Getting your dog out of the house every day is important – she gets exercise and can do her business outside. Many pet owners who have to work full time usually have to do this at the end of the work day or hire a dog sitter who comes in once or twice to make sure that the pet is okay and take her out for a bit. You may, however, be concerned about all the time that your pet spends on her own and are wondering if there are alternatives. Dog day care centers have become a godsend for many dog owners – you can drop your dog off there in the morning and then pick her up after work. During the day she gets to socialize with other dogs and there are professionals to make sure she is well taken care of.
Dog day care facilities cost money and you may be wondering how they differ from taking your dog to the park. Before you give them a pass, consider the following benefits that they have over dog parks:
- The reason why you take your dog to a dog care center every morning is so that she is not so lonely all day. Dogs are pack animals – true, we have domesticated them and they can stay at home for many hours every day but if you want your pet to be truly happy you should get her into a dog day care center where she can meet and socialize with other dogs. A dog park, on the other hand, is designed to accommodate your dog only for a little while. She may meet other dogs but not for long enough to thoroughly enjoy their company.
- You also want to have peace of mind when you are at work – when your dog is all alone at home while you work you may worry constantly about whether she is safe. When she is in dog day care she will be taken care of by an adult at all times. True, at the dog park dogs are under supervision, but sometimes they have to be on a leash which doesn’t give them lots of freedom.
- In a dog day care center your dog is in a controlled environment. Have you ever lost your dog at the dog park? You know the feeling – you are seized by panic and you want to find her as soon as possible. If you leave your dog at a day care facility there will be no need to take her to the park – she will get all the play and socialization that she needs from other dogs in the facility.
- There are many services that dogs get in dog day care centers that they will never get at a dog park. Your furry friend can enjoy grooming once or twice a week, she can get house trained, she can learn how to do tricks and more. There is no one in the dog park to provide similar services and if you want your dog to get them you have to seek out different professionals.
- In dog day care dogs are separated according to their breeds, temperament and age. You don’t have to worry about your pet being attacked by other dogs as can sometimes happen in the dog park.
Lastly, you can take a dog of any age to the dog day care center. If you have a young puppy it may not be a good idea to take her to a dog park as she may not be safe from other dogs or can contract diseases. The best dog care centers have special areas set aside for pups where they can thrive.
