Day Care Centers For Dogs: Advantages And Disadvantages
No matter how much time and organization go into not having to leave the care of your dog in the hands of a stranger, sometimes life leaves no choice. This is why doggy day care is becoming more and more popular when taking care of them is really impossible at some point.
These kennels are spaces specifically designed for the accommodation and maintenance of dogs for a limited period of time. If you have ever considered hiring this service, here are the pros and cons to help you decide if it is the most appropriate for your dog.
Advantages of daycare for dogs
Over the years, this service went from being a place where only the animal is fed and housed to real residences with a complex system of services, in which environmental enrichment and canine education are taken into account. Some benefits that dog day care currently provides are the following:
- The dogs are watched and cared for at all times by specialized personnel.
- This place is a perfect opportunity for your dog to socialize and make friends. This is very beneficial for dogs with separation anxiety.
- Environmental enrichment is also usually included in the residency program, so boredom will not be a problem for the dog.
- Your dog will be able to do a lot of physical exercise, with all the health benefits that this entails.
- If you are concerned about leaving your pet at a stranger’s house or having access to your home, daycare is a good alternative.
- More and more day care centers have an infirmary in the center itself, which allows professionals to provide immediate veterinary attention in the event of an accident or illness.
In general, these centers are continually renewed to offer the best experience to your dog in all areas. However, like everything else, it is important to choose a kennel that best suits the needs of the animal.
Disadvantages of dog day care
Continuing with the previous thread, daycare may not be the best option for your dog. These centers have some intrinsic disadvantages and other factors that you should consider before making the decision. Here are the most important ones:
- It is important that you check that the vaccination and deworming protocol of the center is strict, since there are many dogs that will live in the same space.
- Your dog does not understand why you leave him in a strange place and go without him. Even if you end up having a good time, it is inevitable that at first you feel anxiety and stress.
- Try to make a visit to the nursery before hiring its services, as the accommodation and care must be appropriate for your dog.
- A dog with a social phobia can have a hard time in a kennel because of being in the company of so many dogs.
What to take into account when choosing a residence?
Hygienic and housing conditions must be impeccable: dog boxes cannot just be cages and the facilities must be capable of allowing them to see each other, as well as being of an adequate size. Acclimatization conditions – for winter and summer – must also be optimal.
When it comes to enrichment and socialization, the ideal is to have an outdoor space where the canids can run and play comfortably. There should also be an indoor recreation area for days when it is not convenient to go out.
If the nursery also has other services, such as dog education, hairdressing or nursing, it is even better. Of course, the staff has to be specialists in canine care and behavior.
In short, if you are thinking of canine nurseries as an option for those times when taking care of your dog is 100% impossible, make sure it is the right choice for him.
For example, dogs with socialization problems or a complicated illness might do better with a trusted caretaker. However, if the dog is healthy and assertive, a daycare stay can be like summer camp for him.
