Dogs are better left at home than at a daycare. amirite?

I worked at a doggy day care where most of the dogs came Monday through Friday. There were definitely dogs who hated it but I'd say 90% of them were very happy to be there. I felt really bad for the dogs who hated it.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

OP is speaking in absolutes when this is a case by case thing. What works for some might not work for others

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Yep that's just about what I said

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I get why some people don't want to send their dogs to daycare but good ones don't overstimulate dogs. They go out in certain playgroups and have downtime where they're by themselves throughout the day. I think it comes down to picking a reputable daycare. Ours is $35 a day but worth it.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

What you pay in one month for doggy day care is 1/3 of my monthly income right now, and thats after I recently got a better paying job. At my old job that would have been 3/4 of my monthly income.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

She doesn't go every day! I'm actually not working right now since I just had a baby but when I was I worked one 24 hour shift and one 12 hour shift a week so it didn't need to be every day thankfully.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Even if it was I'm happy you found a place that was good for your pup! I just saw that number and was like wow!

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Yeah it's definitely not cheap! It would be tough to afford it for 5x a week. But I also live in an area where everything is stupid expensive. She likes going her one day a week though as a treat so it works out!

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I know! that's ridiculously expensive for a human daycare let alone a doggy daycare

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Wait that's so cheap for a human daycare.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

That is a very good sign for a daycare! So many don't because uneducated customers want their dogs playing all day to get their moneys worth. But breaks are best! It's hard finding a good one but it is possible. I just don't think people should overuse them. We used to send my dog just once a week.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

It's also very good to socialize your dog

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Makes way more sense to hire a dog walker imo. Some dogs have just too much energy to sit in a house alone for 8+ hours a day. But, a dog walker from a trusted service is a much better way to make sure a dog gets the stimulation it needs.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I would but I don't like the idea of someone entering my home without me or someone else I know being there and I wouldn't want to leave my dog outside or in the garage.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

That's fair. I live in Chicago so, the services here have plenty of reviews on if they're trustworthy or not. But I get why people don't wanna use one

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Yeah I do this. Hybrid work from home/office, dog walker 2times per week around midday, wife takes the dog in once a week. Then 2 says WFH. Works well. Socialises dog, not too expensive, I can actually work

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Absolutely. Dog stays in their home. Gets energy out for a short time during the day. Trusted service is a big one here as not only are you trusting them with your dogs life but also to be in your home.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Yeah I will not send my dog to daycare personally… I don't trust other peoples dogs

by Anonymous 1 year ago

So many stories of dog fights… and a lot of the employees don't get enough training on how to handle them leading to even more damage

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Plus I work from home and know from experience my dog literally just wants to sleep all day and she's a 2 year old German shepherd. She can get all the stimulation she needs after the work day and if she can I'm sure other peoples dogs can too…

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Exactly! Dogs spend about 12-14 hours a day. They can sleep during the day and still sleep with you at night as long as they are getting good walks in the morning and afternoons. At least for most dogs.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I work in animal care at an ER hospitals and most of my coworkers started in the daycare side. Many dog fights and deaths resulting from doggy daycare situations gone wrong. I'll never leave my dog at a day care

by Anonymous 1 year ago

You could also, ya know, do some research into daycares and find one that doesn't do any of these things

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I think part of OP's point is that many people \*don't\* do their research. Just as many people \*should\* do research before they get the dog so they know what type of dog would be the best fit into their lifestyle. Many people tend to go by superficial things, instead of actually doing the research into what their dogs need, and what the daycare provides.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Research is hard when the clients are not physically there and the daycare can tell you that they do all the things they advertise and end up not doing it. Companies lie and people believe them and leave 5 star reviews, can't exactly ask your dog how the stay was lol. Most reliable way would ask a employee that wouldn't lie to you.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Dog daycare being the solution or not, people not wanting to leave their dogs at home alone for long periods of time isn't placing human emotions on a dog. It's placing dog emotions on a dog. They're highly social animals that aren't a good fit for families and people who can't provide them with interaction with themselves or other pets for consistent and long periods of time. Just don't get a social animal for a pet if you know you will be leaving it alone for hours upon hours on a consistent basis. There are a huge number of much more well suited non social animals for people with that lifestyle. Placing the choice on being between dog daycare or leaving a social animal alone all day ignores the much more obvious choice; getting a different pet. Sorry for saying social animal 200 times, not really a good synonym I can think of atm

