Dog daycare

[drinkingwineoutofamug]

So thinking of sending the dog to day care once a week.
Found a couple near us that have spaces available
Websites go on about well behaved dogs. Wondering what the definition of well behaved is?
Dogs that don't bark, grow or hump?
I've emailed to enquire about spaces and not actually spoken to the owners yet.
Dog is spayed, chipped fully vaccinated but mad as a box of frogs , needs lots of exercise, and due to late socialisation can be very in your face. Still a work in progress - she's 4 but acts like she's 2.

I have a primary daycare but always have backup daycare for holiday cover etc.

I have recently had to find a new backup daycare as my previous one no longer does it post covid.

I don't pay attention to anything other than how my dog and they get on together so always ask for a trial and then both you and them can assess whether your dog is a good fit.

Previously I have discounted large noisy commercial settings because it just didn't work for any of us as he was terrified.

Thanks Bitey , one is rather a larger group , from the website lots of outdoor space, good enclosure, and they have a set limit.
Another is run from someone's home, they take a smaller group, still good outdoor space, and they get taken on walks and also the option of kennels .
The one I wanted but had to not even go there was on a farm . Would of been perfect except for farm animals 😬 she can't be trusted.
Will wait for replies and also keep searching.

The thing is, it's like sending your child to nursery when they can't talk yet. You really have no idea if they're truly happy there.

Do either let you have try out sessions?

Can you spy on them, drive by sort of thing?

All the ones I know of insist on meet and greets. I also have one primary and a back up option. As others have said it's really down to fit. My boy is very social but got totally overexcited and was a nightmare at the first one I tried- home based but 4 resident dogs and max 12 at a time . They refused him because he was so barky trying to get the other dogs to play. My primary is a much smaller home based one with one resident dog and max 4 at a time, and that suits him and me down to the ground- the owner is very concerned about the dynamics between the dogs and works to ensure any additional dog will fit in. It isn't about good or bad behaviour as such- she typically takes high energy and playful dogs, and has made helpful suggestions on training while understanding that he is still a young dog who does sometimes forget his training! My back up is my trainer who also does some home boarding and similarly has a smaller set up. Some people prefer the flexibility and structure of the bigger set ups but for me the smaller ones were a better fit.

All daycares must be council-licensed - please insist on seeing proof and paperwork as sadly, many still operate illegally and if they are, their "insurance" will be invalid if something happens to your dog (eg. injury or sickness while in their care).

Otherwise, a meet and greet should take place as well as the option for you to trial some sessions so your dog can settle in, and so the owners can make sure he'll be happy there.

As above, not all daycare environments will suit all dogs. Ours went to a small in-home daycare with a maximum of four dogs at any one time, which suited him perfectly. Other dogs prefer larger settings - it all depends on their personality (and also on the personalities of the staff and other dogs).

Personally I would pick one that took the dogs on decent walks, and didn't just let them run around a field all day. My dog needs sniffing, enrichment and variety to be properly tired - a day of running around the same space would just hype him up and he'd find it boring after a while.

Good luck!

I agree with @cupsofcoffee on all points- mine takes them for walks and also has access to a secure field with agility toys for enrichment. And the two I use, both owners are absolutely passionate about dogs and engaged with the animals, not just leaving them to play together unsupervised all day. I get pics and videos from both and it's quite clear that the dogs and the people are having a great time! The licensing is onerous and while these are clearly businesses it's great to see people with such passion for animals doing this. Both of mine are people who have retired early from other professions and invested heavily in their skill and property but it is clearly a labour of love for them!

Thank you everyone.
Dog is a bit giddy around other dogs at first . Does the bow , bark and then runs off to play.
If the other dog ignores she's happily wanders off to do her thing.
She is good around new dogs. Lots of work put in on my behalf.
She would really be better in a smaller group, long walks , play and a good place to snooze .
I will keep searching today and contacting.

Our 5 month old puppy goes to day care for half a day each week. He loves it and as soon as he sees the building he runs inside. We chose it based on a recommendation from a neighbour.
As he is so young he is very excitable and that isn’t a problem for them.

She's 4 and acts like a 1yr old. Everyone who meets her asks if she's a puppy

Will ask are daycare fussy about breeds /crossbreeds.
I did in the email say she was a crossbreed and what breeds she is.