Doggy Daycare Dangers and Safety Tips 101

Dog daycare is a valuable safety net for busy or working pup parents. Just like human parents want the perfect daycare that’s tried and trusted, so do pup parents. The perfect puppy daycare is one you know your dog will come home from happy – and safely.

Understanding how to find the right one is especially important given news warnings of dogs being stolen or hurt while at puppy daycare. More on that further down…

For those of us who whisk ourselves away from our beloved dogs each day, having a reliable doggy daycare is important. So what safety risks are there and how do we assess which is the best option for our puppy pal?

Are doggy daycares good for dogs?

‘Are doggy daycares good for dogs?’ is of course something you’ll be wondering. In general they can be. Dogs are social animals by nature – they need good company. Separation anxiety in pets is common in dogs and can make it difficult to leave your dog home alone. Sending them to a reputable daycare is a great solution.

But as with many things sending pooch off to daycare comes with several risks. Knowing what these are, weighing up the pros and cons, and understanding how to select a good puppy daycare can make a world of difference.

Puppy daycare dangers

Unfortunately dog theft has been on the rise since the pandemic began and that has continued since. Stolen dogs are becoming something fairly commonplace around the world – including right here in Australia.

A puppy was stolen from puppy daycare not long ago. Its owner, Aussie veteran Luke Evans, is heartbroken as a result – his dogs help him through the post-traumatic stress following 11 years of service in the navy.

Another danger at canine daycare centres is dogs attacking each other. Dogs require proper supervision and generally react poorly when they’re not well protected. In 2019, a 15-week old Dachshund died after being attacked by other dogs. It turns out the doggy daycare was operating illegally.

These aren’t the only dangers of course. We’ve listed some pros and cons of doggy daycare and after that we also look at how to find a reliable, good daycare.

Should I send my puppy to daycare?

Dogs need and crave attention and, although you’re their number one, other dogs for company is certainly a close second. This is precisely why doggy daycare can provide the perfect solution.

When your dog is at daycare they can enjoy being social, playing games, and using up what can otherwise become pent-up energy. (We all know about doggy zoomies)!

Besides wanting a doggy daycare that appeals to you, think about whether your dog is ready to go to daycare. Also give some thought to what you want from a daycare. In a nutshell, give due consideration to these two points:

Puppy daycare: Pros

Whether near you or a good drive away, dog daycare offers up some pawsome benefits for pooch. We’ve already mentioned some of them and here we’ve outlined a broader (but not exhaustive) list:

• Social interaction. Your dog thrives on daily interaction whether with other people or pets
• Energy expenditure. Dogs come with buckets of energy and being with other dogs helps burn this up
• Emotional stimulation. Dogs are very feeling and need to share – dog company provides an outlet
• Prevents anxiety. As mentioned, dogs that spend too much time alone can experience separation anxiety and even sometimes develop obsessive compulsive disorder in dogs
• Training. Some daycares offer various levels of training too
• Facilities. Daycare can provide lots of stimulating environments your dog may not have access to at home

Puppy daycare: Cons

Of course there’s the flipside to the coin and doggy daycare may also have some risk involved. We’ve made a list of possibilities:

• Cost. Not everyone has the spare cash to afford extra help from a dog daycare
• Safety. Dogs can be aggressive and dog fights are a possible risk
• Dog theft. As mentioned, dog theft is on the rise and a social environment could pose more of a risk
• Supervision. The care given to a group of dogs can’t be as personalised as the care you give your dog
• Illness. Viruses like Parvovirus and other illnesses can easily spread among dogs at daycare
• Pests. Ticks, fleas and worms also can jump from host to host and end up in your home via dog daycare
• Behaviour. Dog daycare doesn’t suit every dog’s sensibility and it may be hard to commit to if your dog doesn’t enjoy it

Importantly, when finding a reputable puppy daycare do your homework and look into any qualifications your chosen daycare includes. According to Finder this isn’t a requirement but it often means a greater level of care. Because, of course, another drawback is having your dog mistreated by carers who aren’t fully educated or invested.

Does dog daycare cater to my dog’s safety?

Many dog lovers ask themselves should I get a dog if I work full time? It’s a responsible question to ask for you and for the dog and why finding the perfect doggy daycare is so important. It can make responsible dog ownership possible, even with a busy schedule.

But make sure the doggy daycare caters to your dog’s physical safety and behavioural needs. There are several ways to set about using informed parties’ to choose the perfect puppy daycare. We’ve made a short list:

• Google reviews. What do other pet owners say about their dog’s experience and their own?
• Word of mouth. What’s tried and trusted by friends, or by dog clubs, can provide good insight
• Kennel club. Contact your local kennel club for a referral
• Vets. Another good place to get a referral can be from a vet who’s well connected in the local pet community
• Breeder. Any ethical dog breeder will likely have a network of dog related supports they may be willing to share.

Once you narrow your list down, be sure to visit in person. Nothing beats visiting in person. Anything that can hide behind a good website design can’t hide out in the open. And once you drop off pooch, they’re not going to be able to WhatsApp you to say “Come fetch me mum/dad!”

Read more top tips for choosing a doggy daycare in Australia that puts your pup’s safety first.

A common question: how to open a doggy daycare in Australia?

‘How much is doggy daycare?’ is currently the most searched question on the topic of finding a puppy daycare near me, which you’d expect. But the second most asked is ‘how to open a doggy daycare in Australia.’ Clearly it’s a good business venture, or this question would be somewhere further down the list.

Of course, any good business venture can be done well. It takes great planning, customer service and organisational skills. Most of all, for a puppy daycare it takes a love and understanding of dogs and their social, physical and emotional needs. The last thing you’d want is to choose one that’s missing this final point.

Any canine kindergarten that’s only in it for business simply won’t be able to put their best paw forward when it comes to your dog’s needs. That’s why it pays to remember one simple fact. You don’t have to have any formal qualification or training to open up a doggy daycare. Anyone can do it.

But do you want just anyone to take care of your family? We’re guessing that’s a no.

Award winning dog insurance

Put your best paw forward and get your pup a dog insurance plan. It covers your dog in case of accidents and can cover illness too. Another great safety check is that it helps pay the bills if your dog bites another dog or person or damages property.

This is called third party liability in pet insurance is great for doggy daycare mishaps.

We hope your search for the perfect puppy daycare is a fruitful one. For everything else, be sure to get award winning pet insurance with PD Insurance. We’ll give you one month (or more) of starter pet insurance absolutely free. Click below to start.