Doggie daycare questions

MotherOfChickens

MotherOfChickens

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Going to see one on saturday for use one day a week-mostly to give Quarrie more 'dog' time but also because I've a big trial coming up at work and it will make my life a bit easier. They also do home boarding which could come in useful.
They are licensed etc but what sort of questions should I be asking? I've never used one before but did had a fairly disastrous episode with a dog walker years ago so a bit wary. There isn't that much choice round here-one highly recommended dog walker is booked right out.
 
Do more looking before asking.

Premise adjacent a road - check there is an 'air lock' door, ie, there needs to be a porch or small secure area before the main door and possible escape, is opened.

Secure garden, children in house, other dogs there, vaccination policy, nearest vet and who do they use.
 
What kind of set-up is it? A couple of dogs max which are walked, or lots running around in an exercise area and then kennelled? What do they say they will do? What do they not do? If they are licensed then the premises should already have been checked (or at least in our area they will have been), and they should be asking you to show proof of vaccination records.

You'll get a feel for the place when you visit, and a trial day would be a good idea - you will also get a feel for whether your dog likes going there or not after a few visits.
 
Not much to add really. I would be looking for someone who has a max of 5 dogs at a time (including resident dog). Also they should want to meet you and the dog prior to any agreement to board/give day care.

We take a max of 5 dogs. Give daily walks x 2 (time permitting). Any more than 4 dogs then there are two of us walking.

As said above you'll get a feel for the people and the dog will give a good indication of whether they're happy or not
 
thanks all-they have asked to meet him so taking him (and proof of vacs) on saturday. I need to get his kennel cough vaccination done. Its a home set up with fenced paddocks rather than walking and hoping to suss out they are sensible re exercise with young dogs but she seems to be. If I think it a goer he can have a half day trial-not sure if there's a contract as such yet.

Also, she knows he's not yet neutered but have had two flat out say they'll not accept unneutered dogs over 6 months of age. I get it but not about to get him neutered so young just to go into doggy daycare so will need to discuss that. He's not always the boldest dog with other dogs on first introduction so I want a smaller, more personal set up with someone thats not just going to chuck them all in together.

He's too young for one set up I know that takes dogs out all day as I know of one that does that near work so thats one for the future if needs be.

I will jot down some of these so I don't forget, thanks!
 
How did you get on with the day care place?

Having a naturally suspicious nature and being a tad paranoid/over-protective where my dogs are concerned, I would want to feel supremely confident in the abilities of the proprietor and their staff before ever leaving my dog somewhere like this. I don't like the idea of a group of dogs being thrown together and allowed to get on with it, but would prefer a place where the exercise is managed with just two or three dogs max being walked together at the same time.

I have also heard some rather disconcerting stories about various day care and/or pro dog walkers which doesn't help build confidence but I am sure there are some great business out there, run by dog savvy, sensible and caring people though so it would be great to hear you have had a good experience with this one.
 
One thing I would say I'd I would rather have the dogs walked rather than just given access to space, many games get out of hand in areas like that because the dogs are not stimulated when repeatedly placed in the same enviroment with the same smells etc, on a walk dogs are investigating their surroundings so interactions can often be calmer, also dogs can be alternated on a lead to keep the 'lid' on things. This is especially important if your dog can be a bit hesitant.
My current lurcher loves everyone but can be a bit full on when she plays so has to be moved on or put on lead or things can get out of hand- as in other dogs go for her
 
I thought it was probably fine. Totally secure fenced paddock of about an acre-nice living room inside. She was really good with him and he had a ball playing there. I was happy with her replies as to how she'd manage different situations, introductions etc and she uses my vets.

One thing that has given me a little pause was that she has 5 dogs of her own already although these are apparently kept separate from the day boarders (the different accommodation is separated). She has lots of great reviews locally. The other is something I'd rather not put on a forum. I may take him back for an hour at the weekend for a walk, if I am convinced he'll only be going Friday mornings for 2/3 hours although I don't actually think OH and I can sort it logistically anyway-part of the problem with both of us having long commutes.

I don't really want him walked, I am doing a lot of training to get him walking well. I don't want someone else to have him off lead (the dog walker incident I spoke of cost me £400 in vets fees when she let the setter off when I explicitly told her not to. She was also caught shouting very loudly at my older collie). I can walk him myself, this is to let him have some dog playtime that I feel he could be missing out on and I have tried to coordinate with other people and its just not that easy tbh. But I'll not put him anywhere I am not 100% convinced of.
 
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If you are simply looking for Quarrie to spend more time being able to play and interact with dogs, is it feasible to meet up with a couple of friends with dog friendly dogs so he can play and you can supervise all interactions?
 
WorkingGSD said:
If you are simply looking for Quarrie to spend more time being able to play and interact with dogs, is it feasible to meet up with a couple of friends with dog friendly dogs so he can play and you can supervise all interactions?
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I don't have any friends :(

seriously-I don't. At work there's only one that we walk/play with oin other would be possible but the owner is a first time dog owner and freaks out if they play 'too' rough (ours are the same age, they really aren't playing rough at all).

Other dogs are too old/have issues etc plus its the kind of work thats hard to commit to certain times and we all work on different projects. Locally I have joined FB groups and we've been on walks and its all fine-its not like he's not socialised, just feel like he could do with it more regularly. Its very easy living out here and beiug busy at work, to just fall into the 'him and me and peace and quiet in middle of nowhere' trap ;)
 
I used to feel the same and wanted my dogs to socialise with strange (friendly) dogs - as well as the dogs they already lived with and my husband's working dogs, but I have come to realise that I much prefer them to be focused on me and I don't feel they miss out on not playing or interacting much with other people's dogs. But each to their own. I hope the daycare place can offer what you need.
 
WorkingGSD said:
I used to feel the same and wanted my dogs to socialise with strange (friendly) dogs - as well as the dogs they already lived with and my husband's working dogs, but I have come to realise that I much prefer them to be focused on me and I don't feel they miss out on not playing or interacting much with other people's dogs. But each to their own. I hope the daycare place can offer what you need.
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you could be right, but your dogs have other dogs around on a daily basis. He's finding other dogs quite distracting when we're training, at least initially and while I don't expect this to completely solve with that, it will let him have an outlet for natural dogginess. I let my horses be horses when they aren't working, would like to let my dog have similar if that make sense.
I saw how having dog-dog company helped both my last dogs and I feel for him-he wasn't meant to be an only dog. I've lost patience with rescue associations who expect me to fund my lavish lifestyle without working for a living ;) so having to wait (impatiently) for another pup this year. Until then, I thought it would be nice for him-in the right place and I don't know that I've found it yet.
 
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