A new dog daycare has opened at 120 Duane — and I had to chuckle because I toured it back-to-back with a tour of the new human daycare, Playto, on Hudson and Leonard. (More on that TK). (This is the one I thought was called Pups@Play…)

Happy Tails is the first brick-and-mortar location for founders Teddy Tawil and Irving Fallas — they have been operating mobile camps (where they collect dogs and take them on long, outdoor excursions) in New Jersey and Brooklyn for a couple of years. The space is 2500 square feet with four rooms and moveable gates so they can contain some clients, with climbing equipment, hoops to jump through (not just an expression here), and, get this: a viewing area with a coffee bar and snacks so folks can come by and just watch dogs play.

“People love dogs,” said Teddy. “They come in and just hang out right here. It’s a new world. We don’t really know what to expect yet, but we are ready for a lot of that.”

The business is for the most part a membership model: pet owners pay $1350 a month for unlimited daycare from 7a to 7p. Dogs can also drop in for the day for $85, and they have a shuttle service that will transport members for free in doggy vans. They also have a self-serve dog washing station for $40.

They also host dog birthday parties (I am not kidding) and plan to have singles nights, where folks bring their dogs — though they said they are not getting a liquor license, so it’s all the biscuits you can eat.

The staff are professional dog trainers so they can keep the critters in line. They should have room for 100 members; the capacity from day to day depends on the size, breed and temperament of the dog. They also have vet care, grooming and boarding.

Stay tuned with a compare and contrast with Playto. (Only kidding.)

Happy Tails
120 Duane | Church & Broadway
team@happytail-dogs.com
718-719-4255