What are your thoughts on 'doggy day care ?'

[TheChimpParadox]

Not a dog walker where they get taken out for an hour walk and returned -but when they are picked up for the day or half day and go to a doggy type camp ?

Have you heard any bad press about any ?

I used doggy day care for a year and it was fabulous. It wasn't a camp type situation though - it was a dog walker who also had a few dogs in her home for the day. she was amazing with the dogs and my dog loved it. this is her website mutty professor.

Saying that though, there's another doggy day care near us which is more of a camp type thing. I looked at it online and didn't like the look of it - a massive barn with some play stuff in. It just looked more of a money making venture than someone with a genuine love for dogs.

Mine go once a week and it's fantastic for them, but they do vary a lot like kitsmummy says. Mine is not in a home but there are only 4 or 5 dogs on any given day and usually at least 2 staff. Some of them have many more dogs with little supervision and I am sceptical about that as it could be quite stressful for the dogs.

I'm curious to know how much they charge as I work two days and have a dog friendly cleaner. She cleans the house and walks the dogs and leave the door open (in warm weather) so they can go in the garden at whim. For more than one dog, I wonder if this is cheaper or more expensive?

I guarantee your cleaner will be cheaper! Mine was £20 per day (Bristol) and I think that's fairly standard

The ones I have been looking at are between £20 and £30 .

I pay £25 a day in London - dog gets picked up around 9 and dropped off around 6 (knackered by then). By the time my dog is older I probably won't need this whole day arrangement but for the time being it works very well for us.

We use a lovely dog walker, not a boot camp. Pooch loves it and her. Costs 30 a day but worth it for piece of mind. Hate leaving my lovely boy alone. Comes home knackered and is currently asleep half on my lap as I type. She does boarding too which will be handy if we ever need it. I found her using a local forum where she came highly recommended.

Ours is £12 per day. Haven't started using it yet though

£12 for the day - blimely thats good ! dogs walkers charge that for one hour walk .

My dog goes at least once a week (£24 a day, well we are in Surrey) and comes back knackered, he is so happy when he sees who is at the door so I believe he must enjoy it and want to go. They have spent time training him about not jumping up (a lab) and always give us a report about how he has been. I would recommend, helps with socialisation and gives me a break. Always ask to see the facilities though.

Punter - whereabouts do you send your dog - am in Surrey too . Thanks.

I am in KT10 area - company I use is Dog Days Adventure and they have their fields etc in Ripley. I suggest google them. Good luck.

Thanks .