How do people afford daycare

[Freshstarts22]

All daycare is a minimum of £40 a day.

Can’t get a dog Walker as my dog is anxious and won’t walk near roads so has to be driven.

I also am not keen on daycare because of the overstimulation (not great for a highly strung dog) and although she loves playing with dogs does not like mouthy play. I’d worry it’d have a negative effect.

Are there any other options I’m not thinking of? My Mum has her but can’t rely on this forever.

They have a higher income and so can afford it.

They prioritise the dog over other things.

Many answers, perhaps none of which help you.

What was your plan when you got the dog?

Surely not many people can afford £200+ a week on day care though?

The plan was to get a dog walker mid way through the day as my hours are not that long.

Have you tried “borrow my doggy”? Some people would love the company of a dog without the bills/ tie.

I’m a member but have never found anyone. Most people want a dog they can go on walks with.

Many of the dog walkers round me seem to hire the dog walking fields and ferry the dogs there in the van.
Personally, this set up wouldn't be for me, I would like my dogs to have variety on their walks but it could work for your dog.

Anything similar in your area?

A lot of the dog walkers round here have a van & pick up dogs then drive to a country park to take them for a walk. Could you stick to your original plan but find someone who does that?

Unfortunately not, I’m in central London.

I’ve seen a similar thing but again it’s £50ish for the day and a very long van journey in a crate which wouldn’t suit my dog.

Have you looked at daycare with a dog walker so they only take a few dogs at a time?

I pay less than you quoted for daycare and I only use it around three times a week. Yes it still adds up but it means I get to own a dog and work so it's worth it for me.

What have you done up until now??? What has changed? I'm assuming you already have a dog- rather rather than asking before buying one?

Could you WFH 1-2 days a week? Come home during your lunch break? Do you have a partner who could share the load and walk the dog during the day? Not ideal, but ask on your local next.com site.

There are worse things than leaving a dog at home. Said to me by a very well regarded clinical behaviourist who was not a fan of dog day care. Obviously not if you work 10 hour days and your dog is a pup. Do you have a garden? Where does your dog normally toilet? Some walkers or pet sitters will do 'puppy visits'. 30 minutes to give some company and let out to the toilet, could be an option.

As I said in my first post my Mum has her. Which she still can, but it’s becoming more difficult for her as my dog is not the easiest and my Mums health has declined recently. I’d just like another option as I can’t see my Mum being able to do this in 5 years let alone 10.

I do only work 3 days luckily. But no partner.

I just never envisioned having a dog that couldn’t be taken for a walk. Makes things tricky.

I think my dog quite enjoys being alone. As she has some issues I do actually think it’s probably better for her than over stimulating day care but I can’t bring myself to leave her for more than 3 hours.

If your dog won't walk near roads could you hire a dog sitter for an hour to take him out in the garden for his business and do a good session of play and enrichment with him, then you walk him early morning and when you get home?

This is what I need but can’t find.

Actually I did find someone but she charges £30 for the hour which seems crazy. Might message her and see if she covers my area and what services she offers.

That's so expensive. We pay £20 per day. Only use it once a week as dh or I are usually at home.

Actually I did find someone but she charges £30 for the hour which seems crazy.

That is not crazy. She'll have travel time and expenses as well as admin on top of that. Her net pay will not be £30 p/h. A dog walker could make multiple times that taking a few non reactive dogs out which is why you are having difficulty finding someone.

I’m not talking about whether it’s crazy for her. But it’s crazy for me, £30 for an hour is a lot. Especially when daycare is £40-50. ----

£30 for an hour is a lot. Especially when daycare is £40-50.

Forget about value for money in terms of what something costs per hour. You can get a lunchtime visit that sounds like it will suit your dog for £30 or pay £50 for an environment that's unlikely to be beneficial for your dog. It's a per day cost so choosing the cheaper option that is going to suit your dog seems like a no brainer.

£360 a month for someone to pop in 3 days per week is still way too much for me. I think £20 a day would be my max.

This. A lunch time visit suits your dog more than a full day at daycare. And is cheaper.

Alternatively you train the dog / work on its reactivity intensely so a normal dog walker can take it out.

Or re home to somewhere that can meet its needs.

Do you know your neighbours? Is there someone retired/working from home/trusted teenager who would like some extra money for befriending your dog and playing with it for an hour at home? Or who could take it in car for non road walk? I pay £10 for a one hour walk to retired lady or £20 for whole day inc two walks.

Also if you can pay one off for a behaviourist or use inline training to desensitise your dog to road noise it would definitely help with the restrictions.
Hope you find good solutions soon.

It’s like living in central london. Many of us who live elsewhere couldn’t begin to imagine affording to live there but clearly you’ve got a budget for the local costs you endure. Dog daycare is cheaper elsewhere and we budget for local costs.

Anxious dogs are extra hard, true. Any chance you can find a friend with a friendly dog who gets on with yours? Then you can try and arrange dog swaps (we used to do this and the dogs and people in the arrangement were all extremely happy!).

Also I personally don’t use daycare every day for the dog. I arrange my week so she’s only at day care two days a week. It’s taken a lot of work to get to this point but she’s worth it!

good luck in finding your solution.

We don't use one for our two and they seem fine. They get a decent walk before work. I try to be home by 3 most days and they get another walk then and an evening walk. Teenage kids sometimes in and out.

Wow. My dog isn’t reactive. She’s nervous of roads. She’s on anxiety meds and we have worked with a behaviourist. It’s not something that’s ever going to go away. I’m not prepared to have a dog Walker force her to walk routes she isn’t comfortable with.

Can you work more days to increase your in as cover the daycare?