Question of the week

Hey Tails,

I know you have been around for a LONG time... can you give me some advise? As you know, I am moving out of state and need to find a new doggie day care. Can you tell us what we should be looking for in a new place? I have gone to many other day care’s web sites... but they all look good! Any trick to weed out the ones I should not even bother to interview?

 

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Sure! We are happy to help. First, be sure to check out the info on our web site our page on How to Choose a Doggie Day Care http://www.tails-a-wagging.com/daycare/choosing-a-daycare but even before you get to that point, there are some tricks to doing some leg work on their web site

1) Check out the “about us” page.

If the information is only personal, and no real professional experience, I would suggest you move on. The most common information you might read is “we love dogs so we opened up a doggie day care” We ALL love dogs, if dogs were not our passion we would not be here! But it takes more than a love of dogs to be able to run a doggie day care properly. Only accept a doggie day care with a dog trainer on staff, or at least one with an owner with years of self education on dog training and dog behavior. Bottom line: if the staff are not trained properly in dog behavior this means its likely they are not sure of now to properly screen dogs coming into the facility, and there ends up being dogs there who are not appropriate for day care.

2) Check out their photo or gallery page.

Do you see big dogs and little dogs in the same play group? A day care should never allow to have big dogs and small dogs in the same play group, its simply not safe.

Do you see dogs wearing choke chains while playing?

Its ok for dogs to have collars on while they play, as long as the staff do not allow collar grabbing or collar pulling by other dogs, and staff are not using the collars as handles. Choke chains are a sign of old school corrective training, and if you see it not only it is horribly unsafe (imagine a tooth being caught while playing) but it tells you they promote fear based- intimidation training.

NOTE: be weary of “collar free” play groups. The most common reason a day care would not have collars on the dogs is because they have inappropriate dogs who, if a collar was on, would be allowed to grab and pull them. This is a sign of a day care full of ill mannered dogs.

Do you see kids on the photos?

If the day care owners/mangers allow their kids to work or be at the facility, you can be assured this is not the place for you. Not all dogs are good with kids, and we would never suggest your dogs livelihood should be put into the hands of a child. I am sure the kids love dogs, but it’s a liability issue. Day care attendants should never be younger than 18 yrs. of age. This includes “volunteers” or people hanging out and visiting.

Are staff dressed appropriately? long pants? closed shoes? uniforms?

Too casual of an atmosphere and staff are at risk of scratches, from being jumped on, injuries on feet, from being stepped on, and generally not professional overall. Of course, lets not forget the staff are with dogs all day! but, that does not mean they are not in a professional situation. Appropriate attire is essential, with out it are you sure the owner/mangers are looking out for the staff’s best interest?

 

Do you see real grass?

There is no way to sanitize grass... its simply not appropriate for a dog day care or boarding facility of safety and health is their number one concern.

3) Make a quick phone call.

Its true at Tails we have a waiting list to get into our facility, and we always have for 15 yrs... but just because a faculty can get your dog in sooner, are you sure you want them to? Are they sticklers for health requirements for vaccines, fecal testing and health exams? Do they set up an appropriate 6 to 8 hr. evaluations? Find out how many dogs actually make it in and pass their temperament test. At Tails our average is 3 out of 5 dogs pass our test. When you come across a facility that takes every dogs who comes in...be aware there are some dogs there who should not be there.

4) Check them out on Facebook.

What do they post? Just photos? or do you learn about their community involvement. Do they work with/donate to area rescue groups and shelters? What other business have they “liked”on Facebook? Are they in line with their core beliefs and mission? Do they post updates to let you know why they are a great facility? Do their posts give you a sense of who they are?

Good Luck! Your pup is worth the time and energy to make sure you find the best day care you can!

Hey Tails,

I know you have been around for a LONG time... can you give me some advise? As you know, I am moving out of state and need to find a new doggie day care. Can you tell us what we should be looking for in a new place? I have gone to many other day care’s web sites... but they all look good! Any trick to weed out the ones I should not even bother to interview?

Sure! We are happy to help. First, be sure to check out the info on our web site our page on How to Choose a Doggie Day Care http://www.tails-a-wagging.com/daycare/choosing-a-daycare but even before you get to that point, there are some tricks to doing some leg work on their web site

1) Check out the “about us” page.

If the information is only personal, and no real professional experience, I would suggest you move on. The most common information you might read is “we love dogs so we opened up a doggie day care” We ALL love dogs, if dogs were not our passion we would not be here! But it takes more than a love of dogs to be able to run a doggie day care properly. Only accept a doggie day care with a dog trainer on staff, or at least one with an owner with years of self education on dog training and dog behavior. Bottom line: if the staff are not trained properly in dog behavior this means its likely they are not sure of now to properly screen dogs coming into the facility, and there ends up being dogs there who are not appropriate for day care.

2) Check out their photo or gallery page.

Do you see big dogs and little dogs in the same play group? A day care should never allow to have big dogs and small dogs in the same play group, its simply not safe.

Do you see dogs wearing choke chains while playing?

Its ok for dogs to have collars on while they play, as long as the staff do not allow collar grabbing or collar pulling by other dogs, and staff are not using the collars as handles. Choke chains are a sign of old school corrective training, and if you see it not only it is horribly unsafe (imagine a tooth being caught while playing) but it tells you they promote fear based- intimidation training.

NOTE: be weary of “collar free” play groups. The most common reason a day care would not have collars on the dogs is because they have inappropriate dogs who, if a collar was on, would be allowed to grab and pull them. This is a sign of a day care full of ill mannered dogs.

Do you see kids on the photos?

If the day care owners/mangers allow their kids to work or be at the facility, you can be assured this is not the place for you. Not all dogs are good with kids, and we would never suggest your dogs livelihood should be put into the hands of a child. I am sure the kids love dogs, but it’s a liability issue. Day care attendants should never be younger than 18 yrs. of age. This includes “volunteers” or people hanging out and visiting.

Are staff dressed appropriately? long pants? closed shoes? uniforms?

Too casual of an atmosphere and staff are at risk of scratches, from being jumped on, injuries on feet, from being stepped on, and generally not professional overall. Of course, lets not forget the staff are with dogs all day! but, that does not mean they are not in a professional situation. Appropriate attire is essential, with out it are you sure the owner/mangers are looking out for the staff’s best interest?

3) Make a quick phone call.

Its true at Tails we have a waiting list to get into our facility, and we always have for 15 yrs... but just because a faculty can get your dog in sooner, are you sure you want them to? Are they sticklers for health requirements for vaccines, fecal testing and health exams? Do they set up an appropriate 6 to 8 hr. evaluations? Find out how many dogs actually make it in and pass their temperament test. At Tails our average is 3 out of 5 dogs pass our test. When you come across a facility that takes every dogs who comes in...be aware there are some dogs there who should not be there.

4) Check them out on Facebook.

What do they post? Just photos? or do you learn about their community involvement. Do they work with/donate to area rescue groups and shelters? What other business have they “liked”on Facebook? Are they in line with their core beliefs and mission? Do they post updates to let you know why they are a great facility? Do their posts give you a sense of who they are?

Good Luck! Your pup is worth the time and energy to make sure you find the best day care you can!