If your dog appears to have endless energy, shows destructive behaviour when left alone, or is anxious or lonely, then dog daycare may be a smart way to help. There are numerous great things about dog daycare services, and you might be surprised just how much a weekly play-date can improve yours and your dog’s life.
Most Dogs are Extroverts
Dogs are incredibly social animals, and even though many dogs adapt well to your routines, some dogs aren’t as worked up about spending the day alone while you go about your day to day routine. Any extroverted person can attest to the actual fact that spending that much time alone can be frustrating, depressing, and can result in unhealthy habits.
There are many ways to keep your pet entertained when they are alone, like puzzle toys or natural chews, but even these can only just occupy your dog for so long. Eventually, they’ll finish with whatever distraction that you leave them, and they’ll be looking for another activity.
The average indivdual works an 8 hour workday. Once you factor in your commute, errands, and social activities, your pet could be spending 10+ hours alone everyday. Aside from the obvious dependence on bathroom breaks, 10 hours alone can get pretty boring. It’s easy to understand why your pet acts out.
While it’s true that some dogs will sleep all day long if they are left alone, this type of sedentary lifestyle isn’t healthy long lasting. The lack of mental and physical exercise can result in weight issues, mobility issues and destructive boredom behaviours.
To prevent this, you will need to find ways to provide activities for your dog on a regular basis, even though you are away. Dog daycare’s are a great option to keep your dog busy preventing undesired behaviours caused by boredom or loneliness.
Great things about Dog Daycare
Dog day cares is extremely popular and widely available. Daycare offers a variety of services and types of facilities that provides your dog with the stimulation that they have to keep them active and happy.
To help make clear the great things about dog daycare, we linked with some local experts from YOUR DOG House within Edmonton, Alberta. They provided us with some valuable information about dog daycare services to help you select if daycare is a good choice for your pet.
1. Safe Socializing
Safe Socializing
If your dog is an only child, doesn’t have many dog friends, or has terrible recall, opportunities to socialize with other dogs and folks may be limited. Dog daycare provides a safe and handled environment for your pet that can be played with other dogs of all sizes, breeds, and personalities.
The Dog House team is well versed in dog behaviour and body gestures. They work hard to ensure each dog is having a good experience, plus they facilitate new activities for dogs that haven’t had the possibility to socialize the maximum amount of.
They allow dogs to activate in supervised playtime at their own pace. For shy dogs, this routine can help build confidence and good manners.
Every dog is different, and their habits, personalities, and energy vary. Allowing each dog to take pleasure from their experience in their own way lets your pet properly express themselves and sort out any stored energy without being overwhelmed.
2. Physical Exercise
Physical Exercise
Less active lifestyles can be damaging to both their bodies and minds. Dogs who spend lots of time alone can learn to adjust to this slow-paced routine, but by limiting their physical and mental activity, they may be susceptible to weight issues, mobility issues, overeating, and poor digestion.
Weekly or even daily daycare sessions could keep your pet active both physically and mentally. Very energetic dogs will benefit greatly from dog daycare, as they will be in a position to run and play with their heart’s content, tuckering them out before home time.
Managing weight in a few dogs can be considered a challenge, in particular when they don’t have any need to play or exercise a few of that weight off. Daycare can provide a supportive environment that will allow your fat or lazy dog to be worked up about physical exercise. This can help shed pounds and build up muscle.
Pro Tip:
Dog daycare is especially valuable in winter season when we are less likely to venture in to the frigid weather. You are able to maintain their physical routine without either of you risking hypothermia and frostbite.
3. Separation Anxiety Cure
Separation Anxiety Cure
When you have your dog that is suffering from separation anxiety, then you understand that it’s hard on both of you. Without some type of outlet and social environment, your pet can feel very anxious about being left alone.
They could spend their day crying, howling, licking, chewing, or stressed out and anxious. It’s hard to view and know that your dog is suffering.
We should go to work or school, or whatever your day to day routine is, and dog grooming makes it possible for you to do that without leaving your pet alone to stew in their loneliness.
Even though you aren’t using daily dog daycare services, weekly social interaction, especially in group set-ups, can help provide your dog with the experience and structure that they are craving. Although it may not completely cure separation anxiety in every dogs, it is a healthy way to limit alone time.
Pro Tip:
Schedule daycare for your longest work days. If you have to work late, have longer classes, or have errands to run on your way home, this is the best day to send those to daycare. Just be sure to select a daycare that is open late.
4. Maintains Routine
Maintains Routine
If you are home, your pet has a routine. This consists of feeding times, playtime, bathroom breaks, and even naps. Working extended hours may affect that routine.
Consistent routines and structure are essential for dogs, exactly like they can be for kids. Daycare can facilitate structure each day that is more steady with the preferred routines at home.
Frequent bathroom breaks and regular feeding times can improve digestion and urinary system health, as well as aid in weight reduction and calorie distribution.
Think about your morning routine. You grab yourself ready, you feed the dog, let them out to use the facilities, and then hit the road.
Their food continues to be digesting, but there exists nowhere for those calories to travel, similar for you having a major meal right before bed. It’s not really a healthy diet.
Structuring their daily activities can help overly excited dogs pace themselves as well. Dogs with limited mobility, senior pets, and even puppies can overdo it without realizes the results.