Doggy day care is a great option for dog owners who work long hours or need to leave their dog for long stretches of time.
Some dog owners opt to hire a dog walker, but if you’re interested in doggy day care, the American Kennel Club offers the following tips on choosing the right day care for your dog:
Consider whether your dog is socialized well. Does your dog get along well with other dogs? A major part of doggy day care is playing and socializing with other dogs, so if your pup isn’t the friendliest, a dog walker might be a better choice.
If your dog goes to doggy day care every day, it will become part of the animal’s routine. If your schedule is more sporadic, it might be more difficult for your dog to adjust. Having a consistent schedule will help your dog feel more at ease.
In the beginning, it is important to note your dog’s demeanor before and after going to day care. Eagerness to go versus reluctance to go is a telling sign, as is the dog’s demeanor when it gets home. If the dog is happy but tired, it’s probably a good fit. If the dog is stressed, probably not.
What day care is right for you? There are many things to look for when you’re enrolling your dog in day care. You want to make sure you are choosing a safe and comfortable place, so it’s important to note things like: Is it clean? Organized? Does it have secure fencing? Is the area free of dangers and hazards? Are there minimal odors? Is the temperature comfortable? Is there sufficient staff on hand?
Ask questions. Is the staff trained in first aid? Do they test each dog’s temperament? What are their emergency procedures? There are never too many questions to ask when it comes to your dog’s safety and well-being, and you want to make sure all of your bases are covered before you send your pup to day care.
