Tell me about your daycare experience

[kofi'sworld]

So friday kofi went for her interview at a nearby doggy daycare... Needless to say i didn't know what to expect... she was fine for the people part (where they aggression tested her with various handling ) but when it came to the dog part she freaked... she was barking and circling and here was the nicest dog ever that they brought in for her to meet and she never settled down... she didn't bite but she barked an awful lot and kofi is not a barker... the woman at the facility seemed completely inexperienced but she said it was normal.. that kofi was just protecting my bf and i, but i don't know... she also said that kofi would probably do better without me there and that they wouldn't throw her into the yard with all the dogs first but slowly make the introductions... i wasn't convinced... i love the idea of daycare because she does have so much energy and i do not, but i do not want to traumatize my dog... so... for the experienced daycare dogs.. is this how they react?

 

[tanya22]

How old is Kofi?
Ava barked nonstop (very embarassing) at our first puppy class. She settled down in the following weeks. She was just so excited. We do not have a doggie day care near us but I think she would have loved it. She always had a hard time socializing with other dogs because of her exeberance. She would just over power other dogs. In a friendly way but annoying all the same.

 

[kofi'sworld]

Kofi is 15 months now and has already been around other dogs albeit in controlled enviornment (petsmart 1 &2 basic)... i just don't think she likes other big dogs... but isn't she supposed to?

 

[Krikkit]

woman at the facility seemed completely inexperienced

FWIW, I'd not leave my babies anywhere if I felt the people running the facility were not overly dog savy - and it's amazing how many people working in dog care are really not up to scratch on understand dogs - frightening really :eek: . It would be hard for even a very experienced person to tell you why Kofi acted the way she did, but an experienced person would have the knowledge and skills to help Kofi with this and apply appropriate management at daycare.

As far as her not liking bigger dogs (if this is the case), my first Boxer, Bo, was like this. He adored little dogs and dogs up to his size, but did not like the bigger ones. It was really no big deal and we knew what he was like, and he had a lot of training so it never became an 'issue'.

Maybe it was just stress?

Good luck with Kofi's daycare Are you able to 'shop around' at all with this, or are your choices limited?

Sharon

 

[Stacy W.]

I would definatly reconsider using a daycare if you feel that the staff at that daycare are "inexperienced". I had a bad experience with a daycare when I first got my dog. I felt that the owner of the daycare was fearful of my dog and to make a long story short, I quickly withdrew my dog from the daycare. Unfortunatly, I live in a fairly rural area and this daycare is the only on in the area, so that means that my dog has to spend most days in her kennel. On days where I have to work late, she goes to my parents house for the day. Not the perfect solution, however, It is better than worring about how she is being treated at the daycare all day. I work very hard on training my dog and treating her right (as just about everyone on this board does) and I would never want to put my dogs safety or her training at risk with a daycare that has staff that are anything less than expert dog people!

 

[Layla's Mom]

Hi,

I noticed that you were also from NJ--what part?? I take Layla to daycare in West Orange and I also had a trial period with introductions. They would not let me be where Layla could see me, but I could watch her. The first time they started introducing Layla to the dogs one at a time and I noticed she started drooling profusely--something she only does when she is stressed. I think that it was just so new to her. Once I left they said that she kept to herself mainly and that she would come out of her shell eventually. Well she is now the maniac of daycare!! She absolutely loves it!! She pulls me into the place and doesn't want to leave! I think it justs takes them a while. As for the supervision, this center has a very large staff in charge of the dogs at all times and the two owners are dog behaviorists as well. Feel free to contact me for info if this is in your area and if you are interested.

Taryn and Layla

 

[adeinert]

When my boxers went to daycare, they wanted me to be hidden also. They said they would behave differently if I was not around. They reportedly were perfect angels the whole time, not the roughnecks they are at home in the yard!:p

I know they enjoyed it there because when I pulled up, Tulley's hind end would swish side to side where he could hardly walk! Jilly would dash back and forth from me to the daycare worker- in anticipation but she always has trouble leaving me.

Mine enjoyed the experience. I visited without dogs and got a really good feeling from the staff before I chose this place.

When they first started, Jilly was in the big dog room and Tulley was in the puppy room. The only problem they had was overnighting there. Jilly kept jumping the five foot "bedroom" wall to go other places. Tulley would get an upset tummy after a few nights. But, for the daytime, they loved it!

Ashlie

 

[kofi'sworld]

Thanks guys for all the replies.. I've called another center and made an appointment for an interview... I can shop around and I intend to do so... Maybe after my next experience I'll feel more comfortable with the whole process.... I just feel dreadful leaving her with anyone... although I think daycare would be the best thing for her with me away as much as I am... alrighty.. i'll keep you guys posted about the next interview

 

[bellagirl]

I have a two year old boxer named Bella. She is the only dog along with three cats, yes three cats. She has shown some aggression towards other dogs but taking her to daycare has been wonders. I live in Charlotte, NC and decided to look at a couple bc I felt gulity leaving her at home all day.

Take the time to look into different daycares but also take the time to talk to the people who will be working with the dogs. When you go to the center makes sure that your boxer can't interact with you. If your baby is anything like mine, proctection is number 1 while you are around. I have snuck in a couple of times to watch her and she is having the time of her life.


You would not believe the change in her behavior plus the fact that there is nothing cuter then a pooped boxer!!!:D

 

[Siilence]

I work at a doggie daycare and I just wanted to add to what people were already saying about how she acted while you are around...

We never ever let the owners be in the same room with their dog while another dog is present, especially while we are testing them out. A lot of really really great dogs can be very protective especially when they are in an unfamiliar environment which can cause them to do things they ordinarily wouldn't do... We usually let the owners watch through a window and that is fine with them..

It is so funny because a lot of dogs at daycare will act the total opposite of how they act at home! Owners never believe me when I tell them that "Oh boy, he sure likes to bark a lot"... they think i'm crazy since he never barks at home! Or if I tell them that he played with every dog when at home he is very shy towards other dogs... etc.

I think daycare can be an excellent experience for your dog and for yourself, but you HAVE to find the right place. After you find out how they work then think about whether or not you agree with their procedures. Daycares vary so much from place to place... Were I work, we are outside all day. We do not accept agressive or un-altered pets... If a dog bites another dog or gets in a serious fight then they are automatically kicked out... we have a no tolerence rule. We also allow people to come tour at any time of the day so they can see what it is like at all hours.. We never leave the dogs unattended and there is always 1 person per 10 dogs. We are a smaller daycare, which I really like because we have a huge yard and every dog stays together. On a busy day we have 25 dogs...

Some of this stuff may seem like common sense, but there are some bad daycares out there! I toured one once were the facility just seperated the dogs into pens by "level of agressiveness" so all the agressive dogs were together! this makes no sense to me... they also take like 100 dogs a day... yikes... also I have visited a place where the people leave the premises and just let the dogs stay out back!! Granted, it only cost 5$ a day...

Ok ok... I'm getting carried away.. I just like talking about my job! ! I hope you find the right place for your pup!