Do you tip for doggie daycare?

[linz06]

We left Layla at a kennel for daycare for the first time today! I'm super anxious about it but it seems like the best place around for her. They love her and are learning to express her bladder, so we decided to take her for a few days of daycare to get used to the place before we leave on vacation and leave her there for a week.

I've never dealt with any of this before, so I wondered if we are expected to tip when we pay for her stay. And what about when she stays a week, do we tip for that too? I have no idea how this all works!

[Teegy]

I wouldn't tip, they are charging you already

[linz06]

Thanks! I actually didn't even think about it until we were talking about having a bath and brush-out for her at the end of her kennel stay (they have a groomer there and she seemed really awesome) so we were trying to figure out cost... and then added in a tip for the groomer, and wondered if we should tip for EVERYTHING. It hadn't crossed my mind before!

[Harrysmum]

I personally tip a little for a day's care, because I think Lisa, our Harry-sitter, is too cheap anyway!!! For instance, I'll give her £20 instead of £15.

When/if we go away, or I have to leave him with her when Andy's at work and I'm taking my mum away for a few days....then I'll bring her back a gift instead, something lovely and preferably doggy-related, something thoughtful that I hope she'll enjoy It's always gone down very well so far!!! Sally + Harry x

[linz06]

Hmmm we've done that before for family members who have looked after her, and even when our other two dogs' former foster mom looked after them the night of our wedding, we gave her a vase of flowers (a centerpiece on one of our tables) as a thank-you. But in this case, it is a business with about 5 or so people working there, so I don't think a gift would work.

[Harrysmum]

Yes, I fully understand, it's very different in big places....

When/if our huge Labradors/Boxers etc had to go to 'big' daycare, then I didn't tip. But in their Reception office there was a 'Dogs Trust' (one of our major re-homing charities) container for donations, and I would always pop something in there....just because I felt so fortunate that we were in the position to be able to provide proper care for our dogs.... Sally + Harry x

[linz06]

Originally Posted by Harrysmum

Yes, I fully understand, it's very different in big places....

When/if our huge Labradors/Boxers etc had to go to 'big' daycare, then I didn't tip. But in their Reception office there was a 'Dogs Trust' (one of our major re-homing charities) container for donations, and I would always pop something in there....just because I felt so fortunate that we were in the position to be able to provide proper care for our dogs.... Sally + Harry x

That is a great idea for them to have!

[Ellie May]

I am SOOOOOOO happy that you found a place for her!! I bet she will be awesome.

We don't do daycare/boarding, but if we did I would not tip. They have exact costs for everything and it isn't an individual providing services. Grooming is different because it is usually done by one person (or the majority of it, at least). I'd also consider tipping if it was an in-home (either your home or sitter's home) thing because that is also about one individual being responsible.

Because Layla requires extra care, I'd be inclined to do something for them. Not sure what though... Actually, I'm sure the biggest thanks they could get is a really nice review online. You could also go with the gift basket idea. Vet offices love it. I'm sure kennels would too. Just make a nice variety so everyone gets something they like (chocolate always wins out, but I'm sure they would like lotions, wine, fruit, a bagel breakfast, snacks, etc.).

[linz06]

I'm happy we found a place too!

We had two options for kennels that said they would look after Layla. We took Layla to both for a tour on the weekend. The first place was much bigger, and the man who owns it (and lives on site) immediately dropped to his knees to play with Layla, showed us the entire place, including their water treatment and their boilers that heat the concrete floors, and the drains along each hall facing the kennels so any spilled water or accidents drain from the kennels. None of the kennels faced each other, they were all hallways with concrete walls across from them. The dogs never have to look at another dog when they are in their private kennel. As we walked past, he would talk to each dog and call them by name and tell us about their personalities, and who he thought would be good beside Layla, and showed us the "quiet" area where the older and special needs dogs are. He asked about if Layla prefers to walk on grass or gravel, because they'd take her for walks around the building for exercise. He was worried about her rubbing her tummy on the concrete floor inside, and asked what we thought about him putting foam pads in the bottom of her kennel so it wouldn't be rough on her tummy. He was SO interested in having her there, and although they normally charge extra for other needs (medicines, shots) he said they won't charge any extra for Layla's expressing, because it's something they are all going to learn (they have one vet tech on staff who is comfortable with it, and she will train everyone else there), and basically it is great for their business to say they can take dogs like Layla! By the time we left, Layla was pretty comfortable, sniffing and exploring!

The second place we went, the lady did not even talk to Layla or ask her name or anything. We walked down a short hallway with about 12 dogs in kennels facing each other, all barking at us. She took us outside where it was ALL gravel, and pointed at another building saying "There's another one there, it's pretty much the same." DH asked about their schedules, how often the dogs are taken out to pee (or expressed for Layla), and she said "Their gates close to lock them inside at 6 pm when we close, and they open again when we open at 7 am" I was shocked! They let all those dogs go 13 hours without a bathroom break??? So we told her Layla has to be expressed every 8 hours at least. She told us that's something extra the girl who lives on site would need to do, and made sure we knew that was something she would have to do JUST FOR US as if we should really appreciate it. She really didn't seem interested in having us there, and Layla was on edge the entire time.

Of course, we went with the first place!

I'm still nervous about the whole idea though! I really hope when we pick her up tonight, she's happy. I've never left her in a place like this before, but I do really feel like they really want to care for her. We will take her for two more daycare days next week before we leave on our vacation, and I will probably worry every day that I'm away! But if it works out, we will feel more comfortable if we ever need to leave her there again.