Why should
someone send their dog to daycare? This is a question we get a lot – and it’s a
valid one.
In the
article to follow, we’ll unpack some of the primary reasons centers like our
own are popular with dog lovers.
Reason
#1: You’re out of the house a lot
The number
one reason to send your dog to daycare is in the event you’re at work a lot of
the day and you don’t have someone at home to look after your animal(s).
This is
especially true if your dog is young. Puppies shouldn’t be left unsupervised
for more than two hours a day.
Elderly dogs should be left alone for no longer than four to six hours, while adult dogs are typically comfortable up to the six-hour mark.
These
figures are estimates, of course, and there are breeds that can tolerate
loneliness better than others (the Basset Hound, French Bulldog, Chihuahua,
Pug, Bull Terrier and Chow Chow all come to mind).
But in most
cases, leaving your dog at home, day after day, is only going to make it
irritable and disruptive.
Reason
#2: You want to socialize your dog
Dogs are
sociable animals and they typically fare better when they’re in contact with
other dogs. Socialization should happen early on, lest bad habits are
developed.
Daycares
are full of strange, exciting animals, and this gives your animal the chance to
interact in a group environment. It provides a whole lot of fun, and a whole
lot of stimulation, something that dogs need for much of their lives.
Plus,
people who run daycare centers are properly trained, and know what to look out
for, so if your dog is feeling overwhelmed, she’ll be taken somewhere quiet
until she has the chance to adapt.
Reason
#3: You’re busier than normal at work
Imagine
you’re in a particularly busy time at work: there are not enough hours in the
day to look after yourself properly, let alone a dog. The exercise routine you
enjoy together is falling by the wayside, and structure is hard to come by.
In these
instances, doggy daycare is a great stopgap. It’ll take the pressure off you
and give you the peace of mind that your dog is being looked after.
And while
every owner should make a concerted effort to provide structure for their
animal, if you’ve got less time on your hands than normal, daycare will provide
that structure for you.
If you’re
still unsure, it’s never a bad idea to check out your local center in person.
There you can see the environment, see the dogs, and meet the personnel on hand
to give your animal best-in-class care.
And if you have a very specific reason not covered here? Simply get in contact with your local center to see whether they can be of assistance. Chances are, they can.
