Daycare - just a bad day or should I raise it?

[StaceyF90]

My dog goes to daycare once a week. He loves it and we usually enjoy him going.

We asked that he is not walked off leash or goes swimming in their river. They have several acres of enclosed land, lots of sofas and beds, agility equipment, etc, so plenty for him to do. He's still a puppy so recall and swimming are things we are working on with him.

Daycare sent me some photos today of him walking offleash (not in their fields) and also swimming in their river.

He got injured at his last daycare, but this place has been fantastic until today. I'm worried if I say something to them, they might get offended and not let him back.

Do I let it slip and hope they don't do it again or should I raise it?

It's not trivial in the slightest - please don't let them make you feel that way.

Their response about him loving the water tells me that this isn't the first time they've gone against your wishes and had him off lead and in the river.

Personally I wouldn't be able to trust them with my dog again. I don't care how good they think his recall is, he's not their dog so it's not their decision to make.

As a dog walker myself I have lots of dogs whose owners don't want them going off the lead. It's never been a problem and I would never, ever go against their wishes and let them off anyway.

I think once the trust is gone it will be very difficult to take your dog back there. I also think from their response that this isn't the first time your dog has been swimming with them...

As a professional dog walker myself, you respect your client's wishes or you don't take the dog on. I have only had two client's where I wasn't prepared to carry out their wishes (both told me they would like me to strike their dog across the face with the lead if they became too fixated on another dog......) I told them 'no, I don't do that'. Both were happy to let me walk their dogs, without smacking them.....

I don't see this as a trivial issue at all. If I was in your shoes I wouldn't be able to bring my dog back to them as I wouldn't be able to trust them. Pets are much loved family members in this household as I'm sure your dog is in yours. I wouldn't leave a loved family member with people who, despite my requests, are putting my dog in a situation where they could come to harm.