| Dog day care is growing in popularity. It | | | | them by giving them dogs to play with and |
| started in California in 1987 and has been | | | | people around. |
| spreading across the country every since. | | | | |
| | | | Check out these factors when choosing a dog |
| I must admit it's not something I was aware | | | | day care center. |
| of. Of course, I know about kennels - a place | | | | |
| to take your dog if you just can't take him | | | | Are the employees trained? Some have been |
| with you on a trip but not dog day care. | | | | trained in dog behavior, first aid and |
| Isn't it child day care? Anyway, one day when | | | | obedience training. |
| I was talking with my son he mentioned he was | | | | |
| taking his dog to dog day care the next day. | | | | Is the facility clean? Is there an area |
| What's that? Anyway he said he dog loved | | | | specifically for the dogs to potty? How does |
| going there and he even had a dog friend. | | | | the center smell? |
| Well, I had to look into this and so here is | | | | |
| what I came up with. | | | | Is the facility overcrowded? |
| | | | |
| Dog day care is much like day care for | | | | Is the staff to dog ratio good? One staff |
| children. You drop your dog off in the | | | | member to every 10-15 dogs is optimun. |
| mornings and pick him up after work. Your dog | | | | |
| gets to socialize with other dogs, gets | | | | Does it look like the staff enjoys the dogs? |
| outdoor exercise, have activities, play games | | | | |
| like fetch. They even have nap time! They | | | | Is there a security fence around the outdoor |
| have tug toys, balls and toys to climb on. | | | | areas? Are they high enough to prevent dogs |
| Some places have couches, chairs and even | | | | from jumping over? |
| bean bags for them. They even can attend an | | | | |
| obedience class. | | | | Midday meals? |
| | | | |
| These centers are generally in a large open | | | | Do they give medications? |
| space like a renovated warehouse. They have | | | | |
| an area for large dogs and one for small | | | | To get in a center your dog needs: |
| dogs. They will also have a large outdoor | | | | |
| area. | | | | Current vaccinations. |
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| Some centers have cameras going that you can | | | | Flea prevention |
| get on the internet and see what your dog is | | | | |
| doing. Do child care centers have that? | | | | Sprayed/neutered |
| | | | |
| These dog day care centers are great for | | | | Dog must get along with other dogs. |
| people who feel guilty about spending so much | | | | |
| time away from their dogs. They offer dog | | | | Some centers have other services like |
| owners options giving their dog a day of play | | | | overnight boarding, dog training and grooming |
| rather than boredom and loneliness at home. | | | | facilities. Some will even pick your dog up |
| They get to interact with other dogs, get | | | | and home and return him at night. |
| exercise and have fun. | | | | |
| | | | I found cost from $15.00 a day to $35.00 a |
| You know some dogs get so lonely and bored at | | | | day plus weekly rates so shop around. |
| home alone they get into mischief like | | | | |
| chewing on shoes, furniture and whatever they | | | | These dog day care centers do provide a safe |
| can find. Some dogs suffer from separation | | | | and healthy atmosphere with lots of |
| anxiety so this would be a great way to help | | | | interaction with people and other dogs. |