mixed feelings about doggie daycare

[Willow and J]

Today was Willow's 4th day at a doggie daycare, and we're getting some mixed feelings about what it does to Willow. We like the place fine (owners are wonderful, and they are experienced trainers), and we thought Willow liked it too, but today, she didn't want to go in to the building, then when she was greeted on entering by the staff, she peed and obviously didn't want to part from us. Willow is submissive, but she is not shy, and it's rare that she pees in fear. We are confused and I wanted to ask help from DKers to understand what went on and also to have some advice what to do in the future.

1. Could this mean that it took Willow for three visits to realize that this is not something she enjoys / that she hates the place?

or

2. She hasn't been to the daycare for a while (3 months): could it be that Willow had to readjust herself to this place again and got nervous?

The daycare only accepts limited number of dogs per day and has strict reservation policy, and their facility is clean and nice. There's always someone monitoring dogs, and there's no other signs of stress we see in Willow after she comes back. (We know that she's always super thirsty and probably didn't get to the water bowl as often as she'd like because she's submissive.)

What we wish this daycare provides is 1) camera / video and/or 2) reports afterwards. They just say "Willow was fine" when asked. So we don't really know how Willow did on a particular day. (And so far, I wasn't able to find a daycare that provide either of the two in my area. One other place we tried said their camera was out of order - for how long, they didn't say.)

The reason we want to keep taking Willow to this or any daycare is that she craves friends. She often stays aside when there are more than 4-5 dogs ganging up, but she LOVES to romp with a dog or two at a time at the dogpark. Daycare is an alternative for bad weather days. But having said that, I also wonder if daycare is already too big a venue for her - there are always more than a dozen dogs. Once we peeped through their fence and saw Willow sitting in one corner, sort of away from others, and today's accident makes me wonder if Willow really doesn't want "parties" with many dogs. Does this make any sense? What can I do to make Willow's daycare visits more pleasant? (For example, shall I ask one of her friends to go with her?) Or, should I just give up the daycare and try playdates more often with her friends? 

Thank you for your advice!

 

   

[Pat and Traveler]

When I leave Trav at home alone, whether it's for half an hour or 7 hours, I always find him waiting in the same place--on the bed, where he has a view of the driveway.  When I've left him home with my daughter and her dog, he still just waits in that same place.  At least when he accidently gets outside, he doesn't try to run away!  At this point, taking Trav to daycare so he can play with other dogs is just a waste of money.  I wouldn't worry about him being traumatized if I had to leave him there, but there's no point in leaving him for his fun or socialization.  He does play ball and chase with his dog buddies at the park almost every day, though I think he would be just as happy if the other dogs didn't show up.  :) 

[Hazel & Chester Wayte]

BTW- DH has  a Chestercam set up in our house : ). I am surprised that any Dog Day care doesn't do this in this day & age.

[Willow and J]

I know! They make videos to put up on their website, but no webcams. None of the daycare we looked at had one. 

Chestercam sounds fun. I'd be watching Willow cam on computer while she naps beside me if we set up one for her. :)

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I am so guilty of keeping dogs close to me and not getting them used to being alone or minded in the past that I had two with separation anxiety ( one was severe) which was all of my own doing.  With Riley and because one of us is home most of the time I decided early on to get him used to being alone for short periods and now going to Day Care. He just loves all people and well behaved dogs (he's on the submissive side and steers clear of the Alpha dogs)  He doesn't actually need to go and I drive one hour round trip to the place but it is so worth it in terms of his socialization.  But, and this is a big but, if he showed any fear and did not want to go that would be it, no question.  The facility is excellent as they specialize in training and there are four people there with the dogs all the time.  They also do a two hour assessment before accepting the dogs to see if they are suitable and I got a three page summary of that after it was done.  When I pick him up they always tell me little things about his day. There is lots of agility equipment and I was surprised that Riley goes through the tube and up and down the seesaw plank, no bother.  I don't have to book, just let them know he is coming and it costs 18 euro per day or 9 per half day.

I do think for Riley it works really well. But I also think some dogs are just not suitable and it is no reflection on them or their owners, it is just their personalities.