When is it the right time to send your dog to daycare

If you’re planning on sending your dog to daycare, when should you do so? It’s important to make sure that your dog is ready for this change in routine and that you have a dog who is a good fit for daycare. Take the following factors into consideration before you decide when to start dog daycare.

Age

How old is your dog? If you have a puppy, daycare provides a great chance for socialization, which is ideal to do before puppies are 12 weeks old. Just keep in mind that your puppy won’t be fully vaccinated at that time, so it’s important to find a place that minimizes the risk of infectious diseases among puppies. If you have an older dog, consider whether or not your pet will be able to handle being in a noisy environment with several other dogs. Some older dogs prefer being in environments that are calmer and quieter.

Temperament

Your dog’s temperament is another important factor to take into consideration. Dogs with a friendly nature usually enjoy dog daycare, since it allows them to play with other dogs. Many facilities conduct temperament assessments to determine if dogs will do well in daycare. These assessments check for signs of aggressiveness or shyness, which can affect whether or not they are allowed to participate in play groups. If your dog is friendly and social, daycare shouldn’t be a problem. Your dog should be able to adapt to this change of routine easily.

Energy Levels

Taking your dog’s energy level into consideration can also help you determine when to start daycare. Dogs with a lot of energy can end up having behavioral problems if they don’t get enough exercise during the day. If you’re at work all day and your high-energy dog stays home, you might come home to find things chewed up or soiled. Starting daycare sooner rather than later can help your dog burn off energy and fend off boredom. Dogs with lower energy levels might take longer to adjust to daycare, especially if they are in a large play group. Look for dog daycare that offers smaller play groups or calmer areas where dogs can rest.

Since you know your dog best, it’s ultimately up to you to decide when the right time to start daycare is. Just make sure that you find a quality daycare with trained staff and a safe environment.

Do shock collars work for training your dog?

Dog training includes different approaches to helping dogs learn to obey commands. Positive reinforcement focuses on rewarding dogs for performing the correct behavior, while aversive training uses punishment or an unpleasant experience to stop dogs from performing unwanted behaviors. Shock collars are sometimes used for dog training that involves an aversive method. Are these collars effective, and should they be used for training dogs?

How Shock Collars Work

These collars produce an electric current that can be used to shock dogs when they behave in an undesirable way, such as barking excessively or jumping on people. They can also be used during training when dogs perform the wrong behavior instead of the correct behavior. These collars are also used to keep dogs from roaming outside their owners’ property when used with an electronic fencing system. Dog owners can control the force of this shock, which can range from mild to strong enough to be painful.

Effectiveness of Shock Collars

These collars can be effective when training dogs, but they do so through negative methods. Using a shock collar punishes dogs and can potentially hurt them, which can make them fearful and anxious. This can result in a higher risk of dogs becoming aggressive toward their owner and other people. It also has a negative impact on the bond between dogs and their owners. It’s also important to keep in mind that these collars can be used incorrectly or in an abusive way, which causes more harm to dogs and leads to ineffective training. They can also cause inflammation in the skin when they are worn for long periods of time.

Alternatives to Shock Collars

Although these collars can be effective, using aversive training methods is not recommended. Negative training methods usually produce short-term results while raising the risk of harmful consequences in the long run. Using positive reinforcement for dog training is a more effective method that benefits dogs and their owners. Positive reinforcement involves giving dogs a reward for successfully obeying commands, such as a treat or praise. This causes dogs to think of training as a positive experience that results in them getting something desirable. Positive reinforcement methods encourage dogs to learn to obey commands and to continue obeying them even when the reward is gradually phased out. This has proven to be a more effective training method with long-term results.

What to Know About Boarding for Pets

Having pets stay in a boarding facility when you’re away means you don’t have to worry about arranging for someone to come to your home to care for them. If you’ve never looked into boarding for pets before, keep the following information in mind.

Find a Clean and Safe Boarding Facility

One of the most important things you can do when choosing a boarding facility is to find one that offers your pets a safe and clean environment. This facility should have at least one staff member around at all times in case of emergencies, and should be secure enough to prevent pets from getting out. Boarding facilities should also be cleaned regularly to reduce the spread of disease, and all pets should have access to clean water.

Look Into Playtime for Dogs

Some boarding places offer playtime for dogs to help relieve boredom and give them a chance to make new friends. DoGone Fun provides dogs with several hours of playtime each day, which helps them burn off energy and get regular exercise. All dogs who stay at DoGone Fun undergo a behavioral assessment beforehand to help ensure that they’ll do well and get along with other dogs during playtime. This helps keep all dogs safe in the facility’s spacious play area. At DoGone Fun, dogs also have a comfortable place to sleep and receive plenty of attention from staff.

Consider Your Pets’ Needs

When looking into boarding for pets, make sure you take your pet’s needs into consideration. If you have cats, for example, look for a place that offers a separate boarding area for cats and dogs to ensure a quieter environment that is less stressful. For any type of pet, let the boarding facility know about medications, dietary restrictions or any other special needs they have.

Avoid These Dog Daycare Red Flags

When you’re choosing a dog daycare for your pet, it’s important to find one that provides a safe environment. Give yourself enough time to search for a place that will take good care of your dog, and keep an eye out for the following red flags.

