Doggie Day Care and Dog Parks

[glencorgi]

Thought this might deserve a thread of its own, so I moved Linda's post to start a new one.

Originally Posted by corgimom

Thanks Deb,

So with me taking Cody to dog daycare one day a week or every two weeks, it is really making me feel better thinking that this is something that is good for him or that he needs in regards to socializing This is his boarding facility also, and dog day care is part of the package, meaning, they won't just board your dog in a kennel unless they are over 8 years old; they have to participate in the day care aspect.

I thought that if I took him there on a regular basis, once every two weeks) when we do board him for a couple of days, it would just be easier on him with being socialized with other dogs on a frequent basis. Guess I could be putting my money to better uses knowing that the dog daycare is not something he needs to do; and I will just use the place for boarding when
needed.

And the dog parks are probably more for the owners in regards to their socialization with other dog owners; yet at the same time, the dog expends energy and gets their exercise. So many people get a second dog thinking their dog needs a friend, so really, this is not the case, but just satisfies the owners needs of wanting another dog for what ever reason?(but in the situation where the owner is gone working all day, then a second dog would be helpful)?

[corgimom]

My posting this was to say that I had fallen into the idea in regards to dog day care and doggy play dates,(as you mentioned in "Milos Play date" thread), that Cody needed to have socialization/play dates with other dogs in order to make him a well rounded dog. I see that is not the case and that he can be a happy balanced dog with me and my family even if he does not have doggy playdates or another canine companion in the family. Also, if he didn't seem to enjoy this, I would not take him to participate.

I also was under the thinking that the socialization that he gets from going there would help with him in regards to interacting with other dogs in the neighborhood. There seems to be doggy day cares popping up all over trying to sell us this "idea" and dog parks are becoming popular also. Dog parks are a great way for a dog to expend energy especially for people who live in apartments, or don't have much of a yard for them to run around in, and I suppose it is good for the human socialization aspect of it also, if one desires this; but one could jog/walk with their dog also rather than do the dog park.

Honestly, I am not sure I would have even started taking him to this day care, (which I do, maybe once a week) but because this is a place that I will also board him when we go out of town, I thought the more familiar he is with the place, the easier it will be on him if/when he has to stay there for a few nights.

I remember hearing of a relative that took their dog to day care, and I actually thought it was silly, but here I am doing it myself

So anyway, thanks for moving it here Deb. I would be interested in hearing what others have to say, especially the two or more dog owners. Don't people often get a second dog thinking their first dog needs a friend, or are lonely?

[disraeli]

I thought it would be good for Rhys...and he has enjoyed Andy. But I think I got her more for me.

Rhys also goes to doggy day camp and to the park regularly. So far, Andy has only been to the park once.

[glencorgi]

I had a really nice verbose post started for this thread. However I got called away to make 7 week old Cardigan puppy pictures and just got back in. Upon my return, I found it lost. (Hey, stop that cheering, you might hurt my feelings. ) Anyway, I'll try to get back to it later.

Originally Posted by corgimom

Honestly, I am not sure I would have even started taking him to this day care, (which I do, maybe once a week) but because this is a place that I will also board him when we go out of town, I thought the more familiar he is with the place, the easier it will be on him if/when he has to stay there for a few nights.

The reasoning for taking Cody is very sound. It sounds like you have a good package deal there and in the bigger picture, when you have to board Cody he's in an environment he knows and is happy there. Now do I think or feel some primal need is being fulfilled for Cody - nawww.

Debbie

[corgimom]

And here I thought that I was satisfying some need of his to socialize with other dogs. Last time I was there, the owner said two people who scheduled their dogs for daycare wanted to know what day Cody would be there because they wanted to book their dogs for that day He is becoming popular at this place and they say he plays very well.

[darci]

I really wish we had a boarding place here with daycare, its a great idea to get them used to the facility first.

Our vet does boarding, and we used it about 2 yrs ago with darci while we were on vacation for a week. Came home and she was no longer potty trained.
They only took them out of the crate 2 times a day and no one there over night. I will never do that again.

Since then I have a co-worker that brings her hubby and son and stays at my house when I have to be out of town and takes great care of my babies. I am very lucky to have her, but I need a backup...

