Every loving dog parent has wrestled with the problem of leaving a dog in its crate all day long. Whether out of need or boredom, if left out all day, your dog may have potty accidents or destroy things. On the other hand, it’s heartbreaking to lock up your pup when you know you’ll be gone for 8-9 hours. Is it just us or do you also hear the Sarah Mclachlan song on a loop in your head as you walk away from the crated dog, trying not to make eye contact? So that begs the question: what do you do with your dog all day? You don’t want to come home to a big mess, but you also don’t want to lock your dog up. Recently, a new option has started to pop up all over the country: doggy daycare! Here are the top 5 reasons that dog daycare matters:
Exercise:
While it varies by dog breed and size, the average dog should receive about 30 minutes to 2 hours of exercise on a daily basis. You may be able and willing to provide that for your pooch when you get home from work but that’s never a guarantee. Most dog daycares have room for your dog to run around. As an added bonus, when you pick your dog up from daycare, he’s sure to be tired out from all the playing and running!
Interaction:
Doggy daycare owners are usually trained professionals. When you send your dog to daycare it gets to interact with other people. Whether it’s for training or just playing, having your dog around humans ensures your dog will not fear or become aggressive towards people.
Socialization:
Doggy daycare allows your pooch to meet and play with other pups. Dogs are pack animals and enjoy the company of their fellow canines. Bringing your dog to a dog daycare provides the perfect opportunity for socialization and teaches your dog to behave around other animals. Who knows, maybe you’ll even end planning puppy playdates with the other pet parents for a Saturday afternoon!
No Mess:
It’s not fair to assume a dog will hold it until someone gets home. Ideally, adult dogs should be allowed to relieve themselves 3-5 times a day. That’s not always a possibility when you’re at work. Sometimes, dogs are just stubborn and go on the floor to prove a point because you’re not at home. Either way, by sending your pup to doggy daycare, your floors stay clean and your dog doesn’t have to hold it.
Reasonable Pricing:
Dog daycare may not be as expensive as you think. Anyone who has children understands that daycare is an enormous expense. Doggy daycare isn’t. The pricing is competitive and you can usually get package deals if you have more than one dog. Often, there are flexible options and you can choose to send your dog for a half or whole day. The affordability is just an added bonus when you consider how much fun your dog will have!
