Sit, Stay, & Play! Doggie Daycare

We love our dogs and use positive reinforcement training (praise) each and everyday to teach our dogs good manners.   Negative reinforcement-stern "no's", a water bottle and taking freedom away from a dog by putting them in a crate is also used.  In extreme circumstances, we will give a...

little doggie spanking.  Managing a large number of dogs in a free-range environment is how we run our business and a little "tough love" goes a long way.
In response to the complaint, the dog was not left unsupervised for a period long enough to chew a hole in the wall.  The hole started as a scratch, then a digging hole, and it gradually got bigger from dogs messing with it over time.  In this instance, the hole was already there, and the dog just made it bigger.  It does not take a long period of time for a dog to chew something up or destruct a toy or tough treat; this can happen while your back is turned and you are in the same room!  Additionally, dogs will be dogs,  and it is our duty to aid in training them to be well behaved.   We know that destructive pets come with the territory, so when something like a "hole" in a wall happens, we use it as an opportunity to teach dogs the correct behavior, so that the dog does not go home and use the same bad behaviors.  
There are instances that the dogs are left unsupervised for moments.  i.e. walking to the back to get the phone or putting your coffee in the microwave, taking the dogs out, bathroom break etc.   There is almost ALWAYS more than one person on staff. There are usually 3-4 people here from 8-4, which is our busiest time of day.  Please keep in mind that we operate out of a 1600 sq. ft., shotgun style store!  We know all of our dogs, screen them upon enrollment, know whom they like to play with or don't like to play with, etc. and because of the layout of our business, it is very easy to listen for potential problems from anywhere in the store.  
The dogs get short time outs in a crate when they have destructive behavior, mark in the house, are playing too roughly or with aggressive domination and then they are re-introduced into the "pack" once they have settled down.  When they do things like chew holes in walls or slip their leash, YES, they will get a very stern consequence for their behavior-a stern "no" and little strike or smack on their behind, and this "strike" is no harder than a playful "strike" that you would backhand your best friend with, or give a toddler for running into the road.  This technique simply startles the dog and it work instantly and is necessary to manage 20-30 dogs at once.  It it doesn't hurt you or I, so it certainly isn't going to hurt the dog...maybe just their feelings. Furthermore, dogs rarely get doggie spankings because they are supervised, going out on a leash to potty, going on a walk, playing fetch or are playing nicely with each other and having fun.  
Training is an ongoing chore.  We have dogs that have been coming here for 5+ years.  After the first few visits, most have learned our rules and boundaries (what behaviors are or aren't tolerated).  Some are just anxious by nature or have a lot of energy or are stubborn by nature and we alter their behavior over time with these rules and boundaries.  No destructive behavior, no aggressive behavior, playing too roughly, excessive jumping or barking, going to the bathroom in the house or pulling on the leash are our core rules.  These are put into place to establish control and dominance with the pack of dogs.  Unfortunately the general population has no idea how to communicate with their dog or understand dog behavior. 
The hole is still there, and guess what, not a single dog pays it any mind anymore, and we have not beaten a single dog to do so.  
[redacted]
CEO
Sit, Stay & Play! Doggie Daycare