Doggy Daycare
By Barbara Lombardi
There are several reasons to investigate a doggy daycare center in your area. They have something to offer a pet sitter cannot. Take a look and see if any of these situations sound familiar to you.
These days, we all have very busy schedules and can't help but feel terribly guilty about leaving our beloved pet home alone all day. We constantly struggle with the guilt of wanting our pets to receive constant love and attention as well as get enough exercise to keep them healthy and happy. But how do we do it?
How often do you return home from work exhausted, only to be greeted by those sad looking eyes, begging for a nice long walk? But you are too tired. You try to get your pet to wait just a little while, or better yet promise them an extra long walk tomorrow. They put their heads down and settle for a little back scratching. You then kick off your shoes, go through the mail and then make the dreaded mistake of plopping into your favorite chair. Poor puppies. :-(
And what if you have a very young pup that requires frequent walks, not to mention some wide open space to release some of that puppy energy! When we first adopted Nikki, both my husband and I were working full time, and we worried about her getting enough exercise and attention. Luckily for us one of my sisters lived near by, and was willing to stop in every day at luchtime just to give Nikki some time in the yard. But not everyone has a person nearby.
If you live in an apartment or condo, you definitely want your dog to get out and breathe some fresh air, and stretch those little legs. More than likely your pet is an "only puppy" so developing socialization skills becomes important as well. It's good for pets to be among other animals, and doggy daycare is the best place for them to learn how to get along.
Any of these situations sound familiar? Sure they do, but what do you look for when researching a doggy daycare center? Well, the facility should have the following:
- Both outdoor and indoor runs for plenty of exercise.
- Staff on site 24 hours per day 7 days per week.
- Small play groups enabling your pup to interact.
- Overnight stays in case your run late and can't be there on time.
- Some type of report card system so you know how well your sweetheart behaved.
If you are able to find a center with a swimming pool, movies or some music, go for it. Lucky Dogs!
Before you are able to enroll your pet in one of these daycare facilities, you should be asked to attend an interview with your pet. The camp will be looking for signs of aggression (hopefully not from you)and suitability. Dogs in camp should be at least 12 weeks old, all their vaccinations should be current and they must be spayed or neutered if they are older than 7-8 months.
If you and your pup meet the criteria, I think it's a nice treat for your loyal companion to spend a day or two a week at a doggy daycare center. Try it and see for yourself.
About the Author:
After moving to Florida I decided to combine my love for writing with my knowledge of pets. For ten years I owned and operated a local pet sitting service and gained a wealth of information regarding pet care. In addition I have been an English teacher for several years as well as an aspiring writer. I recently completed a Masters Degree in Educational technology and I am looking forward to teaching college classes online. I am freelance writing and living happily in Florida with my husband and our Nikki, the most lovable golden retriever I know.
Article courtesy of Suite101.com.
