# Need help with a dog day care issue
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-a-dog-day-care-issue/547557
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [July 22, 2010, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-a-dog-day-care-issue/547557 "2010-07-22T03:32:43Z")
**Posts on this page:** 15
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)
#### Post date: [July 22, 2010, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-a-dog-day-care-issue/547557/21 "2010-07-22T20:29:32Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#):
>
> I can’t get over them calling an \*\*unpaid volunteer \*\*to come and walk the dog. WTF? I used to work at a small shop that was next door to a doggie daycare place, and I can assure you, this was not their standard operating procedure.
My daycare offered out of facility walks for an extra charge. Was the OP’s friend offered that and turned it down?
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### Author:  [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)
#### Post date: [July 22, 2010, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-a-dog-day-care-issue/547557/22 "2010-07-22T20:29:57Z")
> [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](#):
>
> I don’ t think that would actually help any, but if their staff couldn’t walk him because he was too unpredictable with them, I suppose it’s an alternative worth trying.
Or just say, “We’re sorry, but your dog is too aggressive and we aren’t able to give him the care he needs. You may want to try a more specialized dog care service.” But hey, why do that when you can still get paid AND not have to do the work, amirite?
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### Author:  [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)
#### Post date: [July 22, 2010, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-a-dog-day-care-issue/547557/23 "2010-07-22T21:14:55Z")
It’s not the job of doggie daycare to socialize your friend’s pet.
We send our dog to daycare once or twice a week so that my wife can get more work done on her book. (That way she has a big block of uninterrupted time where she doesn’t have to worry about walkies.)
We’re not paying the daycare people for obedience training. That would be way more expensive. We’re paying them to keep an eye on him and make sure he’s got water and not pooping on the carpet.
Our dog loves it because he gets to play with other dogs all day. Another reason we’re doing it is because he IS well-socialized and we want to keep him that way by making sure he has regular unstructured contact with other dogs. We like the place we take him because they won’t take dogs who don’t play well with others, so we feel safe about leaving him there.
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### Author:  [@Gulo\_gulo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gulo_gulo)
#### Post date: [July 22, 2010, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-a-dog-day-care-issue/547557/24 "2010-07-22T21:21:46Z")
> [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](#):
>
> Unless they only have dog runs, it may be that they _do_ walk the dogs, but seeing as how the OP dog was displaying aggression to other dogs and staff, they though it would be helpful if _someone the dog knew_ took him for a longer stroll.
>
> I don’ t think that would actually help any, but if their staff couldn’t walk him because he was too unpredictable with them, I suppose it’s an alternative worth trying.
My kennel discourages visits from friends and family while the dog is being boarded because it may cause more anxiety for the dog. Knowing my dog, this would definitely stress her out.
From the FAQ at my kennel:
> [@](#):
>
> CAN A FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIEND COME AND WALK MY DOG, PLAY WITH MY CAT WHILE BOARDING?
>
> This is not a good idea. When your pet is boarding it is getting used to our staff as the ‘pack leader’ and when some one from the ‘home front’ comes to play or walk, it is confusing for your pet seeing this face, hearing this voice. Pets can become anxious at changes in routine so it is not reassuring to the pet to have someone from ‘outside’ come for a visit. We’ve tried it and have decided against this option.
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### Author:  [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)
#### Post date: [July 22, 2010, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-a-dog-day-care-issue/547557/25 "2010-07-22T23:56:30Z")
> [@Munch](#):
>
> “So often”? Where in the OP is it suggested they’re out of town “often”? The OP’s friends were out of town for one 10-day stretch. If you have a dog, you can’t go on a week and a half long vacation? WTF?
The OP didn’t say “often”, but the dog was boarded a month ago for at least five days and now again for ten days. The OP also didn’t say how long they’ve had the dog. If it’s been two years (the dog’s age) and the dog’s only been boarded twice, that’s totally reasonable.
Maybe we’re weird, but we’ll be out of town for less than two days starting tomorrow (funeral), and not being able to take the dog with us – well, it’s like leaving a kid at home. Worse, because the dog doesn’t understand where his people went. (Also better, because the beer will still be in the fridge when we get back.)
If we were frequent travelers, we wouldn’t have a dog, is all I’m sayin’.
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### Author:  [@Runs\_With\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Runs_With_Scissors)
#### Post date: [July 23, 2010, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-a-dog-day-care-issue/547557/26 "2010-07-23T03:58:04Z")
> [@Hanna](#):
>
> I know you are saying “day care”, but is this a boarding situation, or is the dog going home at night?
Yeah…it’s over night.
I have the same questions!
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### Author:  [@Runs\_With\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Runs_With_Scissors)
#### Post date: [July 23, 2010, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-a-dog-day-care-issue/547557/27 "2010-07-23T04:01:11Z")
> [@Voyager](#):
>
> Have you seen this dog interact with your friends? Does he rule the house?
>
> Does the day care center have crates for the dogs, so he can get a time out? I don’t blame them for not trying to train a badly trained dog - I bet they don’t get paid enough for that.
>
> Your friends might want to think about hiring a pet sitter if this dog is not suitable for company. It is more expensive, but the dog is in his natural habitat and the house gets checked a few times a day also.
As a puppy, he removed the carpeting and upholstery from an entire room during the day while they were gone. (A photo I took of him in the room made it to the semi finals of a photography contest.)
They do have crates, because my understanding is that on the weekends the dogs are crated except for two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening. Again, I don’t train dogs, but even I wondered why he didn’t get a “time out.” I don’t see crates as cruel…maybe he needs the time away as much as the other dogs need it from him.
