Backyard Play Sessions in Fairfield County
Supervised, high-energy play in your own fenced backyard. A securely fenced yard is required. It is a great option for dogs who need to burn energy at home, and it is an offering most pet services do not provide.
Private sessions with salaried W-2 employees. Serving eastern Fairfield County since 2004.
Why Backyard Play Works
Not every dog needs a walk to get their energy out. Some dogs are happier chasing a ball across the yard, wrestling with a tug toy, or running laps around the fence line. For those dogs, a backyard play session does more in twenty minutes than a leashed stroll around the block.
Backyard play is also a great fit for dogs who are reactive on leash. No passing dogs, no joggers, no delivery trucks. Your dog exercises in a space where they feel safe, and our team handles the rest.
It works well for puppies who are still learning leash manners, for high-energy breeds that need to run flat out, and for senior dogs who want to move at their own pace in a familiar spot. The yard is theirs, and the session is built around what they need.
What's Included With Every Session
Every play session comes with the same professional care and communication.
Private, one-on-one play
Your dog plays solo or with their own household dogs. Never mixed with other clients’ dogs.
Active, supervised play
Fetch, tug, and running games led by a pro who keeps the energy up and the session safe.
Photos after every session
A fresh photo of your happy, tired-out dog lands on your phone after each visit.
Session notes
A quick recap of how your dog played, water breaks, and anything we noticed in the yard.
The same team member when possible
A consistent, familiar face your dog learns to trust, not a rotating stranger.
Secure key handling
Your home key is logged, labeled without your address, and stored in a locked system.
How It Works
First: Create your online account portal
Set up your client account portal before your meet and greet. It only takes a couple of minutes and lets us get you scheduled quickly.
Reach out
Tell us about your dog and your yard. Use Get Started or our contact form.
Confirm your fenced yard
A securely fenced backyard is required. The pet owner is responsible for making sure the fenced area is safe and secure, with no holes, gaps, or escape points, before each session.
We schedule play sessions
We set up play sessions that fit your dog’s routine, so your dog gets active playtime at home.
Who Backyard Play Is For
High-energy dogs
Some dogs need to run, not walk. If your dog has energy to spare after a regular walk, a play session in the yard lets them burn it off for real.
Reactive dogs
A fenced yard removes every trigger a neighborhood walk creates. No other dogs, no strangers, no unpredictable situations. Just your dog and our team.
Puppies
Young dogs learning leash manners still need exercise. A play session lets a puppy run and play safely while you work on leash training separately.
Dogs with large yards
If you have the space, why not use it? Backyard play turns your yard into your dog's gym, supervised by a professional who shows up on schedule.
Why Families Pick 203 Pet Service
We employ our team. Our staff are salaried W-2 employees, not independent contractors found through an app. They are trained by us, supervised by us, and accountable to us. Our average employee has been here more than ten years.
We are fully insured. Someone is in your yard handling your animal. That should be covered, and it is.
Background-checked and drug-screened. Every member of our team goes through both before they ever work with a client's dog.
We have been doing this since 2004. That is 22 years of handling dogs of every breed, size, and energy level. There is very little we have not seen.
We back it up. Every service carries our 3-day satisfaction guarantee.
Related Services
Backyard play pairs well with these.
What Our Clients Say
203 Pet Service has been caring for our Golden Retriever Max for over 3 years. The consistency and professionalism of their team is unmatched. The daily photo updates give us such peace of mind!
Jennifer Walsh
Fairfield, CT
As a busy executive, I needed reliable pet care for my two cats and dog. 203 Pet Service's contract-based approach has been perfect for my budget and my pets' needs. Highly recommend!
Robert Chen
Westport, CT
20+ years of caring for Connecticut's pets since 2004 says it all. These folks know pets inside and out. From our daily walks to emergency vet transport, they've always been there for us.
Tom Bradley
Bridgeport, CT
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a backyard play session?
It is supervised, high-energy play in your own fenced backyard. One of our team plays with your dog to help them burn energy at home. It is a great option for dogs who love to run and play.
Do I need a fenced yard?
Yes. A securely fenced backyard is required. A dog secured by an invisible fence is acceptable, as long as the client understands the risks and limits of invisible fences. See the note at the bottom of this page for details.
Is a backyard play session the same as a dog walk?
No. A backyard play session is active play in your own yard rather than a walk in the neighborhood. It is a good fit for dogs who get plenty of exercise through play.
Can you handle high-energy or young dogs?
Yes. We welcome dogs of all ages and energy levels. Tell us about your dog during your consultation and we will build a plan around them.
Who is responsible for making sure the fence is secure?
The pet owner is responsible for making sure the fenced area is safe and secure, with no holes, gaps, or escape points, before each session. See the note at the bottom of this page for full details.
How long is a backyard play session?
Session length depends on the plan you choose. We offer options that fit different energy levels and schedules. Details are on our backyard play pricing page.
Can you do backyard play for more than one dog?
Yes. If you have multiple dogs in the same household, our team plays with them together in your yard. Every session is private to your household.
What about reactive dogs?
Backyard play is often a great fit for reactive dogs because it avoids the triggers of a neighborhood walk. There are no other dogs, no passing joggers, and no delivery trucks. Your dog gets exercise in a space where they feel safe.
What happens in bad weather?
We play in all normal weather. In truly dangerous conditions like lightning or extreme heat advisories, we will shorten the session or adjust and contact you first. We never skip without letting you know.
What if my dog digs or has a bad habit in the yard?
Let us know about it at the meet and greet. Our team can redirect your dog during the session and keep an eye on trouble spots. If your dog has a habit we cannot safely manage, we will tell you honestly.
Ready to Get Started?
22 years of trusted pet care in Fairfield County. We stand behind every service with our 3-day satisfaction guarantee.
*Fence safety: The pet owner is responsible for ensuring the fenced area is secure and free of holes, gaps, or escape points before every session. Invisible fences are accepted only when the client understands their risks and limitations, including the chance a dog may run through the barrier or the system may fail. 203 Pet Service cannot be held responsible if an invisible fence does not contain your pet.