Thoughts on this daycare set up...

vallin

vallin

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Went to look at a daycare for Daisy today and took her for a trial walk with some of their dogs so the owner could meet her. She showed us round and talked us through their routine so I'd like your thoughts on whether this is all 'standard' and reasonable (give me a livery yard to find any day! Lol)

- Daycare dogs are housed in individual cages in a heated building with vet mat beds (think that's what she said it was)
- Dog housing has a keypad lock on it so dog owners can drop dogs off before official opening or when the owner is dropping child off at nursery
- Dogs get two 45 minute off-lead walks around the owners fields (husband is a farmer so plenty of space) and one session in the garden around lunchtime, rest of the time the dogs are in their crates
- Can be up to 10 dogs there but no more than 6 walked at a time
- Dogs hosed off when necessary and offered water after every walk
- Owner asked about her being spayed/chipped/vaccinated etc

Think that's it...thoughts or other things I should have asked?

Taa
v
 
6 is quite a few dogs to be walked together, I guess its ok for the confident ones but could be stressful for timid dogs. Personally I would prefer a recommended dogwalker to visit mine at home. How can you be sure they will get the walks that are promised and that the owner will be kind to them?
 
WandaMare said:
6 is quite a few dogs to be walked together, I guess its ok for the confident ones but could be stressful for timid dogs. Personally I would prefer a recommended dogwalker to visit mine at home. How can you be sure they will get the walks that are promised and that the owner will be kind to them?
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Unfortunatly we're out too long for a walker.
 
I have to admit I am very wary of dog day care and dog walkers having heard many horror stories, so my view is biased to start with, but I would not be happy with that set up. If the dogs are spending most of the day shut up I would rather a kennel and run than a cage. 6 dogs is imo too many for one person to exercise unless they are a very experienced dog handler who knows the dog very well and how well fenced are the farmers fields, I would want either stock fencing inside a hedge or double height stock fencing before I would be happy for someone else to let my dogs run free.
You say you are out too long for a dog walker what about a walker visiting twice a day, Daisy would probably get the same amount of exercise that way than at this day care.
 
Sounds great...only way to find out is send your dog for two days and see how they come back..and how willing they are to go back...6 dogs is the most you can walk dogs in public places according to council licences I think...unless you're a really uncaring person setting up a business, you'd would already make sure all avenues of escape regarding fencing would be covered..secure..there are criteria you must adhere to with your council licence so I'd be surprised if she failed on any of them..a qualified vet nurse too is a bonus in my eyes...
 
MurphysMinder said:
I have to admit I am very wary of dog day care and dog walkers having heard many horror stories, so my view is biased to start with, but I would not be happy with that set up. If the dogs are spending most of the day shut up I would rather a kennel and run than a cage. 6 dogs is imo too many for one person to exercise unless they are a very experienced dog handler who knows the dog very well and how well fenced are the farmers fields, I would want either stock fencing inside a hedge or double height stock fencing before I would be happy for someone else to let my dogs run free.
You say you are out too long for a dog walker what about a walker visiting twice a day, Daisy would probably get the same amount of exercise that way than at this day care.
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Unfortunately dog walker is a real no-no. From the sound of it in the summer they are out in the garden and run a lot more (all fully secured) when not being walked but during winter it seems like 2 hours in the cage, 1hour out.

Realistically noting is going to be ideal as it's a very less-than-ideal situation having to put a dog in day care every day (both for her and our bank balance!) so just need to try and make the best of it.
 
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Yes having looked at the website I noticed there is no mention of being caged during the day but left loose in the courtyard so maybe the cage option is only the worst case scenario. I have nothing against cages , my dogs are caged, but to my mind I would want a bit more from day care, which hopefully they would offer. A couple of days trial would be my suggestion, so you can see how Daisy reacts to her, and maybe ask if you can contact some other clients for their reviews.
 
Glad you posted the link Vallin - they have a reasonable reputation around here as far as I know. I agree with others that a crate rather than a full kennel/run is far from ideal, that is the bit that would put me off most, I am guessing she is OK to be exercised with other dogs but I know my lot wouldn't be happy about that (fussy greyhounds!)
 
