Doggy Daycares/boarding

[corgimom]

deleted.....

[darci]

We have a facility about 45 minutes from my house that is just a boarding, grooming, day care. I havent ever used it, but the have there own room, with a bed and tv and webcam, yes I said webcam. While you are out of town you can log in and see your pooch or cat on the webcam.
They take them out for potty breaks and individual play time, no mingling with other dogs though.

I dont know anyone who has ever used a place like this, but sounds like my kind of place, wonder if they take humans.....lol

I am very lucky I have a friend and her husband come and stay with Darci, spend the night and everything when I have to be out of town and cant take her with me, which isnt very often.

[Michael Romanos]

One needs to be careful about placing your Corgi in a canine day centre because they are often run by people who haven't got the best of intentions.
You shouldn't worry about your Corgi catching fleas etc - if your Corgi has proper protection beforehand. But if it is a free-for-all type centre, then a Corgi could come off second best in any dispute or a big dog 'stampede.' And who knows how the handler will handle your precious Corgi in breaking up a fight.

These centres are growing in NZ - mainly from people who run Kennels for dog stays and they just extend their services to include day care. They will even pick up your Corgi from your house and 'bus' her/him to the centre and deliver him/her back at a given time, feed them during the day and have them exercised if it is not a 'free for all' operation.

I was going to do a story on one day care centre that boasted a three hundred acre property, but this owner didn't even have a proper indoor shelter for inclimate weather. So when it rained all day, there was stormy conditions etc, where did the day care centre dogs go? Not much fun there for pampered pooches when the weather was foul. So I didn't do the story but I think since, the owner of the day care centre has installed a large indoor dog stadium.

Still, for all dogs to get on with each other in a free mixing situation, you have got to have a well mannered laid back Corgi, preferably one that's been "fixed."

Of course if your day care centres are really overnight stays then the terminology is incorrect. A day care centre for dogs is the same principal as a day care centre for children.

I like the idea of Taylor been given a separate room with a couch and pillows and with TV/video facilities and piped music that would reflect Corgis greatest joys (apart from racing around) - love and food.

[glencorgi]

I know some folks from another list who use doggy daycare a couple of times a week; both they and their corgis love it. The corgis get a day out, get to socialize and play hard all day and come home tired puppies. Just as you are checking out the boarding facilty, I'd recommend checking out any doggy daycare you might contemplate using. I believe some do separate dogs out by size and age can be a sorting factor as well. How many people do they have on staff and how many are in supervising the dogs?

I can understand the requirement for the release form, dogs are dogs and not children in furry suits so there is a risk something could happen. The health issues though, I would not be so concerned about as I would believe they should require dogs be in good health and parasite free.

The big question is will the place give Cody the kind of care and attention you want and are you comfortable that you are leaving him in good hands?

Debbie

[corgimom]

Michael,

Well, they call them Doggy daycare, but also offer overnight stay to their
regular customers also. There are several popping up here in our town so
I am checking out my options. My veterinarian used to board animals, but
they have built a new facility and are no longer doing that. I always felt
my pets were safe staying with him because there was a doctor right there
should anything happen.

Anyway, thanks for the info, but I think I am going to feel best with placing
him in a facility where he has his own room - it is always hard anytime you
leave your animal somewhere new.

[Michael Romanos]

I'll have to admit, I've never placed any of my Corgis at any dog care facility ( dog kennels, they're called in NZ). And I still wouldn't want to. Friends, family have been my options over the years. The best people have been other Corgi owners as they treat your Corgi as they would their own. With the Corgi walking group I started a year or so ago, I have already offered two people to look after their Corgis when next they go someplace a Corgi can't and both said they'll take up the offer.

However, it's who and what you know. I did a major story on a person who owns German Shepherds and one of them is a NZ champion at obedience, trialling (tracking etc), and in the show ring and not far off being a champ in agility. The owner runs a small dog care facility and I would trust her with my Taylor.

[corgimom]

Michael, I wish I were as lucky as you to be able to have family close by, but
we don't and my only other option would be to have someone come into my
home(that I don't know), they call themselves Pet sitters, but I really do not
feel comfortable having strangers in my home when I am gone. I am lucky that most of the time when we visit family, I can take Cody with us, but there
will be a couple of situations this summer where that will not be possible.

My vet has said that this boarding facility is reputable and he has been called
by workers there to consult with him regarding a dog that may have
come down with a stomach ailment while the owners were away;so at least
that is a sign that they are trying to do the right thing.

Linda

[Michael Romanos]

Hi Linda
Get several references from the boarding kennels you have been directed to - and follow them all up. Your vet may be a better source for this than taking the cue from the facility owners. I agree with you about commercial home pet services from non-friends. Anyway your Corgi is better off having his own holiday and getting more company than a home pet service usually provides. Give the boarding kennel people a list of instructions. Don't be shy. These instructions could include, the kind and amount of exercising your fellow requires, the particular food he likes and any other attention he should get.