Re: New Daycare.....or is it? I hope it works out for you and Dexter, Angela. You need a safe place where you can leave him, that you have confidence in.
Re: New Daycare.....or is it? Arrival at a day care full of dogs can put off the most gregarious of pupsters. All the other dogs are milling at the gate, barking, and it can be really fraught. It certainly became too much for my dog and he wouldn't go through the gate unless half the other dogs were temporarily tied up (which worked fine and made him happy again). It's quite an unnatural situation, especially if not managed well (like with having small groups and double 'airlock' gates). I'm not surprised that Dexter did not want to go to the party in the end. Stacia, your dogs have each other as company. It's less important for your dogs to have meetings with other dogs I'm sure your dogs are perfectly content. But single doggies need their humans to find friends for them.
Re: New Daycare.....or is it? It is more important for single dogs. I think it's also important for dogs to stay socialised to meeting other new dogs. I have as many opportunities as I want for Charlie to meet other dogs, but I don't want him running off to say hello until I've said it's ok. So I sort of worry a bit how much interaction with other dogs is the right amount. In the end, I've settled on allowing him to say hello, if he is off lead, to dogs that are very close to us, crossing on a path say, and to play with his mates when we meet them - he has about 6 "best mates" that we come across often quite often. In addition to this, he plays with dogs that interrupt us by barrelling over to play, which happens 2 or 3 times a week. I think that's on the generous side of enough to stay well socialised and to express dog behaviour with other dogs.
Re: New Daycare.....or is it? [quote author=JulieT link=topic=9370.msg134883#msg134883 date=1420471124] It is more important for single dogs. I think it's also important for dogs to stay socialised to meeting other new dogs. [/quote] That is what is in my mind for doing this.....Since the community fines came out no dogs are off lead.....I don't let Dexter approach a dog on lead or be approached.....it just not worth it,we've come so far I'm not going backwards on his lead reactivity.so we are now in a situation where Dexter isn't meeting any new dogs Its cooler now so I get out about 6.30 am but it's still really hard to arrange meetings then....the places I walk are pretty much deserted at that time.the off lead interactions we've been able to arrange have always been evening times and in the neighbourhood park.Dexter can still be boisterous,bouncy and overexcited in play so he needs to be able to practice his skills......or I'm sure he will lose them. [quote author=Stacia link=topic=9370.msg134830#msg134830 date=1420452535] 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. [/quote] Ah Stacia,i respect what you are saying ,you aren't a misery,that works for you and your two just fine and don't think for one minute that I will persevere if I don't think he's happy....I'll just sacrifice my garden ( and new sofas and rugs ;D ;D ;D ) the holidays are over now and I've got 3 regulars back that he can have a run with too .... I have no problem hanging out with my yellow fellow...I never need time away from him but I do feel he needs more than his humans.....and he should get to be with dogs regularly...... When we try it out I'll send you my password Stacia and if you see him looking glum and I've missed it you message me and I'll go and break him out ;D ;D ;D Julie how you manage it is sounds just perfect and natural,I'd love that,it's so different here .everything about our socializing occasions are organised and contrived ..... Let's see it might not work out but I'll only know if I try x
Re: New Daycare.....or is it? Angela I have complete sympathy for your situation as we are in much the same boat due to places we live - you, in a very HOT place which (in the summer)restricts your getting out with the pooch and when you do, off-lead opportunities are limited; and me, in a very COLD place which (in the winter) restricts my getting out with the pooch and when you do, off -lead opportunities are limited. Although I am pretty confident that my dog is the one most starved for company on this forum :-\. Pretty much our only opportunities for doggy play is the dog park, and that is pretty empty on days like today when it's just so bitterly cold. I mean, I'm not going there either! So the only possibility is to take your dog to some kind of day care. I think this one sounds worth a shot! I am toying with the idea of taking Simba to one of our local day cares occasionally as well...money is a bit of an issue for us, though, and my hubby, although a wonderful doggie dad in many ways would think the whole idea a bit ridiculous...so have to work on that angle as well... : In the meantime we have our Tricks class (2 left) but those don't really count as socialization/play opportunities as the dogs do not interact. And I'm the only one out walking the dog when I go out, these days! And even if we met someone else, we'd both have our dogs on leash. Sigh. The great winter gloom of it all... :-\
Re: New Daycare.....or is it? Ah, Lisa, I think the UK is a very dog friendly place - if you have a moderately well controlled dog, there is a huge amount of freedom, really. And that is our expectation for dogs. You do a sterling job for Simba! That's one well cared for pooch you have there. you do a fantastic job in the environment you are in.
Re: New Daycare.....or is it? Ah Lisa don't feel despondent Simba has a wonderful life with you.There's a very good chance in Dexter's lifetime he might spend half of his time in UK and half in Dubai.....he's certainly going to spend a couple of months there next year so he has to be able to cope with more dog traffic than he is used to.It won't be Wimbledon Common density but we want to be able to get out and about with him and for him to be comfortable so I feel I've got a responsibility to help him as much as I can to cope with that,the mad looking trips to Cafe Nero ( and an impending terrifying attendance at a horse Polo match at the weekend ) are all part of that ..... I think you have to look at your lifestyle and where you live and as long as you have done everything to make sure your dog is healthy ,happy and thriving in that you are doing best by them......so Simba is a lucky boy xxx
Re: New Daycare.....or is it? Well im not despondant, for sure. I do the best i can with what I have. I dont think the pooch has a bad life, for sure! But i do have a twinge of envy now and then over all the opportunities your pooches have for doggy play and off-lead romps. Oh well, he doesnt know what he's missing, anyway....
