Dog's first day at doggy creche

aileth

Hi all,

A new doggy creche has opened in our city and pup went along for his first day yesterday. He has an awful lot of energy and we wanted to get him socialising more and to channel his energy better.

Did it work? Well....

Chaserofdreams

When the dark nights set in we arranged for our pup, then 14months and full of insatiable energy to Doggy Day Care. He goes twice a week whils we're out at work and it has exactly the same effect on him. His lead walking has improved no end and he's a much happier canine - still full of mischief on non day care days but he's a lovable rogue.
Best nove we've made since deciding to go ahead with having a large breed!! He's a lab/weimerarner cross....
What breed is your pup?

aileth

Chaserofdreams wrote: »

When the dark nights set in we arranged for our pup, then 14months and full of insatiable energy to Doggy Day Care. He goes twice a week whils we're out at work and it has exactly the same effect on him. His lead walking has improved no end and he's a much happier canine - still full of mischief on non day care days but he's a lovable rogue.
Best nove we've made since deciding to go ahead with having a large breed!! He's a lab/weimerarner cross....
What breed is your pup?

He's a pug x cavalier. The fella at the daycare said he didn't have a really super fun time as he was a bit overwhelmed by everything, and apparently he got the feeling that pup thought we had abandoned him there!

When we arrived he was sat on a sofa looking exhausted and totally despondent while all the other dogs were playing, but as soon as he heard us he went crazy. Hopefully a few more short bursts and he'll realise we are coming back for him!!

catkins

I would love my dog to go to a doggy crèche and there are couple close to me. He is a largish breed and has tons of energy. He loves playing with other dogs but because his recall is so rubbish (he is a sighthound) he doesn't get to that often.


Unfortunately they won't take unneutered dogs and he is not going to be done until he is 2 (he is 18 months)

krlyr

Just ensure that pup is tired out from it being a new experience, and not because he's spent all day stressing. I've heard mixed stories on how dog-savvy some staff can be at this kind of facility and they may not always notice when a dog is unhappy. Some dogs can exhibit some quite bully-ish behaviour that can look like play - or some dogs can genuinely try to be playing but not every play style is appreciated by every dog!

aileth

krlyr wrote: »

Just ensure that pup is tired out from it being a new experience, and not because he's spent all day stressing. I've heard mixed stories on how dog-savvy some staff can be at this kind of facility and they may not always notice when a dog is unhappy. Some dogs can exhibit some quite bully-ish behaviour that can look like play - or some dogs can genuinely try to be playing but not every play style is appreciated by every dog!

They take a video for each new dog and showed us, he looked very sheepish but the other dogs weren't taking a lot of interest in him to be honest, the only part where there was interaction was when he and the smaller dogs were leaning up on a kneeled down staff member.

I think he was a little stressed, but don't think it was from other dogs just simply completely overwhelmed. The staff mentioned this to me and said he should hopefully settle in after a few more visits, so we are going to drop him off two more times for two hours each to see if he gets more comfortable.

I really hope he does as the staff and other dogs are lovely and think itd be great for him socially. If not then its back to the black lab buddy in the park and his cat best friend!

krlyr

That's good This page may be worth a read - http://www.whenhoundsfly.com/well-socialized-well-traumatized/

Chaserofdreams

The service provided for our dog is excellent and is one to one based. He isn't mixing with other dogs, she is a qualified dog trainer and collects him every morning in a custom van with up to 6 other dogs. They are exercised and played with seperately at her farm and have access to a paddock for free time and play. Also, they are walked individually over private farmland.
We're very happy with the service we get and have confidance that we are doing the right thing by our pet. The £30 a week that the 2 days cost us is worth every penny.
BTW we do still socialise our dog on his walks in our local area, he has lots of doggy chums and although I'm no expert the psychology of it all fascinates me!!
Hope your pup takes to his day creche soon, if not, look for alternatives, a good one is definately worth persevering with!

aileth

2nd day went fantastic. OH hid and watched him from afar when he went to pick him up and he was having a whale of a time, and likened to him being part of a 'doggy' wave, with them all charging around the room together.

elsien

My dog trainer has just set up a doggy day care centre.
On the one hand it'd be great to have somewhere if mum can't have gitdog for any reason.
On the other hand I really can't picture him in a room full of other dogs without steamrollering them.......
When we went to dog training last week I had to tie him to the ring on the proper wall as although they'd been promised the other rings would stand up to anything, for some reason they didn't want to take the chance with him. No idea why.