Is Doggy Daycare Right For My Pet?
As much as we’d like to, we can’t be with our canine companions 100% of the time. While dog walkers can be helpful, it’s entirely possible that you’ll need more extensive care for man’s best friend.
When push comes to shove during the workweek, doggy daycare can be an excellent option for your pooh. Below, we’ll break down exactly how doggy daycare works and what you can expect so that your four-footer enjoys his time away from home.
What is Doggy Daycare?
Doggy daycare pretty much says it all in the name— You take your pooch to a place where they’ll be preoccupied and cared for throughout the day. At any doggy daycare facility, your pooch should be offered constant supervision, playtime, physical activity, and mealtime administration. In general, doggy daycare can be broken down into two main categories:
Traditional
This form of doggy daycare usually consists of a large fenced indoor and outdoor area where multiple dogs are supervised at once. These facilities usually have play structures for the pups along with mats and beds where the dogs can lay out for a snooze. Some of these daycares also double as training facilities which are great if you have a younger or high-energy dog.
However, these might not be the best picks for dogs who aren’t crazy about constantly playing with other pups. While the pooch supervisors should be well versed in reading canine body language, you won’t want to leave your pooch at a traditional doggy daycare facility unless he’s friendly with dogs of all shapes and sizes.
Your dog will need to be up to date on his vaccinations and health checks in order to participate in traditional doggy daycare. Keep in mind that exposure to more dogs raises the risk of contracting illness, so communal care isn’t a great pick for immunocompromised or elderly dogs.
In-Home
In-home doggy daycare facilities may be a bit more expensive than traditional doggy daycare, but they offer more of a personalized experience for your pooch. With this type of care, you’ll typically drop off your dog at someone’s personal residence. From there, the daycare host will supervise your dog accordingly. It’s worth noting that in-home dog daycare can still host multiple pets at once, so you’ll have to search carefully if you’re looking for a facility that only takes one pooch at a time.
How is My Dog Around Other Pets?
The most important factor to take into consideration while evaluating doggy daycare is how your dog performs around other pets. At a traditional doggy daycare, you’ll only find dogs. However, you might want to look for a specialized doggy daycare center that has a separate section for small dogs or puppies if you’re worried about your pooch becoming injured throughout the day.
While your dog may be well behaved, there’s always a possibility that another present dog hasn’t fully learned his manners. In addition, in-home doggy daycare hosts may have other pets like cats that should be considered before booking your stay.
What Are My Dog’s Triggers?
Before booking your first doggy daycare session, try to factor in your dog’s triggers and temperament. The ideal doggy daycare candidate is flexible, adaptable, and happy go lucky. If your dog is territorial or anti-social, communal doggy daycare might not be the best pick. In addition, you’ll want to make sure that you write out all of your pup’s triggers so that your canine caregiver can keep him safe.
Does My Dog Have Any Special Needs?
If your dog has any special needs (i.e requires a certain medication, feeding method, has severe allergies, etc.) you’ll need to make that clear before booking your first doggy daycare session. You’ll likely have to pay an up-charge for any extra administration, but it’s worth knowing your fur-baby will be in good hands while you’re off working.
Finding the Right Doggie Daycare Provider
Remember that you can always reach out for an in-person consultation before booking your first doggy daycare session. After all, it boils down to your potential daycare provider’s connection with your dog and quality of care. Enjoy spending stress-free time away from Spot.
