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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Using doggy daycare for a "weekend off"

92 replies

copernicium · 15/07/2021 22:53

I don't want this to sound judgemental, I'm actually posting because I don't want to fall out with my friend - I'm struggling to give her the enthusiasm she seems to want when describing what a wonderful time dog is having at daycare.

So she works school hours and is out at activities in an evening. Dog gets walked, love and attention outside of these hours, don't get me wrong. But then at weekends, she's started taking him to doggy daycare for the weekend, including overnight - so they can have the weekend as a family. They then go on nice countryside walks, visit NT etc.

I just don't understand why you would have a dog and send her away so you can go and do dog friendly activities. She says dog loves it, gets two walks a day and has made loads of friends.

Is this a thing? Is it normal to use daycare because the dog enjoys it, not just because you need it? Am I doing something wrong in keeping my dog with me all the time?

I don't know, I just don't know what to say to her when she raves about it every week...

OP posts:
ThisIsStartingToBoreMe · 15/07/2021 22:54

Mine goes to doggy daycare when i'm working a full day and occasionally when I fancy a break. If he's happy going then whats the problem?

LawnFever · 15/07/2021 22:55

Bit unusual but if the dog is well looked after none of your business really. Better than leaving the dog home alone and they’re out all weekend.

DareIask · 15/07/2021 22:55

I strongly believe a dog is part of your family and to exclude it is awful.

Your friend is everything I despise in a dog owner.

Original poster
copernicium · 15/07/2021 22:56

No I know. I've said I'm not saying this to judge...but when she's all excited telling me what a fab time he's had, I just think, why couldn't you have kept your dog at home and taken him on your lovely countryside walk? Then I don't know what to say to her!

OP posts:
MrsZlatan · 15/07/2021 22:59

“Your friend is everything I despise in a dog owner”

Really Confused

DareIask · 15/07/2021 22:59

@MrsZlatan

“Your friend is everything I despise in a dog owner”

Really Confused

Yes really.
IDidntFloatUpTheLaganInABubble · 15/07/2021 23:01

It definitely sounds unusual, I have my dogs so I can do those things with them and enjoying do so.

I guess as long as the dog is happy that's all that matters.

LaurieFairyCake · 15/07/2021 23:02

Our two dogs are hugely prioritised by us

But they're still going to their doggy daycare place when we go away overnight for my birthday to a castle (not dog friendly)

They also go when we go to the theatre. And they're there tonight as I very unusually have work at 9am and it's too early for daycare to pick them up.

They go to doggy daycare 3 days a week from 10-5 and I fit my work in around those times. The rest of the time - the other 147 hours, they're with us.

Every holiday we go on is a dog friendly one.

romdowa · 15/07/2021 23:03

If the dog is well cared for at the dog minders, then I can't really see an issue? Isn't it a far better solution than dumping the dog in the yard all weekend long. The dog gets to socialise with other dogs and gets plenty walks.

DareIask · 15/07/2021 23:04

Dogs are pack animals. They want to be with their pack.

Owners who find their dogs inconvenient, leave them on their own for hours on end or regularly exclude them from family life shouldn't have them imo.

When you have a dog you accept the limitations they bring with them. You don't expect to have the best of having them and not having them when it doesn't suit.

Suzi888 · 15/07/2021 23:04

@MrsZlatan

“Your friend is everything I despise in a dog owner”

Really Confused

Yes… really Better than being left home to rot for 9 hours though. Angry
Ifonlyidknownthen · 15/07/2021 23:07

My dog would be heart broken if i fobbed her off every wknd, she's my little shadow. I see no point in making a conscious decision to get a dog, then exclude it from dog friendly activities every wknd, dumfounded!

Original poster
copernicium · 15/07/2021 23:07

I don't see anything wrong with daycare when you're working, away for the weekend, having a night out. I'm not judging people who use it.

I just don't see the point of sending them to daycare so you can go on a nice family walk alone and have a quiet night in "as a family". They don't do anything during this time that they couldn't take the dog along to.

