So I struggle to get my Yellow Fellow Dexter out and about off lead socializing with other dogs.Dubai as I've mentioned many times is very dog unfriendly.The sneaky play sessions a few of us used to get together and do in the local park are over because the community management have started imposing big fines if your dog is off lead.Dexter has always had 2 sessions of 3 hours at daycare a week at the place he is groomed.Around Mid November when we were having the ear problems and a lot of vet visits I noticed Dex was getting a bit reluctant to get out the car when we arrived at Daycare,he's never loved the admission stage and I'd started taking him a bit later to avoid the rush and hectic ness of it all.....by mid December I was physically getting into the boot and lifting him out,he even jumped back in again while the boot was automatically closing .....so I stopped taking him,That was sign enough for me that he didn't want to go....... Over the holiday period I've been able to invite some of the dogs we played with in the park into the garden and I walk with a couple of dogs regularly but knew I needed to find an alternative come the new year.....my garden is getting trashed ;D So today I went around a few options....2 were just the same as I've been using.You can pay by the hour and it's just 3 areas ,big dogs,small dogs and an outside area and the dogs just free run in large numbers for the whole time albeit under supervision ..... Then I found the 3rd.....I'd heard about them as my friends have boarded their dogs there but I didn't know they did daycare.I've never heard anything like it ;D Dogs arrive at 8 am and are settled in their 'suites' which includes a bed which can be covered with their own bedding ,CCTV camera and regular tv..... Once the arrivals are over the groups are decided on and a max of 10 dogs move around 4 play areas ,one of which is an outside area with a pool that was immaculate........ 12-2 is relaxation/nap time.....dogs are put back into their suites and cartoons or dog friendly programs are put on the tv!!!!!!!!seriously! Daycare dogs aren't fed but you can send some food or kongs in for them for them to have during this down time..... They then have another 3 hour rotation play session......before relaxing in their suites before pickup!! All areas are covered by video so I can watch him all day and if you think your dog looks like he's had enough you can ring and ask them to put him in his suite for an extra rest!!!!! I have never heard anything like it!!!!I wanted to sign up immediately.......for me!!!!! ;D So we are going to try it out on Wednesday.....perfect this week as I am having a few alterations in the house.....the lady told me they are quiet at the moment so the groups are tending to only be of 3/4 dogs which should be perfect.....I think the big numbers were a factor in Dexters reluctance at the other place ( I've been told nothing had happened to him or around him as far as they knew :-\) My only reservation is that they don't conduct a behavioural assessment.....the lady said they take you on your word and your signature on the registration form ........oh and unfortunately I saw a dog who was boarding in quarantine with Kennel Cough but I guess you run the risk if that in any of these places ....you just don't usually see it or know about it unless your dog picks something up... I can't believe it....it really is a Doggy Hotel rather than daycare...the cartoons on the tv kills me,I thought she was joking to check I was listening! So I'll let you know how he gets on......
Re: New Daycare.....or is it? Wow! Sounds wonderful! They have suites??? ;D Benson and Casper have just gone on their hols for a few days...a wonderful farm, with their own bedroom and sofa, they have to share with a gorgeous vilzla this time
Re: New Daycare.....or is it? That sounds just perfect! So pleased you've found something that seems great? And good for you for spotting Dex wasn't happy. All the free run day ares I looked at just seemed completely overwhelming. A smaller number of dog will be much better.
Re: New Daycare.....or is it? That sounds AMAZING!!! Hope he loves it, if not I'll have his suite xxx
Re: New Daycare.....or is it? Can you share the CCTV link so we can all spend our days watching Dex in his suite?
Re: New Daycare.....or is it? Wow, sounds like quite the place! I hope it works out for you and Dex.....looking forward to hearing what you think.
Re: New Daycare.....or is it? That is brilliant! I wish they had something like that here! I quite often leave the tv on for murph when im out.. His favourite is friends on comedy central. I hope that works out for you, it sounds perfect!
