Finding a good daycare for your dog
There are several ways you can find a doggy daycare in your area. Check your phone book under listings such as “dog daycare,” “kennels,” and “boarding.” Some boarding kennels offer daycare and they will advertise their service under their kennel listing Dog trainer near me.
You can also ask other pet professionals such as veterinarians and pet groomers. They are likely to know of some day cares that cater to dogs in your area. Ask at your local pet stores and check bulletin boards for ads there. Some of the bigger pet store chains even offer dog daycare services.
Finally, you can go online and see if there are any advertised in your area. Your odds of finding doggy daycares advertised online are probably best if you live in a larger urban area, but some places advertise in suburban and rural areas, too.
Check the place out
Not all daycares are the same and you sometimes hear about such places that do not take good care of the dogs. Before you trust your dog to one of these places, ask around about the place you intend to use. Visit the place in person. Drop by without warning in the middle of the day. Talk to other clients. Make sure that the place where you intend to leave your dog for hours each day will take good care of him.
There are no licenses or credentials required to open a doggy daycare so anyone can take in dogs and call themselves a doggy daycare. You don’t have to be a dog trainer to care for dogs well, but a good doggy daycare should have facilities that are large enough for the dogs to play and rest; the ability to separate the dogs; plenty of toys; and they should have enough people to play with and help with the dogs. Make sure the facilities are clean and pleasant, too.
After you find a doggy daycare
Once you start taking your dog to a daycare, pay attention to how your dog likes the place. Is he happy to go there everyday? Does he seem to like the people there? Does he get along well with the other dogs? Once again, an unannounced visit occasionally is a good idea to see how your dog is being treated. If he is being kept in a crate all day, you should find another doggy daycare. If your dog comes home with bites or scratches, you need to ask questions. Dogs should be supervised when they play together and fighting should not be a common occurrence.
With a little searching you should be able to find a doggy daycare in your area. Take time to check it out before you take your dog there. Then follow up and make sure that your dog is being treated well.