Compatibility key at doggy daycare
Once an oddity, pet-sitting is a booming business Lack of regulations means it’s buyer beware: Experts
Every time you take Fido for walk it seems another doggy daycare has opened up in the city.
Pet care is a multi- billion dollar business in Canada and there is no shortage of people who want a piece of it.
Unlike traditional kennels, which are licensed and regulated, there are no rules governing dogsitting establishments. So how do you separate the purebred from the mutt?
“ It’s the buyer beware type of scenario,” says Dr. Gary Landsberg, a veterinarian, with a specialty in animal behaviour. “ You have to go out and check out the facility thoroughly to make sure that you’re comfortable and certainly get references to make your own conclusions on what’s going on.”
Checking references, touring the entire facility and making surprise visits are all good ideas.
That’s important advice, says Stouffville resident Pam Mandich, whose dog Kiki was attacked and severely injured last November at a local daycare.
Kiki, a poodle and bichon frisé cross, was left with numerous puncture wounds, muscle ripped from bones, even a torn anus — requiring numerous stitches, five drainage tubes and about $500 in vet bills. He spent six weeks wearing a cone to keep his mouth away from the wounds. Mandich had wanted to provide the best for Kiki and put him in a daycare because, although she was usually only gone about five hours some afternoons, she believed those hours were better spent if Kiki was socializing with other dogs rather than sitting in a crate at home.
There are three reasons for a dog to be in daycare, says Landsberg. When owners have too long a workday, if they are unable to give the pet an opportunity to socialize with other dogs or if the dog suffers from separation anxiety.
“ To some degree, it’s healthy ( for dogs) to learn to be able to handle being away from their owner for a few hours on their own,” he says. “ But the right daycare can be a great thing for a dog.”
Landsberg stresses that daycare is completely separate from basic dog training, in which every owner should partake.
Kitchener resident Ellie Ross opened one of the first dog daycares in Ontario in 1999. Wag and behaviour and training.
Daycares typically charge between $ 15 and $25 for a half- day and $25 to $45 for a full day. Helen Hobbs has been running Tails of the City for 18 months, in Toronto’s Beach district — a dog mecca if any exists in this city. Before that, she had a dog walking and home boarding business. The number of dogs attending her centre varies day- to- day, usually between eight and 16, and they share a large space, with an enclosed backyard and several couches and chairs. Hobbs has two staff with the dogs at all times.
“ If I had a fight that we couldn’t stop, it would be a very serious issue,” she says. “ A dog that’s not backing down should not be here.”
What’s key is prevention — anyone working in a dog- care facility should be keenly aware of what’s happening, Hobbs says. A dog exhibiting fear can easily become the target of a bully. An employee exhibiting fear can throw everyone off balance. Because there’s only room for one “ alpha” or “ top dog,” the arrival of a potential challenger may require help sorting out the pack hierarchy.
“( An attack) doesn’t happen out of the blue. There’s usually an escalation that you can put a stop to before something like that happens,” Hobbs says.
But it certainly is something that can happen, Landsberg warns.
“ In some cases, it doesn’t matter how good the daycare is or how much caution they take, dogs will be dogs and they can get into conflict. You have to make sure that your dog is compatible with the others and the others are compatible with yours.” Hobbs screens for personality traits and tests for food and toy aggression. She requires proof of up- to- date vaccinations and makes it clear that all dogs must be on flea and heartworm medication. Puppies are only allowed after their third round of shots. Where some daycares separate large and small dogs, Hobbs’ space doesn’t allow for that, so she has to make sure all dogs know how to play appropriately with small and young dogs. Even then, conflicts can occur. “ I’ve seen the best of friends get annoyed, because one’s bugging ( the other) a bit too much. They sometimes lash out. It doesn’t mean they’re a bad dog, it just means they are animals and sometimes they do snap at each other.”
In Kiki’s case, Mandich says he’s healed, but no longer attends daycare. As she’s home much of the day, she figures he didn’t really need it to begin with.
“ Unfortunately, I had to learn through my dog’s pain that I should have researched it more carefully.”