Recent NewsOur pets are part of our families, plus they are our companions and friends. They give us unconditional love, but we don’t always have the time to give them the attention they need and crave – particularly if we work long hours or have to leave town on a trip.
Daycare for dogs is a relatively new concept and is designed for people with demanding work schedules, forcing them to keep their dogs penned up for long stretches of time. Typically, prolonged isolation leads to separation anxiety, which can result in barking, howling, chewing, and digging, in addition to other possible side effects are boredom, loneliness and obesity.
Doggie day camps typically feature one-on-one attention, in addition to monitored group playtime. Exercise and socialization are key components of a great doggie day camp, and you should make sure that the one you choose will allow your pet to get plenty of exercise and make new friends.
Before deciding if doggie daycare is right for your pet, ask if you can take a tour of the facility.
- Does the facility look and smell clean? Do the other dogs look happy and healthy?
- Is there a separate play are for smaller and/or less active dogs and puppies?
- Are you comfortable with the facility, as well as their policies and procedures?
- How often your pet will have access to food and water.
- Are the facility’s hours of operation compatible with your schedule? What are the pick-up and drop-off times?
- Does the facility have web cameras? (note: while it’s great to be able to check in on your pet at any time, you can also see your pet’s caregivers in action)
- What are their staffing ratios (how many dogs to each staff member)?
- How they discipline the dogs?
- What they do to prevent dog fights, end a fight if it starts, and what they do in case of an emergency?
- How are their employees trained? Do they require any special knowledge of their employees?
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