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I completely agree with this! A lot of people are talking about energy levels here too but that could be solved with getting a breed that fits their lifestyle better.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

>Just don't get a social animal for a pet if you know you will be leaving it alone for hours upon hours on a consistent basis. Or get a bunch of them. >not really a good synonym I can think of atm Pack animal, but still has 'animal' so not a whole lot of variation.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

No. Just like most opinions this is just specific to your situation. My dog loves to run and is highly active and keeping her at home all day isn't great. I found a great daycare and she loves going and loves all the people that work there.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

It's not a problem for the dog, it's your poor neighbours that have to listen to the thing howling all day

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I always assumed that dog day cares were for when you have to leave town for more than one day and you can bring your pets for whatever reason. Never realized people use them for work. I guess it depends on the dog in that case.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

That's boarding which is different. Boarding is necessary. People have to travel sometimes. Not much can be avoided there

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Agree, dogs know when you'll be home by the fading of your scent. Especially if you crate your dogs (responsible, if you'll be away from home. Also take off their collars so they don't get stuck in the grates.) But why would I take my dog somewhere unfamiliar and full of other dogs that will have them super high-strung when they can cuddle in a crate and know when I'm coming home. I know for sure this is true because I had a camera set on them and 20-30 minutes before we came home from work consistently my dogs would wake up and start to watch the doors for us.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

i definitely agree. my dog is a 14 year old shih tzu and she's spoiled to her home and gets stressed easily. we only bring her to a daycare if no one is able to take care of her if we are gone for a long time

by Anonymous 1 year ago

As a european, I have never heard of dog daycare... Interesting and I would not send my dog there

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I know someone whose dog was constantly sick from daycare.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

For thousands of years dogs have lived alongside humans, doing their own thing during the day. Why do 21st century dogs need day care when dogs from the 20th century on back did just fine by themselves?

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Exactly. It's simply because they never leave their dog alone so the second they do the dog flips out so they just never leave them alone again.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

> For thousands of years dogs have lived alongside humans, doing their own thing during the day. Those dogs historically would've worked with their human all day, or at least been around other dogs. The 20th century was the 1900s. I'm pretty sure dogs in the 70s had a very similar experience to dogs today.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I don't trust other people with living things I'm responsible for if it can be avoided. I agree with your unpopular opinion.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

My dog is a rescue with massive separation anxiety. If I leave him alone (with my cats, who he is friends with) he gets super stressed and barks constantly. This not only upsets him and me but also my neighbours. I leave him with a dog sitter and he is much more relaxed because he isn't alone. Not all dogs are the same and you can't generalise like this

by Anonymous 1 year ago

A dog sitter is not the same thing as daycare. Totally different. Separation anxiety is a serious problem in dogs and shouldn't be taken lightly but daycare isn't the solution to that and won't make the problem any better.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I support this. Im a professional pet sitter.. insured bonded etc.... i dealnwith the dogs who CANT handle day cares. I also am not on rover i am fully my own buisness. Alot of doggy day cares just have teenagers and young kids that just want theb10 an hour... they have NO knowledge of dog behavior... signals, body labguage.. nothing... no knowledge about dogs usually. Rover is anither nightmare...anyone with no experience can apply to be a "dog walker"

