Is doggie daycare good for dogs

Considering whether or not to take your dog to doggie daycare. Are you wondering is doggie daycare a good idea.

Ultimately, this depends on two factors. Firstly, your particular dog. Is your dog suitable for doggie daycare? Also, will your dog enjoy doggie daycare or will it make them stressed or anxious? Secondly, the particular doggie daycare your are considering. It is important to remember that a doggie daycare is a business. As with any industry, there are good and bad operators. It is important to do your research.

Doggie daycare Pros and Cons

Benefits of doggie daycare

1. If you work long hours or are away from home for long periods of time a doggie daycare can provide a safe environment where your
dog is supervised.

2. Being in doggy daycare a few times a week will keep your dog mentally stimulated, doggie daycareand physically active. This meaning they will be less likely to get into destructive problems at home. Your dog will also be relaxed and exhausted by the time they are picked up. This means if you don’t have the time or energy to take your dog for a walk after getting home it may not be necessary.

3. You don’t have to worry that your dog is barking all day at home upsetting the neighbors. Especially if you have had complaints
from the Dog Ranger.

4. Doggie daycare is a great opportunity for your dog to socialize with other dogs and also with the staff.

Disadvantages and potential risks of doggie daycare

dog daycareNot every dog is suitable for a doggie daycare setting. Also, not every daycare is suitable for your particular dog’s needs. Doggie daycares are also inappropriate for undersocialized dogs and do not provide the right setting to help over-reactive pets. Even if your dog is an excellent candidate for a daycare setting, there are still potential downsides.

1. Doggie daycare can be over stimulating for your dog. Many dogs will go all day not knowing when to take a step back.

2. It can exacerbate or even create problem behaviors: While daycare can help manage some behavior problems, it’s possible it will make others worse. Dogs can pick up bad habits, like jumping up on people or furniture, marking or even overly-rough play.

3. The potential for physical injury or worse. If you Google anything like dog injured in doggie daycare or worse, a dog dies in doggie daycare you may get a shock. It can make for some scary reading.

4. There is the potential for disease and illness: Doggie daycares screen all their attendees and require proof of vaccinations. However, things like kennel cough (which is like a doggy cold ), puppy warts or even fleas can be spread rapidly through a group of dogs. Even if the particular doggie daycare has very high hygiene standards this can still be a risk.

Is doggie daycare good for puppies

Doggie daycare can be an excellent opportunity for your dog to learn the crucial social and communication skills as well as learning to cope with different situations. Many doggie daycares can also provide training for your puppy. However, the same two factors that apply to other dogs also apply to puppies. Firstly, is your puppy suitable for doggie daycare. Are they confident or will they find it overwhelming and overly stressful? Secondly, is the particular doggie daycare you are considering the right one for your puppy.

Does doggy daycare help with separation anxiety

What many people refer to as separation anxiety is actually isolation stress. This is doggy daycarewhen a dog is unable to be left on their own. Separation anxiety is actually a dog that is so attached to a particular person or persons that they don’t want to be away from that person. This is a lot less common than isolation stress and can be a lot more difficult to solve. For this type of dog, doggie daycare would probably not be the best option. This is best dealt with by consulting a professional dog behaviorist.
For a dog with isolation stress doggie daycare may be an option. This will prevent them being at home barking all day or engaging in destructive behaviors. Select a doggie daycare that is able to give your dog the necessary attention that they will require for this condition.

What are the different types of doggie daycare

dog walkingThere are several categories and styles of doggie daycare. Many doggie daycares are overnight boarding facilities that also offer a daycare option. The number of dogs in the daycare varies greatly depending on the facility. This can vary from 50 dogs in total up to 200 even. Some doggie daycares might keep the groups to 5 to 10 dogs. Others might include groups of 20, 30 or even 40+ dogs! Some might have one large playroom while others have multiple play areas for different groups of dogs.
They may have a fully fenced outdoor area so the dogs can get some fresh air and the essential vitamin D from the sun. Others. particularly in large cities, don’t have any outdoors area at all. This can be a problem as your dog is forced to toilet inside which may lead to toileting problem at home.

Another type of doggie daycare is the smaller at home service. This is where a dog lover may cater to a small number of dogs in their own home. This type of set up can be more relaxing for an anxious dog that would be too overwhelmed in a setting with a large group of dogs.

Alternatively, you can use a pet sitter who looks after your dog in their own pet-friendly home.

What to ask when researching doggie daycare

Doggie daycare might be an ideal for many dogs, it can also prove detrimental to a dog, both physically and mentally. Be sure to research potential care providers. Ask for referrals from friends, and reading online reviews. If your dog is going to be spending hours away from you each day, you want to be certain it is a wise investment of both your money and best for your dog’s mental and physical wellbeing.

Questions to ask about dog daycare:

1. How many dogs are in each group and how many dogs do you take each day?

2. What is the typical staff to dog ratio?

3. How are dogs evaluated to see if they are suitable for doggie daycare? Also, what type of reporting to the owner is used? Many doggie daycares provide photos or even video and will give you a written report.

4. What kind of training does your staff go through including first aid training?

5. Do you combine large dogs with small dogs?

6. Do the dogs get breaks between play sessions or are they in with other dogs all day. Are there facilities where your dog can be given some alone time.

7. What is your process for disciplining a dog?

8. What is your process if there is a dogfight or injury to your dog?

10. What happens if your dog is not a good fit? Although most doggie daycares do an assessment before taking a new dog it is not uncommon for dogs to be expelled later on. This does not mean you have a bad dog. It just means doggie daycare is not the right fit for them.

Alternatives to doggie daycare

1. Use a dog walking service. There are advantages of using a dog walker vs doggie daycare. If you have a high energy dog or even reactive dog a dog walker can provide a higher quality of physical exercise, being out in nature is more mentally stimulating for a dog and your dog will receive more personal attention. There are also disadvantages and risks using a dog walking service. However, that is a different subject.

2. Use a pet sitting service. There are many services where someone will come to your home while you are out and check on your dog and give them some play and attention.

3. Leave your dog with a friend or a relative if this is an option. This will obviously save money and your dog may be happier spending time with someone they know.

4. Leave your dog at home alone. For some dogs, this is a better option. If your dog is quite laid back they would probably prefer this. Read “Leaving a dog alone while at work” for tips and advice on this option.

In conclusion, is doggie daycare a good idea

It may seem that I am bashing doggie daycare a bit, but this is not the case. It is just important for you to have all the information so you can make an informed decision as to what is best for your dog.
Bottom line is that it comes down to knowing your unique dog and finding the right doggie daycare facility that meets your dog’s needs. Do your research and even take your dog for a trial day or period of time. If you decide later that it isn’t working for your dog or yourself you can always change your mind.

Author

  • Joseph Coleman

    A lifelong writer and proud dog dad. Joseph started this blog dedicated to helping other dog owners find accurate information on how to keep their pets at their healthiest through exercise and nutrition. His passion for all things canine shines through in his writing, and he believes that every dog deserves the best possible care. If you're a dog owner looking for reliable advice on how to keep your pup healthy and happy, be sure to check out Joseph's work.