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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

How do people afford daycare

103 replies

Freshstarts22 · 26/03/2023 18:12

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.

OP posts:
Blanketenvy · 27/03/2023 07:18

Anyone you know who works from home? I sometimes work from a friend/neighbours house with their dog, they have a similar set up with a few friends/borrow my doggy people as dog has separation anxiety. Might be worth advertising on borrow my doggy for this, a lot of people might like the company of a dog without the pressure of a big walk.

STARCATCHER22 · 27/03/2023 07:19

From your responses, I’m not really sure what you want. People have made suggestions, you’ve found a reason why every single one of them would be possible. You’ve found someone who offers what you need but won’t pay it. What exactly are you looking for?

CleaningOutMyCloset · 27/03/2023 07:24

Quite a few dog walkers near me have vans and will come and collect your dog, you could enquire about collecting to walk

LimeCheesecake · 27/03/2023 07:27

I pay £25 a day for a home dog day care thing - basically I drop my dog at a local lady’s house for the day and she cares for a max 3 dogs a day. She does home kennelling /boarding too.

I already sort of knew her via her dd going to my dcs school so I heard from another school mum she was setting up this business, not sure what you’d look for. Perhaps search for home boarders and see if any do reduced price day care?

rookiemere · 27/03/2023 07:51

If it's £30 an hour for what you need, then it's £30 an hour.

As others have said if they are just looking after your dog then it's for more than an hour by the time you factor in travelling.

I also think from what you have said, that that's the only realistic option for you and an hours break in the middle of the day, should be enough to tire out most dogs. It's not an ideal solution, but it's only 3 days a week and other opportunities may present themselves over time.

Ok so it costs £30 a session. It feels like you've decided that's too much, rather than you literally can't afford it. But if it is the latter, then use the person 2 x per week instead. Your dog will cope with one day alone per week.

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 27/03/2023 07:56

There are no walkers that drive. It’s central London, there’s no parking, congestion zone ect.

Then it sounds like you have no choice but to pay the £30.

gogohmm · 27/03/2023 07:59

Most dogs are left at home. You must train them first (you can't leave a dog that's never been left for 8 hours) but you build up to it and ensure they are walked before and afterwards. Daycare would be my dogs idea if hell, he's not sociable - even if you work from home he scuttles off to his lair under the big desk for many hours at a time only appearing when he smells food (was a bit annoyed at lockdown when his peace was shattered). But he wasn't left as long as a pup and we chose a dog who could be trained easily and would be self sufficient

Original poster
Freshstarts22 · 27/03/2023 08:05

rookiemere · 27/03/2023 07:51

If it's £30 an hour for what you need, then it's £30 an hour.

As others have said if they are just looking after your dog then it's for more than an hour by the time you factor in travelling.

I also think from what you have said, that that's the only realistic option for you and an hours break in the middle of the day, should be enough to tire out most dogs. It's not an ideal solution, but it's only 3 days a week and other opportunities may present themselves over time.

Ok so it costs £30 a session. It feels like you've decided that's too much, rather than you literally can't afford it. But if it is the latter, then use the person 2 x per week instead. Your dog will cope with one day alone per week.

I don’t even know if the woman covers my area. Waiting for a reply. It’s quite possible she doesn’t because I’m in the congestion charge zone.

OP posts:
Original poster
Freshstarts22 · 27/03/2023 08:06

gogohmm · 27/03/2023 07:59

Most dogs are left at home. You must train them first (you can't leave a dog that's never been left for 8 hours) but you build up to it and ensure they are walked before and afterwards. Daycare would be my dogs idea if hell, he's not sociable - even if you work from home he scuttles off to his lair under the big desk for many hours at a time only appearing when he smells food (was a bit annoyed at lockdown when his peace was shattered). But he wasn't left as long as a pup and we chose a dog who could be trained easily and would be self sufficient

She’s quite happy left alone I just don’t know I’d be comfortable with more than 3-4 hours.

OP posts:
Original poster
Freshstarts22 · 27/03/2023 08:08

I’ll check rover and borrow my doggy again and see if I can find anyone that does cheaper day care with less dogs- but the walking would still be an issue. Or someone that does drop in visits, quick walk around the block and some enrichment at home.

OP posts:
stevalnamechanger · 27/03/2023 08:09

Look on Rover, there are many insured , first aid trained , DBS checked pet sitters who will come to you - I do pop ins for £12 (In London ) as my current remote work is very quiet

I am trained in canine body language and OFQUAL level 3 first aid and considering degree training before anyone queries it

Strongboat · 27/03/2023 08:10

Can you advertise on a local Facebook group for a local teenager to come and let her out? Otherwise, I think I would leave her at home as suggested by behaviourist with frozen stuffed kongs, dog calming music etc.

Strongboat · 27/03/2023 08:11

Just seen post above mine - looks ideal!

rookiemere · 27/03/2023 08:13

Actually I was just thinking about the post a couple of days ago where a lady was looking to make a relatively low monthly amount to bridge the gap between work pension and state pension age.
If you post on FB or rover, you absolutely should find someone.

Bigsighall · 27/03/2023 08:14

We used to employ a cleaner who let the dog out at lunchtime. Cheaper and a clean house.

QuertyGirl · 27/03/2023 08:17

Why do you have a dog if you haven't got time for it?

Very strange!

Girlintheframe · 27/03/2023 08:17

Our daycare is £21 a day so significantly cheaper. He also only goes 5-7 times a month due to shifts. If it was full time, every day, all month it would work out very expensive.

usernother · 27/03/2023 08:18

She’s quite happy left alone I just don’t know I’d be comfortable with more than 3-4 hours.

You won't know until you try it

RedHelenB · 27/03/2023 08:21

Freshstarts22 · 26/03/2023 18:46

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.

Show quote history

I know it's frowned on but mine is alone 7 hours some days when I work and is fine with it.

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 27/03/2023 08:58

QuertyGirl · 27/03/2023 08:17

Why do you have a dog if you haven't got time for it?

Very strange!

Where does it say she doesn't have time for it?

QuertyGirl · 27/03/2023 09:00

@coffeecupsandwaxmelts

She needs daycare.

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 27/03/2023 09:14

QuertyGirl · 27/03/2023 09:00

@coffeecupsandwaxmelts

She needs daycare.

And? Does that mean parents who has childcare don't have time gig their children?

Don't be daft.

Paq · 27/03/2023 09:18

You live in central London and have a dog that can't be walked near roads?????

LimeCheesecake · 27/03/2023 09:20

@QuertyGirl - lots of people have dogs (and children) and need some care to fit round work. I changed jobs from working 5 mornings a week (so ddog being able to be left while I went out) to 3 long days, I factored the cost of dog and childcare care into accepting the new role.

the problem the OPs got is akin to having a child who can’t go into breakfast/after school clubs and needs 1-2-1 care, but she’s budgeted for normal wraparound care, and now needs to hire a nanny…

QuertyGirl · 27/03/2023 09:20

@coffeecupsandwaxmelts

Children are people.

Pets are a hobby. This is like buying an embroidery kit and paying someone else to do it.