Approximately one in five Americans works from home, according to a recent study by Telework Research Network, and that number is expected to increase by 60 percent over the next five years. If you’ve ever tried to get work done or meet a deadline with a bored dog at your feet, or worse a puppy, you’ve probably wondered where you could take the dog just for a few hours until you were finished with your work project. Dog day care offers dog owners just such a place.
What is dog day care?
As the name implies, dog day care is a place you can take your dog while you work–from home or in an office–or have other obligations. Like day care for children, dogs have nap time, treats, play time and someone to give them attention and care when you have to be occupied with other things.
Benefits of dog day care
Taking your terrier or pug or boxer to doggy day care offers several benefits over leaving your dog alone for the day or leaving him with a friend.
- It’s fun for your dog. Dogs are social animals and sitting on the floor waiting patiently for you to get done working (or worse, waiting by the door for you to come home) is not much fun for them. At doggy day care, your dog can be having a good time with other dogs and humans who care about him. Plus, it relieves the anxiety that most dogs have when they wait for you to get home from work.
- Access to veterinary care. When your dog’s at day care, you know that the staff has been trained for emergencies and that they will know how to care for him in the event of a health crisis. If you leave your dog with a friend, they may not know how to handle a pet emergency.
- Peace of mind. You don’t have to feel guilty about ignoring your dog or leaving him at home when you take him to doggy day care.
- Exercise for your pet. Most dog day care facilities have ample space for your dog to run and exercise. This can be especially important if you have a large dog and/or you live in an apartment or house with a small yard. Many dog day care owners say that dog owners are
- Curbs bad behavior. If you dog is one that shreds paper, gets into the trash or the laundry, messes up the bed or otherwise terrorizes the house when you’re away, you can avoid that kind of behavior by taking him to dog day care, where he will have plenty of other dogs and activities to keep his mind off of your being at work.
So, the next time you have a big deadline looming or are expecting a visit from your great aunt who loathes pets, consider doggy day care. You and your dog are sure to be happy with the decision.