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Exactly! Lack of training in employees is a huge issue. They sit here and act like they are the height of luxury for your pet but they can't even pay enough to have actual professionals working for them.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I get turned away from places like that because im "over qualified" ive worked with animals professionally for almost 10 years... grew up with them my entire life. Petsmart, doggy daycares etc.. because i have my own buisness and alot of certifications im overqualified because they dont want to pay my worth or think ill leave for a better offer so they just dont hire me at all. It sucks because i could be such a knowledgeable employee and help customers make the correct decisions for their pets. But i gues buisnesses only want slaves and not KNOWLEDGEABLE employees.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Exactly. Knowledgeable employees fight back against bad policies and demand higher pay.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I actually will occasionally help a person if im there for something myself and the employees always look so embarassed hahaha. Of if i notice the employee truly doesnt know i will chime in and help... just to prove my point lol

by Anonymous 1 year ago

This whole conversation is ridiculous to me. Daycares for dogs? Downtime and play groups for dogs? It's a dog. I agree with OP. Leave them home and they'll be fine.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Yeah. Daycare is expensive af.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Way overpriced for what you get. And most play on peoples emotion getting them to get all these add ons that don't actually help

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I agree completely

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I don't take my dogs to daycare because, well, money. Some dogs have energy needs that just don't get taken care of through regular walks and backyards. These are the dogs that daycare is good for. It's up to the owner to find a reputable daycare. There are quite a few good ones in my area.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

If you can't handle the energy needs of that dog without putting them in a situation that is bad for them everyday then get a different breed. That's the real problem here. Once in a while is one thing but if your dog needs that much energy burn everyday you are not doing nearly enough at home.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I have a young dog that always has high amounts of energy. He's perfectly happy napping and waiting at home but then once I do get home he starts bouncing off the walls. During the summer I would take him for long walks in the wooded trails near my house to burn off that energy but now that it gets dark less than an hour and a half after I get out from work, it's becoming impossible to take him for those walks. So I bring him to a day care a couple of times a week so he can play with other dogs and exhaust himself. And the place I bring him is great. They separate dogs into age and weight groups, they alternate play sessions with time to relax and nap or at least play with a solo toy. Never have I seen anything problematic while I'm there or while interacting with the staff

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Big green flag is alternating between rest/solo play/group play. If you're gonna use daycare that's the best way to do it.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Never used doggie daycare. Boarded for vacation sure. Maybe having 2 dogs is better than 1 if this is a concern? Then they arent alone. Or even a dog and a cat?

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Mine would be miserable in a day care, he just loves taking sun bathes and naps while I'm gone.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

It actually has nothing to do with the dogs health when it comes to separation anxiety. For most of the history of the dog/human relationship, dogs were always by the side of who they saw as the pack leader. If you had a dog, it was always wondering around someplace close. You were the person with the dog. Then 200-300 years ago, factories and businesses became the norm and suddenly dogs couldn't come to work. 200-300 years is a very short time to change a biological behavior so many dogs today still think they are being punished and not doing their main reason for existing.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

This is just wrong. Dogs weren't super clingy before they were actually very independent. If anything people who smother their dogs with attention are the ones who are being unnatural. Dogs thrive with time alone to relax and do their own thing.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

All depends on the dog, the daycare, and the home environment. You can't tell me a high energy dog is going to be happy stuck in a crate for 12 hours , alone. then not get a lingy walk because the dog parent is exhausted.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

My dog is extremely protective of me and I don't trust dog parks, so I bring her to daycare to keep her social and comfortable with other dogs. That takes me out of the equation so she doesn't constantly feel the need to protect me, but I know the dogs are temperament tested so I don't worry as much as I would with a dog park. I've had some bad experiences at dog parks and it's just not a good fit for her.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I don't recommend dog parks either cause you're right to be scared of them. I socialize my dog by letting him hang out with his two buddies occasionally and that's plenty.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I don't bring her as often anymore. I used to bring her once a week, now it's more like once every couple of months. It does give her time to just be a dog, but I do agree some of the daycares that don't allow them to rest at all is not good. The one she goes to has them take a nap for about an hour and a half during lunchtime for the employees.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I'm not saying you're wrong and out the daycare thing but I've seen how my dog was even when my ex (who is his favorite human) left for a day or two and he was home with just me. His whole demeanor and attitude changes, he mopes around looking sad and sometimes doesn't even want to eat. People aren't just projecting human emotions on to dogs when they say they get lonely at home alone. They really do get sad and lonely when their people aren't around.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

