The Truth About Dog Daycare
Is Dog Daycare the Right Choice for YOUR Dog?
Being a former employee of a dog daycare facility, I can tell you firsthand that the dog daycare industry is BIG here in Central Florida and can be very overwhelming when choosing the right one. There is a lot to look for when considering a dog daycare that best suites your dog and it should be researched and reviewed thoroughly. Making sure the owner and employees are experienced with pet care, as well as their behavior, is an important aspect to take into consideration. Some dog care facilities may not be well educated and may not know what's best for your dog in particular. It is best to ask as many questions as you can and get a feel for the environment your dog will be in multiple days a week. Dog daycare can really shape a dog into who they are for the better or worse so BE SELECTIVE!
Things to look for in a Dog Daycare:
Clean & Safe Environment free from clutter, hazardous items & harmful chemicals
Friendly, Reliable, Honest and Experienced Owner & Staff
Secured environment to avoid any dog escapes
Web Cameras to see your dog
Clean criminal background of Employees & Owner
Good amount of staff to ensure there are enough eyes, ears & hands for your dog
Updated and Recent Good Customer Reviews
Happy & Healthy Dogs in Facility
Dog daycare is a great idea for us humans, but for your dog it might not be the best option. We all like coming home to a dog who has gotten their exercise and is tired at the end of our long work day, but what is satisfying to us, may not be the greatest for our dog(s). Here are some ideas to consider when thinking about what is best for YOUR dog:
Separation Anxiety
Daycare is not the answer for a dog who has separation anxiety. Yes, bringing your dog to daycare can “distract them” for some time, but they will revert back to their high anxiety and unhealthy state, for example: barking, panting heavily, whining, shaking, upset stomach or even aggressive behavior (believe me, I’ve seen it firsthand working at a dog daycare)! Before ever considering daycare for a dog who has separation anxiety, it is recommended to have your dog work with a positive reinforcement trainer. We recommend a local trainer here in Orlando, FL who is great with these types of behaviors.
Exercise
Sometimes you just don’t have the time to supply the right amount of exercise for your dog due to long work hours, busy schedules, etc. Dog daycare can be a good option for your dog, especially if they are young and need the exercise. Another option for your dog is to consider a dog walker or someone to come by during the day to walk, play and exercise your dog. Another option for extra exercise for your dog is swimming.
Swimming with a Certified Professional
Low impact exercise, like water swimming, is significantly proven to help your pet. From building muscle tone, loosening joints, relaxing muscles, increasing flexibility, and reducing stress, pain, and anxiety, swimming is the most recommended and valued exercise to extend the life of your pet. Swimming also provides a safe exercise for your dog and reduces the risk of injury by almost 100%. However, making sure you choose a certified professional who knows how to exercise and swim your dog is vital for their health. They should always be monitored as well as always be accompanied in the pool.
Dog Walker
Dog walkers can be a great alternative to dog daycare. They are typically less expensive and can come to the convenience of your home, take your dog for a long walk and give them one on one personal attention. The issue with dog daycare, especially daycares who take a large amount of dogs, is that there is no one on one personal attention. Not all dogs are alike and will just run around with other dogs, some dogs need the one on one attention to make sure they are calm, comfortable, safe and getting the QUALITY time they need and crave. Dog walkers are also flexible and can work around the times you need them to, some even offer other services like taking your dog to vet appointments, grooming, etc. Always make sure to confirm your dog walker is experienced, responsible, licensed, insured and has a clean criminal record. Our sister company, Walk'n Dogs-Dog Walking Services is insured, experienced and recommended for your dog's well-being.
Dog Friendly
It is important to remember that all dogs are not dog friendly. It is easy to assume that all dogs get along when put together in play groups or at the dog park, however this is not the case and is an actual red flag and something to really look out for. It may come as a surprise, but a lot of dogs actually do not like the company of other dogs, especially ones they do not know or have not yet encountered. Most dogs are content being around their humans, but throwing your dog into an unfamiliar dog daycare with unfamiliar dogs can pose a threat. Dogs, just like humans, have personalities, and not all dogs will get along with each other. If your dog tends to be introverted or is not interested in other dogs, dog daycare may not be the best fit for him/her. Some daycares offer individual attention and some do not. If you must enroll your dog in daycare, evaluations or meet and greets are very much recommend and should be required, in our opinion.Remember, dog daycare isn’t for everybody and every dog, and that is totally fine! There is nothing wrong with your dog if they prefer the comfort of their own home compared to a busy and chaotic environment. If you don’t have any other options and have to take your dog to daycare, try to limit it to 2-3 days a week max, so they have plenty of downtime at home with their family. It is important to remember all the other options aside from dog daycare, and it is ALWAYS a good idea to try something new AND effective.