Re: New Daycare.....or is it? [quote author=snowbunny link=topic=9370.msg134599#msg134599 date=1420388875] Can you share the CCTV link so we can all spend our days watching Dex in his suite? [/quote] Absolutely!!!! I'll be glued all day Wednesday for sure!!! [quote author=bbrown link=topic=9370.msg134596#msg134596 date=1420388138] , if not I'll have his suite xxx [/quote] I know I'd love it for a chill out day after all the busyness of Xmas ;D [quote author=JulieT link=topic=9370.msg134570#msg134570 date=1420381944] So pleased you've found something that seems great? [/quote] I have a niggle....I'm just a bit bothered by them not having any kind of assessment....not that anyone is ever properly qualified for that sort of thing over here but I'm not entirely comfortable when that's always been part of the process at other places....beggars can't be choosers though I suppose ....I just think of some of the owners I've met who tell me their dogs are ok then their dog makes a massive lunge at yours ....I'm very honest about Dexters issues..... I'm told he will be put with a group of dogs that are very well known to staff but not to each other ....and he will be introduced 1 by one whilst he is on his lead.....that bit worries me as he's very different on lead to off .......at the moment it's my only option.....I'm hanging around in reception until he gets absorbed into a group.....or chucked out!!!! If that happens it will be a very underwhelming episode of 'Dexterbox' Fiona! ;D
Re: New Daycare.....or is it? Kate, just coming back to say hope your 2 have a lovely time,it certainly sounds like they will.we are great friends with a gorgeous vizla here,she's the only dog I've met that is as fast as Dexter ,she is great to play with x Have a good trip x
Re: New Daycare.....or is it? Sounds well worth trying Obi had similar issues with the 'free for all' day care he went to initially. Arrivals were frantic and it was all too much in the end. Something more structured, with plenty of staff and down time, is much better. Hope it goes really well
Re: New Daycare.....or is it? Sounds really good Angela Definately worth a try Harley's dog walker also does day care and Harley loves it. It is in her house and they have free run of the downstairs. She only has a max of 5 dogs along with her 2, but won't have certain dogs together. No behaviour assessment was done on Harley - she met her and agreed to take her on. The first 2 walks (max group of 4 dogs) Harley was on lead and pulled like mad and was a bit growly towards other dogs. I spoke with the walker and reassured her that off lead she would get a different response. The third walk resulted in Harley being off lead and the walker was amazed how different she was.......no growling, playful but not OTT, recall brilliant etc. Now she knows Harley she said she can put almost any dog with her without any problems (just not boxers as Harley was attacked by 2 and has become fearful of them ) I do trust her judgement with who would be best with Harley. I think when she did the home visit she was doing an assessment in her head as to Harley's reactions etc. Did they meet Dexter?
Re: New Daycare.....or is it? It sounds great! It also sounds like they have a kind of "ongoing assessment" really if they are keeping an eye on them and changing groups and rest times depending on what they see. I wouldn't worry about that Angela - how many of us have dogs that we say "gosh they are normally so well behaved" or "wow, he/she was on their best behaviour today"? It takes more than an hour or so really to get the measure of a dog (I'm trying to be reassuring )
Re: New Daycare.....or is it? Ah thanks gang....I'm sure it will be fine,the lady actually said what you said Jacqui,an hour assessment isn't a true picture and that she'd prefer me to book him in for a full day the first time so she could see him properly so it sounds like they are watched carefully. We've got our Good Citizen Bronze test on Wednesday eve....up until the lesson last Saturday I'd have said we would have walked it just by turning up.....but Dexter wasn't right on Saturday,he wouldn't stay in a down .....the trainer says he breaks it when I break eye contact and tried to get me to reward him for looking away from me.......NOT going to happen after all the time I've put into 'look at me' so we were having a bit of a grumble between us which wouldn't have helped,Dexter looked a bit miserable there where usually he just gets on with it......so I think I'm going to postpone his daycare session until next Sunday,I can foresee he will be pretty shattered after a new day in a new place with all the things that brings.....of course that could go in my favour at our test ;D but I don't want the poor lad having too much going on in one day..... So the First episode of 'Dexterbox' will be next Sunday! ;D
Re: New Daycare.....or is it? Sounds like a great set up. Milly stayed in a place when we first moved here that sounds very similar. She had a ball. She had regulars play times with a border collie pup and another young dog. Swimming and running etc. I think now after hearing from you I might see if they do a play school type thing. Hope you find it a good option for you and that Dex loves it.
Re: New Daycare.....or is it? Regarding behaviour, I know my dog is friendly towards some dogs and will play with them and others he is a bit growly with. I suppose just like us they choose their friends. As the day care center has different areas and different groups they can watch interactions and choose which dogs are best suited to be with each other and separate dogs that are not good together. Sounds quite similar to toddler play groups.
Re: New Daycare.....or is it? I don't want my dogs going off and playing with other dogs I am a misery aren't I, but I don't see the need, mine are quite happy with me and the walk we do which gives them plenty of opportunity for exploring. We do walk with another dog at the weekend and they enjoy each others company but they don't play, just explore together. I can understand your worry that there isn't much off lead exercise, that is necessary for a dog. I can also understand your need for a quiet time for yourself But a little concerned that Dexter doesn't necessarily like being away from home if he was so reluctant to get out of the car. Just thoughts.
