Poodle Ben is having a trim. Pet groomer Chris Goss works her magic with an array of brushes, combs, clippers, scissors and a hairdryer.

He is soon sporting a neat little afro and looks like he's enjoying every second of his pampering session.

Ben is just one of the many dogs who spend time at My Pet Stop, in the countryside near Washington.

Ben the poodle is the subject of out caption corner - click here to have a go.

The pet resort and care centre does exactly what it says on the tin: it's a one-stop shop for pet care offering boarding, shopping, training, and creche for dogs.

Owners can board their pets in total double-glazed, sofa bed, TV luxury apartments, pick up diamante collars in the on-site shop, and book their four-legged friends in for a cut and blow dry too.

It's a new era in pet care for the region, and it now includes a new service: Doggy Day Camp, the "play school" for dogs.

Wait a minute ... school for dogs?

Absolutely, My Pet Stop has just launched the day camp, where Wearside pups and their elders can spend a day socialising with their friends, playing with toys, and generally being lavished with attention by the centre's pet carers.

When I went along to see for myself, Phin, Kai, Levi, Suzie and Ben were enjoying their school day with pet carer Caitlin Myers in the centre's giant indoor arena.

Puppy Phin was having a time out (because of his age he gets over excited and worn out if he stays with the other dogs for too long); Pretty Suzie was having a wander around the centre's special day camp arena; Kai was enjoying a spot of tummy tickling; and Levi was playing on the slide.

It all seems a bit bizarre (in a rather nice way), but Cristen Brown, who has worked for My Pet Stop for five and a half years was happy to explain.

She said: "People see their dogs as very much a part of the family, and so they should have the best possible care, plenty of activities and lots of stimulation."

Centre manager Cath Harvey agrees. She said: "Doggy Day Camp means that people who wouldn't normally be able to have a dog because of the hours they work, can."

But before you start thinking that it's all about spoiling the little rotters, think again, because good behaviour is a must at the centre.

The centre runs training classes for puppies and for older dogs: teaching them simple commands like sit, stay, roll over, and encouraging them to walk on the lead without pulling and to behave around other dogs.

Cristen said: "All the trainers who work here use positive methods to encourage good behaviour.

"Dogs need to pass an assessment before they can come to camp, so we know it's right for them.

"I'm interested in all aspects of behaviour, why they do it, and helping people out in a positive way."

Cristen is doing a foundation degree in canine behaviour and training in her spare time, and also has two dogs of her own.

So doesn't she get dog fatigue?

Not at all. Cristen said: "If I want to do something I want to do it to the best of my abilities. I always knew I wanted to work with animals and I love having a job which allows me to bring my own dogs to work."

* My Pet Stop runs classes for puppy and dog training, agility, and ring craft, and will hold a fun dog show on June 8 with classes for all.

Assessment days for doggy day camp are free.

My Pet Stop is on Follingsby Lane, Washington.
To find out more about the centre, call: 0191 537 1344 or visit: www.mypetstop.co.uk.