That's separation anxiety and is a behavioral problem that should be addressed with training. Daycare in the meantime to manage-sure. But daycare isn't gonna solve it. And if you fell on hard times and couldn't afford it what would you do? You wanna start now why you can

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I'm not advocating for daycare, I've never sent a dog to daycare. I'm just saying that people aren't just projecting when they say their dogs get lonely.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Wait, there's daycare for dogs? 💀

by Anonymous 1 year ago

The dog daycare I used to being my dog too had separate "rooms" (little cubicle spaces with high walls, and a bed, toys etc) and the dogs would be put there to rest through out the day and not get over stimulated. Some daycares are very good, knowledge, and caring.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I agree with some dogs I think it's really important the owner knows their dog and their tolerance of other dogs and stimulation and also know the day care. For me daycare has been a must. Thankfully I found a good one. I have a eleven month old collie cross staffy with high energy I just recently had to move to a smaller house with a tiny backyard. There's no safe area nearby to run her off leash like I had in my old neighbourhood. I work from home but i honestly could walk her on the lead for five hours and have and it wouldn't even make a dent in her energy so she goes to daycare three days a week to play, socialise and mainly run.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Honestly, I get the doggie daycare more if you're out of town or things like that, but if you're away that often from your pet you feel you need it all the time, dogs probably also are not a good fit. Also, I don't always get people who board cats because I really think cats do better staying at home and having people come by to feed them.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

My dog won't freak out if I leave him at home but LET ME WALK AROUND A CORNER OUTSIDE and that's it for him

by Anonymous 1 year ago

You have never met my dog

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I think most people who put their dogs into a dog daycare are like going on a week-long vacation, not 8 hours at work.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I use daycare on holidays because my dog is territorial and yaps a lot when we have guests. Otherwise, you're right. He's fine at home (I work from home and he literally sleeps all day)

by Anonymous 1 year ago

What? The daycare my dog has a whole intake process before they'll let your dog come, and the dogs get "nap time" in kennels twice a day. I know they also remove dogs from group play if they seem overwhelmed or are playing too rough with other dogs. I usually do leave her at home but she barfs and has diarrhea when the cleaning lady comes so she goes to daycare on those days. Short visits also get her familiar with the staff and the routine there, so she's less distressed when I have to board her.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I send my dog to daycare a 1-2 times a month just to give him some socialization with other dogs. Without it he'd never see another dog since no one I know has a dog and there aren't really any dogs in our apartment complex. I fully vetted the place and did my due diligence though.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I'm sorry if your dog can't handle being left at home for the day you have failed as a dog owner because the dog either has anxiety which is fixed with proper care and training or you got a dog breed that isn't suited for you living situation and isn't being cared for properly.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

My dog is cool just chilling on the couch, watching TV all day. I alternate between Animal Planet and PBS Kids. 🤷‍♂️

by Anonymous 1 year ago

As a doggy daycare worker I do agree that some dogs are there way too often and their owners really should find an alternative at that point. We do what we can to make it a safe and happy environment for everyone's pets, and sometimes it is a good option. But if you're taking your dog to day care every day or every work shift or whatever, you should seriously consider finding a trusted friend or family member or something instead of daycare, although I realize not everyone has that option.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

We only do if we can't find a sitter or will be gone for a week. Will NOT be taking back to PetSmart again, though. First experience was okay so they would learn and interact, second not so much. We also leave them home when possible with the blink camera to talk to them and TV on.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I don't think there is such a thing around here. We put ours outside. The garage door is open so they can seek shelter if needed, get water, etc. They have an acre to play on all day. They're good and tuckered out when I get home. What is a doggy daycare? Like a boarding kennel or something? Or like an actual daycare that you drop off in the morning and pick up in the evening like a childcare center?

