For some people, finding the best dog daycare can be a headache. However, with a few tips up your sleeve, choosing the ‘pawfect’ dog daycare centre can be a cinch. Plus, you can relax knowing your beloved pooch is in good hands!

So, whether you’re returning to work or your hobbies see you spending more and more time away from home, doggy daycare is a great idea. After all, aside from keeping your pet out of mischief, there are many benefits to dog daycare.

5 reasons to send your dog to daycare

In case you’re deliberating whether or not doggie daycare is a good idea, here are a few of the many benefits.

1. Relieve separation anxiety

Particularly in cases where an owner’s routine or lifestyle suddenly changes (for example, a return to work), dogs can develop separation anxiety. As a result, the dog may become destructive; he may chew furniture, scratch at the front door or go to the toilet indoors.

Finding the best dog daycare can do wonders for your dog’s emotional wellbeing. He will meet friends (canine and human) who will help relieve his boredom and keep him occupied so that he no longer feels anxious.

2. Plenty of playtime

Dog daycare is a great way to keep your dog active when you’re not around. He might learn new games and even a new trick or two. Rather than spending all day sleeping, dog daycare encourages your canine chum to exercise, which is good for his health and weight management.

Regular playtime will also mentally stimulate your dog and keep him feeling happy.

3. A safe and caring environment

The problem with leaving your dog at home is that often you have no idea what he gets up to: unless you have a dog cam! He might get hurt or injured and you’d be none the wiser.

Dog daycare gives you peace of mind your dog is safe and being well cared for. Of course, it’s always worthwhile considering dog insurance, as accidents can happen anywhere. Insurance may offer you the added peace of mind that if an accident did happen and your dog should require veterinary attention, you are able to cover the costs without too big an out-of-pocket expense.

4. Socialisation

Without a doubt, socialisation is important for dogs at all ages of life. So whether you have a puppy, a middle-aged dog or a senior fur pal, socialisation is great for their development.

What’s more, at dog daycare your dog gets to socialise with other dogs while under constant supervision. Often dogs of similar sizes, breeds or ages are matched together to help them form a strong and trusted bond.

Of course, you mustn’t rely solely on doggy daycare to socialize your four-legged friend. As a responsible pet owner, it is part of your duty of care to ensure you expose your dog to different situations and environments from a young age. This helps dogs become comfortable meeting new people and other animals.

5. Less guilt

Oh, those puppy dog eyes are the worst, particularly when you’re leaving your dog at home alone! Finding a great dog daycare will ease the guilt of leaving your dog. Knowing your dog is in safe hands and having fun allows you to focus on your work, hobbies or whatever else you need to do.

Choosing the best dog daycare

Certainly, now that we’ve looked at a few (not all) of the benefits of daycare for dogs let’s consider how to choose the best one.

Selecting the best dog daycare really comes down to personal preference and the needs of your four-legged friend. However, there are a few factors to consider and actions to take in order to make an informed decision.

Things to consider

  • Does your dog enjoy the company of other dogs?
  • Does your dog have any behavioural issues that a potential daycare needs to know about?
  • What is the daycare’s behavioural management philosophy?
  • Are indoor and outdoor activities provided?
  • What is the ratio of canines to humans?
  • What does a typical day look like at each dog daycare?
  • Is there a mix of play, rest and exercise offered?
  • What qualifications do the staff have?

Remember, that it’s okay to ask questions when trying to choose the best dog daycare. Any good daycare centre will be happy to answer your questions and open with the information they provide.

Actions to take

Get recommendations—if you have a local Facebook group, create a post asking for recommendations. There are bound to be plenty of other people in your area willing to share their thoughts and opinions on the worst and best dog daycare centres in your area.

  • Go visit – If you find a dog daycare that you like the sound of, get in touch and request a tour of the facilities.
  •  Check vaccinations are up to date – reputable daycare centres will ask to see your dog’s vaccination history.
  • Make sure your pet has a name tag.  You can get a PetIDTag through our partner, with a 20% discount that it automatically applied at checkout.  Click here.

Indeed, dog daycare can be a wonderful experience for your dog. However, it pays to do your research and to find the daycare that best suits your fur baby.

What experiences have you had with dog daycare?

 

Related posts:

 

Photo by Caleb Woods on Unsplash