There has been a huge rise in recent years of alternative ways to care for your puppy while you’re working or if you need to go out of town. While older boarding facilities were generally boring and just a place to keep the puppy if no one could watch them, there are now outstanding services available that not only keep your pet safe when you’re gone, but will help further their training, help make sure they’re thriving, and help them feel comfortable and loved when you can’t be there.
Get Help Caring for Your Puppy
Raising a puppy is a lot of work. When you can’t be at home, such as when you need to work or go out of town, it helps to have somewhere you can bring your puppy so they can get the socialization they need. If they’re not watched, they can get into a lot of trouble at home, whether that’s chewing through the sofa and pulling the stuffing out, shredding an entire package of toilet paper, or getting into the kids’ toys and breaking them. With the right dog daycare and boarding facility, your pet can be safe when you can’t watch them, will have someone to help reinforce their training while they play, and can have time to run and play with other dogs.
Benefits of Doggy Daycare
Dogs of all ages can attend doggy daycare throughout the week. If you have to be out of the home for work, doggy daycare provides a way for them to still receive exercise and fun, but to be safe. You won’t have to worry about what they’re getting into during the day. Some of the benefits of doggy daycare include the following.
Professional Supervision
Someone has to keep an eye on the puppy during the day or they’ll end up getting in trouble. It’s not their fault – they’re still learning the rules of the world. With doggy daycare, though, they can play and you won’t have to worry about what they’re doing or why it’s suddenly quiet in the house.
Routine and Exercise
Puppies need a lot of exercise to keep them mentally stimulated and teach them about the world. A doggy daycare provides the routine they crave to know what happens when as well as plenty of exercise to make sure they’re healthy (and that they’ll be too tired to get into trouble at home).
Socialization
Puppies need socialization when they’re young to help prevent anxiety and fear. Even for dogs who have passed the fear stages, socialization with other dogs can be extremely beneficial, especially for puppies who aren’t sure how to play properly or just don’t want to be lonely during the day.
Peace of Mind
When your puppy is at the daycare, you know they are having fun, learning a lot, and aren’t getting into trouble or causing chaos at home. You’ll know they’re well taken care of and that they’ll be a tired, happy puppy when you pick them up at the end of the day.
Benefits of Boarding Your Pet
If you have to go out of town for work or go on vacation, who will watch your pet? You may not be comfortable leaving them with a stranger or you may not have friends or family that can watch them during that period. Instead, boarding is an excellent option, and when you choose the right facility, there are a ton of benefits.
Socialization
Boarding facilities often have daycare during the day and rest at night, so when the dog is boarded, they still get plenty of socialization. During the day, they’ll be able to play with all of their friends and have fun.
Playtime and Exercise
Puppies will have plenty of time to play and to get exercise while you’re gone, keeping them in good health and preventing boredom. This can also help to make them feel more comfortable while you’re away.
Stress Management
Boarding facilities understand that dogs can be stressed when they’re suddenly without their family for a period of time. Many facilities have policies and techniques they can use to help reduce your pet’s stress during their stay.
Reduce Separation Anxiety
With the right care and assistance, you won’t have to worry about your dog’s separation anxiety while you’re gone. They’ll feel loved and cared for, so they’ll be able to relax and have fun even when you aren’t there.
What to Look For
Before choosing any doggy daycare or boarding facility, make sure you go on a tour of the building, learn what services they provide, and ask a lot of questions. Some of the things to look for include the following.
Qualified Staff Members
Make sure the facility offers qualified staff members to handle the boarding and daycare services. It is important to make sure the staff are highly trained in dog behavior, know what to do if there’s an emergency, and are prepared to take care of your pet.
Clean and Safe Facilities
Tour the facility to make sure it’s clean and that it’s set up to prevent injuries or other issues. The cleanliness of the facility can help reduce the potential for your dog to get sick during their stay and the safety can help ensure your pet isn’t injured or lost.
Supervised Playtime
Make sure there are going to be professionals supervising the play between puppies. Even dogs that have been friends their whole life can get into an argument, so there should be someone there who can spot the signs before a fight occurs and will separate the dogs to keep them safe.
Positive Reinforcement for Training
The facility should participate in positive reinforcement training methods to give your dog extra attention and care while you’re gone. Though training starts at home, having the daycare or boarding facility work on it too can help reinforce everything your dog is learning.
If you’d like somewhere safe for your dog to get training, attention, and more while you’re at work or on vacation, doggy daycare and boarding facilities can help. Make sure you choose the right one for your pet, so you know they’re safe and loved when you can’t be there.