doggie day care?
I am wondering if you can tell me what you look for in a dog day care when you shop around for one? I am doing research on that for upcoming school project, and I want other's opinions on that. I am wondering what draws you to a particular day care (in addition to location), and what turns you off. If you can also share what additional services/products you wish a day care could offer, that would help as well. You can mention anything, even the smell and the look of the place 
As my OES gets older, he becomes more annoyed when too many dogs sniff him, but he really likes to play. I am wondering if you have similar issues, and if a dog care can have a special area that allows fewer numbers of dogs would be appealing to you. It was so sad when he was turned down to a day care in my area  |
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| Why was he turned down?
First you have hit on a good thing for dog day care. a part for older dogs limited number of dogs. great idea!!! I would look for access to water and a snack. how many dogs in a group. play time with supervision. outside play, naptime. what kind of toys do they have. some kennels for downtime. A place for puppies too. ofcourse how clean it is. vet records for meds if dogs need them while there. I bet i can think of more but hope this helps to start you off |
| Thanks OES Mummy
I could hear him barking when they were evaluating him. He has slight separation anxiety (he doesn’t' destroy anything, though), so when they took me back there, he was not happy already. Then I think they started to bring dogs out in the room. I think that did it when they all tried to sniff him at once. When he was evaluated long time ago, they brought all the dogs out to us, and he didn’t even make a sound. If you can think of anything else for the day care, please let me know! I also think customer service is important |
| Those are all important criteria. I would add the ratio of human supervisors to dogs and ask questions about when and how they deflect tension or break up fights (some deflect with toys and luring; others squirt water -- you have to decide what you think is right). I would also want to know what level of training and experience the staff has with dogs and whether proof of vaccinations is required.
I tend to think that any facility that has a placement test that makes your dog uncomfortable is not a place you'd want your dog to play. My Maggie gets along with all dogs everywhere and does great in daycare but she is stressed about the initial separation and if she has to greet dogs too quickly, she gets anxious and wants out. For that reason, she was once rejected from a place here in Boulder. Initially, I was fuming mad about it (really surprised myself) but then I figured if they could not arrange a comfortable initial meeting, they might not be able to supervise the dogs adequately either. |
I look for a day care supervisor who is consistent with my training needs. I want to have my dogs isolated when they are bullies - it isn't punishment, it is training. My last day care had small play groups and actually had our puppy newf with an older confident male - I forget what breed. even then she would pull B from playgroup when he goit rowdy. She always let me know what the situation was and i actually brought my adult male OES in for day care from time to time to clamp down on the little bully 
If they are just letting the dogs "have at it" or not enforcing any rules - they are better off at home. WHen I had two puppies at one time they leash walked them for training at differnt time sof the day and let them play alone or together at varying times as well. |
| I would also add a consideration of the play space surface (i.e. gravel, dirt, grass, or concrete). I really like my doggie daycare, but they have a dirt surface and the dogs come home really dirty - to the extent I have to bath them. This particular doggie day care does not offer a "free" dog wash facility, but other competiors offer this service. This is something I did not consider in my selection and I wish I did. I know think having a fee place to wash the dogs as a big plus.
I also consider if the facility offers traditional boarding. That way when I have to board / kennel I know the dogs can go to a familar dog day care during the day. I also measure my dogs reaction to walking in the place. My Miley is timid and if she doesn't like a place then it is not going to work for us. She readily went to be evaluated and to this day has a wiggly butt when we walk in. |
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