Monday's article was all about daycare options for working dog owners. Some of the ideas were suggested by members of this forum, please comment here or on the main site if you have any further advice, tips, or solutions that you have found work well. The article is here: Daycare for dogs
Re: Daycare for dogs Excellent article, we use a dog walker, and have a fab friend who is also an amazing dog trainer On my walks I have met other dog walkers and have got chatting, there is a real range in approach and skills between them, so I would as the article suggests accompany them on a typical walk, and on the initial assessment ask lots of questions to gain an understanding of what they will do with your dog on walks, if they are happy to help out with basic obedience (personally I would expect that, AND expect them to ask what language we use etc..) The other thing I have noticed is the attitude towards neuturing, most insist at 6 months that dogs are neutered, which is a shame really, as I would have expected a better understanding of dog behaviour and the fact that neutering doesn't necessarily have that much of an effect on behaviour. One dog walker suggested that Benson (entire) would actually make other neutered dogs aggressive. Something to explore perhaps with potential doggy day care and walkers.
Re: Daycare for dogs [quote author=Beanwood link=topic=6547.msg87501#msg87501 date=1402586229] most insist at 6 months that dogs are neutered [/quote] My dog walker is wary of the increased risk - and there is one, I think, particularly where I live in busy London. I think intact dogs smell more threatening to other dogs (neutered or intact) and this can prompt aggression. And there is an increased risk an intact male will leg it off after a bitch in heat. I solve this by simply saying that my dog walker keeps Charlie on a lead. It means I have the additional expense of paying for individual walks though.
Re: Daycare for dogs My original doggy day care - that CLOSED!! - would not take dogs who had not been neutered older than 6 months. This was a concern when deciding if I wanted a boy or a girl. They weren't bothered about girls who had not been spayed. Otherwise I probably would have told my breeder I didn't mind a boy or a girl. Yesterday I visited a day carer who charges 22 pounds (Sorry Australian laptop and no pound sign) a day but revealed that she went out for 2-3 hours at lunch time and left all of the dogs together in one room. Am I daft or does that sound not right? I have found a purpose built day care which I haven't seen yet and it may be really good but you have to pay to keep your slot during the holidays. I am a teacher and have lots of weeks off ( work blooming hard during term time though - just had to say that!), so would spend money when my pup wasn't there. It might be worth it though. Sounds really professional and the same price 22 pounds. I contacted local people who seemed to have their own support group - groomers know walkers; walkers know trainers. This seems chaotic but actually there is a sense of we will all get together to make this work for you. The local network seems a powerful tool. All of the above seem to be passionate about dogs and I have learned a lot from talking to all of them. Still not chosen one though. :-\
Re: Daycare for dogs [quote author=Jane Martin link=topic=6547.msg87588#msg87588 date=1402604990] revealed that she went out for 2-3 hours at lunch time and left all of the dogs together in one room. Am I daft or does that sound not right? [/quote] Absolutely unacceptable! [quote author=Jane Martin link=topic=6547.msg87588#msg87588 date=1402604990] you have to pay to keep your slot during the holidays. [/quote] Yup, I have to pay half price to keep all my slots through the hols. [quote author=Jane Martin link=topic=6547.msg87588#msg87588 date=1402604990] The local network seems a powerful tool. [/quote] Yup. Find good suppliers. Pay them well and on time, and be a consistent, good client. This is the way I get the extra mile when I'm stuck.
Re: Daycare for dogs Julie, ta very much. We seem to be in synch 8) Your input IS very valuable to me. Gosh you moderators are pretty hot 8)
Re: Daycare for dogs Kane and JulieT. You sound just like a couple of Mums discussing a childminder My daughter has much the same problems with a childminder. She has to pay to keep her slot. I cannot believe that anyone would leave a room full of dogs alone for a couple of hours. That is NOT what clients are paying for. Hope you get it sorted soon Jane. I believe you are on the 8 day countdown.
Re: Daycare for dogs [quote author=Mollly link=topic=6547.msg87605#msg87605 date=1402608081] Kane and JulieT. You sound just like a couple of Mums discussing a childminder [/quote] ;D ;D ;D I guess it's similar! Bit worse, really. People tend to understand if you say "can't make it work because the childminder let me down". Substitute "dog walker" or "puppycare" for "childminder" and your client/boss doesn't look quite so understanding!
Re: Daycare for dogs [quote author=editor link=topic=6547.msg87505#msg87505 date=1402587256] That is very interesting Kate, I did not know that [/quote] We've used two daycares and neither required this (even though here you need a license to keep an undesexed dog over 6 months of age). So some might, but definitely not all
Re: Daycare for dogs My daycare has the neutering rule....she also does boarding and won't take dogs over 28 kgs......I've not asked why as I won't use that I just read it in the info . I think it's dreadful that a dog sitter leaves dogs alone together in one room,she wouldn't get a penny of my money
Re: Daycare for dogs I have just made enquires at another day care place and read in the small print that the day starts at 10 and ends at 3.30, I don't know who'd benefit from that? Not workers nor someone going out for the day. Oh well, onwards and upwards
Re: Daycare for dogs Those hours are ok if they pick the dogs up and drop them back - similar to a place near me. Extra charge for picking up and dropping though.