Lévrier;13448967 said:
Glad you posted the link Vallin - they have a reasonable reputation around here as far as I know. I agree with others that a crate rather than a full kennel/run is far from ideal, that is the bit that would put me off most, I am guessing she is OK to be exercised with other dogs but I know my lot wouldn't be happy about that (fussy greyhounds!)
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Agreed, they seem to have 4 runs (small but tall, probs 1m x 2.5m) and then crates but the two dogs in today were both in crates rather than the runs, not sure why but assume that's the standard.

Yes, she loves to play and enjoyed meeting the other dogs today - a rather cute boxer could even nearly match her pace!
 
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I think they sound quite acceptable. I don't think it is long term(?) so really all you ask for now is that the dog is safe. It is presumably only for 10 hours a day max?
 
NO - wouldn't be my choice.

What you have described as their set up is quite different to what they advertise on their website - that is the first alarm bell. I quote:

During the day when not on walkies they have a secure yard area and a secure garden with lots of bushes to hide in, trees for shade, and a patio area to sunbathe, play and just snooze the day away with their mates and recharge their batteries ready for their next big adventure walk.

There's no mention that this is a summer time arrangement only. Ask more questions = don't make assumptions!

Secondly, I would want to see a copy of their insurance certificate.

Thirdly, six visiting dogs is too many for any one person to walk.....dynamics change with every change to the pack.
 
I used doggy daycare for a few months one day a week, the dogs were caged with indoor and outdoor area of cage and then put in bigger runs once a day (think it was once a day). Suited me, I exercised before and after I dropped off/picked up and preferred no contact with other dogs just for peace of mind. Wouldn't work for me if I couldn't exercise myself and then I would need dog exercised but I would pay extra to have individual exercise as you just can't guarantee the other dogs are disease free and ok to be with! On my yard dog can pop out onto lane to see other dogs but they are regulars I know and if she doesn't want to play she just comes back in.
Some doggy daycare will do individual exercise as my sister's near Stroud did!
 
Clodagh said:
I think they sound quite acceptable. I don't think it is long term(?) so really all you ask for now is that the dog is safe. It is presumably only for 10 hours a day max?
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Not sure how long term - she wasn't supposed to still be with us but the MIL really isn't well enough to have her back ATM and she hasn't managed to find a more suitable home for her.

If I can persuade the OH to drop her off (it's out of his way but otherwise he has to do my horse in the morning) then best case scenario she'll be there 8 - 430 most of the time (later if I have a meeting after work)
 
It is something I could not do with my dog unless he had met them all before and they were the same dog each day, but he is sensitive and can be reactive.

Really depends on the dog- some don't mind variety, but 5 days a week they would probably appreciate routine and familiar dogs.

If they are out 3 times a day from the crate it is not bad
 
pippixox said:
It is something I could not do with my dog unless he had met them all before and they were the same dog each day, but he is sensitive and can be reactive.

Really depends on the dog- some don't mind variety, but 5 days a week they would probably appreciate routine and familiar dogs.

If they are out 3 times a day from the crate it is not bad
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There's at least one if not two other 5 day a week dogs then the majority have regular days from the sound of it (obs with some exceptions)
 
pippixox said:
Really depends on the dog
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This would be my thought too.

My current dog would probably be fine in this setup, he's a tough little terrier type and very capable of enjoying himself safely in a group especially if they are out in fields. He's obedient to pretty much everyone (even does what the postman says). He would also be happy enough having a kip in a crate after exercise.

My previous three dogs would all hate this setup The first was over-sensitive and would be convinced he was abandoned if left at anything resembling a kennels, he was also badly socialised and would play too roughly causing other dogs to get defensive so not good in a group. The second was very timid with other dogs and seemed to invite attack as she was attacked several times for no clear reason, she was also accident prone in fields with an amazing ability to find and hurt herself on any barbed wire. The third needed constant entertainment and would never cope in a crate for any length of time.
 
