Choosing a quality doggie daycare takes some time, your advocacy on behalf of your dog and understanding of what to look for to meet your dog’s needs.
Not all doggie daycares are created the same which can contribute to behavior concerns your dog develops as a result.
If you’re not sure of your dog’s play style, observe your dog interacting and know what your dog likes and doesn’t like! This will help you determine environment and what dogs can be a good match for yours.
By taking the time to do this, you will for sure minimize the opportunity for miscommunications to happen during play.
A good option is to ask the doggie daycare itself if they have separate play areas for dogs. This will give you a good indication that the manager/owner of the establishment understands dog body language and what to look out for too.
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Make sure and ask if the dogs have the opportunity for breaks! Dogs need some down time during the day. In particular, puppies need upwards of 20 hours of sleep a day, so if a daycare is being utilized while you’re at work, find out if they will follow a schedule and routine you follow at home.
Following a routine can help your dog adjust to a new environment since your dog will know what to expect which helps them to feel safe.
Introduce the doggie daycare establishment slowly to your dog. This may feel like an inconvenience at first since you’ll be going for short periods of time and observing your dog in the environment, but it will pay off in the long run in setting your dog up for success.
You can observe how your dog interacts with other dogs and see how your dog adapts to the new environment.
Also, by going for short periods of time, you are leaving on a high note which leaves your dog wanting more.
Establish a relationship with your dog’s caretakers. They will be the ones who are gifted with the responsibility of taking care of your dog in your absence. Building trust and maintaining open lines of communication can be helpful in times of an emergency or foster a long lasting friendship too!
Find out how you can set your dog up for success even when you’re not around.
Four Paws & You Dog Training 