No Tours Allowed

Being able to see where your dog will be spending the day can give you peace of mind. It also lets you see for yourself whether the facility is a clean one with a secure enclosure that your dog can’t get out of. Reputable facilities won’t have a problem with letting dog owners see the place, and they might even invite you to take a tour without you having to ask. Stay away from dog daycare places that won’t allow you to take a tour.

Aggressive Dogs

If you notice dogs acting aggressively when touring a daycare facility, look for another place instead. Ideally, you should be looking for a place that does temperament assessments before letting dogs participate in playtime. This helps ensure that your dog won’t be injured by an aggressive dog that bites or snaps.

Dirty Environment

Dog daycare facilities should be kept clean on a regular basis to prevent germs from spreading. Messes made by dogs should be picked up as soon as possible rather than left lying around. Water bowls should also be filled with clean water. Avoid places that have dog messes left on the floor and bowls filled with dirty water.

Unfriendly Staff

Staff members who work in dog daycare facilities should be friendly and have the skills needed to make dogs feel at ease. Look for a place with staff members who make you feel comfortable about leaving your dog in their care, and avoid places with staff who seem rude or unprofessional.

How Much Are Dog Care Prices?

When you need to have someone else watch your dog for you, what can you expect to pay? This mainly depends on the type of dog care your pet will be getting and the kinds of services that are offered. While dog care prices vary, keep the following general information in mind when making arrangements for your pet.

Type of Care

Dog day care, pet sitting and dog boarding are the main options available when you have to leave your dog behind while traveling or working. Pet sitting generally has lower rates than day care or boarding, but keep in mind that you’re usually only paying for someone to stop by a couple of times a day to walk and feed your dog. You’ll have to pay extra if you want your pet sitter to stay at your house.

Dog day care rates are usually charged per day based on whether you have your dog there for a full day or a half day. You might be able to lower the cost by taking advantage of available discounts, such as booking day care for a certain number of days per month instead of just a day or two.

Dog boarding usually has higher rates compared to pet sitting and dog day care. With boarding, you’re paying to have your dog stay at a facility the whole time you’re gone.

Amenities and Services

If you choose dog boarding or dog day care, the dog care prices you’ll pay depend on the types of services and amenities that are available. Some places offer obedience training classes or grooming for an extra fee. Some also have certain amenities, such as extra treats or one-on-one playtime with a staff member. The amount you end up spending depends on whether you add these on or not.

10 things you should know about dog boarding

If you’ve never boarded your dog before, it’s understandable that you might be a bit concerned about what to expect. Here are some important things to keep in mind to ensure that you have some peace of mind.

1. Make reservations early.

Some boarding places get booked up fast, especially around holidays. Reserve your dog’s spot as early as possible.

2. Your dog won’t necessarily spend all day in a kennel.

Some places offer dogs playtime so they can stay active and be social. This is a good way for your dog to get exercise and make friends.

3. Dogs need to have updated vaccines.

Dog boarding facilities typically require dogs to have up-to-date vaccines, including rabies and distemper.

4. You can usually bring your dog’s food.

Many boarding places allow you to bring your dog’s usual food instead of eating the food that they provide.

5. Some facilities aren’t staffed 24/7.

Some only have someone come in for walks and feeding. Other places have someone there around-the-clock.

6. Some places offer special perks.

Some dog boarding facilities offer spa services and other perks for an additional fee, such as treats at bedtime.

7. Your dog will receive emergency care.

This usually means bringing dogs to the closest emergency clinic when immediate care is needed.

8. In person visits are a must.

It’s important to take a tour of the boarding facility to make sure it offers a clean, safe and friendly environment for your dog.

9. Boarding facilities can handle special care instructions.

If your dog needs medication, a special diet or any other special care, leave instructions with the boarding facility.

10. Information on your dog’s temperament is important.

Let the boarding facility know if your dog has any behavioral issues, such as being shy around other dogs.

Typical Doggy Day Care Prices

Doggy day care offers a chance for your dog to meet other pups and stay busy while you’re not home. If you’re trying to determine whether or not this option is within your budget, the following information on doggy day care prices can help.

Day Care Rates in General

In general, day care rates for dogs have a wide range depending on location and the types of services offered. These ranges include between $12-38 for a full day and between $6-25 for a half day. Keep in mind that rates in larger areas, including big cities, usually cost more than rates in smaller towns and suburbs. You might also pay more if you go to a doggy day care facility that offers a number of services, such as training and grooming. Some places offer discount rates or packages that include a few days or an entire month of day care.

Doggy Day Care Prices at DoGone Fun

At DoGone Fun, we offer reasonable prices for high quality doggy day care in the Chicago area. These include the following:

• One full day (6 to 12 hours): $35. $30 for each additional dog
• One half day (1 to 6 hours): $25. $25 for each additional dog
• 10 full days: $320. $210 for each additional dog
• 20 full days: $600. $400 for each additional dog
• 10 half days: $230. $155 for each additional dog
• 20 half days: $440. $300 for each additional dog
• Late night rates from 7-10 p.m. from Monday through Friday: $5/hour per dog

We also offer introductory packages of three full days for $80 or three half days for $55. If you need more information on doggy day care prices, please contact DoGone Fun.