With your busy schedule, you may feel bad about leaving your pups home alone all day. Doggy daycare is an option, with more care centers opening up every year! But how do you pick the right place for your dogs?
- Look for a facility that is clean, bright, and open.
- Look for a facility that has separate areas for dogs of different sizes and temperaments.
- Look for a facility that has both indoor and outdoor space. Will the dogs be allowed to roam in a play yard? Will they be walked on-leash?
- Ask about taking a tour of the facility. Watch how the staff interacts with the dogs. Does the facility seem crowded? How are scuffles between dogs handled? Is there a time-out area?
- What type of security does the facility have — what will prevent your dog from trying to make an escape?
- If your dog needs special meals or medication, is the staff able to do this?
- Talk to the staff about the screening process for new dogs, and discuss any concerns you may have about your dog interacting with others.
- Ask about the training for staff members.
- Ask about costs and other services that may be offered, like grooming, overnight boarding, and training.
Doggy daycare is not right for all dogs. Dogs that are not well socialized, or do not play well with other dogs are not good candidates for a doggy daycare. Dogs that are fearful of strange humans may not be good candidates for daycare either! Many daycare centers require an entrance exam for new pups — a temperament test to see if the dog is aggressive or fearful or shy and to find out if the dog is food or toy aggressive. After temperament testing, the dog will be put into situations with other dogs, to see how he behaves.
To attend a doggy daycare, your dogs must be up to date on rabies and distemper vaccinations, and should also have a vaccination against kennel cough (bordatella), parvo virus, and hepatitis. Your dog should also be current on fleas, ticks, and heartworm preventatives. Most daycares only allow dogs that have been spayed or neutered.
Doggy daycare is generally more expensive than traditional boarding. Why? Because there will often be more staff on hand at a daycare to supervise the dogs.