Doggie daycare - what you need to know
First of all what is doggie daycare?
Doggie daycare is the care of your dog by professionals when you aren’t able to or you don’t want your dog to be alone for a prolonged period usually over 4 hours. Daycare can be in a home or a commercial space.. Both have positives but it’s worth having a think about what age your dog or puppy is and what their personality is like before making a choice. Large commercial daycare centres can be overwhelming to a puppy, elderly or a more introverted dog as there will be many dogs in close proximity it will be hard for you dog to have time out which can be stressful and can in some cases lead to aggression.
What are the benefits of doggie daycare for your dog?
There are multiple benefits to doggie daycare for a dog which will in turn make your life much easier. The prime one being they won’t be alone! Daycare either in a home or a large commercial centre will have a day of activities planned for your dog which will consist of socialisation with other dogs, exercise on and off the premises, feeding, training, time out periods for naps, play and most importantly lots of affection and interaction from humans = calm, happy and fulfilled dogs!
What questions should you ask the daycare company?
There are important questions to ask potential daycare providers which you shouldn’t feel embarrassed or awkward about asking. These questions are crucial for finding the right 2nd home for your dog.
Do you have a licence?
All daycare and boarding facilities have to have a licence which is registered with their local council, you should check this out on your local councils website.
How many dogs does your licence allow you to look after in a day?
It’s important to understand that numbers are restricted for a reason. If you mix too many dogs into one environment it can become incredibly stressful. That’s why the council do regular check-ups on doggie daycare providers to ensure they are sticking to the amount of dogs allowed on their licence per day. The daycare provider has to have a separate space in their property that each dog can retreat to on their own if they want space.
Are you insured?
Insurance is crucial to protect both the daycare provider and your dog in the unlikely event anything should go wrong.
Can I see your qualifications?
All daycare providers should pass, at the bare minimum, an Ofqual Level 2 daycare and boarding certificate in the UK. We felt at The Brighton and Hove Pet Concierge that we should go for the highest qualification of Level 3 daycare and boarding for absolute peace of mind for our clients.
Are you trained in animal first aid?
Anyone providing daycare and boarding facilities should be trained in animal first aid.
What happens in an emergency?
What should happen is your dog is taken for medical care immediately. The daycare facility should look at their records to see who your veterinarian is but if they aren’t the closest at the time then it might be that your dog is taken to the daycare providers own vets practice. You should then be notified about the emergency and told where the dog is being treated in order to come and be with them. If that’s not possible then the daycare provider may be able to stay in your place and you will be kept up to date. Nb.: In the very unlikely event that your dog passes away in the care of the daycare or boarding provider it’s worth stating if you wish to be notified whilst you are away on holiday or elsewhere. It’s a very personal choice but needs to be thought about and you should notify the provider in advance of leaving your dog in their care. This would mainly apply to medically vulnerable or elderly dogs.
Is everyone DBS checked that works for you?
Everyone should be DBS checked that works in a daycare or boarding environment. This is mainly to protect your dog from anyone who has caused harm to animals previously.
How much experience do you have with dogs?
It’s fare to say daycare and boarding providers are usually very experienced handlers of dogs with years of experience and have an enormous passion for dogs but it is worth just asking anyway.
Is daycare suitable for puppies?
It’s rare but in some cases daycare providers offer a 1/2 day of daycare which is great for puppies to get them used to being in a different environment to their home. It’s also good for introverted or anxious dogs and helps alleviate any anxiety separation they may be experiencing.
Will my dog fit into a home daycare environment?
It’s a really good idea to think about your dogs specific personality above your needs when choosing a daycare provider. If they are very timid it’s a good idea to ease them into daycare with a provider who does one on one daycare for example. Even though home daycare is really restricted on how many dogs they are allowed to care for it can still be intimidating for a timid puppy or dog.
Do home doggie daycare companies have to follow regulations? If so what are they?
In a nutshell yes there are very strict guidelines and regulations in place to protect your dog that all doggie daycare centres or home environments have to adhere to. Here are some examples:
Ventilation: All facilities must have good ventilation throughout ie: a window in every room a dog has access to and be secure to ensure that a dog can’t escape.
Lighting: All facilities should be well lit throughout.
Heating: Should be throughout the property and easily controlled according to the temperature outside.
Space: Needs to be big enough for all dogs to not feel stressed in each others company. Each dog needs their own room to get time out from other dogs if they want.
Well maintained property: The property should be in good repair to protect your dog from injury.
Secure garden: The garden/exercise area must be completely secure and escape proof.
For much more in-depth information on the rules and regulations of daycare and boarding facilities in the UK check out the animal welfare act specifically related to home daycare and boarding.
Will I receive feedback from my daycare provider?
Yes you will receive feedback but only to make the experience for your dog more enjoyable, it should never be taken as a personal attack on you as the owner. For instance the daycare provider may notice that there are signs your dog isn’t feeling well or has developed a rash, isn’t eating what they normally eat or has been aggressive towards another dog in their care. It’s important you know what’s going on so you can help try to resolve any issues and the daycare provider can work with you to help.
Nb: In certain instances where your dog is bullying or being aggressive towards another dog the daycare provider has to think about the welfare of all the animals in their care so have the right to refuse problematic dogs.
As professionals, who are used to working with dogs of all sizes, breeds and personalities, they have good insight into what makes a dog happy and healthy. Listen to their advice when it comes to potential behavioural problems with your dog, they genuinely want to help.
What to pack for their day at daycare?
It’s crucial that at the bare minimum you pack a little bag that contains your dogs meals and treats for the period of their stay with the daycare provider. Make sure they are wearing a collar with a tag that has your surname, not their name (recommended by the police), your phone number and address printed or engraved onto the tag and a lead. If your dog requires any medication notify your daycare provider in good time and write the instructions on how and when to give the medication. For newbies it’s important that they have their favourite toy with them and something else that smells of your home like a comforting blanket that they normally lie on that can be placed on their bed at daycare.