Dogs have always been like family to most people. Nowadays, dogs are more like children to their owners. The dog lifestyle industry has exploded in the last decade as the demand for treating dogs to the best life has to offer increases.
There are dog specific bakeries, dogsitting services, specialist dog care services, dog clothing and equipment lines, and so much more. Rising in popularity with those markets is doggy daycare. Many dog owners feel that their dog does better when he is engaged in activity with supervision while they are at work.
And while highly beneficial to both dogs and humans, doggy daycare isn’t always the right place for every dog. Here are some things to consider before enrolling your dog into a daycare facility.
Personality
The most important variable in knowing if doggy daycare is right for your dog is their personality. Because daycares house many dogs at once, your dog should be well socialized, obedient, and friendly towards all living creatures.
A dog that struggles with socialization can still enjoy a daycare, but perhaps seek one that offers a quieter setting or enclosure for likeminded dogs. A reactive or aggressive dog, while very deserving of your love, is not a proper fit for daycare. There are too many opportunities for your dog to react poorly, potentially resulting in a bite. Be smart and honest with yourself about what your dog can and cannot handle. There is no need to set him up for failure by enrolling him into daycare if he simply doesn’t prefer other dogs.
Energy Level
If your dog is high-energy and can run all day, daycare is a fabulous option for him. Under full supervision, your dog is able to interact and exercise with other dogs. You can rest assured your dog will be getting out all of his energy in a healthy way rather than destroying your furniture at home.
If your dog is low energy – daycare can still be a good option! Plenty of daycares match groups of dogs with low energy to hangout and socialize during the day. So even if you’re not necessarily looking to reap the benefits of fitness from daycare, you can still get peace of mind that your dog is happy and being cared for while you are away from home.
Health
We’ve established that many daycare programs house their canine clients in group settings. This means the health of your dog should be considered before enrolling. Having him up-to-date on all vaccines is mandatory for enrollment, but you should take it a step further and consider any other physical issues (internal and external) that could affect him at doggy daycare.
Things like arthritis, food allergies, vision/hearing loss, etc. could impact his ability to thrive in a daycare setting. If your dog deals with any of these issues, it’s important to speak with the daycare and see what accommodations, if any, they offer for dogs who need some specialized care.