Choose your doggy daycare wisely
There are many excellent doggy daycares in Atlantic Canada. They are run or owned by people who are passionate about dogs. These establishments will keep your dog safe, exercised and happy. To find a great daycare facility, you need to do some research, and there are specific characteristics the business should contain.
Tour the facility to assess if it is clean, has a safe floor, adequate space, gating, fencing and proper ventilation. Cleanliness is essential for the health and welfare of your dog. The facility should have enough room so the dogs can run freely and defined areas for the dogs to rest. Gating or fencing should be sufficient to keep your dog safely contained when inside and outside. Airflow and ventilation keep your dog safe and healthy.
When visiting a daycare during your selection process, watch the dogs arriving; are they excited or nervous when entering. You want to encounter dogs that are happy and enthusiastic when they arrive.
Because dogs come in various sizes and ages, look for a daycare that separates dogs depending on their characteristics. Smaller dogs should be kept separate from larger dogs for safety reasons. Also, older dogs should be separated from younger active dogs, as the older dogs may want to take more breaks during the day. Some businesses may even offer large crates for the dogs to nap inside. A daycare can offer safe separation with strong permanent gates or even separate rooms.
Staff demeanour should be friendly and they should be passionate about dogs. The staff ratio to dogs is an important consideration to make sure the animals are adequately supervised.
Speak to co-workers, neighbours and family members for daycare recommendations. Your veterinarian clinic may also be able to point you in the right direction.
Tristan Flynn, the cofounder of Jollytails, had this to say about daycares during the pandemic: “We haven’t had to change much really, just follow health guidelines put in place. It’s made it difficult when the store is busy to limit customers and staff have to wear masks all day.”
It is essential to understand that not all dogs enjoy daycare, even those with friendly dispositions. Some find the noise and activity level overwhelming. Once you decide on a facility, it is recommended that their first visit be short. Have your dog visit the facility for a couple of hours. If that goes well, increase the time on the next session.
Finding a fantastic daycare should be reasonably straightforward, as there are many well-run organizations in Atlantic Canada.
Please be kind to animals.
Tracy Jessiman is a pet portrait artist who lives in Halifax with her husband and their three pets. She has been rescuing animals most of her life, but more intimately, animals rescued her.