Every morning it’s the same:
You say good-bye to your furry best friend, try to ignore the sad puppy dog eyes as you close the door behind you and spend much of your long commute worrying about how your beloved pooch will do as you work those long hours. Will she be able to hold her potty? Will she get bored and chew your slipper? Will she feel depressed and lonely? If questions like these make you worry about the well-being of your four-legged family member, consider a quality doggie daycare facility to help make you both feel better!
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Energy Release
The old adage stands to reason: “a tired dog is a happy dog.” When your pet has the opportunity to expend hours of energy with canine friends of similar temperaments, it only makes sense that she will wear herself out. In a controlled, yet fun, environment such as a doggie daycare, your pooch will have the opportunity for both indoor and outdoor exercise, rather than being stuck at home alone. Games of tug and chase with her playgroup and human staff members equate to lots of good times and, often, the dog will sleep all the way home.
Rather than spending hours alone and possibly finding mischief, a quality daycare experience can give your pup a healthy way to release her pent-up energy. Instead of arriving from work to find a frantic friend in dire need of a long walk, more often than not, you will be picking up a calm pooch ready to flop at your feet with a happy sigh as soon as you sit down. Stressed out and frustrated dogs are replaced by quieter, calmer versions.
Socialization
Hanging around with other well-behaved dogs of similar size and personality can be wonderful for your dog’s social development. This can lead to more confident interactions with other pets and people outside of the daycare environment. It is not unusual for daycare doggies to exhibit more stable, well-adjusted personalities than they had prior to regularly attending a daycare facility.
Pet parents can breathe a little easier when they go to dog parks, encounter other dogs out for walks or enter a pet store or veterinary clinic with a well-socialized dog. Most daycare centers have a very dedicated staff that really come to love the pets they care for and look forward to their social interaction with each dog.
As Renee Chapman, owner of The Crate Escape, Inc. in Naperville and Plainfield notes, “We take great pride in the care our clients and their dogs receive. We have an outstanding staff of adults who love their jobs as much as they love the dogs and that makes all the difference. Our customers are an extension of our family and we are there for them whether daycare or boarding is planned in advance or last minute.”
Intellectual Stimulation
A doggie daycare facility can provide productive ways for your pooch to engage her brain cells instead of looking for trouble around the house. Daycares often offer agility equipment, toys, pools, structured activities and continual canine interaction to keep your furry friend intellectually engaged. Staff members are there to make sure your pet is safely enjoying the play areas and their playgroups. The scents, games and interaction with other people and pooches can really help exercise your pet’s brain.
“The activities offered by Lucky Dog help keep dogs in better shape, physically and mentally,” says Laura Tranchita, Manager of Lucky Dog Daycare and Boarding in Lisle. “Our daycare clients also find boarding less stressful because they are used to being in close contact with other dogs.”
The best doggie daycares have an assessment session prior to accepting a dog into their facilities. Forms are completed to verify that each pet is fully vaccinated, flea-free and worm-free, and in good health and condition. Dogs are tested for aggression to reduce the possibility of anyone getting hurt. Additionally, they are checked for adaptability to the daycare environment, energy levels and behavior to ensure placement with an appropriate playgroup.
Ensuring every dog has a fun, safe visit is something Correy and Sarah Krickeberg, owners of Country Comfort Boarding & Grooming in Yorkville take very seriously. “Understanding the personalities of the dogs who stay with us allows every dog to have a good experience and look forward to coming back,” Correy explains.
For these reasons, and more, a doggie daycare may be just what your dog has been dreaming of! Imagine a day of play, friends, and affection for your pooch, as opposed to her sitting home alone day after day. Not only will she appreciate the change, you can feel confident your pet is safely cared for while you are away.
In spite of all the benefits, however, not all dogs are cut out for a doggie daycare environment. Introverted pups who are more used to being around two-legged folk than four-legged may find the playful cacophony intimidating. Other dogs can actually be too rambunctious with canine friends, not knowing when “enough is enough.” If a perfect fit cannot be found via daycare, what can you do?
Fear not, there are other options that offer care and interaction for your pooch. Professional pet sitters can be hired to come visit and exercise your furry friend as often or as few times as needed. Some will even stay in your home while you are away so that Fido will not have to sleep alone! There are also pet sitters who take a few guest dogs into their home while you are away. That way, the furry houseguests have a family environment and some other canine companions.
The best way to find a good pet sitter? Pet Sitters International and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters have websites with free professional pet sitter locators you can use. Word of mouth is also helpful — talk to friends and other dog owners, doggie boutique and daycare owners and your vet. As with any contractors you will give access to your home, interview carefully. Make sure you and your pet meet with and are comfortable with the actual person who will be taking care of your pooch. Ensure that they are insured, bonded and can provide references.
With regard to cost, most daycare facilities offer daily rates, half-day rates and package rates, which allow you to purchase many days at a time for a discount. There is usually a plan that can meet you and your pooch’s specific needs. Full day rates generally cover the hours between 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Pet sitters generally charge a set rate for each visit, although packages are sometimes offered. Visits are most often 30 to 45 minutes in length.
The best first step toward finding a daycare facility is to schedule a tour so you can see the operation for yourself. You’ll want to check out the cleanliness of the place, staff-to-dog ratios, how the staff interacts with the pooches and what specific benefits each location offers. Each location should be able to show credentials that they are certified by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, as well as any other associations they are affiliated with, such as the American Boarding Kennel Association and the American Red Cross.
Requesting and checking a list of references should also help put your mind at ease before sending your fluffy friend off to “school” for the very first time. It’s a big step to take, but something that will definitely benefit you both!
For a list of many doggie daycares and pet sitters in the western suburbs, please review the West Suburban Dog business directory . Visit Pet Sitters International at www.PetSit.com and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters at www.PetSitters.org .
