bark Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 What signs should I be looking for to tell if my dog doesn't like the dog day care which is in a home environment? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 (edited) What signs should I be looking for to tell if my dog doesn't like the dog day care which is in a home environment? Having to drag him out of the car and into the home would be a clear one. That's how two of my dogs get into the vets. Edited April 13, 2011 by poodlefan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
becks Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 and does he drag you out of there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 (edited) Any changes of behaviour since he has been going? Towards people or other dogs or objects? Edited April 13, 2011 by Kavik Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leema Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 It's very hard. Having working in boarding kennels, we used to get owners who think their dogs love it there because they're 'excited' to go in and 'excited' to leave. Some dogs were, and did love it! Some the owners thought their erratic, nutty behaviour was excitement when it was really stress. As staff, it put us in a difficult situation. Do we tell owners "your dog doesn't enjoy boarding" and possibly loose business? Or some owners had no other option, so then they would continue to bring the dog in and feel guilty for the process. I guess the best way would be to set up a video camera. Video cameras don't lie, don't care about your feelings, and don't care about their business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Lab Love Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 It is difficult to know but I guess the overall demeanor of your dog on approach and pick up and any changes in behaviour toward other dogs or change in temprement would be a clue - as others have said. My two go to day care several times a week and have been going for about 5 months.... I have found them overall to be better behaved ( as training is implemented daily ) have greatly improved socialisation skills and they are always very calm and relaxed when we get them home..... actually make that very tired from playing all day When we get there they are excited to get there - would jump all over the owner Linda if not asked to sit nicely for a pat and when we pick them they are super excited to see us but don't drag us out of the door to escape. Having also taken note of the other dgos there - they all seem relaxed and happy to see the other dogs arrive and I have never heard excessive barking or whining from dogs when we arrive or depart. I guess the other issue is what entertainment / training etc does the owner provide? Ours have a treadmill to excercise on (godsend for my tending to tubby female Lab), lots of toys to play with - dogs are socialised according to size/age and playing style and and supervised at all times. The owner is a trainer and behaviourist and has helped us implement training programes as well for on lead walking and general obedience issues. The owner Linda has been fantastic and has gone beyond the call of duty at times to help us out if we get stuck back at work etc... Happy to help if you need more info... We are in the lower blue mountains but we travel to Penrith to drop the Labbies off on the way to work in the city... not sure if you are around this location? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bark Posted April 14, 2011 Author Share Posted April 14, 2011 The first time I dropped her off she was put into a small room which had a few mats scattered on the floor and when I collected her she was in the room with 2 other medium to large dogs and very excited to see me. The owner said she was taken to the dog park and tended to do her own thing which is sniff around. When we got home she was happy to spend the rest of the evening in bed. From this I thought she was fine with the new day care centre. I don't think there were any toys in the room. The second time I dropped her off at the front door, her lead was taken by the day care staff and she walked straight into the house with no resistance. When I collected her she was in a locked crate in the small room with a medium/large dog and a medium dog. My dog saw me and just stared from the crate at me with no wiggly tail just a dull blank look. I asked why she was in a locked crate and was told there had been alot of dogs in and out of the room (my dog has a timid nature). When the carer took her out of the crate and out of the room my dog followed me but there was no excitement to see me as is her normal greeting. When we got home I could tell she wasn't her normal self which made me wonder whether she liked staying at this day care centre. I don't know how long she was kept in the crate but the carer said she liked it, which was a surprise to me. This morning she was back to her normal self keen and eager for her morning walk. Yes it's hard to know whether the carer just wants your money or whether it's really in the best interests of the dog to be there because you want to improve their social skiils. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmolo Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 (edited) It is possible that the dog was simple tired. Personally, i'd be more concerned about a dog being beside themself with excitement to see me than i would if they were relaxed somewhere. Just because a dog is not leaping around and excited doesn't mean they aren't happy. Could you ask for some photos or short videos- when i have dogs staying at our house for minding, i'm happy to take a few little video grabs on my phone to show the owner. ETA- some day cares don't have dog toys due to potential resource guarding too. The dogs playing with each other (if thats what they are doing) tends to be stimulating enough. Edited April 14, 2011 by Cosmolo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bark Posted April 14, 2011 Author Share Posted April 14, 2011 I guess the other issue is what entertainment / training etc does the owner provide?Happy to help if you need more info... We are in the lower blue mountains but we travel to Penrith to drop the Labbies off on the way to work in the city... not sure if you are around this location? I dont' think there's any training or entertainment come to think of it. The carer takes the dogs to the park then they come back to the house and stay in a room. Comparing what Linda provides makes my carer look like the budget package Unfortunately Penrith is a hike for me especially week days, but I would be interested in Linda's details as I'm always on the look out for good boarding facility when I go on hols. