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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

Dog can't go back to daycare

37 replies

PugInTheHouse · 08/03/2023 13:58

Just a bit disappointed really I guess, I spent ages choosing a nice home for my 1 yo dog to go to 1 day a week whilst I am at work. I didn't want to leave him at home and just have a walker as he's a large breed and I would worry he might chew stuff.

He went for the first day and had a lovely time, I knew she took other dogs but she didn't mention any specifics. Anyway, it turns out when she takes them for walks she leaves her own dog and the other dog (in this case my dog) at home but in separate rooms. Totally fine as obviously much safer however my dog can open doors so she has said he kept letting himself out so she can't continue having him. I totally understand of course but I'm struggling to find someone else who is suitable. I can't even train him not to open the doors as I changed the handles on mine to round ones to stop him opening them months ago, I guess I assumed he would forget about how to do it. He can even open them inwards so there is no containing him!!

I really thought I had considered everything when getting a big dog, I really didn't expect him to open doors though.

OP posts:
RappScallion · 08/03/2023 16:40

Our escape artist GSD is "contained" by an extra high Babydan playpen / room divider which is basically a load of stair gate panels joined together. If he's respectful of the stair gates you have that might also work with him?

Original poster
PugInTheHouse · 08/03/2023 18:12

Thank you everyone. I will keep looking and will look at boarding kennels if there are any local to me. To be honest I'd rather he wasn't left alone if in someone else's house, I was surprised she left him on the first day, he possibly would have been OK once he was settled there.

OP posts:
Original poster
PugInTheHouse · 08/03/2023 18:16

Artemisty · 08/03/2023 15:57

I agree. I know you said she sounds lovely but it sounds like she isn't set up for it rather than your dog. Of course he's going to try and get out if he's not happy/ bored in there.
A crate isn't the answer - it's not fair to leave a dog locked in a crate - that's for carer convenience and nothing more.

It sounds like a bit more of a look around to find someone that is home all day with him so he doesn't need to be left alone for a period. It's bloody expensive though I know.

He was probably a bit out of sorts also, he'd only met her briefly once before that. He's happy with anyone really but I think it was a step too far on his first day. I am not sure a crate would be any good, he is mixed with a czechoslovakian wolfdog, both breeds he's crossed with a renowned for getting through crates.

It is a shame, she has a Saint Bernard around the same age as my dog so it would have been nice for him to have a big playmate.

OP posts:
ladygindiva · 08/03/2023 21:02

anunlikelyseahorse · 08/03/2023 15:41

ladygindiva Can't help thinking that it's probably a good thing she never learnt to shit the door ...could be messy and smelly!

🤣🤣🤣* SHUT the door

grosslyunfair · 08/03/2023 21:22

I found with the home boarders/ day care the set ups varied wildly - most were fine for the right dogs but a disaster for the wrong ones. And sometimes the boarder's situations change as well so the set up shifts. I have a primary that I use who is brilliant but she's reducing her boarding so I'm looking for alternatives. I'm also looking at kennels that do daycare as they tend to be more reliably available! You will find the right solution 😀😀

78gingernuts · 08/03/2023 21:41

Can I just add to this thread. Whom ever you choose to care for your dog please please check they are properly licenced to do so by the local council.
Anyone that looks after other people's dogs in their (the person's) home, even only on a day care basis, as a business, requires a licence and must meet minimum standards.
There is likely to be a public register available on the council website.

Dog walkers and people who pet sit in the pets own home are currently not regulated and do not need a licence

Original poster
PugInTheHouse · 08/03/2023 22:09

grosslyunfair · 08/03/2023 21:22

I found with the home boarders/ day care the set ups varied wildly - most were fine for the right dogs but a disaster for the wrong ones. And sometimes the boarder's situations change as well so the set up shifts. I have a primary that I use who is brilliant but she's reducing her boarding so I'm looking for alternatives. I'm also looking at kennels that do daycare as they tend to be more reliably available! You will find the right solution 😀😀

Thank you, I have one person who is amazing but because she is predominantly a trainer but mainly because my 2 are hyper attached to her she can only do daycare if she doesn't leave them at all which makes her too expensive. I have meetings set up with a couple of will come to my house instead so will see how that goes.

OP posts:
Original poster
PugInTheHouse · 08/03/2023 22:11

78gingernuts · 08/03/2023 21:41

Can I just add to this thread. Whom ever you choose to care for your dog please please check they are properly licenced to do so by the local council.
Anyone that looks after other people's dogs in their (the person's) home, even only on a day care basis, as a business, requires a licence and must meet minimum standards.
There is likely to be a public register available on the council website.

Dog walkers and people who pet sit in the pets own home are currently not regulated and do not need a licence

Thank you, I will double check this. I checked insurance and qualifications etc but didn't think to check this.

OP posts:
bamboonights · 08/03/2023 22:12

I think there is such a demand for daycare that they can pick and choose. Any dog that is problematic is low on the list as a valued customer. I know many in my area and the good ones are booked up solidly for daycare and for a year in advance for holiday care. I suppose I'm spoiled but I happened to find a dog walker whose passion is canine behaviour. She is amazing and would totally understand the importance of having the right dogs with the right energy in a confined space. If it's not right it could so easily result in a dog fight and the resultant injuries. The whole sector needs to be regulated in my opinion-I'd never use a dog walker that has no behavioural knowledge, which is very different from training, or one that walks more than 3 compatible dogs at a time.

bamboonights · 08/03/2023 22:14

WetBandits · 08/03/2023 15:43

I can’t fathom why she isn’t using baby gates if she’s a doggy day care!

I did wonder about this too. Let's the dogs see that's going on without feeling left out and keeps them safe to boot.

grosslyunfair · 08/03/2023 22:38

I think the comments about demand being high are true- at least here. All the ones I have looked at have emphasised that they don't take dogs that don't fit. But fit has been very specific- one place wanted dogs that were taken for 2 walks (on lead) a day but then we're happy to chill with other dogs in quite a small space- fine for the right dogs but absolutely not for mine- he'd be a massive pain in that scenario. My current one has two high energy dogs and a large space- so she's fussy about friendliness and easiness with other dogs but high energy bouncy dogs are absolutely fine. Yours sounds mischievous but I'm sure you will find the right place!

Original poster
PugInTheHouse · 08/03/2023 23:03

Thank you. I am sure we'll find the right person for him eventually

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