I love the concept of doggy daycares. The socialization, the energy
burning, the playtime, the freedom to work without leaving a pup alone,
and many more things.
When looking for a facility for doggy daycare, look hard. Don't go by
a few old endorsements. Watch them for a couple hours over several days.
If they have a webcam, watch it awhile. We found out the hard way with
one in Grand Forks,ND.
After having to give our pup a bath
every time he came home with a heavy perfumey stink, re-potty training
him, and noticing raw patches on his front elbows every time he went
there, we started watching the webcam hours a day.
We were told they play with the dogs a lot: we never saw a single time
they did. The employees just squirt the dogs with water bottles very
often for barking, or whatever.
The raw patches were from the rubber mats on the floor
that pull the hair out when scuffed along. We saw many a dog have to 'go'
on the floor because they were ignored at the door when they wanted to
get out. It seems mopping is easier than letting them out when needed.
Hence the the heavy smell in his fur. Hunter had accidents in the house on evenings
after being there, but not days or nights when he stayed home.
We were told we had to put a
muzzle and jumping harness on our pup or he couldn't come back. Ever
have several dogs play in total silence? And keep all four feet on the ground?
I stayed a half hour to see how bad he was acting. He was the only one
Not barking, but he got squirt with the rest. Line-of-fire ya know.
Since we quit going there we have met several people that refuse to go there
again. And several that have pups that got 'kicked' out for various reasons (these
felons play very well with our dog). We have sold the remaining prepaid days we
had on our 10-day package because they would not refund the difference.
Not because we were told "no refunds" up front, but because "we didn't
force you to buy them". Cute.
Any dogs left for overnight boarding are left in crates from about 6:30pm until about
7:00am. I was told they are let out about 10pm.
They do not feed the dogs all day. Even if you bring your own food. They
repeatedly handed ours back - which he gobbled just outside the door. Puppies
need to eat several times a day - ask any vet.
If your puppy has a favorite toy or blanky to sleep with, they will not put
it in with them in. We were told not to bother bringing Hunter's in.
During the Christmas and New Year holidays, during the day, we checked their
webcam several times to see only a dark room every time. Two other women also checked
to see the same scene. Sure glad my pup wasn't in there locked up.
And yes, we can give the names of those mentioned above.
I fully agree daycare centers are great for a pup to socialize. Many families need a safe place for their dog when at work. Especially when it's -20 out. That's why we let him stay there. But find a Good place. A place that actually cares for the little one.
We now go to Play-N-Stay out Washington Ave. by the Merrifield Rd. Great place with lots and lots of room for running and wrestling, and really nice people to watch him.