Author Topic: Doggie Daycare  (Read 7082 times)

Offline London_Pyr_Lover

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Doggie Daycare
« on: August 14, 2008, 11:18:41 am »
So I've decided to put Naja into Doggie Daycare next week for a few days while I'm working and going to school for like 16 hours a day to let her get some excercise and socialise a bit.  I feel REALLY guilty because for the last week I leave the house at 6:30, and I don't get home till 10 pm.  She's been cooped up every day with no walks or runs through the fields.  :-[

The place I'm taking her to is called Country Paws Boarding, and it looks really nice, the best part is, it's only like 3 miles away from my house, and they only charge $15/day for the day care program.  Here's they're website: http://countrypaws.com

So my question is for those of you who have had your fur babies in daycare.  I'm going tomorrow to check out the facilities and pay for the week, what should I look for and what questions should I be asking?
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Offline Scootergirl

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Re: Doggie Daycare
« Reply #1 on: August 14, 2008, 02:27:50 pm »
hmmm... I don't have anyone in Doggie Daycare, but I'm thinking about it for when we move to San Antonio.

I would ask: do they crate them at any time and, if so, for how long.

Do they have separate play areas for big dogs and small dogs

How do they handle fights if they break out

what would they do if your dog gets injured and they couldn't get ahold of you right away

how do they discipline the dogs

what is the ratio of dogs to caretakers (for instance, do they have 50 dogs and only 2 employees)
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Offline pyr4me

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Re: Doggie Daycare
« Reply #2 on: August 14, 2008, 02:56:59 pm »
When I was pregnant with twins and let's say, not quite as mobile, and after I had my babies and was exhausted, I had Tipper in doggie day care and it was the BEST thing ever.  I loved that I basically got two days worth of exercise out of one day at daycare--obviously the day he was actually at daycare and the following day he was so pooped out that he just rested all day.  ;D

I would look at the overall conditions of the daycare--cleanliness (do they have a separate area for pottying?) and what kind of floor do they have--is it slippery, which poses risk of injury for roughhousing dogs?

How do they handle dogs who play very differently? Do they separate them? Do they allow dogs to harass another? Basically, do they have a quiet area for dogs who need a break and want to rest a bit?

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Offline ZooCrew

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Re: Doggie Daycare
« Reply #3 on: August 14, 2008, 08:17:02 pm »
I echo what the others have already said.  My main concern would be the amount of employees per number of dogs, and how they divide up the dogs.  Are they all in one big room?  Or broken up into smaller groups in several rooms?  One big room is fine.......act ually its probably better b/c if the dogs want to get away, they can just lay around the edge and for the most part shouldn't be bothered.  Can't do that as well in smaller rooms.

I currently work for a doggie day care facility and there are several things I would change if I ran the place.  :P

Offline vmimom2006

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Re: Doggie Daycare
« Reply #4 on: August 15, 2008, 07:32:26 am »
Athena goes to daycare 3 days a week. It is very clean and they have a large carport over the fenced area so they can stay dry and shaded. There is a baby pool in there too. They keep the large dogs away from the small ones. If it gets too hot outside they are taken in to a play area indoors that has AC to keep them cool. The kennel is run by a vet tech and she specializes in training agressive breed dogs. She also breeds Rotties. She also only puts doges together after they have been evaluated for their temperament. I just can't say enough good things about her. Athena just loves it there and it is also where I kennel her when I have to go out of town. It is called "Camp Haven Kennels" in PA. Good luck and your baby will love you for this for sure!
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Offline London_Pyr_Lover

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Re: Doggie Daycare
« Reply #5 on: August 15, 2008, 08:34:16 am »
Hey thanks for all the great advice guys!!  I'm gonna go in loaded with an awesome aresonal of inquiries!   :D

I'm gonna go check them out by myself today after work, I'm only going to have like 15 minutes though cause I work till 4 and have school at 5.  But I'm going to see if I can't go in tomorrow with Naja for a little informal interview type thinger.  Just to see her reaction to them, and theirs to her.  :)
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Offline shangrila

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Re: Doggie Daycare
« Reply #6 on: August 15, 2008, 01:39:22 pm »
Some of the things I would make sure to ask about: *temperature control
*amount of space and if there are seperate play yards
*number of employees and how they interact with dogs
*what they do when there is an issue
*if they are crated (it's typical for them to be crated during lunch hour) and what size the crates are
*If there is always water available and if it's uindoors what do they do if theres an accident
*DO they do dog interviews to prevent aggressive dogs from being there?

I would also just basically go on my gut feeling about the overall feel of the place, the cleanliness, and the personality of the staff
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Offline marinafb

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Re: Doggie Daycare
« Reply #7 on: August 16, 2008, 05:08:10 am »
So I've decided to put Naja into Doggie Daycare next week for a few days while I'm working and going to school for like 16 hours a day to let her get some excercise and socialise a bit.  I feel REALLY guilty because for the last week I leave the house at 6:30, and I don't get home till 10 pm.  She's been cooped up every day with no walks or runs through the fields.  :-[

The place I'm taking her to is called Country Paws Boarding, and it looks really nice, the best part is, it's only like 3 miles away from my house, and they only charge $15/day for the day care program.  Here's they're website: http://countrypaws.com

So my question is for those of you who have had your fur babies in daycare.  I'm going tomorrow to check out the facilities and pay for the week, what should I look for and what questions should I be asking?

This is where i take Bryce he loves it and WAITS BY TO DOOR STARTING AT 10pm the night before. Check out the staff are they vet techs trainners what type of schooling have they had? How may humans are there to dogs. They have web cams and i can see Bryce anytime of the day i also call and ask how is he doing. They have 3 areas for Big -Med-Small and a huge outdoor area.Make sure the place is clean and they will love your dog like you do!Bryce loves Leanne and Stacy they have worked with him and now he is king of the Pack he has many friends and loves to play with the little dogs good luck and if it does'nt feel right you will know!


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Offline London_Pyr_Lover

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Re: Doggie Daycare
« Reply #8 on: August 18, 2008, 09:13:49 am »
Well she's in there for her very first day, and I'm a worried wreck as usual!  ::)  I've been trying to call to check up on her for about 1/2 hour now.  Finally got through and they say she's playing well with the others, and is very friendly with the staff.  Phew! Huge sigh of relief!  My mother was going to go pick her up tonight, but I think I'm gonna just go when I get off work at 4, I don't mind being a little late for school for this.  I just wish they had web cams!  lol  My mind would be put SOOO much more at ease if I could check on her with a sneaky mommy spy web cam.  lol

I hope they don't get annoyed that I'll be calling often.  Well maybe not often, but I'd like to check in on her again 1 more time before I pick her up.  I know, I'm a huge dork!  ::) :)
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