Is Your Dog Ready For Doggy Daycare?
Posted on: 18 March 2015
If you are thinking about putting your dog in pet day care, but are not sure how he will react, here are some behaviors and health issues to check for.
Is Your Dog in Good Health?
If your dog is healthy, playful, spayed or neutered, and up-to-date with his vaccinations, chances are he is ready to go to doggy daycare. Make sure your dog is current on his shots, including;
- Rabies
- Kennel Cough
- DHHP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus)
- Any other shots your veterinarian recommends
Treat your dog for fleas if he displays any clues that indicate he might have fleas, such as constant scratching, sores, or shaking his head. If you suspect that your dog has fleas, take him to the veterinarian for treatment, or run a specially made flea comb through his fur, putting the fleas immediately into a bowl of water with a little bit of dish soap mixed in.
Thoroughly comb through your dog's fur, so as to eradicate all of the fleas. Start using flea and tick preventative medicine, which you can ask your vet about. You certainly do not want to risk infesting other dogs, or people for that matter, with fleas.
If your dog is too young or possibly too old, watch his behavior at a dog park. If your dog gets knocked down or tires easily, be careful about whom you choose to board your dog with. You wouldn't like for him to be injured or be bullied or scared every day he is at pet day care.
Is Your Dog Trained?
If your dog gets along well with other dogs and is potty trained, he is probably prepared to go into a dog day care center every day. Be aware that a good dog boarder will observe your dog for a day without you, as a trial, to see whether or not your dog is a good fit for the pet day care. The staff of the dog day care should watch to see if your dog plays well with other dogs, what types of activities he prefers, and what might make him upset (like another dog stealing his favorite toy). Staff members will let you know if your dog fits in well.
When you look for a good place for your dog to stay, make sure that the staff is trained for CPR and first aid of dogs, in case anything should go awry while your pet is in pet day care. Observe the center for yourself to check that the space is relatively clean and the other dogs are happy. You want to make sure your dog is cared for and loved while he is not with you. If not, be prepared to search for a better facility that you feel comfortable with. For more tips, ask a day care center like Daily Wag.
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