Welcome back to Talking Tails!
Do you go to doggie day care? We do and we love it! It is like a social club for dogs! We meet lots of different kinds of dogs and have some really good buddies. It is a great place to burn off excess energy and it beats staying home alone while your Mom and Dad work. We play so hard that we have to rest the following day!
If you’re considering doggie day care, it’s important to choose the right one. Here’s what our Mom looked for when she was checking out facilities for us.
- Caregivers – Staff should be well educated in dog behavior, recognizing body language, play style, and signs of stress. Be sure to ask about the facility’s discipline policy, preferably positive reinforcement and force free, and observe how staff enforces the policy. Staff should always be actively engaged in supervising the dogs, never leaving them alone. Many canine behavior experts recommend an average dog to adult ratio of 15:1. It should be obvious that the caregivers love interacting with dogs. We always feel special when we are at day care!
- Facility – The day care center should be safe, secure, and comfortable. Check that outdoor play areas have sufficient fencing and gates. We have buddies who can jump quite high and know their way around gates! The surface of the outside play area should not burn your dog’s paws in the summer. Ouch! Be sure the outside space has some covered areas to provide shade on hot days. The indoor facilities should have outdoor access for dogs to relieve themselves. Check that the inside area is adequately cooled in the summer and heated in the winter. Plenty of equipment for dogs to play on or under makes for happy dogs! Water should be available at all times. We get really thirsty with all the running and playing we do! Overall, the facility should be clean, have minimal odor, and provide about 75-100 square feet of area per dog.
- Safety – For every dog’s protection, the facility should require proof of vaccinations. Check that staff is trained in basic animal first aid and CPR. Ask what protocol is followed in the event of emergency illness or injury. Since the structure of the playgroup is important to a dog’s enjoyment and safety, dogs should be grouped by size and activity level. All dogs need naps and quiet times between play sessions.
- Temperament and behavior assessment – For the protection of your dog, as well as other dogs, the facility should assess a new dog’s behavior and temperament. This helps to determine how your dog will interact with other dogs and caregivers and if daycare is a good fit for your dog. It, also, assists in matching your dog’s personality with appropriate playmates, so your dog is placed in the correct playgroup. We both passed our assessment with flying colors!
- Open communication – Every mom and dad likes to hear about their dog’s day. It is important that this is communicated to you, as well as the staff providing you the time to discuss any concerns you may have. The staff should be courteous and friendly to humans.
If any of you go to Barker Lounge, be sure to give us a bark next time you are there.
Did your Mom and/or Dad consider additional things when picking out a doggie day care facility? Please, share your thoughts!
Talk to you soon!
Buster and Joey
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