Re: New Daycare.....or is it? Don't worry, Lisa, I have the same twinges It's not just over the dog walks though...it's the pubs, the thatched roofs, the old stone buildings, the hedges, the cider, the green hills, the ancient monuments...and did I mention the pubs? And the sprouting purple broccoli - I like that too.
Re: New Daycare.....or is it? [quote author=Oberon link=topic=9370.msg135083#msg135083 date=1420517534] Don't worry, Lisa, I have the same twinges It's not just over the dog walks though...it's the pubs, the thatched roofs, the old stone buildings, the hedges, the cider, the green hills, the ancient monuments...and did I mention the pubs? And the sprouting purple broccoli - I like that too. [/quote] ;D ;D ;D
Re: New Daycare.....or is it? Angela and Lisa, I reckon you do just great in your extreme environments which are not easy to say the least We live in the countryside and Charlie is walked at 0600 except at weekends, he only sees Woody his now friend some days and if the local dog walkers can drag themselves out weekends he might see some other dogs but he doesn't play with them - odd really :-\ I have been thinking that Charlie might benefit going to a dog sitting lady in town for a bit more socialisation, she owns 2 Husky's, and does dog walking with upto 4 dogs at a time, not sure really :-\ I feel guilty for Charlie too but not a lot I can do about it as you can't force people to walk their dogs Keep going ladies, Dexter, Simba and Charlie have got it pretty good and I don't hear any complaints this end xx Angela, can you please book me in for a couple of days at the Daycare ;D Hope it goes well xxx
Re: New Daycare.....or is it? [quote author=Oberon link=topic=9370.msg135083#msg135083 date=1420517534] Don't worry, Lisa, I have the same twinges It's not just over the dog walks though...it's the pubs, the thatched roofs, the old stone buildings, the hedges, the cider, the green hills, the ancient monuments...and did I mention the pubs? And the sprouting purple broccoli - I like that too. [/quote] But we have the weather to put up with (as she dons her overtrousers again) :
Re: New Daycare.....or is it? Oberon, the pubs are fast disappearing, which seems unbelievable. They are more eating houses, I suppose this has come about due to the 'no drink and drive'.
Re: New Daycare.....or is it? wow that sounds good Angela. I had my two in a big, free running day care and neither of them liked it. Cuillin started getting really anxious on day care mornings and didnt want to go (she knew by my routines) and brods would run out and say hello to the woman who came to pick them up, and then turn round and run back into the house and stand behind my legs. So I stopped. Some of my friends have dogs there who love it though, and can't wait to get through the gates. I had a word with a behaviourist about it, and he said that that the free running all day in really big groups model was just too much for a lot of dogs, certainly Cuillin was wired to the moon when she came home, and not in a good way. He said that the model you are talking about is much better - dogs being matched into smaller groups and given plenty of down time...keen to hear how you and Dexter go!
Re: New Daycare.....or is it? [quote author=Oberon link=topic=9370.msg135083#msg135083 date=1420517534] Don't worry, Lisa, I have the same twinges It's not just over the dog walks though...it's the pubs, the thatched roofs, the old stone buildings, the hedges, the cider, the green hills, the ancient monuments...and did I mention the pubs? And the sprouting purple broccoli - I like that too. [/quote] EXACTLY!!!
Re: New Daycare.....or is it? Go with your instincts. Chepi was only 12 weeks when she started day care and I stayed with her the first day for 3 hours as she was introduced to the dogs one at a time. Her day care owner is very careful about assessing dogs and won't take some breeds at all. Perhaps you could stay for half an hour? Hope it is all ok
Re: New Daycare.....or is it? Bless him,he is back and crashed out! He's had a great time....there were 3 groups today and they told me he was introduced to them all and played well with them all.He was put in with one of the medium/ large dog groups though at my request ....I didn't want him to bounce on a little dog ??? He was mega excited to see me ,he almost jumped the fence that comes up to my shoulders so 4.5 feet I reckon : the staff couldn't believe it !I could One of the girls has really watched him she mentioned how he 'points' when he sees something new...I know this but it's nice to get some idea that they are watching closely and paying attention to the dogs habits ...the previous place I used would hand him back with a cursory...' He was fine' and I don't actually think he was :'( Sorry there was no Dexter TV ( don't worry I've just heard the collective sig of relief ;D) they said it's only for the Boarders....I felt like I was pushing my luck a bit and seeming neurotic pushing the point ??? Chris was a bit gutted I think he'd planned a quiet day in work around watching his dog play on tv ;D ;D ;D He ate his kong too which he didn't at another place I'd tried so I think he really felt the benefit of the break in the 'suite' .... So we've booked for next week and so far so good! ;D
