There’s just something so wonderful about plopping down somewhere comfy and getting lost in a good book, and it looks like it’s not just us humans who enjoy the magic of being read to. Kip, a pet boarding and daycare centre brand located all across Australia, is introducing a book week for dogs and their owners that aims to calm and alleviate the stresses of life felt by all.

If this already sounds way too cute then buckle up: these pooches are also getting all dressed up in some super-adorable and literature-inspired garms. We sat down with dog trainer and Kip daycare manager Georgia Newman about this doggy book program – aptly named ‘Pups and Prose’ – and how owners can read to their dogs at home.

Howdy! Please introduce yourself. Hi, my name is Georgia Newman, and I work as a daycare manager and dog trainer at Kip. How did Kip come to be? Kip was made by dog lovers, for dog lovers! Our co-founders started Kip when they saw there was a lack of great quality pet boarding options that meet the needs of today’s pet parents. Eventually, Kip began offering doggy daycare too when they found more and more parents were looking to provide their dogs with more enrichment and entertainment during the day. The pandemic definitely posed many challenges, but the demand for great quality pet boarding and doggy daycare is greater than ever as parents return to the office and can travel again.

When did you start reading children’s books to dogs, and what inspired you to do so? Dogs need a balance of high and low arousal activities throughout their day to help them toggle between energy levels. At Kip, we’ve found that calming sounds – including music and talking – can have a positive impact on a dog’s behaviour. We wanted to educate pet parents about the importance of developing dogs’ ability to self-regulate, so we started reading in daycare as a fun and light-hearted way to celebrate this.

What are the benefits dogs get out of being read to? By taking the time to read to our dogs, we have a chance to connect with them and strengthen our relationship in a different way. For most dogs, human interaction is one of the most important activities to them and it’s up to us to ensure we allow that connection to flourish. What about children; what do they get out of it? Kids and dogs, there is no greater relationship to watch! Reading out loud can be a nerve-racking thing for a kid lacking confidence, especially when they are still learning, so who better to listen than a four-legged friend who won’t judge them? Not only will it help them practice all those tricky words that they may have been worried about, but it also gives children a different method to connect with their dogs and help them realise that it doesn’t always have to be high-energy play activities that they can do with their beloved furry friends. 

What are your favourite outfits you’ve seen dogs wearing? There are so many to choose from! I’d have to say a German Short-Haired Pointer dressed as Where’s Wally, and a Beagle dressed as a wizard from Harry Potter.

How are you able to keep all of your furry listeners focused and entertained? It takes practice and patience, as well as choosing a time when they are more likely to be settled. The afternoon sessions in a daycare day before being picked up by their owners are perfect for this as they are tired from all our daily activities.What advice can you give to pet owners to help them give their own dogs a great reading experience? Pick a time of day when your dog is less likely to be restless and an area that is not highly stimulating. Have a comfy spot for you to sit with them together and can give them the attention they want.

Pups and Prose will run from September 25th – September 29th. To register your pooch to attend Pups & Prose Week then head over this-a-way.