Day care for dogs or kindergarten for puppies: how it works

People take puppies because there is a place in their house and love in their hearts. However, conveying to your pet the idea that he will have to stay at home alone five days a week is very difficult. Sometimes owners try to teach him to be alone during the day and even consider getting a second dog so they keep each other company. But in some cases this may not be enough. In this case, as an alternative, you can consider a kindergarten for puppies.

What is a dog daycare

Similar to a daycare for kids, a puppy daycare is a place where you can bring your dog during the daytime to be taken care of while no one is home. These centers often offer structured activities, free time to play, and quiet corners where puppies can run for naps.

A day garden for dogs is different from petting services and dog hotels. Babysitting services usually involve one person taking care of a pet or a small group of dogs in their home for a few hours or a few days. A dog hotel is usually a multi-day, overnight option for situations such as going on vacation or home renovations.

Day care for puppies: what to look for

Even if it’s only for a few hours a day, it’s important to make sure the center you choose creates a positive environment for your pet. 

It is advisable to consider those places that allow a trial visit. If the owner just leaves the dog and walks away, he’ll never know what’s going on at this daycare while he’s away. But if you make a trial visit with your pet, you can see how he interacts with staff and other animals. There should be enough space for games, and the premises should be clean.

You can also ask who will look after the dog. The dog daycare should always have a “master caretaker” and assistants to provide support and interact with the animals. It is worth looking for places where the ratio of the number of people and dogs does not exceed one adult for every ten to fifteen dogs. Better – no more than every five dogs, if possible, writes The Bark.

How to prepare your dog for the first day of kindergarten

Before you give your pet to a dog daycare, you need to train him to respond to commands. Some institutions even require proof of obedience training as a prerequisite. Many centers also ask for proof that your dog has basic vaccinations, such as rabies and distemper, signed by a veterinarian.

A trial visit will help your pet sort things out before the big day. If the owner’s schedule allows, and the kindergarten allows, it is better to leave the dog for no more than half a day for the first couple of days. So it will be easier for her to understand that she was not abandoned with these new interesting people and funny dogs, but will definitely come back for her later. This can be especially important for small puppies who may experience separation anxiety or shelter dogs who get anxious when left in an unfamiliar place. Maybe the owner will be able to stay a little longer in the morning to play with the pet and help him feel more relaxed.

What to Expect from a Daytime Dog Shelter

One of the main reasons dogs are sent to kindergarten is because they need to socialize and release energy. At the end of the day, when the owner picks up his pet, he should be happy, healthy and tired. 

All institutions organize their activities in different ways, so it is better to choose a kindergarten whose services suit you as much as possible. Some offer free games throughout the day, while others have structured classes. 

When picking up a dog, you need to ask the staff what she did all day, if they did not tell about it. Some kindergartens even send text messages with photos of their children to their owners.

Ensuring the safety of the dog in kindergarten

As in a regular kindergarten, employees should talk about how the day of the pet went. If any dubious interactions occur between four-legged friends, they will know which charges to share. The establishment must also strictly enforce that any sick dogs remain at home. If another dog in the kindergarten shows signs of illness, such as coughing, the staff must be sure to warn about it.

However, sometimes accidents still cannot be avoided. In this case, it is important to know that the kindergarten where the pet stays guarantees the competence of its staff. Since the four-legged friend cannot speak, and the owner is at work at this time, it is important to clarify whether the pet can be insured. A kindergarten offering a video surveillance service should be considered one of the first.

By setting a goal, you can find a kindergarten that your pet will like and will meet the safety rules that the owner imposes.