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 A nice calm dog would please me What would not please me was the fact they were taken to a dog park ...without me, the owner present! There are so many things which may happen (no, I don't live in a city anymore, and am only going on what I read/hear) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Lab Love Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 I guess the other issue is what entertainment / training etc does the owner provide?Happy to help if you need more info... We are in the lower blue mountains but we travel to Penrith to drop the Labbies off on the way to work in the city... not sure if you are around this location? I dont' think there's any training or entertainment come to think of it. The carer takes the dogs to the park then they come back to the house and stay in a room. Comparing what Linda provides makes my carer look like the budget package :D Unfortunately Penrith is a hike for me especially week days, but I would be interested in Linda's details as I'm always on the look out for good boarding facility when I go on hols. Hi Bark, Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you..... the negative about secretly being on the forum whilst at work I must admit I would be a bit concerned if my two didn't greet me enthusiastically and had been locked in a crate.... On one hand i can understand that if your dog is timid she would have ben overwhelmed by alot of dogs coming and going but I do think that is where it is important that dogs are seperated re age / playing styles etc... Linda doesn't have a huge amount of space but she uses it well and has penned off areas so I woud say there were about 4-5 different playing areas for the dogs hence I guess why she can seperate them. I guess it is hard to know wether the owner is in for profit or has the dog's best interest's at heart. Linda has her own 16mnth GSD and a new gorgeous 10 week old retreiver puppy and they are there every day so I like to think that she has all the dog's interests at heart. I think the video idea was a good one - maybe you can set up a doggy cam in a bone / stuffed toy and see see what really goes on Like the nanny diaries ! We have just been so very lucky with Linda - my OH and I are just so thankful we found her and she is relatively local to us.... I am just so sorry that it is out of your way. She really does all she does for love of dogs and that is so evident with her set up / care etc... Unfotunately she doesn't board - I wish she did bc other than my parents there is no one else I would trust to leave them with if we went on hols..... But her website is www.scoobydogs.com and it give a good run down on facilities etc.... My two are on the Scooby shots page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheridan Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 I was always greeted by the laughing boy grin when Grumpy was in day care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corvus Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 Kivi would always drag us into daycare, then abandon us and throw himself on the ground where about four dogs would pile on top of him. The daycare fellow said one time "I used to get them all off him, but he'd just lie back down again and wait for them to come back." I said "Yeah, I think it's his natural state to be on the ground with a pile of dogs on top of him." He is still like that! Anyway, the daycare we went to had a webcam and they would send us photos of him sometimes. He was never especially excited to see me when I came to pick him up and would plod back to the car and fall asleep for the rest of the afternoon/evening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megan_ Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 Can I ask why the dog is going to day care? There seem to be some great ones around, but if my dog was having one visit to the park and then staying in a room all day, they'd be much happier at home. I have a dog walker visit my boy 3 times a week and he goes off leash with other dogs for about an hour +. He goes to all sorts of parks and even goes to the beach in good weather. He absolutely loves it. I believe this is far healthier for him that going to the park once and then spending the rest of the day in a room with strange dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheridan Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 I used to take Grumpy to daycare because I didn't trust the fences at my previous place, particularly after I arrived home to find him halfway out under the fence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bark Posted April 18, 2011 Author Share Posted April 18, 2011 Can I ask why the dog is going to day care? There seem to be some great ones around, but if my dog was having one visit to the park and then staying in a room all day, they'd be much happier at home.I have a dog walker visit my boy 3 times a week and he goes off leash with other dogs for about an hour +. He goes to all sorts of parks and even goes to the beach in good weather. He absolutely loves it. I believe this is far healthier for him that going to the park once and then spending the rest of the day in a room with strange dogs. For a few reasons ... barks at magpies and the brush turkeys so the neighbour gets REALLY annoyed, it breaks up her week while I'm working and I want to improve her social skills in a supervised environment. I've found that she's more comfortable with other dogs the longer she's with them, hence the day care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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