Doggie Daycare Expectations
 

My boy Morris, at 17 weeks, has never left my side. He seems to be happy and well- adjusted, but I wonder if I am doing him a disservice and possibly setting him up for separation anxiety as I will be returning to the work force in a few months.

I am considering introducing him to daycare. Please help me evaluate potential opportunities so that he may remain safe and well cared for.

What qualities should I look for, and how best may I transition him so that he benefits from the experience?

Thanks so much. I look forward to your responses.

Kathy (and Morris)

I think there are many pawsitives for daycare, but I opted not to do it.

I believe it's great for socializing with other dogs, but I felt that there are also dangers of them getting hurt. I don't trust other dogs (or people) when I am not around my babies. Then again, I am always extra cautious with everything with the 'better safe than sorry' mindset.

I also didn't want to give my babies the Bordetella kennel cough vaccine, which is a requirement for all doggy daycares here.

Regardless though, if you're going back to work soon, I'd highly suggest that you start separation training asap. Basically leaving him home alone (in his crate or his playpen - somewhere safe) in small increments of time. You can start at 30 minutes. Use a baby monitor or one of those free monitoring phone apps. If he's okay and not barking, go back to celebrate him not making a fuss and give him treats. Then slowly increase the time to an hour, a couple hours, a few hours etc.

I will start the leaving training. I do notice a little improvement when I go upstairs but he pretty much has his eye on me 24/7.

He's wonderful with other people and is surprisingly extra gentle when he plays with kids. He does respond to 'gentle' and he knows 'leave it,' and is learning some recall.

Thank you for your experience.

Kathy (and Morris)

Doggie Daycare
 

I had hoped never to have to leave our pup with anyone but family and then we discovered our children have lives and just as we can't always take the grandkids, they can't always take our pup. We also learned their homes might not be yorkie-proof. lol The first time we ever left her for one night that was not family was at a dog resort in a resort community. They catered to the dog and the owner - feeding, play-time, bedtime - you could choose whatever you wanted. Needless to say, I was a Nervous Nelly dropping her off and she was a happy camper. In our smaller community, the options for daycare aren't nearly as accommodating. A family emergency required us to kennel her for a few nights. Knowing we would be leaving her, we visited the daycare, met the staff, toured the room and left copious instructions. We also dropped her off for short stays for a couple of sessions before we left. She was not nearly as content there but she was safe. The one thing we did to ensure she received hands-on care was to pay a little extra for her eyes to get cleaned, her hair (long) to be combed out, and her meds for itchiness to be given. Had we not done that her only "care" would have been brief potty/play area time. She is also piddle pad trained so we required that she have that option at every break to make sure she didn't lose that training. We also requested a larger kennel space. The biggest criteria/deal breaker that lead to us choosing one place over another was barking. At one kennel we visited the dogs were frantically barking and at the other quiet as mice. We chose the quiet environment.


She wasn't the same happy camper as the first resort place, but she was cared for and safe, maintained her training, and was really no worse for wear. I'm sure the staff thought we (mostly I) were a nightmare, but tough luck. This pup is our companion and a special part of our lives!

Lots of people use Rover.com for care.
Since Cali goes to,work with me every day I don't use daycare but a friend of mine either uses Rover.com or a daycare that has a camera you can access from your phone.