Day care!

[Colalola]

Hi firstly please no judgment on day care I know they have bad reputations this is why I'm here to ask questions and it's for 4hrs per week. I have commitments that are non negotiable and my dog has SA so I won't leave her alone for 4hrs.

Hi just looking for advice on a daycare. I’ve found one local to me and it’s a someone who runs it from their home. My dog will only be going one afternoon per week and they have another 3 other dogs on that day. My dog hasn’t been spayed yet as she’s not had her first season but they said she can still go when she is in season as the others have been neutered…is this correct and ok? I thought it was best to keep dogs separate in this scenario.

Also should I be asked to sign anything before she goes for her first session as I thought that would be the case?

This may not be what you want to hear, but assuming she is still young (she hasn't had her first season) would there be any chance of just addressing the SA?

No.

Three dogs you don’t know around your young and unspayed dog? Being neutered doesn’t mean they won’t try and mount her - which is bloody painful for the bitch. Don’t put your dog through that. The fact the day care person even suggest that makes me think there’s probably a LOT they do that’s dodgy as hell and four random dogs in one persons house? No thanks.

I know it’s not what you want to hear, OP, but your dog deserves better from daycare than this place!

Some neutered dogs will do everything they just won’t cause a pregnancy and lots will still harass her and potentially fight each other… it’s really dodgy that she’s thinking it wouldn’t be an issue.

If she was planning on keeping them separately then maybe, but also kind of defeats the point of daycare really as at some point the dogs would be alone.

if it’s only for 4 hours a week do you not know anyone who could watch her? Someone’s student child who is free that day looking for extra money or someone older who’s not up for owning a dog but would look after one for that time?

Yeah we're working on it but it's slow so I can't leave her yet for any great length of time! It's more isolation anxiety but still resolved similarly.

@tabulahrasa @Devilshands

Completely agree with your points and I'm glad I got a second opinion because I didn't know if I was being dramatic and over the top with how protective I am. A family dog has seriously harassed her in the past and she was so distressed. It's a red flag that they said this isn't it? What do you think about them not asking me to sign anything?

We signed about 4 pages for both our dogs (consecutively) which covered things like vaccinations received and evidence seen of this, what they expect re behaviour and what steps would need to be taken if behavioural issues caused problems, which vet they would use in an emergency and our agreement to cover any costs incurred from this……loads of stuff. So the absence of a DayCare/Owner agreement would concern me.

The in season thing wouldn’t bother me at our daycare, as they have plenty of separate areas and staff to be in them, so dogs wouldn’t be shut away. Current dog had one season before being spayed and we sent her in after the bleeding had finished, as they don’t allow unneutered males to attend.

We’ve used them for 10 years + now and I trust them completely to manage behaviour, complement training at home, force free methods etc.

I’ve seen concerning things online from other local daycares, especially the “in home” ones. There’s only one I would consider and they are always full because they take 2 at a maximum, carefully vetted dogs that get on with their own 2 dogs. I’ve chatted to them out walking and they seem great, but that’s not the set up I need for our girl. Others have “funny” videos with dogs clearly on the verge of proper fighting, pushing empty ham packets round the floor “awww, they ❤️ their lil treats!”

I wouldn’t, on the evidence you’ve given, consider this daycare for your dog.

It's worth knowing that they don't all have a bad reputation. I've used two and they are both brilliant. Insured, licensed, DBS & I have to follow their H&S rules. I.e, upset tummy, don't bring the dog knowing they won't get paid. One of them has a daily enrichment plan. They can be a good thing 🐾

Oh yes @Notgivingup54 , I forgot the illness thing is also in the contract we sign and we also get reminders if anything is going around not to bring the dog in with it as you’ll get a phone call asking to come and pick them up. As a consequence, I can’t think of any occasion where our dogs have picked anything up there.
They also clean constantly with pet friendly cleaners. No greasy marks round their walls

Is this a registered and licensed daycare or just someone doing it as a "hobby"?

Fully insured and licensed by local authorities they say.

@Colalola if they haven't asked you to sign any paperwork then it's very unlikely that they're licensed. I would ring the council and check.

Licensed boarders have to keep records of all the dogs they have on their books, as well as vaccination records etc.

Good daycares can be a lifesaver but this doesn't sound like one to me. The fact that they'd happily take an in-season bitch screams trouble to me.

Ok thank you. When I met them they asked about vaccinations and just ticked the box I didn't get asked for proof nor provide any. I guess the fact I've made this post shows my gut is telling me don't send her.

@Colalola definitely don't send her if they're not even doing the basics.

Don't let this bad experience put you off though - there are lots of great daycares out there.

I've only ever had good experiences with dog daycare so not sure where the negativity would come from

IME there should be a proper contract in place. You should know the breeds, ages and sexes of any other dogs there. Your dog should meet them before - especially if it’s someone house. Dogs can get very territorial it’s often worse in unfamiliar environments - so if she’s not introduced to them properly it could end badly.

My sister uses one for her dog. It’s the same other dog every time (a Friday 9-12). The dogs met each other beforehand for a walk before the dog sitter even considered taking my sisters dog on.

anyone can claim to be council licensed - it’s actually often a ploy used by puppy farmers in the breeding world ‘I’m a 5* licensed breeder’! So really that means nothing either.

If your gut isn’t happy, always listen to it. Dogs are too important to Ignore the warning signs

My experience is mumsnet is very blasé about dog walkers and dog day care and very few people do the proper checks. Always better to be safe than sorry with your dog

Our dog goes to day care one day a week. We had to provide proof of her vaccinations and neutering. She also had to have an assessment before they agreed to have her. They’re insured and licensed by the local authority. She absolutely loves it and they send photos too.