THE PARENTING BIZ – Complete Care For The Family Dog Living In Windsor Essex: Training, Daycare, Boarding, & Grooming
The family pet is no longer confined to the backyard. On the contrary, our furry friends have become full-fledged members of the family, living their best lives with fuzzy blankets, memory-foam beds, temperature-controlled water bowls, and an endless supply of toys. As pet ownership has evolved, so has the need for thoughtful, structured care that fits busy schedules and acknowledges the role these animals hold in our everyday lives.
A well-trained dog can shift the whole feel of a home — calming the pace, strengthening routines, and teaching children responsibility and empathy.
Doggy Daycare now is part of this balance, giving parents the freedom to work, letting kids focus on school, and giving the dog a safe place to spend the day. And with summer vacation on the horizon, dependable boarding keeps that stability going even when the family’s away. This article highlights a few of the local experts who make it possible for your dog to have its own support team.
Families function better when everyone is looked after — fur babies included. And naturally, with a story about dogs, we couldn’t resist including as many cute photos as possible!
Animal Antics
With years of experience in canine behaviour and obedience training, Animal Antics has built a reputation for helping dogs and their owners communicate more effectively.
Bringing a pet into the home can come with challenges such as chewing, biting, door manners, separation anxiety, and socialization. Training is a key part of helping families navigate these behaviours, creating a
calmer, happier experience for everyone.
Since pets are part of the family, Animal Antics encourages children to be involved in the training process, helping them learn how to respectfully interact with animals and understand their boundaries. “We love to see kids learning how to give appropriate cues and directions to the family dog,” says Kelly French-Mitrevski, Animal Behaviourist and Owner. “We can also help teach children how to read dogs effectively, be respectful of their space, and train their own dogs to ensure a peaceful home environment.”
The Windsor location of Animal Antics has been open for 11 years and offers services including daycare for socialization and separation support, enrichment programs, grooming, group classes, private training,
and positive reinforcement training. The Lakeshore site — which opened on March 14, 2026 — features dog daycare and boarding.
French-Mitrevski holds a Master’s degree in Companion Animal Behaviour Counselling, while Sharon Mack, Co-owner of the Lakeshore location, is a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT).
The Windsor-based Behaviour Centre employs 10 staff members, and the Lakeshore location has a team of six made up of both full and part-time employees.
Many staff members have years of experience working in dog daycare environments, and the head dog trainer is a certified canine behaviour specialist who instructs staff on reading dog body language, handling inappropriate play, and recognizing when to give breaks. All staff are certified in Canine First Aid and CPR. For daycare or training, dogs must be vaccinated, and their online booking system even sends reminders to clients when vaccines are due!
Regarding daycare, staff then start with short, controlled introductory sessions where new dogs come in for just one hour, and selected daycare dogs are introduced in a safe, comfortable environment.
Story continues with Puppy Charm Play & Stay and Kounty Kennels & Kritters Inc. on page 28.
