Does your dog have too much energy? Are they anxious or destructive when you are away? Doggy daycare may be a great addition to you and your pets lives! There are many benefits to using a doggy daycare. I wanted to cover a few of those benefits, explain what doggy daycare is, and if it is good for your dog.
The Benefits:
Our pets are very adaptive and usually fit into our routines. However, there are many pets out there that just don't get excited for spending the entire day alone. Let's say you work an 8 hour day, plus commute and errands, your pet could be spending upwards of 10+ hours alone per day throughout the work week. There are many ways to occupy your dogs time during the work week, from puzzle toys, chews, etc.. But often times, these only last so long. Other less active dogs may sleep the entire day while you are gone, but this type of sedentary lifestyle isn't healthy long term with a lack of mental stimulation, possible weight gain and future mobility issues.
Dog daycare is a great way to keep your dogs active, stimulated, and happy. That leads us into:
1. Safe Socializing
This is super beneficial especially for single dog households, busy pet parents that may not be able to make it to dog parks, and for pets that don't have many other doggy friends. Daycare provides the opportunity for your furbaby to socialize with other dogs in a safe, controlled environment with constant supervision.
2. Exercise
Dogs with a very sedentary lifestyle may be prone to damage to their bodies and minds. If dogs spend alot of time alone, they can become accustomed to this slow-paced lifestyle which can lead to weight issues, mobility issues, overeating, and digestion problems.
It is also great for overactive dogs, as they will be able to run and play to their heart's content and be tired when it is time to go home.
Daycare is also great for dogs that need to lose a few pounds and don't get excited about running and playing in the yard. With a few other dogs around, it can entice your pet to play and run with his/her friends and lose some of those pounds.
Finally, daycare can be especially great during the winter when it can be harder to get you or your pet out into the cold. Your pet can play and exercise with friends in a nice warm environment without you or your furbaby freezing.
3. Separation Anxiety
We know this one from experience. Our Golden has horrible separation anxiety. However, she does so much better when she is with her pack (Joker and Robin). We know how hard this one is on both you and your pet. Daycare can provide a social outlet to help ease that anxiety. In addition, with someone being with the dogs all day, this can help reduce separation anxiety with someone being there with them, while also getting to play with all of their friends.
We all have to go to work, school, errands, etc.. and daycare can allow you to do that without leaving your pet to wallow in their loneliness and anxiety all day (howling, chewing, licking, crying, anxious).
4. Peace of Mind
No one likes coming home to a mess, potty, or destroyed house. These are signs that your pet is acting out and is upset being left alone (separation anxiety).
Daycare can give you peace of mind that your pup is happy and playing, and your home is safe as well.
Daycare is not right for every dog
Unfortunately, some furbabies are not suited for daycare:
-Poorly or not at all socialized dogs. This can actually lead to being overwhelmed and aggression
-Past incidents of aggression towards other pets or people
-Not vaccinated appropriately, which can lead to your pup being susceptible to illness
-Injured pets that require care beyond what a daycare can provide
-Pets that are not neutered. Unfortunately this can make group play difficult to incorporate for everyone.
Fortunately! Any good daycare will perform an evaluation to see if your pet is a good fit for daycare! Here at Paw of the Family, our evaluation will begin with your pet meeting the staff. We will ensure that your furbaby is comfortable with us and we can handle your baby without any signs of aggression or fear. This test includes things such as our staff holding the leash, and then walking with him/her, touching your pets collar, petting them, approaching your pet while watching for any signs of fear, etc...
After your furbaby has had a few moments with us and gotten comfortable, we will introduce a few new four legged friends of varying sizes (likely our own Harley, Joker, and Robin). After this, your dog and new friends will be brought to the play area.
At the play area, new dogs will be introduced a small group at a time to verify that your furbaby will continue to be comfortable meeting new dogs as the group gets larger.
If tails are still wagging, then we will be able to schedule your pet for daycare services whenever you need!
If your pet does not pass evaluation, that DOES NOT mean you have a bad dog! They simply do not want to be there. We will be 100% transparent with you, as our goal is to offer the safest environment possible for all of the pets in our care. If your furbaby shows signs that they are not suited to daycare, we will be open and honest about it.
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