Doggy Daycare

Think your dog doesn’t need to go to daycare? Well maybe this article just might change your mind…

I’ve never had a dog before. Well, that’s not entirely true. When I was in grade 4 my big brother convinced my parents to get a dog. We had him (Scout) for about 6 months till he bit the newspaper boy and he “got sent to live on a farm”. But that’s a story for another time (or another post). I’ve had plenty of cats, at least 5. I always thought I was a “cat person” until I got a dog. Now I realize I’m just an animal person; small, large, short hair, long hair, no hair, I pretty much love them all! I realized very quickly that taking care of a dog is a lot different than taking care of a cat (in some ways easier, some ways harder). Like for instance dogs needs exercise and LOTS of it!!!! I walk my dog five times a day, that’s right I said five! This is how the schedule works: I wake up most weekdays at 6 am  and walk her immediately (everyone needs a morning pee). Then we go inside, I feed her, and I ask my fiance to take her out one more time before he goes to work (he leaves later than I do).  Then poor Roxy is stuck at home all day while we’re at work (anywhere between 6-8 hours). Whomever gets home first walks Roxy for walk #3. Then after dinner (between 6-7 pm) she gets another walk. Then we end the night with the final walk right before bedtime (around 9-10 pm), with hopes that Roxy takes both a #1 & #2. I don’t think of Roxy as a pet, but rather part of my family,  so when I realized my fur baby still had too much energy at the end of the day I knew I needed to do something else. I’ve heard of doggy daycare BEFORE I had a dog and always thought that was a little ridiculous. Why the hell would a dog need to go to a daycare, they’re a dog? Why can’t they just hang out at home during the day like cats do. I would think. This was before I was a dog owner, now I think differently. Not only is doggy daycare the highlight of my dog’s week, it gives her the important doggy interaction  she desperately needs (and wants), as well as the exercise. As an “only dog” at our house, I feel Roxy sometimes feels lonely and alienated from other dogs. Sure she gets a lot of love and attention from her human family, but just as we humans need and value friendships with one another, I believe dogs do as well. Roxy is a natural extrovert, and I have been told she has a ton of buddies at doggy daycare. This helps so much when we take her out in public places and encounter other dogs. Doggy daycare has taught Roxy how to interact positively with other dogs, and it puts me at ease when I go out in public with her.  She goes to daycare on Monday and is tired till about Wednesday morning (no joke). She sleeps like the dead, only getting up to eat, pee and poo for about the first 12 hours after she gets home. The entire next day is mostly spent laying around as well (most likely reflecting on the past days adventures). We all know a tired dog means a happy dog owner, and after doggy daycare Roxy could not be more tired, and I more happy.

This video shows her getting picked up for doggy daycare, and even though she’s been going for 2 years, she still gets as excited as a kid on Christmas morning when that van pulls up to pick her up.

Now to be fair, not all doggy daycare’s are created equal. How many people can say their doggy daycare picks up and drops off your dog at your house? How many people can get the option of having their dog washed and nails clipped? How many people can say they get videos and pictures sent to them so you can see what your dog has been up to during the day? How many people can say their doggy daycare owner and staff loves and cares for your dog as much as you do? I am sure there are a lot of doggy daycares that are excellent (I’m not dogging any of them, pun intended). I just feel so lucky that I was recommended to Love Your Dog;  Julie (owner/operator) and her staff are top notch, and I can rest assured that my dog is in great paws, or is it hands? They have so much space to run and play, they get treats, they even have a kiddie pool and sprinkler to cool off in on those hot summer days. If you’re thinking of taking your dog to a daycare, I encourage you to do your research, visit the facilities, ask important questions, and compare rates. All I can say is doggy daycare is money well spent! You’ll have a healthy, happy, and very tired dog. So regardless how many times you walk your dog, I still think every dog would benefit from doggy daycare.