Dog Daycare or Dog Walker: Which One Should You Choose?

Published A Few Days Ago
ADVERTISEMENT

Does it make more sense to hire a dog walker or put your pup in doggy daycare? Here are some questions to ask before you choose.

If you’re going to be spending a substantial chunk of your day out of the house, it’s natural that you don’t want your precious pooch to be alone for this time. However, you have a choice ahead of you: should you send your pup to doggie daycare or should you have a dog walker come to your home to spend time with Fido? The choice is a personal one, and really depends on the needs and circumstances of you and your dog. Ask yourself a few questions to figure out which option suits you best.

How Long Are You Out of the House?

We all know about dog years, but what about dog hours?! If you work a 9 to 5 job (or an equivalent amount of hours, anyway), this is a long stretch of time for your dog. He’s likely to become bored and lonely, which isn’t fair on him. In this case, it might be best for him to go into a dog daycare, where he’ll have constant human supervision and canine friends to romp with all day long. If you’re only out for 4 or 5 hours a day, having a dog walker come for an hour or so in the middle of this time would probably suffice. Then your faithful hound will only have to be by himself for a couple of hours in a row.

Does Your Pup Get On With Other Dogs?

This is the main factor that would prevent daycare from being suitable for your dog. If he’s reactive or has any aggressive tendencies toward other dogs, then daycare probably isn’t the right environment for him. Even a friendly dog who’s extremely boisterous or doesn’t have good social skills might not be right for daycare. Sometimes dogs have the best intentions, but end up annoying other canines with their goofy ways. A good doggie daycare facility should carry out an assessment and a trial session before allowing your dog to come for a full day, so you could always see how he gets on. If he’s deemed to be unsuitable, don’t worry, he might be better off in the company of a dog walker.

Is Your Dog Nervous?

Dogs will be dogs and they often like to play rough and generally goof off. Therefore, if you have a dog with a nervous disposition, he might feel overwhelmed in this kind of environment. Most daycares separate dogs by size and age, so if – for instance – you have a small pooch who’s scared of bigger dogs, this shouldn’t be a problem. However, if your pup is generally nervous, it’s likely that he won’t enjoy a daycare environment. In this case, it could be best that he stays in the comfort of his own home and has a dog walker come to exercise him and give him some love, instead.

Does Your Dog Cause Problems When Left Alone?

Some dogs have a hard time being left home alone, whereas others are happy to snooze away until you return. If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, you may notice that he destroys your belongings, constantly barks and howls, or urinates or defecates while you’re out. While it’s a pain for you, it may also annoy your neighbors and is clearly making your dog unhappy. This kind of dog would probably benefit from spending time in daycare so that he doesn’t get anxious and upset when you’re not in. However, a dog who is perfectly content being alone should be fine with a visit from a dog walker part way through the day.

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

You May Like

How To Introduce Your Dog To A New Baby

Make the first meeting a joyous occasion – a few tips on how to introduce your dog to a new baby Who is the new, hairless puppy? Why does it smell so s…
9 Scratch-Free Tips On How To Bathe A Cat

Even cats need a bath. How do you keep your arms intact while undertaking this perilous activity? Here''s how to bathe a cat and remain relatively unscathed.
10 Summer Fun Stuff Roundup for Dogs

It''s summertime and we can''t wait to get out there with our pets to enjoy the weather. We''ve collected 10 fun-in-the-sun products that you''ll love!
Best Dog Door

A dog door is a great choice for trained dogs that live in a house with a fenced yard- they''ll give your pet a sense of freedom and independence.
Cat Declawing Now Banned In Denver, Colorado

It’s official in Denver, Colorado–veterinarians are now banned from declawing cats unless the procedure is medically necessary. Veterinarian Aubr…
Keeping Your Cat Stress-Free This New Year’s Eve

Even though New Year’s Eve is a fun-filled night for you, your cat might feel differently about it.
West Siberian Laika

The West Siberian Laika, from Russia, is known for retaining traits from their wild ancestors, the wolf, both physical and behavioral.
Understanding The Dog Heat Cycle

Do you have an intact female dog? We''re going to go over the basics about the dog heat cycle, including its various stages and how to deal with it.
Saarloos Wolfhound

The Saarloos Wolfhound is unique in that it exhibits more natural wolf-like behaviors, as it was developed from crossing a German Shepherd with a wolf.
Product Review: Hagen Vesper V-Tower Cat Furniture

It''s our first cat-related product review! Tester cat Boris (along with human slave Stephen Elmer) climbs his way to the top of Hagen''s new Vesper V-Tower.
Miniature Pinscher

The Miniature Pinscher is a feisty, friendly dog sometimes known as the ""King of the Toy Dogs."" Miniature Pinschers aren''t ideal for large families.
Gato

The Gato is an exotic cat breed that has a combination of traits from a few different felines, including the Siamese, the Himalayan, and the Egyptian Mau.
My Dog Has Diarrhea – How Do I Treat It?

The Poop On What I Do When My Dog Has Diarrhea. Because of Oscar''s sensitive tummy, I''ve picked up a few tips that have helped when he gets the runs.
Chinchilla Cat

The Chinchilla cat could also be referred to as the Chinchilla Persian because this breed is actually a type of Persian cat.
What Is Dog Bite Liability Insurance?

If your dog bites someone, it can bite into your finances - is Dog Bite Liability Insurance necessary for you? Find out to protect yourself and your dog.