So it would be good if I could send Charlie to daycare - first, because I just sometimes need cover and while Charlie has a devoted extended family who ALWAYS step in, sometimes I feel guilty asking. And also because some days, although I'm at home, I'm busy and think he might be a bit bored (even though I try do things with him as much as possible). I can't quite shake off the feeling that daycare might not be for Charlie though - he loves playing with SOME other dogs - well socialised labradors near his own age seem perfect. And he adored Kate's Sam and Barbara's Riley. He doesn't like small dogs that bark and snap, he hates dogs that hump (apart from Will, the gundog trainer's dog, he's so star struck by him he doesn't seem to care), and he generally prefers to "play nicely". He's a bit of a wimp, really. So, anyway, I reckon we'd take a look at a few places. Place 1 : owner has a Jake Russell that humps - Charlie miserable. But enjoyed the trampoline when JR put away. Bet he isn't put away when I'm not there though. So no. Place 2 : very good, high standards for only taking well socialised dogs. Charlie has a great time while I'm looking around. Dogs transported chained by their collars in a people carrier without crates. No. Place 3: Perfect, in all ways. Would I mind having Charlie castrated before I bring him? Well, yes, I would mind... Place 4: Good, but no double gate. Had heart attack at sight of dog handlers trying to keep 20 dogs inside everytime new dog comes or goes. Visions of Charlie escaping onto road...wouldn't sleep...so no. Place 5: ok, but cannot restrict Charlie's exercise because "we have lots of labradors from 12 weeks running all day, and they are fine". So that's it. I've run out of places. Told my Dad to book a season ticket to London. Which thankfully he seemed quite pleased about.
Re: Daycare... if your dad's happy I'd be happy but I was most struck by this: the gundog trainer lets her dog hump Charlie!?!?! I'm gobsmacked!!!!! ;D maybe Riley isn't too badly behaved although he does get told off for peeing at our classes :-[ even though he pees really rarely now....
Re: Daycare... i was gobsmacked that a trainer would allow that behaviour ....think i would be looking for a new trainer
Re: Daycare... Well, now you mention it...it wasn't very much, otherwise both Charlie and I would probably have minded..and it was only during free time play (Charlie gets 4 x 5 min free time in 1 hour lesson, otherwise his puppy brain fries). Actually, maybe Will doesn't get much play, because the trainer was astonished when Charlie got Will to play like a puppy. Maybe it's because Will is retired, and just helping out with the whippersnappers. But yes, you've got a point, I wouldn't allow it even in a pet. Assuming I could stop it, of course. Which I probably couldn't.
Re: Daycare... I like that Charlie gets some playtime I think that's a good thing, it works in small groups.....there were about 25 dogs at our last lesson - it would have been bedlam!!!! ;D
Re: Daycare... Riley is still perfectly behaved in my book...we're a long way off concentrating on our lesson with 25 other dogs! I kinda think Charlie is still too young not to pee in lessons...but we got told off last time... :-[
Re: Daycare... I would stay just as you are Julie . Charlie seemed to me to be a very well adjusted young dog , he is happy and carefree, just as he should be at his age , the last thing you want is to change him by bringing in a monumental change to his life
Re: Daycare... It's tricky I'm totally on board that it's habit forming and if you're serious about your gundoggery peeing while retrieving is an absolute no-no but as my trainer recognised it is a problem with pet dogs that get walked and are allowed to do their own thing during those walks. She takes her dogs out at specific times and to specific places to go to the loo, after that they come out of their kennels several times a day for short training sessions during which they do NOT go to the loo. I figure Riley will always be walked for good or for bad and so I have to compromise on some aspects, peeing is one. When he's focussed and excited about what's going on he doesn't really pee though
Re: Daycare... [quote author=kateincornwall link=topic=3365.msg36619#msg36619 date=1384977726] I would stay just as you are Julie . Charlie seemed to me to be a very well adjusted young dog , he is happy and carefree, just as he should be at his age , the last thing you want is to change him by bringing in a monumental change to his life [/quote] I will, for now, anyway. But Dad is getting on...I think I believe him when he says he likes coming to London, at least for now. We have family here, and there is my niece just round the corner, a bonus for my Dad as he gets to look after grandchild while he dog sits - obviously dog sitting is the best bit for him though.
Re: Daycare... [quote author=bbrown link=topic=3365.msg36620#msg36620 date=1384977788] It's tricky I'm totally on board that it's habit forming and if you're serious about your gundoggery peeing while retrieving is an absolute no-no [/quote] Is that the reason? I hadn't thought why... Charlie doesn't mark - yet. I don't really want him to do so on lead. It would be a bit annoying. But since he doesn't mark, if he pees it's because he needs a pee! Feel a bit mean not letting him...
Re: Daycare... Riley rarely marks on his lead as he's walking to heel. He does mark endlessly while off lead on his walks though and very occasionally when he's retrieving if he loses focus and something smells nice he'll pop over for a pee.
Re: Daycare... Doesn't seem to me that Charlie is lacking for entertainment and exercise However we have found that daycare has improved Obi's doggie social skills. He used to just barge up to any dog he saw at the dog park or off-lead. Now he is much more gradual and adapts better to the other dog's signals. It is hard to find the perfect day care. Obi goes to two - one that is a traditional 'play all day in an enclosure' day care. It's fantastic, but he did get bitten there, and arrivals are always a bit fraught because there is no double gate there either. But there are no roads for a mile and he has a ball there and loves the day care staff. The second daycare is also fantastic and involves a group walk and then playtime at a local dog park. They are very careful with managing the dogs' behaviour and Obi also adores the lady who picks him up. Only downside is they transport in a van with leads just tied to the wall, plus they walk the dogs in haltis, which I don't love, but which Obi doesn't give a hoot about. Overall, for us, the benefits of these activities outweigh the downsides.
Re: Daycare... I was heavily influenced in seeking daycare by the fun I could see Obi having. I really can see he loves it, and that's a big factor. I'll maybe keep looking. I've looked at big, free running places so far. There might be a middle way for us, at least while Charlie is below 1 year. Next week he is going on a "group walk" with three other dogs, so I can see how that goes...
Re: Daycare... Obi's Thursday 'walk and play' daycare lady (also called Rachael) just came to pick him up then. Very exciting! On Monday this week they had a special swimming excursion to a local river. Here's their blog post about it: http://www.pups4fun.com.au/dog-walking-and-daycare-canberra-swim-trip-monday-18-november-2013/ I have to say, it is fantastic socialisation.....
Re: Daycare... One of the pics in the blog post.....swimming with some fellow Labs. Obi is the one still wearing the blue halti. http://www.pups4fun.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/IMG_2566_640x480.jpg And this is the week before at the dog park : http://www.pups4fun.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/IMG_4515_640x4801.jpg
Re: Daycare... That looks great! I'll keep looking... Love that Obi is the "new lab on the rock"! ;D ;D ;D
