Guest Post: Choosing the best dog daycare facility

Many people compare dropping a dog off at a care facility to a child’s first day at school. It’s emotionally overwhelming and scary. There are many dog day care facilities and pet hotels available but not many of them offer the best care for your beloved pet. Finding the right one can be a big challenge. You need to educate yourself so you can make the right pick.

The first step to take when choosing a day care is to contact as many facilities as possible by phone. Ask for a tour so you can assess your comfort level with each day care. You want to make sure that the facility seems clean and dogs look happy. You also need to ensure that the hours of operation will be compatible with your working schedule.

How the dogs are cared for is also very important. Are all employees trained? Are they professional in each situation? Are they real pet lovers? Do they know appropriate discipline techniques? Many facilities install cameras that allow you to access video feeds during the day. This can help you both check up on your dog and assure that he or she is being treated well.

Find out if the daycare seems knowledgeable about the challenges they face with socializing dogs. How would they address a dog fight? A staff member who tells you that fights never occur is either ignorant or dishonest. They need to be aware that normal dog play will result in minor injuries. Is the staff capable and prepared to handle the mending of your dog in this event? Can they handle a dog with a special illness or physical malady?

The day care facility will probably ask a number of questions from you as well. Many establishments would ask if your dog was spayed or neutered before being allowed to interact with others. The facility will also want to know of your dog’s medical history with respect to vaccinations. They will need to know if your dog has particular aggression problems or if he has a communicable infection. A day care might be trying to avoid servicing these animals to maintain safe and clean environment for all.

The next consideration for choosing a day care will be the level of activity your dog gets. Will there be enough opportunities for fun? Does the facility allow dogs to play all day long, or are they caged except for fifteen minute walks with an employee? There is not one size that will fit all dogs here. Your dog may seem to be very sociable, but it may be apprehensive around more mature or aggressive animals all day long. There are special enclosures for situations like this to separate the dogs. You should be able to find a wide variety of different spaces. Some facilities handle large amounts of animals, and others may be just a backyard for a few dogs. This is why tours are especially important so that you can get a lay of the land.

Overall, you need to take in as many facts about a dog day care facility as possible (visit Hop and Scotch). You want to find the best and safest day care for your dog to ensure a fun and exciting experience. This will require a lot of due diligence, but you will find that the prize is worth the effort if you find an excellent day care.