Dog Owners Beware - The Truth about Dog DayCare

 Author: Terri L Malueg-Ray, Professional Dog Expert

 As a professional dedicated to dogs, I have always thought dog day care is a great way to keep a dog healthy and well socialized if done under the right design and staffing.  Those original daycares were places that the dogs could have some social stimulation rather than being left home along all day.  While this intent provides some value to many dogs, other things should be considered to best match your dog regarding the day care program you select for your dog such as space to run, staffing, safety protocol and more.  The responsibility falls on the dog owners themselves to investigate thoroughly any perspective daycares of interest because there are no governing regulations or oversight for this type of business.  This means that anyone of any level of experience, training or dog understanding can open up a dog day care and they can do so in a location of any size, amenities or health concerns.  I have seen and heard of many behavorial or physical problems that have resulted from bad experiences at a dog day care.   There have been dogs killed, severely injured or mentally traumatized with lack of proper screening, segregation, health standards or proper introduction to the pack.  It is not uncommon to have dogs getting ill or injured with stagnant water, dog run surface trash or non-secure fencing.  Since I have had the opportunity to work to rehabilitate many of the dogs that suffered from bad day care experienced, I felt it important I document my expertise and experiences for dog owners to use.  I think many will find this reading helpful and informative both to determine if dog daycare is right for their dog and if so, how best to select the best fitting program.

What are the reasons you are considering Day Care for your dog?

If you are considering dog daycare for your dog because the leash walks, training and other social activities you do with your dog just do not provide enough stimulation or activity for your dog, daycare may be an option to explore.  Active, high energy or even overweight dogs may require more than your time permits.  A good daycare program will provide additional socialization and physical off-leash exercise for a trained, well mannered dog.  Daycare should never replace your regular social and training time with your dog.  Day care should not be considered to resolve destructive behavior nor should it be considered prior to you socializing and training your dog but rather to supplement your efforts.          

 Picking the Day Care that best fits your dog

Without any regulation, anyone can open a dog daycare program and operate it within a small room or some small outdoor area.  Some dogs may comfortably play within a small sized play area, such as small breed or less active dogs.  However, for the medium to large sized or active dogs, a small area may be stressful, pose risk of physical harm or just not be enough room for your dog to run and gain physical benefits.  A shy, lacking confidence, active or high drive dog would not do well in a small area, so a program with more space and one that limits packs size would likely be the better fit.   With many dog daycare programs out there, it may take a little work on your part touring for the amenities your dog needs, but your efforts will pay off when you find the right program that will truly benefit your dog.  In most metropolitan areas there are daycare facilities for every type of dog, so matching your dog to the right facility will provide you great joy knowing they are being exercised, safe, having fun and at a place that they come to know and love!

 What to look for at considered Day Care programs:

As I discussed, a dog daycare program can take as many dogs as they would like, do not have to segregate by dog size or energy or drive and can use your dog to determine if an incoming dog is socialized enough to enjoy the program.   To help consumers decide on the right daycare program for their dog, I have put together a short list of some things you can do at each considered daycare program you tour:

 Tour:  We recommend you get a complete tour of the facility, including special note of all of the areas and grounds where your dog will be running, playing, resting, drinking and walking.  Check for glass or other debris on the running surface, cleanliness & free of waste in any indoor, concreted or outdoor areas, secure and proper gates and fencing (including of enough height so your dog can not jump over), grass is available for dog restroom use, have injury or illness protocol/supplies, dog entry area and the areas where dogs are separated by size and where is the area designated to test new dogs.  Also note how visible the play areas are to the public.

 Meet Staff:  We suggest both you and your dog meet the staff who will be spending the day with your dog.   Ask how long they have been working there, watch how they handle your dog and how they handle the other dogs.    Seeing how they approach your dog can tell you a lot about how well they understand dog behavior.  View the posture of the dogs the staff regularly cares for, making special note if the dog cowers, is rigid or shows fear.  Ask the staff about a few of the regular dogs to learn how well they really know their daycare dogs.  Knowing that the staff understands the dogs and exerts as a good pack leader is important, especially if the public can not view the daycare.  Remember, this staff will be providing activities while looking out for the safety of your dog for entire day.      

Screening process for new dogs:  Print the entrance criteria that the facility say they require from their website/brochure and then upon visit, ask the staff and have them walk them through their process.  That should include health records, entry test results and dog history.  Personally, I want to know that all the friends my dog will play with have been confirmed to be social and  have no history of dog aggression, as well as are healthy and fully vaccinated.  If the considered day care does not test dogs social skills or if they could possibly use your dog to test new dogs, I would be concerned.

Pack introduction procedures:  Carefully see what area is used and the techniques the staff uses to bring a new dog into the daycare pack.   Because dogs are pack by nature, without staff intervention the new dog coming in will be enter an already established pack and have to work out where they fit in.  If not carefully controlled by staff understanding and protocol procedures, this can quickly turn into a serious incident.  Bad greeting experiences can socially damage or set-back your dog, so it is recommended this procedure be carefully noted to determine if your dog will be comfortable.     

Patron References:  It is always of value to talk with other patrons to learn of this businesses experiences and safety record.  Ask for the name and contact information of at least two frequent patrons that you could contact or simply visit the day care facility at drop-off or pick-up times and chat with the patrons.    

"To err is human, to forgive is canine." - Unknown

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Terri L. Malueg-Ray      Email: Terri@Atlantadogexpert.com                 Fax: 770.751.3774        Auto Detailing