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What to Look for in Dog Day Care Services
Choosing the right dog day care is important for the health and
happiness of your dog. The popularity of dog day care facilities
has these businesses cropping up with no consistency in the
level of care provided. The following are some guidelines to
consider when selecting a day care facility for your dog.
Initial Paperwork
The initial paperwork allows the day care facility to set up
an account for your dog and have on record any special needs he
may have. It also allows them to establish a standard for
maintaining a healthy environment for all of their clients.
- Registration form - Owner, veterinary and emergency
contact information as well as information about the dog(s)
to be cared for including age, breed, temperament and any
concerns the owner might have.
- Current vaccination records – Must have copies of
current vaccination records including rabies, DHLPPC and
Bordetella. Other vaccinations may be included depending on
the area of residence.
Initial Evaluation
Before accepting a new client, a facility should have an
evaluation day. Typically these are a half day session where the
dog is gradually introduced to the facility with an evaluator
taking notes about your dog’s progression. Different phases of
the introduction/evaluation might include:
- Introduction to the evaluator
- Introduction to the day care where the dog is kept
separate but is still able to touch noses with other dogs
- Introduction to the open play area
These phases allow the evaluator to watch for signs of
anxiety or aggression, see how long it takes your dog to become
acclimated to the area, people and other dogs and to determine
whether the dog should be allowed to return to the facility.
Staffing
Any animal day care should have sufficient staff to safely
oversee the number of dogs in the facility. In addition to
staffing numbers, you should ask about the qualifications of the
staff. These could include:
- Animal CPR certification by the American Red Cross
- Pet Care certification through the Pet Care Services
Association (formerly the American Boarding Kennel
Association)
- Dog training certification through the Certification
Council of Professional Dog Trainers
Facility Accommodations
Different facilities will have different amenities. Some of
the key things to consider are:
- Cleanliness to promote a healthy environment
- Water should be clean and accessible to your dog
- Appropriate waste disposal for fecal matter and urine,
and facility to appropriately clean the area
- Separate areas for large and small dogs
- Individual kennels available for every dog in the
facility
- Large enough for dogs to play freely and not feel
threatened or overcrowded
- Secure facility, ensuring the dogs do not run loose and
will not be released to anyone but the owner
- Indoor facilities should be climate controlled to
maintain a comfortable environment for the dogs
- On-call veterinarian in case you or your veterinarian
cannot be reached
Whether the day care you choose is indoor only or an
indoor/outdoor combination, it should be set up to ensure the
care and safety of every dog in the facility. Your dog should be
able to go there and have fun socializing with other dogs while
you go to work knowing he’s well cared for, getting exercise and
learning social skills with people and dogs alike.
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