As some of you know, I recently started working at a doggy day care. It’s not that I just can’t get enough of other people’s dogs (I can and I have), but mama’s got to keep the lights on.
In the couple weeks I’ve been at a for-profit facility, I’ve learned a few things. The standards of care are different (yet not so different from a good shelter). The owners are 34% more neurotic. Anal gland expression is not my favorite medical procedure.
But, for those of you that are considering a doggy day care, or occasionally need to board your dog, I have a few helpful tips:
1) Do your research. And plan ahead.
Um, if you call a kennel, any kennel, on December 23rd and ask if they can board your dog, the best response you will get is a sarcastic laugh. Even non-holiday weekends can be very busy in a good facility. So you need to book your kennel as soon as you know you’ll be out of town.
This saves you from booking a kennel at Pitbull Dave’s Dog Barn and Glue Factory. There are a ton of places that will board your dog, but only a handful are genuinely nice, clean places to stay. Take a tour of the whole facility before you leave your pets there. If they won’t give you a tour, or a full tour, don’t give them your money and the puppy you got because you can’t find a man to give you a baby.
Ask how much time the employees are actually able to spend with the dogs. Ask what amenities and perks come with a stay. If it’s also a doggy day care, ask how they know that all the dogs will do well together.
2) Be realistic about your own dog.
Yeah, I know, your dog is a super Special Snowflake. Aren’t they all. Some peoples’ dogs are aggressive, or overly needy, but not yours!
Shut up. If you are going to entrust the care of your dog to other people for a few days, or an afternoon, you need to be both honest and clear about your dog’s needs and eccentricities. The day care I work for does “interviews” to make sure a prospective day camper/boarder does well with the other dogs. If they don’t, they can’t stay there.
Some places don’t do that, but if you know your Westie hates dogs over 50lbs or has an irrational fear of metal bowls, tell the staff that before someone gets hurt or your dog freaks out and bites someone.
3) Don’t be a helicopter parent.
Hey, listen, seriously: if you’re THAT worried about how your dog is going to do without you, don’t go out of town. I’m sorry if that’s harsh. But, you know, I hate leaving my dogs and trust very, very few people with their care, so that means I don’t board them unless it’s absolutely necessary.
You can’t be responsible and attached to another life without making some sacrifices, and you are either going to have to sacrifice that trip to Tijuana or some peace of mind when you’re not attached to your dog every minute of every day.
In the case of doggy day care, you may really, really want to be with your Border Collie puppy all the time, but unless you are training for a marathon or have a flock of sheep near your laptop being alone with him isn’t best for anyone.
If you have a social, high-energy dog, it’s your responsibility to make sure they get the stimulation they need. If hanging out with you while you watch “Law & Order” reruns isn’t doing it, then you need to do the best thing for your dog, even if you can’t stand to be away from him. My day care has cameras, and owners can watch their dogs online. Because people are crazy. If you are so crazy that you need to watch your Special Snowflake when they’re not around, you can go to my doggy day care.
4) Keep up on vaccinations and exams but be realistic.
I have heard of kennels and doggy day cares that ask that their dogs be vaccinated every six months for Bordetella (the kennel cough vaccination). Every facility will ask that your dog be current on rabies and distemper vaccinations, and may ask that you treat your dog for any parasites or pests the dog has before they board. So keep up with all that.
But if your dog does get sick after boarding, don’t panic and sue the kennel. The Bordetella vaccination is notoriously not very effective. There are over 70 strains of Bordetella and the vaccination typically has three.
Again, a reputable kennel is going to be extremely diligent in sanitation and health care, but, just like you can get a cold even though you wash your hands before you pick your nose, a dog can still get sick even if all the appropriate precautions are taken.
If your dog does get sick at the kennel, a reputable facility will inform you immediately and should get your dog to its normal vet or, in an emergency, the vet they use.
If they get sick after you pick them up, by all means, inform the kennel. They need to be aware that there may be a strain of illness they need to watch out for. A lot of places will either help with your vet expenses or reimburse/credit you in other ways, but getting angry isn’t going to help.
If you did your research and the kennel you chose does everything it can to prevent the spread of disease, know that it sometimes happens despite the staff’s best efforts. If you didn’t do your research and your dog spent three days living in its own feces, then you have absolutely no one to blame.
On that note, dogs play rough. A good facility supervises dogs and makes sure no play gets too rough, but even a light and playful swipe from a dog with long nails can leave a mark. Again, do let the kennel know if your dog comes home with a serious injury, but if your short-coated, sparse-haired dog (lookin’ at you, Boxers, Dobermans, Chihuahuas) comes home missing a little hair or has a small scratch that didn’t break the skin, take an Ativan. You need to calm down. It’s a good thing you don’t have kids.
If you want your dog to play like dogs play, there will occasionally be a scratch or a sore paw after exuberant activity. Go to the vet if you’re really concerned, but try to mellow out. Dogs are resilient creatures.
Just a little advice. I could go all day. Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions!
