Besides the obvious factors of price and location, there are lots of points to consider when looking for a doggie daycare. When we first brought Millie home, we weren’t even sure if daycare was really right for us, but in the end we decided that the benefits of doggie daycare far outweighed any negatives.
First and foremost, we couldn’t be home during the work day to take care of Millie’s feeding, exercise, and potty break needs. And I couldn’t bear the thought of her sitting home lonely all day everyday. She is, after all, a very social pup who needs other pups and people present for her to develop into a well-adjusted dog. Doggie daycare lets Millie play her little heart out with the other daycare dogs, teaching her much needed social skills. It also lets her interact with people she’s not used to at home, which lessens any trust or separation anxiety, or adaptability issues - and, of course, it’s fun to have someone to play with all day! As a result of 8+ hours of play, she is also getting much needed exercise to help her stay trim and healthy.
An added benefit of doggie daycare we have found is that at the end of the day, Millie isn’t as hyped up as the days when she is cooped up at home by herself all day. She comes home and is calmer and more relaxed, which helps us unwind too.
Doggie daycare, we have found, is definitely a win-win. So here are just a few tips and things to consider if you’re on the hunt for a doggie daycare for your fur-kid:
- Do small and large breeds inter-mingle? If you have a small dog, it can be very unnerving to think of leaving her with a bunch of labs who might mistake her for a squeaky toy. If your small dog lives in a house with big dogs, it may not be something that you are worried about. On the flip side, if you have a big dog, does he play nice with others? Does he think he’s a small dog but plays at the capacity of a lab? If you are comfortable with the small and large breeds being kept together, consider how heavily the staff supervises playtime and other interactions.
- Do the dogs have their own space, or do they stay together in a pen/playroom? For you and your dog to reap some of the benefits of daycare, you will want them to be in a playgroup. Ask the daycare center if they group like-mannered dogs together. If your pup is a little wild and playful like Millie, you probably want her matched with more energetic dogs with similar temperaments.
- How much time do the dogs spend indoors vs. outdoors? Do they get walks or are they let out into a pen outside?
- What certifications does the daycare have? Make sure the staff is trained in canine first aid. Find out what industry association memberships they have and check reviews to find out what other customers have to say.
- What happens if you are late to pick up your pup? Do they charge late pick-up fees? Does your dog have to stay the night? Do they have extended hours or special arrangements for those times you’re stuck at the office?
- What kinds of extras does the daycare offer? These may or may not be important to you, but some can be very convenient (or just downright fun):
- Grooming
- Boarding (And if so, are staff on premises 24 hours a day?)
- Training
- Food / Medication (Will they administer medications as needed or give them lunch or snacks as needed?)
- Report Cards (How’s your pup doing at school?)
- Webcam (Can you check in on her during the day? Will they send you a picture or a text a pix message at work?)
- Visit the daycare. Take your pup. What’s her reaction? What’s your gut reaction? It’s normal for your dog to be anxious at first, but does she relax at all when you are there? How does she interact with the staff? How do they interact with her?
If you haven’t heard, President Obama called the owner of the Philadelphia Eagles, Jeffrey Lurie, this week and praised him for giving Michael Vick a “second chance” by signing him after he spent time in jail for running an interstate dog fighting ring.
Last seen 2:30pm on grainy surveillance video in her kitchen prison cell terrorizing her bed and squeaky toys. It is estimated that at 2:31pm EST, Millie broke loose from her cell and is heavily armed with sharp puppy teeth and a full bladder. Suspect is considered armed and dangerous. It is believed her next target will be the living room carpet. 
