I have discovered Doggy Day Care....

**HeySquirt** · 08-12-2011, 10:37 AM

So Emmett went yesterday for the first time for a 1/2 day of Day care.

This is the BEST thing I have done!!! I start back to college in the fall so with FT work and two nights of school I was really wondering how I was going to get E the activity he will need. I think i found my answer. The place is just downt he street from my work so that makes it even better.

So is there anything I need to really watch for with day care? Beside of course bad habits?

**silverbyrd21** · 08-12-2011, 11:17 AM

I absolutely LOVE our Doggie Day Care. I remember when I first saw them popping up years ago, I was like "what kind of freak sends their dog to day care?" um hello, me me me!
I am physically disabled and my husband works long hours outside so besides playing fetch and tug in the house and the occasional walk DDC is her physical outlet. Our DDC even has a pool so she gets to go swimming!
What i looked for when I went to check it out is that all dogs are required to be vaccinated. No aggressive dogs allowed. And that it was clean. The dogs are never left alone and there is always a person in the pool when the dogs are. They are also extremely nice and I can drop in and check things out at anytime.

**Dio's mama** · 08-12-2011, 11:27 AM

Be very careful about the doggy day care. We have some awesome ones (where Dio goes) and some horrid ones. My friends have worked at a couple and saw what when on "backstage". Not good. They need some seperate rooms for resting, not just a huge room where the dogs try to rest but can't since others bug them to play. Also, a nicely spaced area outside for going potty is good too. There's one here in my city where everything is concrete, so when they pee, it goes everywhere. By the time they get the mop, it's been rolled in, stepped in.... Ugh.

But, I'm glad you found a daycare! They really save the day when you're a busy bee!

**Spike's Mom** · 08-13-2011, 07:55 AM

Doggie Day Care is a touchy subject around this house right now. The doc thinks that Spike's problems were due to a vaccination reaction so he is talking no more vaccinations which means no daycare after January. I want to cry. He LOVES it there. Just remember that even though your dog is vaccinated against something that has alot of strains that he can still get it (Spike came home with kennel cough). It's like the flu or a cold for us. Ours keep an eye on him since he's not neutered and if he has a "frisky" day will put him in a separate area with a few other dogs. They have kiddie pools in a separate area. If it's rainy the play yard gets desirable puddles so they will give them a rinse off before you pick him up if you'd like. It's a very convenient place that listens to instructions. Since this is our only choice in 25 or more miles they don't want to jeopardize their business either

**Dio's mama** · 08-13-2011, 11:43 AM

Poor Spike! That really sucks. Dio got kennel cough at a daycare, but he didn't get it that badly. A couple weeks of rest and he was good as new! But yes, they can be bug breeding grounds. It's like daycare for human babies, lots of germs there too!

**Belles mom** · 08-13-2011, 05:10 PM

Originally Posted by Spike's Mom

Doggie Day Care is a touchy subject around this house right now. The doc thinks that Spike's problems were due to a vaccination reaction so he is talking no more vaccinations which means no daycare after January. I want to cry. He LOVES it there.

have you asked the Day Care specifically about vaccinations? The Doggie Day Care I work for "requires" dog to be up to date, but none of the employees believe in the yearly vaccination protocols. Perhaps you could speak with the owner and explain your situation, and they would make an exception. The owner of the Day Care I work at actually will explain the potential harmful effects of yearly vaccinations. Truth be known, most of the hard core doggie people I know, are very vaccination wary.

**Belles mom** · 08-13-2011, 05:24 PM

Day Care can be an extraordinarily fun time! the Day Care I work for groups dogs according to size, temperament and day to day issues. Typically we have the Twerps (small dogs) the Tweens (rowdy teenagers) and a couple different "big" groups (depends on the day)...and a few singletons that do not get along with anyone. We have two yards/floors (indoor to outdoor free range). There is one person per group/floor/yard. Each group is out playing for about an hour or more and then is "put up" into individual crates or runs (sometimes a couple to a run) in order to rest. Just like kids if the dogs get too tired, they can get cranky! it is amazing that we, as staff can tell what is going on in the dog's life based on their behavior at Day Care. Dogs are emotional beings, and it shows in their every day life!I would ask to see the facilities. if they allow you to view the dogs in action, that's great!

**Spike's Mom** · 08-15-2011, 06:57 AM

Originally Posted by Belles mom

have you asked the Day Care specifically about vaccinations? The Doggie Day Care I work for "requires" dog to be up to date, but none of the employees believe in the yearly vaccination protocols. Perhaps you could speak with the owner and explain your situation, and they would make an exception. The owner of the Day Care I work at actually will explain the potential harmful effects of yearly vaccinations. Truth be known, most of the hard core doggie people I know, are very vaccination wary.

They are very strict about vaccinations, especially since we are in a tourist area. It's not the same dogs day after day, lots of people vacation here and use the pet services throughout the year if they own a house. They are more better safe than sorry

**Bailey's Mom** · 08-15-2011, 08:13 AM

Originally Posted by Spike's Mom

They are very strict about vaccinations, especially since we are in a tourist area. It's not the same dogs day after day, lots of people vacation here and use the pet services throughout the year if they own a house. They are more better safe than sorry

Nancy, do they have an idea of which vaccination caused the problems?

**HeySquirt** · 08-15-2011, 09:48 AM

That sucks with Spike... I know how much he loved DayCare.

I have the opposite problem, I have two within a mile of work and a third about 1.5 miles... Talk about crazy
I investigated the first two and decided on the one. All dogs have to pass an evaluation, while that is a total PIA I'm glad they do it for other dogs LOL!

I will keep an eye on him when he goes for kennel cough and anything else I see as odd. I'll definately take him back...