Would this work for a puppy? (Time alone/doggy day care)

[iVampire]

I’m considering getting a puppy (from a personably known, non-commercial family)

I was thinking about practicalities, and have been reading threads on doggy day care and crate training.

I can be around for a puppy most of the time, especially in early months, but I do two stints of volunteering a week (one two hours, one three) which could be suspended but I prefer not. I also need medical appointments - short ones can be as quick as an hour, others can take several.

I have teenage DC, who can be relied on for coverage outside school hours.

So what is the best solution? Find doggy day care even from very young, so it’s familiar from little stays? That strikes me as considerably better for the puppy than rushing crate training

(The needs for medical appointments won’t go away BTW, so waiting to be better isn’t an option)

Yes, good quality doggy day care or a puppy sitter is the preferred option to leaving the puppy alone for extended periods from the get-go. Just be aware that you may not be able to use doggy day care when they are very young and haven’t had all of their vaccinations, so a puppy sitter might be a better option in the very early days.

Puppy would not come to us before 12 weeks, so I think it would be OK from jabs pov.

I have heard of someone locally who offers daycare that is (on paper) suitable. What sort of questions should I ask if I go to meet her, to find out if the care is good quality?

There’s nuts and bolts like insurance and premises. And intangibles such as whether she seems confidence-inspiring. But what else is important in the provision of good quality care?

id want to know;

Do they have a licence for daycare/walking

How many dogs they look after at a time

how are dogs fed / sleeping arrangements

Is it a full time job or will they also be out the house for any periods?

Do they actually take puppies as a few dont.

would they take your key/ do pickups or drop offs.

dog first aid cert.

Procedure for Cancellation / last minute requests.

are they smokers (had to leave one sitter as our dog came home stinking every day)

I'd also want confirmation they didnt practice crate training in their home as I'd be worried thr dog would just be locked in there throughout the day.

more for when your puppy is older -how many walks a day, duration, where they take them, on or off lead etc.

if it's an unusual or demanding breed -do they have experience of that type.

Thank you - that’s really helpful

I’d really like to make this work!

Vampire I was in similiar situation found a lady that does walks/day care/homeboarder

Used same for 5 years and knowing if emergency happens a they will come get him as well makes all the difference knowing have back up

What breed are you planning to get?

Our local walker won't take puppies under twelve months on group walks as they can't walk as far as adults when they're young, so you need to pay extra for solo walks (unless you can team up with another puppy owner somehow).

Lots of daycares also won't take them until they're reliably toilet trained and some insist on them being neutered from six months which isn't necessarily great in terms of health.

If you do go down the daycare route, please be so careful about which one you choose. One fairly local to here has been in the news after the owners were filmed beating the dogs with mop handles, hoovers and hands and using electric shock collars.

A belated return to this thread - with thanks for all the advice,

I used all your questions (except the one about the licence, because I forgot) and was happy with the answers, and I thought she was kind and capable. She has her dog, one dog daily, other dogs on an ad hoc basis. Puppy will go for a ‘meet and sniff’ session so see if we both think she is ready before I leave her for a longer session

I feel much more confident!