Bockland combines Pet Daycare with a relaxing spot for dog owners to work or unwind
– December 10, 2024 | Text Beatriz Maio
Owning a dog requires more than just love and affection – it demands time, attention, and energy, which can sometimes be hard to balance with daily routines.
To help ease this challenge, there is a new solution in Lagoa: Bockland. This innovative space offers not just a daycare service for pets but also a spot where dog owners can unwind, work, or enjoy a bite to eat, all whilst their dogs play safely under supervision.
The brainchild of João Augusto, from São Paulo, Brazil, and Marcelo Zecchi, from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Bockland is named after their four-year-old Border Collie, Bock.
Their shared passion for dogs, coupled with their business experience, gave rise to this unique concept in the Algarve, where they met.
Marcelo, who was a telecommunications engineer in Madrid, Spain, and João, who holds a degree in marketing and specialised in event organising in São Paulo (with the added experience of working on cruises worldwide), joined hands not just in life but also in business. Initially, they had envisioned creating a rural cabin retreat combined with a dog hotel but eventually decided to focus on a service for dogs.
“We wanted to open a small dog hotel with a playground, but it didn’t happen due to the bureaucracy required,” recalled the owners.
“After two years of trying, we found this place and we thought the location was exceptional.” Marcelo and João wanted a family-oriented service built on trust and excellence.
They quickly realised that a daycare dedicated to fun and socialisation for dogs was an experience that didn’t yet exist in the Algarve.
Their vision was further inspired by a common sight in cafes – dogs tethered on leads, sitting under tables, whilst their owners enjoyed drinks or meals.
Marcelo and João saw an opportunity to change that. “We thought we’d make an amusement park for dogs, where they could play whilst their owners relaxed, enjoying a coffee or pint,” they explained.
At Bockland, dogs can run, play, and socialise in a secure environment whilst their owners sit back and unwind, combining leisure time for humans with playtime for their furry friends.
“This is not just a place to leave your dog for the day. Here, they have fun, socialise and learn.”
Bockland’s facilities cater to all seasons, with a swimming pool for summer and covered areas for winter, ensuring dogs can play year-round.
The area has agility features like ramps and trampolines, a football pitch with two removable goals (so that the space can be used for other games), and a quiet area for dogs who prefer to relax or rest. And, of course, Bock – who inspired the brand – supervises the activities with great pride and enthusiasm.
Despite Bockland’s recent opening in late July, Marcelo and João have already learned a great deal and continue to adapt.
“It wasn’t easy at first. We received dogs who had never been socialised and didn’t feel at ease. Some would bark or stare at their owner and others would try to jump over the fence or cry because they thought they were trapped in the Playground Area, so they had to be near their owner for a while and then calmly go back in,” they recall.
Dogs require a lot of attention and stimulation, both physical and mental. When Marcelo and João first welcomed Bock into their home, they weren’t sure how to do this, so they started by hiding objects around the house for him to find. From then on, they explored games and realised the need to understand the unique personalities and needs of each dog and be prepared for different situations.
This understanding became a crucial aspect of running Bockland. To ensure they provided the best care, Marcelo and João became certified in Canine Psychology and Training through CCVL Academy (a canine training centre in central Portugal), as well as Dog First Aid, CPR, and Safety via Udemy (an online learning platform).
Bockland offers something unique in the flexibility it provides. Open from 9am to 5pm, dog owners are free to drop off and collect their pets at any time during the day. For those who choose to stay, the venue offers a menu ranging from breakfast and brunch to lunch and happy hour options.
So far, the facility – spanning around 800 square meters – has hosted up to 10 dogs at a time, though it can accommodate up to 12, depending on their size and energy levels.
Upon arrival, each dog is checked in, with the owner providing relevant information and presenting the dog’s vaccination records.
João or Marcelo then take the dog for a brief walk to assess temperament, confidence, and any potential signs of anxiety or fear. This careful assessment is entered into their system, which helps track future visits, compile statistics, and even issue birthday alerts, which means the lucky dog is gifted a free visit.
Ana Baptista, a Porto native and experienced dog handler, works alongside them, bringing her background of volunteering at shelters and growing up with dogs.
Of the 80 dogs registered so far, 72% have returned at least once, a figure that Marcelo and João are “very happy with”.
Feedback from customers has been overwhelmingly positive, motivating the Bockland team to keep improving and expanding their business.
“We have people who have been coming since we opened, and they’ve noticed the evolution and progress of their animals. It’s very gratifying for us to know that not only are the dogs having fun, but their behaviour is also improving,” they emphasised.
Bockland is inclusive of all breeds, including those categorised as potentially dangerous, provided the appropriate documentation is in order. The centre has even welcomed dogs from the Friends of Canil de Portimão association, offering a temporary home for animals seeking adoption – an initiative they plan to extend to other organisations.
Looking ahead, Marcelo and João envision expanding Bockland facilities and adding more activities. Although they emphasise that they don’t plan on becoming a full-on dog training centre, they hope to offer a variety of sports training, weekly group classes for up to six dogs, and dog shows to highlight their customers’ unique abilities.
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