[milles2]

Let me first say I am a big fan of day care for dogs so my thoughts are biased.

I thought long and hard about getting Tucker. I am single, travel with my job, never had a dog before. I waited years until in my latest job/move when my situation was just right. My travel is only hours away, not flying across the country for a week at a time.

That being said, a good boarding/sitting service was essential. Day care I believe was to make me feel better about leaving the pup so much (5 days a week to go to the ofiice). I couldn't cope leaving a dog hom alone every day.

As it turned out, my sitter takes dogs into her home for overnights and also runs around collecting clients/dogs for play groups. She isn't specifically doing day care but since Tuck was very good interacting w/ the dogs she offered to day sit him (2 days each week).

What I noticed:
1) The nipping puppy went away. A certain Jack Russell did more to curb the puppy nipping than all my firm training at home.
2) He's never been the least intimidated by another dog regardless of the size (we have 6 Newfies in our Obedience class)
3) He's happy to be dropped off (runs full speed up the driveway to the yard the dogs play in never looking back at me.....) and happy when I pick him up (runs down the drieway to meet me!).
4) He's exhausted!!!!!!! I love a tired dog!
5) and no qualms at all when I GET OUT A SUITCASE TO GO AWAY FOR 2-3 DAYS.

As time went on I found Tuck getting a little snarly around other dogs. Nothing major and it goes away after a few seconds. Yesterday we went to the Halloween Pet Parade. Lulu of course is rolling over on her back subitting to every dog and the first few dogs Tuck was snarly. After 3-4 dogs, he was bopping around sniffing butts and giving smooches.

I could have let him run if I thought he wouldn't be a pest.

I really think the play groups/day care + overnight stays have helped him greatly. Lulu for the most part, follws his lead.

Interestingly .... at day care, Lulu hangs out with 2 dogs Tuck never pays attention to. Tuck follows the puppy sitter's 3 year old dog (a terrier mix who looks like an irish wolfhound puppy) and hangs around mostly w/ him. Charlie (the terrier mix) has been Tuck's mentor since he first started staying w/ them.

If nothing else, it makes me feel good about the fact that they are not alone. So maybe it's more for me than them.....

[aircooled53]

Cooper goes to Snoopy's Dog house maybe 1-2 every couple of months he gets trimmed and if we go out of town he stay's for a couple of days. But, he has a travel crate that we put, him in and he has been to East Texas several times and to tennessee, kansas,arkansas and Louisana. He enjoy's riding as long as we let him check out the rest stops. He has to go just about as much as teen , so we make stops and always get asked " What kind of dog is he"? Pembroke Welsh Corgi.. They just think he is cute and always want to pet him, which Cooper loves.

[tandemgal]

deleted by T-Gal

[Jespah]

I would have liked to have taken Riley to day care in the first year and a half I had her on her own, but it was simply a cost factor for me. The only convenient places were $20 - $25 per day! While she was an only dog, she had many dog friends she saw at least once a day and played and ran with them. I think this made a big difference for her.

While I did get Rupert for me, it made a huge difference in Riley's life too. She was a lot more destructive as a pup than Rupert (I know it's hard to believe) and I think it was from boredom and loneliness. And as most of you know, Rupert suffered greatly from depression and loneliness after Riley died and Jemma has now made a big difference to us both. I don't feel a need to use daycare with the both of them. If money were no object however, I think I would send them a day or so a week for all of the reasons Susan mentioned.

[Dillydoodle]

I think that the idea of daycare and play dates for dogs is a good one. Personally I think that any way you can socialize a dog and get them comfortable with other dogs, people and new situations, the more places you are able to take your dog. The only reason i have not taken dillon to a doggie day care is that the only place i know and trust is a 30 minute drive away and because i work from home 90% of the time, I can take breaks and play with Dillon or walk him to break up the day a bit. If I worked out of the house i would have him in a doggie day care a few days a week to give him an outlet for his energy. I think if more people socialized their dogs at a younger age and got them used to all different people, including babies, other animals, strange noises and situations the less dogs we would find at the shelter being abandoned by their owners for bad behavior ( stemming from lack of PROPER socialization and training)
Emilie