How to Achieve Maximum Success with Daycare
How to Pick Your Dog’s Boarding Facility
Every now and then, you may have to leave your dog with pet boarding, such as when you have to deal with an emergency or need to go out of town. But how do you tell which facility is right for your furry bud?
Daily Routine
First, you’d like to know the daily routine of the dogs in your prospective facility. The canines should get lots of opportunities to burn their excess energy. Ask them about the pets’ overnight routine as well.
Amenities
Find a place that provides stress-busting amenities, such as a playground where the pets can exercise or engage in group play. Even in highly rated facilities, dogs can still have a hard time coping with boarding, especially in the beginning.
Staff Supervision
Ask them whether the pets will be supervised by trained personnel during group play. To keep them safe from accidents and aggression, doggos must never be left to themselves.
Sanitation and Size of Facility
Choosing a clean, disinfected facility is a must, if only to make sure that your doggo stays healthy and happy while you’re not around. This is one of the most important reasons to pick a place that is spacious enough to allow the free circulation of air. This will help prevent the spread of disease-causing microorganisms among the animals.
24/7 Staffing
Choose a facility with 24-hour staffing. Pets must never be left alone, whether they’re playing or not. Whether or not there is an emergency, a staff person should always be around.
Staff Background
Ask what training and background the staff has in terms of animal care. A good knowledge of dog behavior, care or even training will make them respond better to any potential issues.
Social Interaction
If you have a very active and social dog, pick a facility that lets him meet people and other dogs, such as in parks or on the street. Speak to the staff about your pet’s personality, and if he’s more comfortable alone or with fewer people around, tell them that too. Just because you won’t be around for a while doesn’t mean your pet should be miserable.
Overall Medical Emergency Preparedness
Ask the staff how they usually manage general emergencies and what policies they have in place. On top of that, you’d like to know which animal they usually take sick or injured pets to whenever necessary.
Medical Care
If your dog has a medical condition, ask them whether their staff is trained in administering medications and if they are familiar with that particular condition. Lastly and very importantly, ask them if they are ready to respond to an emergency and whether a veterinarian will be on board 24/7.