Ep. 118 – Dogs Are the New Babies! The Big Opportunity Most Daycares Are Missing

Are you still running your dog daycare like it’s 2006 while your clients have already moved on?

Have you noticed dog owners spending more than ever but your margins still feel tight?

And what if the biggest opportunity in your business right now is hiding in plain sight… in how your clients actually see their dogs?

In this week’s episode of the Pet Boarding & Daycare Podcast, Dom dives into a powerful shift happening right now in the pet care industry — one that could dramatically change how you price, position, and grow your business. Sparked by a fascinating article about “dinkwads” (dual income, no kids… with a dog), Dom explores why dogs are increasingly being treated like children — and why that means more money, more demand, and higher expectations from your clients.

Alongside this, Dom catches up with Allison Jacobs to talk about leadership, team development, and the systems needed to grow a business that doesn’t rely on you being there 24/7… plus a powerful real-world story from an expo attendee whose confidence (and pricing model) completely transformed after just one conversation with Dom.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

The Affluent Client Shift – How dual-income, no-kids households are creating a new class of high-value customers for your daycare.
Why Most Daycares Are Stuck in the Past – The danger of “warehouse-style” daycare models in a market that’s demanding more personalised, premium experiences.
Confidence and Pricing – How one simple mindset shift helped a daycare owner raise prices, increase revenue, and change the trajectory of their business.
Leadership That Scales – Alison Jacobs shares the lessons, mistakes, and systems behind building a team that can grow your business without burning you out.
Why Expos Accelerate Growth – The hidden value of events: confidence, connections, and the kind of ideas that can transform your business overnight.

Thanks to this weeks guest Allison Jacobs! You can hear more from Allison and all the other amazing speakers at PB & D Expo West, which this year is taking place in Phoenix, Arizona, and…registration is now open. To secure your place click here now

Huge thanks to this week’s amazing show sponsors, Natura Turf, Odercide and Turf Product Solutions.

Keep your grass. Lose the mud. Save your sanity with Natura Turf. To find out more click here now

For your complete odour management solutions click here to check out Odercide at Odercide.com

Get the hair out, the stink gone, and your facility back under control, check out Turf Product Solutions here

Want to work with the World Leading Pet Business Coach? Add your name to the waitlist for Dom’s Exclusive coaching program The Dog Daycare Success Academy now, by clicking here

Grab a copy of Dom’s latest book Mission ENRICH by clicking here now

Episode Highlights

[01:21] – Dom sets up a packed episode featuring industry trends, leadership insights, and real-world success stories.
[02:30] – Why Phoenix is the perfect setting for growth, opportunity, and a fresh mindset.
[05:22] – Real attendee story: how one conversation changed pricing confidence forever.
[08:43] – A powerful follow-up story of resilience, growth, and business transformation.
[11:30] – Dog News: “Dogs are the new babies” — and what that means for your business.
[12:43] – The rise of “dinkwads” (dual income, no kids with a dog) and why they spend big.
[14:52] – Why premium services, experiences, and enrichment are becoming the new standard.
[17:01] – The growing gap between what clients want… and what many daycares still offer.
[18:34] – How to position your business to capture this high-value market.
[20:48] – Allison Jacobs joins to talk leadership, growth, and building scalable systems.
[24:34] – The early leadership mistakes that nearly held Allison’s business back.
[26:35] – A turning point: when poor systems collide with real-life challenges.
[29:30] – How strong leadership allowed the business to grow… even during Allison’s health crisis.
[31:00] – The DOGCARE leadership framework and how it helps owners regain control.
[35:00] – Why better leadership = less stress, more settled staff, and more scalable growth.