AdorableAlice said:
I would have a read of the contract, because buried somewhere in it will be a disclaimer saying that the owner is happy to have their dog in groups of dogs and understands there is a risk.

Effectively if there is one big fight and your dog comes off the worst it is tough.
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Which is the same risk I take with my horse and both I, the OH and MIL accept. (though she is fast enough and enough of a wimp to get away from most thing ;) )

Will of course read the contract before signing it though :)
 
vallin said:
Which is the same risk I take with my horse and both I, the OH and MIL accept. (though she is fast enough and enough of a wimp to get away from most thing ;) )

Will of course read the contract before signing it though :)
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I understand what you are saying of course. I am responsible for licensing in Worcestershire and deal with all the grief that can and does happen, so just see things a little differently than an owner might.
 
If I was paying for my dog to day board I would not expect it to be crated, put in a run for a couple of hrs yes but not crated. My dog is crate trained but I would rather pay a Walker to take the dog for a long 2 hr walk each day from say 11.30- 1.30, I would walk the dog before I left, feed it leave it with a Kong and then the dog Walker does a really long walk with maybe one other dog then the dog gets a short walk after work.
 
twiggy2 said:
If I was paying for my dog to day board I would not expect it to be crated, put in a run for a couple of hrs yes but not crated. My dog is crate trained but I would rather pay a Walker to take the dog for a long 2 hr walk each day from say 11.30- 1.30, I would walk the dog before I left, feed it leave it with a Kong and then the dog Walker does a really long walk with maybe one other dog then the dog gets a short walk after work.
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OP lives in too remote a location for a walker.
 
Thiknig on this - could you not, with the daycare money, build a good kennel and run at home and leave her in there? When I worked full time my dog was left for sometimes 10 hours a day, she had a bed in the garage and access to my garden. I am not sure I would risk that now but a good quality kennel and run would maybe not cost you more than a week or twos boarding?
 
I think for me, having a dog crated at day care wouldn't be what I needed/wanted-but think vallin is making the best of a difficult job. We don't all live in areas with loads of dog walkers-there are two in my area, one of which I wouldn't have on my property and the other is completely full.

so short term ,if you think she'll be safe and have some company in the day I don't see a huge problem-even though it may not be 100% perfect.

she's a lovely looking girl op-just looked at your beach thread!
 
Clodagh said:
Thiknig on this - could you not, with the daycare money, build a good kennel and run at home and leave her in there? When I worked full time my dog was left for sometimes 10 hours a day, she had a bed in the garage and access to my garden. I am not sure I would risk that now but a good quality kennel and run would maybe not cost you more than a week or twos boarding?
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Unfortunately we're in a rented house with a garden big enough for a quick morning toilet excursion and not a lot else. She's also not used to being left alone - before we had her I think the longest she was left alone was about two/three hours which she spent in her crate whilst the MIL went to band. She's done 5 hours alone here (out of the crate, we don't use it at all) ) when we had no other choice (I was in Cambridge and the OH had to work) and she was not a happy bunny about it. It would be slightly different if it was the summer holidays and I had 6 weeks to build up the time slowly but not fair just to turf her out, IMO she's more likely to settle to being crated again.
 
MotherOfChickens said:
I think for me, having a dog crated at day care wouldn't be what I needed/wanted-but think vallin is making the best of a difficult job. We don't all live in areas with loads of dog walkers-there are two in my area, one of which I wouldn't have on my property and the other is completely full.

so short term ,if you think she'll be safe and have some company in the day I don't see a huge problem-even though it may not be 100% perfect.

she's a lovely looking girl op-just looked at your beach thread!
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Thanks :) We're going to look at another place on Sunday so we'll see what that's like but it's useful to have people's opinions to provide me with a barometer and an idea of what's 'standard' in this type of set up.
 
vallin said:
Thanks :) We're going to look at another place on Sunday so we'll see what that's like but it's useful to have people's opinions to provide me with a barometer and an idea of what's 'standard' in this type of set up.
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All animal boarding licences will have a set of standard conditions attached. This document should be readily seen on the premise. The premises have to meet these standards or above.
 
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