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I'm pro-quality of life, though I understand there are job/financial limitations to sending your dog to a daycare. If a dog is old and/or has health problems, it should totally stay at home. If you have an energetic dog, a doggy daycare or a dog walker is a great way to add some variety to your dog's day, add some socialization, and improve its quality of life. My boyfriend has an energetic border collie/husky mix that needs constant stimulation. He works from home, so he's able to give his dog attention throughout the day. On the other hand, my roommate used to work 10-12 hour shifts out in the field and would leave her 90 lb dog in our apartment for the entire day. No bathroom breaks, no one home. I felt horrible for her dog. He'd act up (go through our trash) and then go completely nuts when she came home. I don't blame her for needing to do her job though — I understand it's difficult to juggle the responsibilities of work and a dog. I think it would've been beneficial for him to have had a place to go to get his energy out.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Separation anxiety can really bring out the worst in puppies. Hope you don't live your couch too much

by Anonymous 1 year ago

If you don't mind getting your place thrashed and your neighbours royally pissed off, yes it's so much better leaving a dog alone and unattended than leaving it to professionals whose job is to take care of dogs.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Those people aren't meeting their dogs needs. They shouldn't have gotten a high energy breed. And if you think daycares are staffed by professionals.. well no. Typically untrained teens and college kids with no experience in animals and little training.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Don't they have to get a license for opening and running such places legally?

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Dogs don't like sitting home all day u just fooled urself into believing that

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I remember my mum took our dog to one once... he ended up just sitting in the corner all day because he is old and tired and didnt wanna play stupid games. Biggest I told you so ever.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I disagree on the basis by the time you factor in commuting for most people dogs need a potty break. Also free reign of the house might be ok but many people keep their poor dogs in a kennel.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I'm a vet tech and a lot of the doggy daycares in our area have histories of dogs getting out and getting run over or getting in fights. My coworker and I are considering purchasing a property together to go in on a larger boarding facility, and one thing we've been trying to figure out is how in the hell you do the insurance for a place like that with all the potential for disaster. Our clinic boards dogs, sometimes for up to a month, and it's wild how unpredictable some of the dogs can get around the other dogs. I have so much respect for the dog daycare and borders who make play groups where all of the dogs get along. My hair would be turning gray at light speed

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Being alone isn't the only problem. They can't go that long without going to the bathroom consistently without causing permanent damage.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I personally don't use daycares. I don't trust them but if I know I'm going to be out for a while (over 4 hours), I have a very trustworthy dog sitter which he adores. She knows his needs and how to take care of him the way that I do and it's cheaper. I don't even trust PetSmart to handle my dog.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I can't say I ever heard someone claim that dogs are cool with being alone for 8+ hours at a time.. Pretty sure they aren't "perfectly happy" about that.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I don't think the daycare takes the dogs outside but lets them pee inside.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I completely understand where you're coming from, and I agree to some degree. We take our chocolate lab to doggy day care twice a week for a few reasons. 1. She's still young and has a ton of energy. It's better for her not to be kept in a kennel all day (we have cats and she can't be trusted alone in the house ) 2. We are gone all day, and she needs to have stimulation to get her energy out The day care she goes to was looked at before we decided to take her there. She enjoys it, and it isn't overly priced

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Daycare a couple times a week is great for socializing your dog, and allows them to be part of a pack. Do vet your provider and look for signs, are they happy to go? Do they want to stay? I like that I can watch at any time, via video, what is happening at the daycare. She knows what days she goes, and gets sad if she misses a day...Friday is her regular day, and she missed it this week...

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I have a mixed breed pit bull, and she is the temperament tester at her daycare. If you dog doesn't get along with her, they don't stay.. We started with the company, with basic puppy training, and have been with them, 8 years now. Too many people don't spend the time with their dogs to make them ready for daycare, and the animals suffer..

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I actually have some good money betting on those dog fights

by Anonymous 1 year ago

If you leave your full sized dog at home inside all day you shouldn't own a dog at all.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

If you think a dog can't handle being inside while we go to work than you're wrong. Dogs sleep 12-14 hours a day. They are perfectly fine lounging around during the day and with you when you sleep at night. The problem is people don't give them enough activity in between. They go for a short walk just to go potty and call it good. Of course they have bound up energy. But if you actually exercise your dog while your home they are perfectly fine lounging around while your not home.

by Anonymous 1 year ago