Shopping For The Right Doggy Day Care

  Posted on August 27, 2012  by Joy of Living  No comments

I have clients who were looking for a doggy day care for their two dogs, a miniature schnauzer and a bulldog puppy.  They took the dogs to a well known daycare and were not pleased with the outcome.  The dogs came home sick after every visit to the facility.

What are some things to consider when looking for a doggy day care? First of all, make sure the facility is just that—a building designated for one specific purpose—and not someone’s house. There are certain limitations and restrictions that must be applied when many dogs are put together, and this can be difficult to accomplish without a lot of space.

Make sure your dog is only allowed to play with dogs of similar size and temperament.  Also make sure you take your dog to a facility that only accepts dog friendly dogs.  There should be some kind of socialization test your dog has to go through before being accepted.

Find out what kind of activities your dog will be participating in. Will he just be standing around or is there some kind of interaction with the staff? Some dogs would rather play with people than other dogs.

Go and check out the place in person. Does it look like a safe environment? Do the dogs seem relaxed or stressed out? Are they allowed to take a time-out and nap?

Does the staff know what to do if a dog fight occurs? Have they been trained to recognize the signs of animal aggression? What kind of animal experience does the staff have?

What’s the policy if your dog hurts another dog and vice versa? Do you have to pay for any medical bills or is that the responsbility of the daycare? Ask questions!

Doggy care should be a positive experience for both you and your pooch. A little research can go a long way!