Requirements Needed to Send Your Dog to Daycare

Sending dogs to day care isn’t as simple as finding the right place and signing up for it. Not all dogs are allowed to be part of a day care setting, which happens for different reasons. Some dogs show too much fear or aggression around other dogs, while some dogs have health issues that would put other dogs at risk. When you look into signing your dog up for a Chicago doggie day care, make sure you check the list of requirements. Reputable day care facilities have these requirements to ensure that all dogs are able to play and be around other dogs in a safe place. 

Benefits of Doggie Day Care Requirements

Having requirements for Chicago doggie day care might seem like an inconvenience for dog owners, but it provides a number of important benefits. These benefits help keep dogs safe and happy, and they provide dog owners with peace of mind. The advantages they offer include the following:

•  Lower risk of disease and parasites: Day care requirements reduce the risk of having illnesses and parasites in the day care facility. This makes it less likely for dogs to get sick or pick up fleas and other parasites during their stay.

•  Lower risk of injuries from fights: Dogs that stay at Chicago doggie day care centers typically go through an assessment to determine their temperament. This prevents dogs who are aggressive from being able to participate, which reduces the risk of having fights break out. Dog owners can rest assured that their dogs can play safely with other dogs who will not lunge at them.

• High-quality facility: Dog day care facilities that strictly enforce requirements tend to be high-quality ones. Having a dedication to ensuring that these rules are followed means that the facility is committed to making sure that all dogs in their care stay as safe as possible during day care.

Temperament Assessments

One of the most common types of requirements for Chicago doggie day care is a temperament assessment. This type of assessment determines whether or not certain dogs should be allowed into day care. Dogs that are generally excluded from day care based on assessment results include those that show signs of aggression toward other dogs or people, such as lunging or growling. These dogs cannot be trusted to play safely with other dogs in common play areas. 

What can dog owners expect during an assessment? Temperament assessments generally require dogs to spend a certain amount of time at the day care facility. This gives staff members the chance to get to know dogs better and observe their behavior. Dog owners are usually asked to provide information about their dog during these assessments. Dogs are then slowly introduced to play groups to see how they behave around other dogs. After this initial assessment, dogs are usually required to come in for three to six hours for a more thorough assessment. 

Dogs who pass temperament assessments are allowed to join play groups. However, dog owners should keep in mind that dogs typically need to be re-assessed when they have gone at least one year without day care or boarding services. This gives staff members a chance to see if anything has changed with the dog’s behavior.

Spaying and Neutering

Dogs who participate in Chicago doggie day care usually need to be spayed or neutered. These services are required in order to reduce the risk of conflict between dogs. In general, pets that are spayed or neutered tend to have fewer behavioral issues and are less prone to aggression than those that have not had these procedures done. Dog owners can fulfill this requirement by providing paperwork that shows proof that their dog has been spayed or neutered.

 Vaccinations

Chicago doggie day care facilities are required to only accept dogs that are up-to-date on certain vaccinations. These requirements are based on state and city laws. Dogs in Chicago must have current vaccinations for rabies, distemper, parvovirus and bordetella, or kennel cough before participating in doggie day care. Requiring dogs to have updated vaccinations means that there is a lower risk of having these diseases around. Since distemper and other contagious diseases can be serious and even life-threatening, this requirement helps keep dogs safe and healthy. Dog owners can meet this requirement by showing paperwork with proof that their dogs are up-to-date on these vaccinations.

 Parasites

Internal parasites can make some dogs dangerously ill. In order to reduce this risk, Chicago doggie day care facilities require dog owners to provide a fecal exam with negative results for parasites. This test must have been done within the past 12 months in order to be valid. Although it is not a requirement, dog owners might want to ask their vet about flea prevention products for their dogs before sending them to day care. These products can lower the risk of developing a flea infestation, which can cause itchy skin and other reactions in some dogs.

 Dog License

Dog owners who reside in Chicago must also show that their dog’s license is current. Those who do not have a current license can renew theirs or get a new one from the city clerk’s website or from the office of the Chicago city clerk in city hall. Dog licenses cost $5 per dog. Dog owners must provide proof that their dog has an up-to-date rabies vaccination, along with documentation from the vet that shows that their dog has been spayed or neutered.

How to Meet Requirements

Dog owners who plan on having their dogs stay at DoGone Fun should keep the following information handy. This information breaks down what dog owners need to do in order to meet the requirements for this Chicago doggie day care facility.

• Initial temperament assessment: Dog owners should schedule a visit for an initial assessment with a staff member. Although these assessments do not need to be scheduled, dog owners who meet all other requirements can bring their dog in as a walk-in. DoGone Fun attempts to conduct assessments for walk-ins Monday through Saturday, as long as they have met all other requirements.

•  Follow-up temperament assessment: Dog owners should plan a day for their dog to spend three to six hours at DoGone Fun for closer observation. This can be scheduled for a time that is convenient for dog owners.

• Spayed or neutered: Dog owners should ask their vet for documentation that has proof that their dog has been spayed or neutered. This documentation can be shown to DoGone Fun to fulfill this requirement.

• Vaccinations: Dog owners should ask their vet for an updated record that shows proof that their dog is current on rabies, distemper, parvovirus and bordetella vaccinations. Rabies, distemper and parvovirus are typically given at annual wellness checks, but bordetella is usually not a routine vaccine. Dog owners should be prepared to schedule an appointment to bring their dog to the vet for a bordetella vaccine if it has not been given.

•   Fecal exam for parasites: Dog owners should ask their vet for proof that their dog has had a fecal exam that was negative for parasites within the past 12 months. If dogs have not had a fecal exam in the past 12 months, dog owners should schedule a vet appointment to have one done.

•  Dog license: Dog owners in Chicago should bring in proof that their dog’s city dog license is up-to-date. If it is expired or if there is no license, dog owners should order a license online or at the city clerk’s office. Keep in mind that proof of spaying or neutering and proof of a current rabies vaccination is required.

Dogs That Don’t Meet Requirements

What happens if dogs do not meet Chicago doggie day care requirements? Dogs that do not pass temperament assessments will not be allowed to take part in day care activities. Dog owners should consider looking into working with a dog trainer or animal behaviorist if their dog fails an assessment due to issues with aggression. Dogs that are not current on vaccinations should go to the vet to receive updated shots. Dogs that have had a positive result for parasites on a fecal exam should receive veterinary treatment before being tested again. Those that have not had a fecal exam in the past year should visit the vet for an updated fecal exam. Dogs that have an expired license or dogs that do not have a dog license should get a current one from the city clerk’s office.

This article was originally published at https://www.dogonefunchicago.com/dog-daycare/requirements-needed-to-send-your-dog-to-daycare/