The Do's and Don't of Doggy Day Cares
By Pat Lo

It’s a reality that we consider dogs a part of our immediate family. Parents bring their kids to daycare when they do not have time to supervise them. So, it’s only natural for dog owners to do the same for their kids - of the four-legged variety that is.

Regardless of your dog’s size, breed, and age, there are many benefits to bringing your dog to daycare. One misconception is that daycare is only suitable for young and overactive dogs. Those dogs certainly benefit from all the exercise and socialization. A physically and mentally satiated dog is also less likely to channel their energy on destructive behaviour. However, older dogs can enjoy daycare as well. Rather than wrestling with other dogs or playing an endless game of fetch, they simply take pleasure in being part of the pack and the numerous interactions involved. Moreover, their maturity affords them the knowledge of knowing when to pause and rest.

A daycare in which the dogs have a healthy pack mentality can be equally beneficial to either shy or overly rambunctious dogs. For instance, through our partnership with a local dog rescue, where we integrate foster dogs into our daycare program, we have observed how young and exuberant dogs are corrected for their unruly behaviour by other members of the pack and eventually learn good doggie etiquette. On the other hand, dogs that are shy and insecure due to either a lack of socialization or abuse regain their confidence and trust in people and dogs over time. Having said that, please keep in mind that bringing your dog to daycare does not supplant the need for proper obedience training for any dog.

Despite all the positives a dog daycare can bring about for many dogs, it may not be suitable for yours. Dogs with certain health related issues who cannot sustain extended periods of physical activity may end up exacerbating their condition. A dog with severe behaviour issues (i.e. dog or people aggression) should not be placed in daycare. Instead, owners should seek a professional trainer or behaviourist who may eventually prescribe daycare as a nice complement to their training. Also, owners should thoroughly understand why they are considering the use of a dog daycare in the first place. For example, an owner suddenly decides to enroll their 10 year-old stay-at-home Toy Poodle into daycare because of all the good experiences and socialization their neighbour’s 13 month old Chocolate Lab has been having at his doggy daycare. In this fictional scenario, there is a notable difference in size, age, breed, and activity level between the Toy Poodle and the Lab. While there are still benefits for the Poodle to go to daycare, the owner has to take into consideration if their dog is going to enjoy the experience. Let’s put ourselves in the Poodle’s position. As a person in their 60’s (rough conversion to dog years) who has lived much of their life in a calm and familiar surrounding, with the exception of the occasional house guest – would you like to be thrust into a strange environment where 10-20 people are suddenly in your face…or worst, sniffing your behind, while trying to get you to play with them? No matter how friendly or polite the other dogs may be, it will still be a very stressful experience. If the Poodle owner plans to board their dog and is using daycare as an intermediate step towards that end, then it might be a worthwhile endeavour. Nevertheless, the daycare staff will still have to make adjustments to minimize the potential stress for the senior dog. Finally, before deciding to bring your dog to daycare, you should ask yourself – am I ready to send my dog to daycare? Aside from the tangible expenses and time investment, you have to be mentally prepared to “let go”. Dogs are extremely perceptive of the emotions and energy we emit. So the nerves and anxiety you feel will create stress for your dog, which is the last thing you want for your dog.

Even after deciding daycare is a suitable place for your pooch, choosing the right dog daycare can be a daunting task – but it doesn’t have to be. Dog daycares come in many sizes and formats. Here are a few of the things you should have on your checklist when visiting potential daycares for your dog:

• Cleanliness - Most dog establishments will have a dog smell but it shouldn’t reek of urine and feces. Also, keep in mind that places with outdoor green space and pools will probably not appear as clean as indoor daycares for obvious reasons.

• Temperament Assessment – An initial assessment should always be done. New dogs should be tested to see if the daycare environment is right for them. This is very important because dogs usually behave differently when their owners are not present. The daycare should give you feedback on how your dog’s first day went.

• Dogs’ Health – Most daycares should require a full set of up to date vaccinations for all the dogs in their care. The health and demeanour of dogs attending the daycare during your visit may be a good indication of what to expect for your dog.

• Supervision – The daycare should be well staffed to handle the number of dogs they have. A reasonable ratio would be an attendant for every 10-15 dogs.

• Playgroups – In general, it is safer to separate dogs into playgroups based on size, age, temperament, and play style.

• Space – Some dogs feel insecure when other dogs encroach their personal space. Each dog needs at least 75 -100 sq ft for safe, off-leash play.

• Experience – Daycare staff should have experience in managing dogs in a safe and positive manner.

Please keep in mind this list is by no means complete but it should help you in your decision. When you visit a daycare for a tour, they will probably cover some of your questions. I am always shocked when clients, to whom I give tours to, apologize for asking so many questions. There are never too many questions. If you are unsure about something, it is always better to ask beforehand. In the end, it not only gives you peace of mind, but also ensures the daycare has a better understanding of how to care for your dog.

At the end of the day, every dog owner has to ask themselves – do I trust the people I am leaving my dog with? You should hand over your leash only if the answer is yes

The preceding article was written for and taken from the August / September 2009 issue of Dogs, Dogs, Dogs! Newspaper (with the permission of the paper editor).