As much as we love spending time with our pets, being with them is not always an option - and with many of us having to work during the day, to leave a dog home alone for more than four hours wouldn't be fair.
In this article, we explore the relatively new concept of dog day-care and advise whether it's right for you and your dog. 
What is a dog day-care?
Dog day-care is a fairly new phenomenon in the UK, but has become popular in recent years. Kennels provide short-term housing for dogs, usually during the day when the owners are at work. Owners drop off their dogs in the morning and pick them up later that day. A day care sitter is responsible for entertaining, feeding and caring for the dogs until the owners return in the afternoon or evening.
Why day-care?
Dog day-care is a great way for dogs to meet new people and pets and have fun. You can be sure that your dog is getting the mental stimulation and exercise to be happy and healthy. Day-care can help your dog burn off extra energy during the day, especially for younger or more energetic dogs. Also, if you have a younger dog, puppy training can be a great way to keep them social and get them used to interacting with other dogs, developing important social skills along the way.
Is dog day-care good for my dog?
If you have a dog but need to be away from home for long periods during the day - especially more than four hours - a dog day-care can be a good option. However, daycare is not right for every dog. For example, if you have a particularly fearful or nervous dog, or a dog that does not get along with other animals, this may not be a suitable candidate. Kennels usually make an appointment with you in advance to meet your dog and assess if your dog is a good fit. Once approved, you can schedule a regular schedule with the dog sitter or arrange to bring your dog when you need the service.
What should I consider before going to day-care?
You should make sure your dog's vaccinations are up-to-date and dewormed before going to daycare. If you have a puppy, check what vaccinations they need to receive before participating. Reputable nurseries should ask you to provide proof of vaccination and deworming. Your dog will also need to be socialized before being placed in such an environment, so make sure he is comfortable with other people and pets. It may also be a good idea to teach your dog some basic commands so that the handlers can easily control your dog. Uncontrolled and disobedient dogs must not be asked back!
How to choose a good dog day care?
There are a few things you should consider when choosing which day-care to take your dog to. Is the staff friendly, open and transparent? You want any facility caring for your canine friend to be honest about how they are doing and express any issues or concerns and answer your questions. Always remember to ask what the emergency procedure is if your dog becomes ill or injured. It is also worth getting to know the surroundings of the nursery itself. Is everything clean and sanitized? Does the dog there appear satisfied and relaxed? If so, this is probably a good place to let your dog socialize for a few hours.
Give your pets the love and care they deserve at Bobby the Bulldog's Pet Day Care. We're paws- excited to welcome your furry family members!
