owners don't have time to do anymore," Castaneda said. For example, how many owners have time for dog crafts? You get it here. On Monday, it was paw prints, and last week the dogs helped make bandanas with their names on them. "I always have this huge guilt complex about leaving my dog at home," said Chelle Dell, who turned in an application for her Chow mix. "But to have him come here and play with all these other dogs and maybe learn some obedience on the side is wonderful." The secret to Dog Day's success is Castaneda's resume. Formerly a Topeka PetsMart employee, Castaneda has been bringing home stray dogs since she could walk and began her 20-year training career shortly after. The idea for a day care stemmed from the time a man drove 20 miles to a kennel where she worked so she could baby-sit his dog. "I just knew there had to be other people like that," she said. It turns out she was right. Eleven dogs are registered so far, and there is room in the 4,700-square-foot building for about 30 more. Some of the business was spurred by tongue-in-cheek comments from Marty Brandon, a disc jockey for KTPK-FM 106.9, The Twister, during his morning show. Now his dog Reggie is a client. "It's hysterical," he said. "Reggie is very smart and has got a heart of gold, but he had the attention span of a teen-age boy. Already, I can see a huge difference. He knows he has a job now." Castaneda checked the tuition of local child-care facilities before setting her prices significantly lower. A single visit costs $15. Packages range from six visits for $66 to 20 visits for $120. "These guys don't understand, not every dog has this opportunity," she said. Dog Day Afternoon is open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. for day care. Obedience classes, grooming and boarding are also available. For more information, call 232-6131.

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