Doggy daycare can be a great option for energetic dogs and their busy owners. It can also be a perfect setting for socializing puppies and keeping adult dog’s social skills polished. As doggy daycare providers with years of experience, we often field questions about how doggy daycare works, and what kinds of dogs would be good candidates for it, as well as what options there are for dogs who are not suitable for a daycare setting. As such, we’d like to share some helpful insights and information to help answer these questions.
How to Choose a Daycare
Not all doggy daycares are the same in the way that they are designed and operated. Some have free-play all day, some divide dogs into smaller groups, some do intermittent crating, etc. The trick is finding what you think would be the best fit for your dog. In addition to your own research, be sure to ask around for referrals. A good referral from a friend is a great place to start. If you don’t have friends with recommendations, your vet can also be a valuable source of information.
Any daycare you look into should be very open to discussing your questions and concerns with you, and allow you to come in to tour the facility and see things for yourself. They should be interested in making sure your dog is a good fit for their particular program, just as much as you are, because each and every dog contributes in their own way to the cohesiveness of the group.
How much does doggie daycare cost?
Based on some recent figures published by Angie’s List, pet day care costs range from $25 to $50 per day with an average cost of about $42 per day and covers about 12-13 hours of care. This will vary based on location, you can expect to pay more in major metropolitan areas and whether or not you are doing full or half-day pet care. Half-day care ranges from $6- $25 and covers about 5 hours of care. Additionally, some kennels will provide a package deal for regular customers that reduces the daily fee considerably.
Deciding If Doggy Daycare Would Work for Your Dog
It’s pretty simple: does your dog enjoy the company of other dogs? If he does, daycare can be a great outlet for his or her extra energy, either to enrich his usual exercise routine, or to take care of it for you if your work schedule leaves little time to squeeze in the exercise your dog needs during the day.
If your dog prefers human interaction, there are plenty of other options out there for stimulation and exercise. There are many facilities which offer more individualized, one-on-one care for less social dogs. You may also consider hiring a dog walking service, which keeps your dog in his or her comfort zone.
We understand that you wouldn’t leave your dog with just anyone. The best thing you can do, in the end, is to thoroughly research your options and to drop in for a tour at any place you consider.