OP posts:
CovoidOfAllHumanity · 15/07/2021 23:09

I would like to get a dog precisely for the purpose of going on nice family walks. That one is certainly puzzling unless the dog is very old or ill and can't walk far.

Original poster
copernicium · 15/07/2021 23:14

The dog is approx 18mths. This started as soon as things opened up again recently.

OP posts:
DefinitelyNotAHastyNameChange · 15/07/2021 23:14

How often do they do this? Is it a weekend once a month or so? If so, I can kind of understand - go to places you can’t take the dog to (lots of NT places don’t allow dogs and certainly not in the houses), if you’re going somewhere a bit of a drive away might not be fair on the dog. Anymore than that kind of defies the point of having a dog.

I guess it’s better than leaving it in a shelter to be rehomed, leaving it at home for hours alone or mistreating it but it’s not ideal if they’re doing it every weekend

StarlingsDarlings · 15/07/2021 23:14

Depends on the temperament of the dog. I know mine have a whale of a time with my dparents, and doggy day care is a similar premise!

It’s a little odd if she’s sending the dog off regularly but if she was a shit owner she’d be leaving him/ her home alone all day.

StormcloakNord · 15/07/2021 23:17

@DareIask

Dogs are pack animals. They want to be with their pack.

Owners who find their dogs inconvenient, leave them on their own for hours on end or regularly exclude them from family life shouldn't have them imo.

When you have a dog you accept the limitations they bring with them. You don't expect to have the best of having them and not having them when it doesn't suit.

No. They aren't. And no, they don't.
Original poster
copernicium · 15/07/2021 23:17

@DefinitelyNotAHastyNameChange

It's been every weekend since they opened up again - lost track of when their would have been...may, June? But seems to be the general plan for the future.

The thing is though, she's alone at home longer in the week than she would be if they left her at home when they go out at weekends.

OP posts:
DareIask · 15/07/2021 23:19

@StormcloakNord not sure what you're disagreeing with

StormcloakNord · 15/07/2021 23:21

@DareIask that dogs are "pack animals".

It's been widely disproven that this is the case.

DareIask · 15/07/2021 23:21

[quote copernicium]@DefinitelyNotAHastyNameChange

It's been every weekend since they opened up again - lost track of when their would have been...may, June? But seems to be the general plan for the future.

The thing is though, she's alone at home longer in the week than she would be if they left her at home when they go out at weekends. [/quote]
How cruel.

Poor dog... it's not really wanted is it. Would probably be better re homes to a family who actually wanted it.

familychallenge · 15/07/2021 23:21

I love my dog and he's with me most of the time. I wfh full time at the moment but will be going back to office a couple of days a week in Sept and he will go to a boarder then and stay overnight because it's easier and less disruptive than driving back and forth for me and him! He does love it and I'm confident he is happy and well looked after there. I booked him going a couple of days a week when I was planning to return to office in July and have kept him there even though I am at home because he is happy, it keeps him in the routine of going and gives both of us a break during the week.

I agree I don't understand going for lovely country walks without the dog! But I don't think sending dogs to daycare or boarding for a change or a break is a bad thing. If you choose somewhere that suits your dog so they are well looked after, and you have a balance with the dog's needs and yours, it seems like a much better choice than leaving the dog home alone

Mrsdoubtfireswig · 15/07/2021 23:21

My idea of a perfect walk would only be with my dogs ! Ditto for day off / break etc - don’t feel right if they are not by my side. I do have a dog Walker for whilst I’m at work, and they board with them aswell if go on holiday or overnight to somewhere they can’t go eg theatre trip but that’s probably only a couple of times a year and tbh I hate being away from them and generally can’t wait to get home and have them back with us

Why can’t your friend take the dog out with them ? Lots of NT places are overrun with dogs ! I’d have to ask next time she mentions it

And surely a night in ‘as a family’ is not complete without the dogs having a special treat tea of chicken or tuna and then snoozing and farting the night away Grin

DareIask · 15/07/2021 23:22

[quote StormcloakNord]@DareIask that dogs are "pack animals".

It's been widely disproven that this is the case. [/quote]
You can call it what you like but a dog wants to be with its family. A dog who is loved and welcomed,anyway.

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