Doggy Day Care

[Newpuppyowner]

Hi Everyone, I have a new puppy and a friend said to take my pup a couple times a week to "doggy day care".
There are a few around in my area. They have a schedule for the day where dogs socialise, play, sleep etc.
However they are a little pricey.
Do you think it is good for a dog or is it best they be at home alone during the week when I am at work.
Thanks!

[Di_dee1]

Out where I am there is nothing like that around. Even if there was I wouldn't be using it. To my mind you start with a pup as you wish to continue. I would be trying to get home at lunchtime to socialise with it. Have it in the laundry with bedding, food, water, toys until housebroken or a pen and shelter outside. This is just me though and others will have other opinions.
Welcome to the forum.

[Devil's Advocate]

Doggy Day Care? Hang on, just gotta pick myself up off the floor. ROFL!!!

Do they seriously exist? OMG. I'm speechless.

I agree with the above; not for me.

[GoodiesGirl]

They do indeed exist. I can't really help out with this one, as I am home 95% of the time, and was always here for Mia as a baby (she came home at 7 weeks for those who don't know), that and I used a crate.

[Devil's Advocate]

I guess I'm one of those people that if I'm (or someone) isn't able to be home for a fair % of the time, well I wouldn't get a dog.

Same as kids really. I'm old fashioned like that. People want the world, kids, careers, and there's nothing wrong with that for them, but not for me. IMO the best thing I could do for both my children and my dog is to be there for and with them. Make sense?

[Deerhound]

IMO Doggy Daycare is a great idea for people who work, especially if they don't have another dog as a playmate for their pup. It has the same advantages as putting an only child into day care a few days a week. Your pup will learn to socialise with it's own kind and have lots of fun in the process.

[Newfienut]

Originally Posted by Newpuppyowner

Hi Everyone, I have a new puppy and a friend said to take my pup a couple times a week to "doggy day care".
There are a few around in my area. They have a schedule for the day where dogs socialise, play, sleep etc.
However they are a little pricey.
Do you think it is good for a dog or is it best they be at home alone during the week when I am at work.
Thanks!

What were the prices like? There's a few around my area but I've never really had the need to look into it. I am starting a new job next week M-F 9-5 so it will be a big change for me and my pup, who is used to having me home most days. Although I have housemate who's home a lot a my partner who can come by at lunch time.

It'd be interesting to see how exactly they are run- with a new pup might be good for socialisation and training too!

[Jodz]

We have doggy daycare too!!

And when i head back to uni Chloe will be going 1 to 2 days a week, whilst im there..

I think it's a great idea.. Not only for dog socialization (IMO) but also to know that shes not going to jump the fence or chew through everything in sight through bordem..

The way i figure is my daughter went into daycare one day a week when i worked and chloes my furbaby so she should get the same thing too lol

Daycare for us is $20 a day or $50 for 2 and they'll give her a hydrobath also..

[Hyacinth]

How old is your puppy?

Possibly not a good idea to take your puppy to doggy day care before it has had all its vaccinations - although a responsible place would probably ask to see a certificate of vaccination and etc.

Every day I take my dog early (between 6 and 9am) to a large oval where dogs are allowed off leash, and she gets lots of socialization there. I also like to vary which places I go to from time to time so she gets to meet lots of different dogs and people. The more variety the better. After a good run and breakfast, she's quite happy to snooze for hours.

There was a doggy day care featured on "it's me or the dog" and the dog was clearly very anxious there, clear to Victoria but not to the dog's owners or the people that ran the day care - so you might want to be careful of that too. Dogs would need enough room to sort themselves into those who play well together. A football oval is good. A room in a house or a double garage is too small.

I suppose there is doggy daycare here, but I don't know anyone who uses it.

[Jodz]

A football oval is good. A room in a house or a double garage is too small.

very true, the one we plan on going to they have 'runs' which are 2 x 1 in case the dog needs some time out (quiet time) but there is also 3 large areas of play all fenced off for the different sizes, ages and personalities of dogs...