The Benefits of Dog Daycare for Working Pet Lovers

For many pet parents, finding a daycare to attend to their dog's unique personality and needs is challenging. At The Beast Boutique, we prioritize every pet's mental and physical health. Dogs enjoy safe socialization and daily activities for a rewarding daycare experience.

When can dogs go to daycare?  Is daycare good for socialization?

Dogs can go to daycare as young as 8 weeks, if they have had their first set of shots.  According to the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. (2008). AVSAB position statement on Puppy Socialization.

The primary and most important time for puppy socialization is the first three months of life. During this time puppies should be exposed to as many new people, animals, stimuli and environments as can be achieved safely and without causing over stimulation manifested as excessive fear, withdrawal or avoidance behavior. For this reason, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior believes that it should be the standard of care for puppies to receive such socialization before they are fully vaccinated.

 https://avsab.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Puppy_Socialization_Position_Statement_Download_-_10-3-14.pdf

Why is dog daycare good? For dogs and people.

Dog daycare is beneficial for most dogs provided they are dog friendly.  Dogs are social creatures, and most do not like to be left alone while you are at work.  The daycare environment provides a safe place to play, opportunities for positive reinforcement through supervision, and appropriate toileting behaviours (being taken outside to relieve themselves).  Play combined with obedience and regular rest periods ensure that your dog is tired and calm and not “strung out” when they go home at the end of the day. 

Dogs left at home alone for extended periods of time may become destructive or depressed.  They can learn to relieve themselves in the home.  They could be so wound up by the time the pet parent gets home that they are incorrigible and unpleasant to be around.  All this can lead to long term behaviours that could damage the relationship and your home. 

What about spaying and neutering?

Daycares will accept dogs that are unaltered up to 12 months of age (or older on recommendation of a veterinarian). 

Females in heat will not be accepted at any daycare regardless of age due to the disruption this process causes.  Both males and females in the pack, will be affected by the heat cycle even if they have been fixed themselves. 

Is daycare expensive?

When thinking about choosing daycare for your pet you need to consider that what you are “buying” is your own time, your pets well-being, and the condition of you home – not just the actual cost of the service.

If you are running home during the day, missing lunch, burning gas only to rush around the neighbourhood for 10 – 15 minutes with your dog what does that cost you? In terms of money, time, and your sanity.  If you work long hours especially in the winter or have kids in sports or night school and you still need to take care of the dog’s needs – what does that costs you?

Vaccinations

Most dog daycares will want to know that your dog has been vaccinated regularly and/or has had titre testing done.  In addition to the regular vaccinations, it is best to include Bordetella (kennel cough) and treatment for lice, ticks, and fleas.

For more information, please visit www.thebeastboutique.ca or call 403 452 – 5232.

Bring us your dirty, rowdy restless beast.  Take home a clean and happy pet.