Is Dog Daycare Right For All Dogs?

The short answer is no

The Benefits of Dog Daycare

Dog daycare can be an amazing experience for dogs with a compatible temperament. Moreover, it can offer lot of sweet benefits- for both dogs and their human owners. It provides dogs with boredom relief, a healthy outlet for pent-up energy, exercise, socialization and constructive interaction with humans.  Daycare can give busy human owners the peace of mind that comes with knowing their dog is well cared for while they are away at work or play.  Dog daycare can certainly provide relief from some of the many stresses that naturally come with urban dog ownership.

Good Dogs, Just Not Good For Daycare

Not all dogs, however, are good candidates for the doggy daycare scene. Some dogs simply don’t enjoy interacting with other dogs. Others may be too timid, fearful, or consistently exhibit behaviors that are not compatible with responsible off-leash group play. This does not, by any means, mean that they are “bad” dogs. It simply means that daycare is not a good idea for them.  Fortunately, there are other options for these dogs and their human owners, including home care services from Woof! Play & Stay, an urban dog resort in Seattle, Washington.

Temperament Tests and Trial Play Days

Reputable dog daycare centers screen all potential "guests" with some kind of Temperament Test. This provides a pretty good idea of whether or not the dog is a good candidate for doggy daycare, but is by no means definitive. That’s why new dogs should be carefully monitored as they interact with the daycare pack for the first time. The top priority for any dog daycare facility should be the safety, health, comfort and fun of all the dogs entrusted to their care. When it become apparent that off-leash group play isn’t working for a particular 4 legged guest, they should be separated them from the pack and provided individualized care. Depending upon the situation, this could be a short “time out” or for the rest of the day.  Dogs that misbehave often can even be "banned" from a daycare facility.

Alternatives to Dog Daycare - Paid Does Not Necessarily Equal Professional

If Dog Daycare in Seattle doesn't work out for your dog don't despair. Seattle has hundreds, and I literally mean hundreds, of dog walkers and home dog care services.  There are even technology companies that match dog owners with dog walkers and prices can vary wildly.  That said, great care should be given when selecting a dog walker or home care service.  If you want cheap, just about anyone can register with one of these tech companies and become a paid dog walker.  Notice I used the word paid, not professional.

Another option is On Demand Dog Care, Inc. which does business as Woof Play and Stay.  Located in beautiful downtown Seattle near the Space Needle, Woof offers truly professional dog walking services in addition to their dog daycare.  Not only does Woof play and Stay offer scheduled dog walking and home pet care, it offers these services On-demand 24/7/364.  The services are preformed by a trained uniformed professional that has passed a background check.