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### Author:  [@Runs\_With\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Runs_With_Scissors)
#### Post date: [July 23, 2010, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-a-dog-day-care-issue/547557/28 "2010-07-23T04:04:14Z")
> [@Munch](#):
>
> “So often”? Where in the OP is it suggested they’re out of town “often”? The OP’s friends were out of town for one 10-day stretch. If you have a dog, you can’t go on a week and a half long vacation? WTF?
They don’t go out of town often. It just happens that this year their kids are old enough to travel, so they went camping in a National Park…one with bears 🙂 And the other trip was a special event paid for by the in-laws.
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### Author:  [@Runs\_With\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Runs_With_Scissors)
#### Post date: [July 23, 2010, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-a-dog-day-care-issue/547557/29 "2010-07-23T04:13:45Z")
> [@Gulo\_gulo](#):
>
> I’d recommend hunting for a new daycare/kennel that hires people who are more knowledgeable and experienced with canine behavior. If the workers are allowing this to happen (guarding, fights etc) that tells me they aren’t up to the challenge. Is this a place that actually hires/pays for experienced folk? Or do they just hire anyone and everyone as long as they’re cheap?
It operates under the auspices of a social service agency. I’m trying not to give too much away, but anyone with a dog in Portland already knows by now…but they hire disadvantaged youth to work there. They also advertise that they have professionals.
> [@](#):
>
> Is the dog fixed?
Yup.
> [@](#):
>
> Has he gone to any training classes?
Nope.
> [@](#):
>
> The kennel I board at keeps dogs separated, even during playtime.
This place separates big dogs and little dogs, but that’s it. I watched through the window…it’s an indoor free for all. The dogs all just kinda ran around in one big group.
> [@](#):
>
> A hearty “NO” to this. If a dog daycare can’t handle certain dogs, then they need to either tell that owner to find a new site, hire people who know more about dogs, or open a coffee shop instead.
And they basically said this is his last trip there. I’m fine with that. (Well, it’s not my problem.)
Knowing the dog as well as I do, I think he could easily go to training/classes and learn how to behave. He’s never around other dogs, although when I took him for a walk, he went up to every dog we passed and politely sniffed and wagged his tail, then moved on. He didn’t flinch or jump or startle or even try to play. He just wanted to say hi.
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### Author:  [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)
#### Post date: [July 23, 2010, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-a-dog-day-care-issue/547557/30 "2010-07-23T07:05:30Z")
> [@Runs\_With\_Scissors](#):
>
> They do have crates, because my understanding is that on the weekends the dogs are crated except for two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening.
If they crate the dogs for 20 of 24 hours, you friends need to take their dog elsewhere.
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### Author:  [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)
#### Post date: [July 23, 2010, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-a-dog-day-care-issue/547557/31 "2010-07-23T14:41:12Z")
> [@FloatyGimpy](#):
>
> If they crate the dogs for 20 of 24 hours, you friends need to take their dog elsewhere.
This. Being crated 20 hours a day would drive my dogs insane.
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### Author:  [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)
#### Post date: [July 23, 2010, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-a-dog-day-care-issue/547557/32 "2010-07-23T16:30:11Z")
> [@Runs\_With\_Scissors](#):
>
> As a puppy, he removed the carpeting and upholstery from an entire room during the day while they were gone. (A photo I took of him in the room made it to the semi finals of a photography contest.)
Puppies do stuff like that, but have to be trained not to. My question was whether this dog was the Alpha in the house, or if the owners were. I’ve seen videos of dogs who control their owners and it is not pretty.
> [@](#):
>
> They do have crates, because my understanding is that on the weekends the dogs are crated except for two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening. Again, I don’t train dogs, but even I wondered why he didn’t get a “time out.” I don’t see crates as cruel…maybe he needs the time away as much as the other dogs need it from him.
Guide dog training stresses that crates are not places of punishment, but should be comfortable retreats for a puppy. Crating is obviously important so a dog can be transported to a new blind person. Time outs can be a sit-stay, after taking the dog away from the problem, in this case the bones. If the dog doesn’t know what “stay” means, the doggie day care people are not going to get far.
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### Author:  [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)
#### Post date: [July 23, 2010, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-a-dog-day-care-issue/547557/33 "2010-07-23T16:34:14Z")
> [@Moonlitherial](#):
>
> This. Being crated 20 hours a day would drive my dogs insane.
I didn’t mention this in my response, but I agree. My wife works at home, and our dogs are very happy to lay in her office quietly during the day. If the dog can’t be trusted in the house they have big issues. This dog needs to be trained ASAP, since it sounds like they’ve never done it.
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### Author:  [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)
#### Post date: [July 23, 2010, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-a-dog-day-care-issue/547557/34 "2010-07-23T21:19:38Z")
> [@FloatyGimpy](#):
>
> If they crate the dogs for 20 of 24 hours, you friends need to take their dog elsewhere.
Abso-fucking-lutely!
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### Author:  [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)
#### Post date: [July 23, 2010, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-a-dog-day-care-issue/547557/35 "2010-07-23T22:45:34Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#):
>
> **Markxxx** , let’s not paint all “city people” with a brush that broad, m’kay?
I didn’t say all I said 9 out of 10 and I was being generous.
After reading this I put your quote to the test
I went to the park today and I saw ONE PERSON playing with their dog. The other 25 people I saw were all talking on their cell phones ignoring their dogs.
So I think that that brush I painted them with is even worse that I painted it.
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