Is Doggy Daycare Right for All Dogs?

Awesome for some dogs…. 

Not such a good idea for others

Benefits of Dog Day Care
For human owners and canine companions

The short answer is no, doggie daycare is not a good idea for all dogs.  That said, 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. Busy human dog owners enjoy 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 daycare is not a good idea for them. Fortunately, there are other beneficial options for these dogs and their human owners, including Homecare and On Demand Dog Care from Woof!

Temperament Checks to Test Compatibility

At Woof! Play & Stay we screen all potential resort guests with a Temperament Check. This gives us a pretty good idea of whether or not the dog is a good candidate for doggie daycare, but is by no means definitive. That’s why we carefully monitor new dogs as they interact with the pack for the first few times. Our top priority is the safety, health, comfort and fun of all dogs entrusted to our care. Should it become apparent that off-leash group play isn’t working for a particular VIP (very important pooch) guest, we separate them from the pack and provide individualized care. Depending upon the situation, this could be a short “time out” or for the rest of the day.

Trial Days- Because You Just Never Know

Interestingly, behaviors incompatible with responsible off-leash group play don't always show up right away.   Sometimes they appear after a few play days, a week or even a month.  Regardless, after one or more doggy daycare sessions, it may be determined that the dog is not a good fit with the Woof! Play & Stay dog daycare scene.  Should this be the case we will likely be able to offer the owner home care and dog walking services as an alternative, and apply the appropriate credit.

Urban Dog Boarding- Not Exactly a Traditional Kennel

Most boarding facilities in the city are much more like a dog hotel rather than a kennel.  Woof is no different.  Dogs boarding overnight spend most of the day, cage free, in an indoor dog park.  As such they are engaged in supervised off leash group play (dog daycare) during most of the day.  At most urban dog daycare centers the only time a dog is in a "Suite" or "Den" (fancy names for kennel or crates) is to eat. sleep or rest.

Many traditional dog kennels don't offer daycare, but they can offer walks, 1 on 1 play time and training. The dog spends most of his or her time in a large caged enclosure alone. Traditional kennels or homecare / pet sitting is the better choice for dogs who are not well suited for responsible off leash group play.

Responsible Dog Daycare & Boarding in an Urban Environment

Is knowing when to say no, and declining business when it is the right thing to do.  But damn, it's sooo hard to do- especially when you are a brand new business.  But it must be done, and we do it for the safety and well being of our staff and canine guests.  It's a no brainer.

As of the writing of this post, Woof! Play and Stay Dog Daycare and Boarding Center has been open for about 4 1/2 months.  What I did not realize ahead of time was that we would be turning down about 1 out of every 4 dogs that walked through the door, based upon the initial temperament check alone.  It's usually not a good sign when a dog snarls at you and threatens to bite your face off when you go to pet it.

Once accepted, we have found that about 1 out of 7 or 8 turn out not being a good fit for either our day care or dog boarding services.  Sometimes it's a realization over time, and sometimes it's a specific incident.  Regardless, once we learn that a dog is overly stressed by daycare, or can't play in a manner we deem responsible and appropriate, it's over.  Explaining to the owner that their dog is not a good candidate for Woof doggy daycare or boarding is extremely painful.  Especially when the owners are super nice people and their dog is really sweet.  Yet it must be done for the safety and/or well being of all concerned.

About Woof! Play & Stay

Woof Play! & Stay is an ultra-clean and modern dog daycare and boarding center located in downtown Seattle, near the Seattle Center and Space Needle.  Focused on the fitness and well being of dogs, services include premium dog daycare, luxury dog boarding, expert dog training and professional dog walking.

Dog Care Service Areas

Woof! Play and Stay is honored to serve Seattle, Washington, including the neighborhoods of South Lake Union, Downtown Seattle, Lower Queen Ann, Belltown, Uptown, Denny Triangle, Capitol Hill