Dogs are the most beautiful companions, but they require a lot of care and attention from their owners. Unfortunately, most pet parents are working and need to leave their fur babies behind at home when they leave for work. It is understandable if you do not want to leave your baby all by themselves, but you also need to think of an alternative so that your four-legged baby does not feel left out or lonely. A lot of dog care centres have come up in recent times. However, deciding whether to put your fur baby in daycare can be a tough decision. To help you choose wisely and free you of any confusion, we are here with this blog. Read till the very end to find out the benefits and downsides of daycare for dogs.
Benefits of Dog Daycare
There are various benefits of putting your dogs in daycare. They are mentioned below:
Exercise
We all know the importance of physical exercise. It is essential for our dogs and us as well. It is difficult to get a regular exercise regimen for ourselves, let alone for our dogs. Since our dogs rely on us for their daily dose of physical exercise, they can put the same energy to use by doing something destructive if they do not get it. Daycare for dogs helps provide ample exercise and energy to keep your dog at peace. After a daycare, your dog will come home happy and spend the evening resting.
Socialisation
Most dogs enjoy dog socialising and interacting with other people and dogs as well. Socialising is good for dogs. It helps in teaching them the correct behaviour and also helps in controlling aggression. Dog care centres also provide the right stimulus to dogs and teach them to become more confident and handle situations with confidence.
Helps in Relieving Boredom and Anxiety
A bored dog can become quite destructive and transfer their energy in unnecessary chewing and ripping. Dog anxiety is a common and real problem in dogs. It is often caused when there is not enough mental and physical stimulation. If you send your dog to a daycare, they will be involved in many activities, including dog exercising that will stimulate the dog mentally and physically. This can help in reducing and eliminating negative behaviours which are a cause of anxiety and boredom.
Peace of Mind
Dog owners who have to step out for their jobs and require them to do so are often worried about their dogs being lonely and being all by themselves the entire day. The usual office hours for people are 6 to 8 hours minimum. Most of us feel guilty leaving our dogs alone at home, that too every day. To relieve you of any guilt you have, a dog care centre comes as an answer. To know that your dog is being taken care of by professionals while you are at work is reassuring and lets you focus on your work, too - without feeling guilty!
Reduces Loneliness
Loneliness is another major concern for dog owners who leave their dogs behind at home every day due to work commitments. Since dogs are inherently social creatures, they enjoy being in the company of others. Loneliness often results in dogs getting depressed. If you see your dog having a lack of energy or is behaving in a withdrawn manner, you must take all measures to improve the situation. By sending your dog to daycare for dogs, you can let your dog socialize and be around others when you are at work. It helps in treating dog separation anxiety and general dullness. If you are wondering is daycare good for dog socialisation, then the answer is yes.
Affordable
Most people don’t send their dogs to daycare for dogs thinking that it is costly. However, that is not the case. Most daycares for dogs are very affordable and have weekly/ daily/ monthly rates. You can easily tie up for a monthly plan which is affordable and has many exercises, activities as part of it.
Attention
The attendants and service providers at daycare for dogs give your dog a lot of attention. Their job is not to replace your love and care; instead, they fill in for you when you are away at work. These caretakers play with your dog, give them ample exercise. This helps in utilizing all of the dog pent up energy.
Choosing the right Daycare
While sending your dog to daycare has many benefits, you have to be very careful while choosing one. Every daycare is different from the other. The training of the staff, the facilities available, and even the pricing depends on the kind of daycare you choose for your dog. Therefore, while deciding between sending your dog to a care centre, make sure you do a lot of research and choose wisely because dog safety comes first. Here are a few things you must keep in mind:
- Go and physically examine the daycare yourself.
- Take a complete tour of the facilities available at the daycare.
- Make sure the daycare is clean and hygienic.
- Have a word with the staff at the daycare to get an idea of their training, experience and knowledge.
- Always go through the online reviews of the daycare you select. Customer reviews are always helpful in getting a better understanding of the quality of services provided.
FAQ:
1. What is dog daycare and how does it work?
Dog daycare is a supervised environment where dogs can play, socialise, and stay engaged while their pet parents are away during the day.
2. What are the benefits of sending my dog to daycare?
Dog daycare provides physical activity, mental stimulation, socialization, and reduces boredom or anxiety when left home alone.
3. Are there any downsides to dog daycare?
Overstimulation, exposure to illness, or stress from a busy environment may affect some dogs. It’s essential to choose a well-managed facility.
4. How do I know if my dog is a good fit for daycare?
Dogs that are social, well-vaccinated, and not aggressive generally enjoy daycare. A trial session can help assess compatibility with the group.
5. What should I look for in a good dog daycare facility?
Look for trained staff, clean and secure premises, vaccination policies, proper supervision, and positive reviews from other pet parents.
This was all about daycare for dogs. They usually have a lot of benefits to them. So if you are a pet parent and are working too, you must consider taking your dog their, but you must make sure that it is safe and has responsible people. We are sure you will come back home to a much happier dog!
