kicked out of doggie daycare-sorry long

[bxrwiggles]

Jesse got kicked out of doggie-daycare last week. I'm SO upset about it as it also impacts my other boxer Jazz who used to go with him. He's had 2 incidents there within the last 2 months after having none for the whole 2 years he's been going. The 1st incident he was cornered and attacked by a deaf boxer. He was trying to get away from the dog and was then cornered and retaliated. The 2nd incident he supposedly went after another boxer unprovoked and bit the other dog's ear requiring stitches and an overnight vet stay. The owner of the facility said that Jesse was a dangerous dog and doesn't have any bite inhibition. I'm having a bit of difficulty accepting it was "unprovoked" as I was told that there were 80 dogs in daycare that day with only 1 person watching them. How can 1 person possibly see everything that was going on?? Besides I find that totally irresponsible management. I guess things happen for a reason and maybe it's for the best as it doesn't sound like that environment is a safe one anymore for any of the dogs there.

I got Jesse when he was 1 yr. old. He was with his breeder up until then with other boxers including his sister and also boston terriers. Wouldn't he have learned bite inhibition from the other dogs as a puppy? If he didn't have bite inhibition wouldn't my other dog Jazz have severe bite marks with major damage to her when they play rough? If this is true, is it possible to teach bite inhibition to an adult dog?

I knew he had fear issues when I got him only I didn't know what an impact or how extensive that would be as he matured. I have attended classes with him and worked with trainers in the past. I'm wondering now if I shouldn't see a behaviorist to get him temperament tested to see what I'm really dealing with. I haven't been able to locate a behaviorist in my area - Connecticut. Does anyone know of or can recommend a behaviorist in my area? If I have to I would also consider going out of state to Massachusetts or New York but would prefer someone close by who could observe him in his neighborhood environment.

 

[kpowell]

I just wanted to say that I hope this situation works out for you. I'm sorry I can't offer any answers to your questions.

 

[simmons]

Ohh, I'm sorry to hear that Jesse got kicked out of doggie daycare. However, if you say there are 80 dogs to 1 person I would agree, things do happen for a reason. This is not a very safe environment and would not feel OK with this.

I don't think it would hurt to get a behaviourlist for Jesse, especially if you do go to another doggie daycare. You can say that he has seen a professionalist. I went to this website, http://www.apdt.com/po/ts/us.asp just type in your zipcode and it should tell you if there are any behaviourlist in your area. Make sure it is not just a trainer though!! Or even ask your vet if they reccomend anyone near your area.

Good Luck!!

 

[Scrappysmom]

I don't have any advice regarding bite inhibition but a behaviorist may help. Sorry I don't know anyone in Connecticut- I live in rural Idaho. I do think that 80-1 ratio of dogs to people sounds dangerous to me. Were they over-crowded and stressed? Good luck.

 

[Ronin1]

How big is the facility where Jesse was going? Unfortunately, you are only getting the assessment of this one faciltiy. That said, a facility that allows 80 dogs to be watched by ONE person which is completely unacceptable as well as unsafe. Fights between dogs can erupt in a split second! The daycare that Ronin goes to has a limit of 20 dogs per day and there are always three people watching the dogs at all times. IMHO, things DO happen for a reason and I would think that having him not attend this particlar facility any longer is a really good one!

 

[bxrwiggles]

How big is the facility where Jesse was going?

The facility is a pretty big place. They provide many services besides daycare: boarding, grooming and a few training classes. The daycare is an indoor and outdoor facility. The outdoors is pretty big and all fenced in with privacy fencing except for the area where the dogs enter. If you board your dog there you have the option for an additional cost of having your dog participate in the daycare. So, being that it's the summer and many people are on vacation their kennels have been at capacity and I'm sure a lot of the boarded dogs were added to the daycare which helped drive up the number of dogs. However, they still should have had more people watching the dogs. The boarded dogs were probably stressed because they weren't at home with their family and ultimately could affect the rest of the "pack". They also did mention to me that about 10 minutes prior to his incident a customer entered the entryway area and this is not allowed (so why was she back there?). This made the dogs all anxious and stressed. Even when it's not a heavy vacation period they still would get more than 25 dogs. It's a very popular place. Some people drive from over 1/2 hr. away just to bring their dogs there.

On both days that these incidents occurred the primary daycare person, whom Jesse has known for 2 yrs. and absolutely loves was on vacation. He has 2 rescued boxers of his own so he knows the breed pretty well. They had hired a new guy to help out in the afternoons and he was in charge when these happened. By the way, the owner of this facility came highly recommended from several trainers. He works with several boxer, lab and rescue groups in the area.

 

[Ronin1]

Wow! It does sound like a really good, reputable place! Perhaps it was just a case of too many dogs, plus a new handler with so many dogs at once? Can you possibly appeal the decision as this type of incident has never happended before (supposely unprovoked)? Possibly just a "probation" for the dogs involved? Did this new handler actually see this last incident happen? There is another dog at Ronin's daycare who was put on temporary "probation" until he "learns some manners" - but he will be allowed back when such "manners" have been accomplished. I hope that you can work it out with this place and they are willing to work with you and KJ and reach a compromise with you. Ronin just loves going to his daycare and I'm sure that KJ feels exactly the same way!

 

[nswain]

Possibly just a "probation" for the dogs involved? Did this new handler actually see this last incident happen? There is another dog at Ronin's daycare who was put on temporary "probation" until he "learns some manners" - but he will be allowed back when such "manners" have been accomplished.

This happened with a dog at Grumpy's old daycare too... the daycare owner just asked that the dog work with a behaviorist before returning to daycare for another try. Maybe since yours has training on-site, they would be willing to let Ronin return after a few sessions with one of their trainers? Or if you found a behaviorist on your own, if Ronin could return once the behaviorist said he had worked on his inhibition (or, if the behaviorist said that Ronin was an angel who would never bite unprovoked )

 

[Ronin1]

It wasn't Ronin I was talking about The other doggie without the manners is a Rhodesian Ridgeback Coincidently, his name is Ronin too and he and MY Ronin always used to play together.

 

[SILLY6PAK]

I do not care how big the place or who recommends it, 80 dogs to 1 caregiver is TOTALLY unacceptable.
My SIL had a happy go lucky, laid back Boxer until he was put into a large daycare situation. He is now dog aggressive. My SIL is a stay at home mom. She only did doggie daycare because Owen loves (loved) other dogs and she was worried he was lonely.