Social connection for dogs.

Social Play is BFFE’s group dog daycare and overnight boarding program for dogs who enjoy playing and connecting with other dogs.

At our Joppa and Cockeysville resorts, dogs enjoy supervised play with thoughtfully matched friends, indoor and outdoor activity, enrichment and structured rest throughout the day.

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Is Social Play Right for My Dog?

Social Play may be a great fit for dogs who:

  • Love playing and interacting with other dogs
  • Are comfortable in a group setting
  • Enjoy an active, social day
  • Respond well to other dogs’ social cues
  • Enjoy indoor and outdoor play
  • Can comfortably rest between play sessions

Dogs joining Social Play complete an evaluation so our team can get to know them and determine whether group play is a comfortable fit.

A Different Model of Group Play

Social Play isn’t simply putting dogs together and letting them play all day.

BFFE uses a rotational play model that balances supervised group play with structured opportunities to rest, hydrate and recharge. Our team thoughtfully organizes playgroups around more than size, considering each dog’s energy, personality, play style and comfort.

Throughout the day, handlers monitor play and can adjust groups as needed.

Because a good social day isn’t about playing nonstop. It’s about finding the right balance for the dog.

What Social Play Includes:

01 — Thoughtfully Matched Playgroups

Dogs are grouped with compatible friends based on size, energy, personality and play style—not size alone.

02 — Supervised Group Play

BFFE handlers actively supervise play, monitor group dynamics and adjust groups throughout the day as needed.

03 — Indoor + Fresh-Air Outdoor Play

Dogs have room to run, sniff, explore and play across indoor and outdoor play spaces. Our goal is up to four hours of fresh-air outdoor play each day, weather permitting.

04 — Rotational Play + Rest

Morning and afternoon play rotations are balanced with structured downtime to rest, hydrate and recharge between play periods.

05 — Enrichment + Social Connection

Exercise, enrichment and positive interaction with compatible dog friends are built into the Social Play experience.

06 — Live Pet Cams

Pet parents can check in during designated Social Play hours through our live daycare cameras.

VIEW LIVE PET CAMS →

07 — 24/7 Onsite Care

BFFE team members are onsite 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including overnight and on holidays.

Daycare or Boarding, With Their Friends

Social Play is available for both daycare and overnight boarding at BFFE Joppa and Cockeysville.

Social Play Daycare

Dogs rotate through supervised group play, indoor and outdoor activity, enrichment and structured rest throughout the day.

Full-day and half-day daycare options are available.

Social Play Boarding

When your dog stays overnight, their familiar Social Play routine continues. Boarding guests spend their day playing with friends before transitioning to dinner, relief and their overnight lodging routine.

View Social Play Daycare & Boarding Pricing →

Watch Them Play

Check In From Wherever You Are

Social Play pet parents can watch their dogs through our live Pet Cams during designated play hours.

View Live Pet Cams →

Care Doesn’t Stop Overnight

BFFE team members are onsite 24 hours a day, 365 days a year—including overnight.

For Social Play boarding dogs, that means someone is here throughout their stay. After a day with friends, boarding guests transition into their evening routine for dinner, relief and rest, with BFFE team members remaining onsite overnight.

Explore Dog Boarding →

Group dog daycare gives dogs who enjoy other dogs opportunities to play and socialize in a supervised setting. At BFFE, Social Play combines thoughtfully managed playgroups, indoor and outdoor activity, enrichment and structured rest.

Every day, our Shift Leaders thoughtfully managed Social playgroups based on each dog’s size, energy level, personality and play style.

Dogs are generally grouped into our Teenies and Big Dogs playgroups, with our team considering more than size alone when deciding where each dog will be most comfortable. Throughout the day, our handlers monitor play and can adjust groups as needed.

The goal is to create safe, compatible playgroups where dogs can socialize with friends who match their play style and energy.

Good play has an off switch. Dogs don’t need to go, go, go all day.

Social Play includes active morning and afternoon group-play rotations balanced with periods of rest, hydration and time to recharge. If a dog eats lunch or drinks a large amount of water, we give them time to settle and digest before returning to active group play.

Play → rest + hydrate → recharge → play again.

That isn’t missing play. It’s part of thoughtful care.

A Typical Social Play Day

Morning → Up to 2 hours of supervised group play
Midday → Indoor rest, hydration and optional lunch
Afternoon → Up to 2 hours of supervised group play
Between rotations → Time to rest, reset and get ready for the next round

Good play has an off switch. Dogs don’t need to go, go, go all day. Rest helps prevent fatigue and overstimulation and allows dogs to return to their group ready to play again.

If your dog eats lunch or drinks a large amount of water, we also give them time to settle and digest before returning to active play.

That isn’t missing play. It’s part of good care.

Yes. Dogs joining BFFE Social Play complete an evaluation before participating in group daycare. This gives our team an opportunity to get to know your dog and determine whether a group environment is a comfortable and appropriate fit.

Not sure group daycare is right for your dog? BFFE offers other ways to daycare, too.

Explore our Maryland Dog Daycare Guide to compare Social Play, Play My Way and Assisted Canine Care.

Yes. Pet parents with dogs in BFFE Social Play can watch their dogs through our live dog daycare Pet Cams during designated play hours at our Joppa and Cockeysville locations.

VIEW LIVE PET CAMS

Yes. BFFE offers both full-day and half-day Social Play daycare options.

Yes. Social Play is available for both dog daycare and overnight boarding at our Joppa and Cockeysville resorts. Boarding dogs enjoy their regular Social Play experience during the day, then transition to their overnight lodging and rest routine.

Standard overnight lodging is included with Social Play boarding. At our Cockeysville resort, pet parents can also upgrade to Premium Lodging, including Lux Suites, Sibling Suites and Petite Suites (size and eligibility requirements apply).

No matter where they sleep, their Social Play day stays the same.

Standard overnight lodging is included with Social Play boarding. At our Cockeysville resort, pet parents can also upgrade to Premium Lodging, including Lux Suites, Sibling Suites and Petite Suites (size and eligibility requirements apply).

No matter where they sleep, their Social Play day stays the same.

Social Play daycare and overnight boarding rates vary based on the type of visit and membership status. View our current Social Play daycare and boarding rates.

Care That Grows With Your Dog

Dogs don’t all connect in the same way—and what works for them can change throughout their lives.

Social Play is one part of BFFE’s approach to caring for the dog in front of us, with social connection for dogs who love the group.

Helping you have more good days with your dog. 

Explore Our Care Philosophy →

The folks here are so nice. My dog Rocky acclimated in about 5 days… He is so happy here now. I’ve never seen anyone say a cross word to anyone or any animal. These folks are more than professional – they love dogs and it really shows.

Liz Goode

Let’s Talk

Reach out to book your special one’s stay now and to ensure we can accommodate your needs.