Comparing the Pros and Cons of a Dog Daycare

When it comes to comparing the pros and cons of dog daycare, it boils down to finding the right facility for your dog and making sure he is of the temperament and age where he will enjoy it.

The Various Types of Facilities – Where Does Your Dog Fit?

There are a variety of dogcare facilities where you can leave your pet. Indoor daycare facilities offer a controlled indoor environment and outdoor leashed walks. Indoor/outdoor dog daycares provide the most freedom as dogs have full rein to run inside and outside. You can find some private dogcare facilities in homes as well. In larger facilities, dogs that tend to be more social do well while more anti-social dogs do better in smaller, in-home environments where they receive more human-to-dog contact.

A Healthy Atmosphere

Most dog daycares present a healthful environment as all dogs are required to be spayed, neutered and have the proper vaccinations against infections and parasites. In addition, dogs do not have to wait to go as they do at home and therefore you’re saved from cleaning up an accident.

Socialization Promotes Good Behavior

One of the most important benefits of dog daycare is the fact that dogs are able to interact and play with other dogs which assists in helping them become less destructive at home. Bad behaviors such as jumping up, chewing, digging and barking can result out of boredom when a dog isn’t able to socialize. Dogs that are well-exercised and tired after a day at dog daycare are also better behaved canines.

Matching Your Dog to the Daycare Facility

Dogs that tend to do well in dog daycare are usually young dogs under 2 years of age. Sporting breeds that have high requirements for exercise, such a spaniels and pointers, tend to be well-suited to large indoor/outdoor daycare facilities. Difficult daycare breeds, such as Rottweilers, certain terriers and pit bulls are better suited to smaller in-home settings. Nonetheless, they can be introduced into a larger facility around the age of five months with good results.

Herding breeds can have a hard time adjusting in larger facilities that offer dogs more freedom to run and play. They often do better in daycares that provide defined and structured activities. Older dogs too can find large facilities much too stressful and enjoy smaller one-on-one environments. Any dog can be monitored more easily in daycare by teaching him basic commands, such as “sit” or “wait.” Also, when considering daycare options, make note of the facilities whose staff offer positive reinforcement to dogs exhibiting good behavior. They’re the kind of people you want watching your pet.

Making the Most of the Daycare Experience

Dogs that do well in dog daycare visit the facility or home about three times a week. Even dogs can get too much of a good thing and three times a week has been found to offer the optimum benefits for the socialization a happy dog needs.

Dog daycare is an excellent way for your dog to obtain the exercise and social skills he requires. In most cases, the pros outweigh the cons many times over.