Doggie Day Care Question?

[Karen P]

I made the mistake of telling my DH that the daycare owner told me that if we wanted to put Chewie to work this summer, he'd be great at digging out pools.  I thought that it was funny. My DH however hates when Chewie digs.  So now he thinks that doggy day care is not such a great idea.  He feels that it gives him too much freedom to practice unwanted behaviors.  We both work fulltime and my son is involved in activities 3 out of 5 days a week in the evenings. So the one or two days a week Chewie goes he gets some great exercise.  Any ideas on how to convince my DH that the benefits out way the negatives?

[Holly Doodle]

Remind him how much energy Chewie is burning while running and playing with the other dogs. It may be actually preventing other behaviors because Chewie's too tired to do them!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I just think Daycare is wonderful for letting little puppies run off steam. Last week was the first in about 6 months where we skipped daycare all together - Peri had kennel cough. Yes, even with her probably catching the cough from daycare, it is STILL worth it. Just tell DH you will train, train, train at home. Chewie needs to burn off some steam and get into SOME trouble...hahaha.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I'm guessing that if you take him out of daycare and then leave him home alone all that time he will convince DH that it was worth having in him daycare all by himself ....... because all that excess energy is going to get used somewhere ..... lol

All kidding aside, can't you ask the daycare folks to not let him dig! Our girls were really bad about digging until this summer and so far it appears they may be growing out of it because it hasn't been too bad. Maybe he will outgrow it as well.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I ask my daycare not to give her treats, to put her in time out if she gets tired and cranky, etc....they have webcams so I am pretty sure they pay attention and heed my requests. Lucy and Sophie's mom makes a good point.

[Adina P]

I'm not much help...Ive always been slightly afraid of Doggy Daycare for that reason too (developing unwanted behaviors and being 'trained' in ways that didn't help).
One possible out for you, though, is that dogs learn things contextually. Sooo him doing certain things THERE will make those things OK THERE but in the different environment of home he might not necessarily repeat those behaviors if you train lots and set up diff expectations.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I agree. We were able to teach our dogs that it was fine to dig at the beach, but not at home. I'm assuming it would be the same idea with home versus daycare. Before we had Murph, Guinness went to daycare at least once a week...usually just half day. He really benefited from the socialization and the exercise. I really didn't see him develop any bad behaviors as a result, as a matter of fact I think he learned some needed puppy manners.

[Frannie & Callie]

You should tell DH that if he's anti-day care, that y'all will need to get at least two more doodles so that Chewie has company and playmates. That way, you either get doggie day care back or you get a couple more adorable doodles!! Everyone wins! :)

[Wendy and Eddie]

brilliant!! Think my bank would fall for this and give me a "doodle" loan?

[Karen P]

I told this to him and he did not think it was very funny. I on the other hand thought it was a great idea!!

[Kim]

LOL Caitlin! This happened to me about a month ago - I was mortified. I looked over and Allie was pooping on the floor right after I brought her in. She has pooped on our floor at home 3 times and all 3 were when we were potty training (at 2-3 months old). She is almost 2 now!!!! I was so embarrassed!

[Karen P]

Thanks everyone!