A good doggy daycare check list for your dog.
Don’t panic if he gets a bad report card.
For those Dog Guardians who are lucky enough to be able to provide your canine companions with intermittent care at doggy daycare facilities; we have some advice that will help your dog be successful!
Dogs, like people, vary in their ability and desire to be social on any given day.
- Depending on the time of year, the time of day, the numbers of other dogs there that day in the room; your dog’s behavior may vary. Hopefully, you have attended basic training first to ensure a modicum of structure for learning.
- Always try to give your dog a short walk or ample time to relieve themselves or “potty” before entering the day care. This prevents lobby accidents due to excitement and therefore eliminates the need to clean up after your pet and avoids creating that bad habit.
- If you have the option to allow your dog outside time to relieve themselves, it reinforces your at-home elimination schedule. Some daycares do not allow or have outdoor facilities, and this is not as desirable because your pet will be allowed to go potty indoors. This does NOT help you at home with their potty habits; especially in the first year, when house training is so important.
- Take advantage of any games, enrichment or social structure that the daycare may provide for your dog. Constant learning is best for young dogs, especially.
- Make sure that older pets and less social dogs are given ample time to retreat to their own corner or crate for a bit, instead of spending all day in constant company of other dogs.
- If you have an anti-social dog and don’t want her out in the general population, some day care facilities have separate rooms that allow dogs to be enriched or out playing with a counselor. This is usually added for an additional charge. Always ask if you are not sure.
- Pick a daycare that is CLEAN and well-equipped with playground toys and fun equipment. Some daycares have water features, pools and hoses for dogs that enjoy the water on a hot day!
- Always tour the facility and ask about the safety procedures in place for your dog’s protection and comfort.
- The ratio of staff to dogs is also a number that you (and they) should pay attention to at all times.
- Make sure the staff is pleasant, customer service oriented and knowledgeable. Keep communication open! Remember your beloved dog is entrusted to their care and you want to have clear lines of communication about their procedures and practice.
If your pooch has multiple bad days at daycare, consider a series of positive training lessons and be consistent and reliable in your own approach to his or her behavior. Most dogs need refresher obedience about once per year to really keep it up and to learn new things!
Ongoing classes we offer that you can join at any time!
- Puppy Obedience with Socialization
- AKC Star Puppy
- Obedience Level 1
- Obedience Through Games
- Agility for Fun
- CGC – Canine Good Citizen
- Clicker Training
- Play and Learn
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