Doggy daycares, a concept that emerged from traditional kennels in the early 1990s, have now become a global phenomenon! In fact, as of 2022, the K9 daycare business was valued at a staggering $3.74 billion! (Source: Future Market Insights)
Doggy daycares can offer a plethora of benefits for your beloved canine. However, dog parents also need to be aware of potential pitfalls. Below, let’s look at the wagging tails and possible pitfalls of doggy daycares! (Source: ThatMutt.com)
Doggy Daycares: Perks
Let’s dive into the perks, shall we? Doggy daycares can be a haven for your furry friend, providing a safe and stimulating environment. They offer:
- Structured activities.
- Supervised playtime.
- The chance to socialize with other dogs and make new furry friends.
- A way for your pup to burn off excess energy.
But wait, there’s more!
Doggy daycares can also be a lifesaver for busy pet parents. Knowing your fur baby is in good hands can alleviate stress and guilt, whether you have a demanding job or a bustling social life. Plus, it beats leaving them home alone for hours on end, bored out of their minds, and potentially getting into mischief (cue the shredded couch cushions).
Doggy Daycares: Shortcomings to Consider
But before your dog jumps paws-first into daycare, it’s critical to understand that doggy daycares have their share of risks. There’s much to consider, from the potential spread of contagious illnesses to behavioral issues, overcrowding, or even unsupervised play. (Source: AKC.org)
After all, you wouldn’t entrust your child to just anyone, so why should your fur baby be any different?
- Always do your research!
- Tour the facility when it’s busy. Are the staff engaged? Are small and large dogs separated?
- Ask for recommendations from dog experts, your vet, and other dog parents.
- Ask plenty of questions about their safety protocols and staff qualifications.
Our Cautionary Tale
Sadly, we learned this lesson the hard way over a year ago. After carefully researching local doggy daycares, my wife and I finally settled on a daycare/kennel for our two male Cane Corsos, Bubba and Dante. We spoke to the owner and all the staff members about the specific care we expected for our boys. We discussed their food, kenneling the boys together, and playtime outside with only our two Corsos (and no other dogs).
We left town in May of 2023 and assumed everything was fine since we received no phone calls or text messages to the contrary. After all, we knew they loved the boys (and we loved them) and had been caring for them for over a year with no problems or incidents! We trusted them.
Imagine our shock when we picked up Bubba and Dante and later, after thoroughly examining both dogs at home, we discovered a long scratch/scab on Bubba’s right side! Not only were we not notified of this incident, but their story changed 4 times and the entire incident was hidden from us even though they called a vet out to check on Bubba and the German Shepherd involved.
While Bubba has fully healed, we were left shaken after this incident. Eventually, we learned our dogs were outside for playtime with two German Shepherds despite our specific directions for the boys to only play with each other. Worse, no one watched the four dogs while they were all together outside, they were forgotten and left alone. Even the towels used to clean up the blood were immediately washed to cover up an incident that should have never happened if our requests had been followed.
With our trust destroyed, our dogs will never return to this place and we will never recommend them to our friends or puppy adopters. Despite having done extensive and careful vetting plus over a year of wonderful care, our dog was still injured and hidden from us! Never let down your guard and assume the business will do the right thing; you can never be too careful! Sadly, our experience proves it.
Doggy Daycare vs Your Dog’s Personality
Also, carefully consider your dog, his personality, likes, and dislikes, and how that may play out in a busy doggy daycare.
For example:
- Does your dog tend to be a loner?
- Does your dog not play nice with other dogs?
- Does your dog play rough with other dogs? Is he reactive?
- Does your dog get easily excited and overstimulated? Are they anxious or timid?
- Does your dog have possessive tendencies over food, treats, or toys (resource guarding)?
- Is your dog in heat?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you should reconsider putting your dog in daycare to protect your dog and other dogs. (Source: OutwardHound.com)
The Final Word
Doggy daycares can be a blessing in disguise for busy pet parents and their furry companions. They can offer a safe and stimulating environment for dogs to socialize and burn off energy while providing peace of mind for their human counterparts. (Source: Cosmopolitan.com)
However, it’s essential to weigh the benefits against the potential risks and ensure your pup’s safety and well-being FIRST.
With thorough research and proper precautions in advance, it can be a tail-wagging success! Just keep your eyes peeled for any potential pitfalls along the way.
After all, a happy and healthy pup is worth its weight in treats!
We Hope You Enjoyed this Blog Post!
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