doggie daycare ?'s

[SC's Mom]

Any advice from anyone who puts their baby in daycare would be appreciated.
Other than the obvious (clean, friendly, well staffed) what should I look for in a doggie daycare? What questions should I ask? What questions should I ask about the staff?
I'm going to do a suprise visit at the one I'm thinking of using and we'll also attend a few playgroups that they have before we use daycare (if we go with it).
I'm not experienced at all in this and the only other daycare I checked out was a definate NO because the outside yard was clean nor safe IMO and they said they would train Caesar to learn their commands! I DON'T THINK SO! No training will be done when I or my hubby is not present. (Or then again, is this standard and I'm just being a freak?)
Thanks for any input/advice.

T. and Caesar

 

[emma'sdad]

ur not being freaky at all

i take my girl to a dog sitter a few times week, and she loves it. it gives her a chance to run and play w/ other dogs. i can see a big differance in her on days she goes and when she doesn't. i'm not sure what Q. to ask but, i called a vet near by and asked for there recomedations, and they gave me some names and i called and spoke w/ a few people.

as far as them traning ur dog i can understand why that would bother you, because you dont know what traning methods they use.

but it would also be benifital to have the dog know one set of uniform comands. for safty reasons. i think that if they where using positve reinforsment methods for traning then that wouldn't be that bad.

one thing that you may want to ask is if you can speak w/ any of they current or past customers. that way you can see how there dogs did there. and ask if they ever seemed to fear going there, that could mean that they are being abused.

hope i helped, leray

 

[jynyowens]

We found that the doggie day care by our house had obedience classes. We talked to them before we signed up to see what their philospy and clicker training ideas were all about. After we like the instructors and met some staff we bit the bullet and left him. I remember they were sticklers on getting the medical & shot records from our vet. But that may be something to ask- What there standards are for immunizations. I would say if you dont' want them to teach any commands then you should find someone who has the same training philosphy as you so you dont send mixed messages to your baby. Good Luck! Its a hard decision!

 

[Jan]

I would look for a doggy day care that doesn't allow free play all day long. They need rest periods.

 

[SC's Mom]

I had a long chat with the owner of the daycare (my vet rec'd her). They have between 2-4 staff members at all times. They have indoor and outdoor facitlites, Couches for the dogs to lounge on, they can be put in other rooms if a break is needed, separated for feedings (if they are there long enough to warrant a meal), and no training without owner authorization. Naturally, they have to be screened first and medical records given before their first day.
I'm going to do a suprise visit this week to see what's up and also I want to see what the outdoor facitlity is like. I also feel good that the vet they use if an emergency arises if my vet. I love my vet! He and the staff are so awesome with Caesar. They know him well and know that I would never skimp on anything that C may need.
Thanks for all the advice!