Some dogs are not a good fit for doggy day care and if your pooch isn't that social he may not particularly care for it. If that's the case there are other alternatives, like vetSTREET discusses on their blog. You can have your friend watch your pup or take him with you, depending on where you are going.
Don't use doggy daycare as a way to socialize your pup. Instead drop him off only if he enjoys it and you find a daycare you like!
At the risk of seeming like the 30-year “veteran veterinarian” that I am, I don’t have to think very hard to remember when there was no such thing as “doggy day care.”
Day Care’s Not for Every Dog
That doesn’t mean I believe day care is a good thing for every dog. The dogs who benefit most from it are those who are outgoing, playful and need more exercise than other dogs might.Day care is a place for dogs who like to be social, but it’s not ideal for socializing dogs.
For dogs who aren’t well-socialized, there are other exercise options. Making sure you put time in your schedule for a good game of fetch every day might be one choice, or if time is your problem, you might check around for someone who can walk or run your dog regularly.
Choosing the Right Doggy Day Care
Even if your dog is a good candidate, you’ll still need to find a good day care. In a large metropolitan area, you may have quite a few choices.A good day care will evaluate your dog as an individual and with other dogs. They will not accept your dog if he won’t be a good fit. There’s nothing wrong with your dog if he’s not “the day care type,” but you do need to accept their decision.
What a Day Care Will Ask From You
If your dog passes the evaluation, you should expect to be asked for proof of vaccinations, all your contact information, and your veterinarian’s information too. Most day cares require pets to be altered, to help reduce certain behaviors that can lead to fighting.But chances are if you’ve chosen well, you’ll never get a call with bad news. What you will have, every day you pick up your dog, is a happy, tired dog who can enjoy some snuggle time on the couch, dreaming of the next day he’s with his pals at day care.
