Preparing your dog for daycare

This article was written by Kat Coyle – Manager and Head Groomer at Doggie Playland, a dog daycare servicing Etobicoke and area.

Email: kat@bittypaws.com

Are you very busy and don’t have enough time to exercise your new pup?

Do you live in an urban area without many leash-free parks around?

Does your dog needs more socializing and exercise than you can provide?

Have you just adopted a new dog and noticed some anxiety when you are not around?

Or are you simply looking to provide your dog with the best life they can have?

If you are asking yourself these questions, doggie daycare may be your answer.

The majority of dogs do really well in a daycare pack environment and benefit from days filled with fun, exercise and socializing however, just like kids, some may need to get used to being away from you and adjust to a new environment.

While most dogs are really happy to attend daycare, others can be nervous at first.

At Doggie Playland, we assess your dog when you first come in and help them through their first day of daycare to ensure they are happy and enjoy their day with us. In addition to this, there are things you can do to advance your dog’s opportunities.

Some dogs can benefit from beginning with just for a few hours at a time, if possible. A half day ( 5 hours) is ideal. This way you give them the chance to get used to the pack . Moreover, a day in daycare is equivalent to a good human work out, so a few half days at the beginning can give some dogs the chance to build up their stamina.
If your dog is well socialized and fit, starting with full day sessions isn’t really a problem. In fact I would say that 80% of the dogs in our care started out with full days.
Naturally, there are always exceptions to the rule and we have dealt with all sorts of scenarios. At the end of the day we will always work with you and your dog, recommend what is best, and guide you through the process.

Some people wonder about the ideal frequency of daycare.

There is no firm formula and it is entirely up to you. While some breeds are fine and thrive on attending daycare as often as every day during the week, most dogs find a good balance with 2-3 times per week. Depending on the situation, once per week may be the right answer.

In summary, daycare is a simple and healthy option for dogs and their owners. What’s best is that at pick-up time your dog is very happy to see you and has an energy level that matches yours after a full day of work.

Now, that’s a dog’s life!! Days full of fun and playmates, evenings ending with a nice meal and cuddling with their human family and love all around. Who wouldn’t want that life?

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