5 Considerations When Choosing a Doggy Daycare
There are more than 9,000 boarding kennels serving millions of dog owners annually.
Rick Coffey, president of Barkefellers suggests keeping a few things in mind when choosing the facility that will keep your dog happy, safe, and engaged, and that will give you peace of mind.
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Cleanliness is next to dog-liness
Dogs, like humans, can spread illnesses. When looking at a facility, ask how it is cleaned and what procedures they follow. It’s also important to know which chemicals they use. Some do a great job of cleaning but can be harmful to animals.
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Size and types of play areas available
It’s ideal to have both indoor and outdoor areas for play when considering a boarding facility. Dogs, like people, enjoy getting outside in the fresh air, so make sure the facility has enough room for outdoor play. And air-conditioning should be available at all times for indoor spaces.
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Small dog, large dog—separate but equal
It’s important for dogs to play with similar sized breeds. Small dogs can be intimidated or overwhelmed when playing with larger breeds. Larger dogs can play too roughly and may inflict damage.
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Supervision
At the end of the day, these are still animals and play can escalate to aggression quickly, so it is very important to make sure dogs will be supervised while in a group-play setting. The ratio of dogs-to-staff is key. Watching too many dogs at once can be dangerous for both the dogs and the staff.
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Training of staff
When handling or caring for dogs, staff should be trained to interpret canine body language.
Dogs will communicate with various movements to show how they are feeling. Trouble can be prevented if staff members know what to look for and understand what the dog is trying to say.
Doggy Daycare Happy Dance!