Doggie Daycare

[Sam, Risa and Archie]

My girlfriend and I both work long hours from 7am to about 4:30pm when we get off, so for a few months now we have been sending Archie to doggie daycare.  We live in a major city and most young professionals like ourselves take their dogs to daycare.  They have the best of time and its so energetic and social for them.

I just wanted to see if anyone else takes their doodles there either on a daily basis or every here and there? I wanted to see what everyone thought about it and if they have any stories.

Also, could Archie potentially get over energized? He loves to exercise and play and rather then just leave him home bored out of his mind we take him 3 or 4 times a week.  He loves us for it, but also is wiped out when we get home!  The exercising and socialization during the day has made him such a better puppy though. 

[Jen W]

Even though I work from home I still take my dog to doggy daycare once or twice a week.  I love it for the socialization aspect (both for other dogs and other people).  I take her if I have a busy day at work or if I have evening plans and want her to sleep while I'm gone, or if the weather is bad and we won't get out for our walks (which was a lot this winter!)  I love the people who work there and they seem to really Dory.  I have never had a negative experience with my daycare.

I don't know if she gets over energized.  All of the dogs are crated from 12:00 - 2:00 for nap time and I've seen pictures of her resting while the other dogs play around her.  So I think she takes breaks when she needs them, though when she comes home she eats and then promptly falls asleep!

[Sam, Risa and Archie]

Thanks!  Sounds just like Archie.  I appreciate the response.

[Sam, Risa and Archie]

Sometimes Archie comes home sniffs his bowl and still doesn't eat....lays down goes to sleep then wakes up at like 9 or 10pm and eats his dinner LOL

[Emily, Bentley, & Maserati]

Maserati goes to doggy daycare once or twice a week. Sometimes, like this past week he went 4 times! My husband was out of town and he works from home so Maserati needed some extra activities to help wear him down! Our 6 & 7 year olds no longer go to daycare as they weren't enjoying themselves any longer. They are happier lounging on the couch/bed at home! 
I know that Maserati tends to take an afternoon nap according to the owner and pictures/videos posted to the website! I think he knows when to play and when to rest! He is pooped when I pick him up, can't even stay awake for the drive home. The dogs all have had to undergo a temperament test and supervised session before being allowed at daycare. I haven't had any negative daycare experience so we are happy doggy daycare goers! :)

[Deborah Brown]

I take Penny occasionally.  The place we go to has a schedule or play and rest times so it is not overly exhausting.  She seems to do well and its good for her to have positive experiences with dogs outside of our family.  She can be leash reactive and we work on this daily so she rarely gets to meet new dogs outside.

My oldest dog, Charlie, did not do well with day care.  We took him a few times.  I'd watch him online and see him pacing and not ever relaxing.  The last time, he got outside and vomited.  That's when I knew it was too stressful for him and he never went back.

[Oliver & Elizabeth]

My boyfriend and I are young professionals in Seattle and daycare is very popular here too. Oliver used to go to day care twice a week, and he loved it and would come back totally exhausted. About 10 months ago we moved and started using a dog walker as the daycare was not as convenient to get to in the morning. Now, I think dog walkers are much better as he gets personal attention and it can be done every day. She trains Oliver on good leash skills while they walk and Oliver isn't so tired and doesn't smell of daycare. Also, the dog walker has a partner who takes dogs for group excursions to the dog park, so you can pick which is best for your dog. There are just so many fun options for them while we're away!

[Sam, Risa and Archie]

Yes, very true.  Daycare is just so much better bang for your buck.  Idk about Seattle, but in Baltimore its like freaking 70-100 an hour for a dog walker.  I can send Archie to daycare all day for $27 and its play all day, they have a huge swimming pool and exercise room for the dogs (I know its crazy like an actual gym for humans...the dogs literally have a human sized pool and real treadmills that they get hooked up to and run on.  Its amazing.  

[Emily, Bentley, & Maserati]

Wow! I want to go to that daycare!! What a deal!! 

[Sam, Risa and Archie]

Its honestly fantastic.  I live in a young professional college town in the city.  It feels like I'm still in college and so many young guys and girls like myself have dogs and most go to this daycare.  They also have a bus that picks up the dogs if you can't drop them cuz of work!  Can you imagine putting your dog on a big to 'school'. LOL its great.  Its such an advantage to take. 

[Jen W]

My daycare has a Canine Cab that will come and get your dog and drop them off.  I told my hair stylist and she could not stop laughing.  That said, it was a huge lifesaver the one and only time I used it since otherwise I wouldn't have gotten to the daycare before they closed and Dory would have had to have stayed over night.

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Me too Emily!

[Oliver & Elizabeth]

It's true, you get more with daycare. In Seattle, you get a whole day for the same price as an hour walk ($30-$35). I wouldn't pay $70 for a walk, that's crazy! Your daycare sounds pretty awesome--we didn't have a full sized swimming pool!