The Top Ten Things I've Learned From Owning A Doggy Daycare

1)    It's not just what you say, it's how you say it.  Body language, tone, and intonation are all very important when communicating with dogs.

2)    Dogs act differently when their owners are not around.  A calm, submissive dog may become rambunctious and defiant when their owner is not present.  On the other hand, a perceived "alpha" or an aggressive dog may become more relaxed and solicitous sans owner, especially if the dog’s domineering behavior is the result of a perceived or real need to protect or guard the owner.

3)    A dog’s behavior will change around different dogs, and especially different groups of dogs.  A dog may be copacetic around one or two other dogs but become very uncomfortable among a large pack.  The reverse may also be true.   

4)    Dogs are unpredictable.  They are animals, and although humans are as well, our canine companions do not have the same capacity for reason and logic as we do.   Sometimes dogs will behave in a way that will leave us scratching our heads.  Just as with humans, we can’t always explain every thing they do.  And because we lack an adequate means of thorough or complex communication between species, their behavior may have to be chalked up to the great unknown/unknowable.  We can try to unravel and understand them – but we may never know all the answers.  That’s okay.

5)    As a very general rule of thumb, male dogs tend to get along best with female dogs, and females tend to gravitate towards males.

6)    Some dogs will get along with 99.99% of other dogs, but keep in mind, there's always that .001%.   Always be diligent when introducing your dog to a new dog. 

7)    Dogs that are perfectly housebroken at home can come to daycare and revert back to puppyhood.  Some may "leak", some will pee when excited, others will “mark”, still more will pee to get your attention, and finally, there's a few who will decide that there’s just no good reason to hold it inside at daycare because all those smells and other dogs must mean its an appropriate area to eliminate.  

8)    Dogs value human attention above almost all else.  Even negative attention is better to them then no attention at all. 

9)    Dogs are much more likely to listen to you if you have a treat (especially a high value treat) in your hand. 

10)Quite a large number of dogs could be diagnosed with having pica.  Before I owned a daycare I had only heard anecdotal stories of dogs eating things that they shouldn't.  These days I'm confronted with it on a daily basis.  Dogs, like toddlers, explore their world through their mouths.  Some become stuck in this “oral phase” and will ingest anything and everything they can get their stinky mouths on.  They will eat poop (their own and others), toys, rocks, sticks, and anything else you may inadvertently leave out.  Just another reason to never leave a dog unattended around anything that is not safe to ingest.

Owning a daycare is not for the faint of heart.  You must have a passion for hard work, a love of dogs, and a blasé attitude towards poop, pee, and puke.  It’s a lot of work, but probably the most rewarding thing I have ever done in my life.  I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else.

Wag more.  Bark less!

Find out more about my daycare here: www.dingosdogsitting.com

How Doggy Daycare Can Help a Dog with Separation Anxiety

Are you the owner of a dog that despises being left alone?  Maybe he eliminates all over the house when you leave, despite having ample opportunities for potty breaks ahead of time.  Perhaps he chews up furniture, walls, curtains, or whatever he can get his mouth on.  Or maybe he just barks/howls/whines for hours on end until you return.  If this sounds like your dog, then we may be able to help. 

•Cutting the Umbilical Chord - A dog with separation anxiety needs to learn how to cope without you around.  The easiest way for him to learn how to do this is by allowing him to engage in fun activities without you there.  Ideally, if he is distracted and happy, he will forget that your presence is lacking.  This will increase his confidence in his ability to navigate the world around him without his "safety net" (you).  Eventually he will gain confidence and the recognition that you always return for him.  Ideally, this newfound confidence will translate when he is home alone as well.  This will not happen overnight.  But with repetition and consistency, any dog (even an old one) can learn new behaviors.

For a dog (or child for that matter) the ability to confidently separate from his "parent" is an important life skill.  It’s also a good idea for dogs in multi-dog households to practice staying home alone or going places without the other dog to prevent issues if the two dogs ever do need to be separated - for a Vet appointment or a grooming visit for example.

•Socialization - A well-socialized dog is far less likely to be anxious.  A dog that's able to build bonds with other dogs as well as people other than just his owner will be a much more confident and content dog.   An experienced daycare staff will give an anxious dog ample opportunity for supervised interactions that will be positive and beneficial.

•Exercise is important for all dogs but it's especially helpful in minimizing the effects of a dog with separation anxiety.  An anxious dog lacking exercise can wreak havoc on his owner’s home, bother neighbors, or even hard himself.   A tired dog is less likely to notice or care if left alone, mostly because he will just want to catch up on his sleep (most dogs sleep on average about 14 hours per day so extra sleep after a day of activity or excitement should not be cause for alarm). 

•Preparation for Boarding - If you ever plan to travel without your dog, you will want to feel confident that he/she will not became completely overwrought while you are away for an extended period. Spending time at a doggie daycare that also offers boarding allows your dog to get comfortable with the caregivers and the location.   For a particularly anxious dog, having a “home away from home” can be a veritable lifesaver for him as well as his owners.

To find out if doggy daycare in Beverly may be right for your dog, please contact us!

*Please note, some dogs lash out aggressively due to fear and/or anxiety; if this is the case for your dog then daycare would not be an appropriate setting for him.  For fearful dogs exhibiting aggressive behavior towards humans or other dogs we would recommend consulting with a professional behaviorist and/or trainer.

The Top 10 Questions to Ask Before Sending Your Dog to Daycare (and Our Answers)

1)What is the typical dog to human ratio?

        At Dingo’s we typically have 3-4 staff members working for every 9-12 dogs.
 
2)   Do you have an enclosed outdoor area for the dogs?  If yes, how big is it and how often are the dogs brought outside to play and eliminate? 
At Dingo’s we have a 2,000 square foot enclosed outdoor area that is blanketed by pea pebbles and sand, thereby minimizing the amount of dirt and mud your dog can track into your home later.  The dogs are typically brought out at least every hour, more frequently for puppies and younger dogs.   If the weather is nice, we will spend several hours outside because we are all a little happier – dogs and staff alike - when we have ample opportunities for fresh air and sunlight. 
 
3)   Are there separate areas for dogs of different sizes and activity levels?
Because Dingo’s is a boutique doggy daycare, we get to know all of our dogs’ preferences and idiosyncrasies individually.  Certain dogs tend to gravitate towards each other while others may just not “hit it off” (“sometimes one dog sniffs another dog’s but and just doesn’t like what he smells”).   If necessary, we separate dogs based on a number of factors including age, temperament, play style, and activity level. We have the ability to do this because of our separate indoor and outdoor play areas. 
 
4)   What is your vaccination policy?
We require proof of all vaccinations including Bordatella, Rabies, and Parvo.  We also require clients to maintain a heartworm and flea/tick prevention program.   Veterinary records with proof of vaccination should be re-submitted at least once per year.
 
5)   Do you offer rides?  Pickups?  Drop-offs? 
Yes, we offer rides in Beverly, Salem, Hamilton, Wenham, Lynn, Swampscott, Nahant and Marblehead.  For rides outside these areas, please contact us to discuss.
 
6)   Are the dogs ever left alone (unattended)?
Our daycare clients are never left unattended.  However, in the interest of full disclosure we should note that our boarding clients do sleep alone at night.  For clients that are uncomfortable with this set up we also offer a home boarding option.
 
7)   What is your process for vetting new dogs?
For dogs new to daycare, we typically ask the owners to bring the dog over in the afternoon after the Dingo’s “regulars” have had time to run out some of their energy.   First, we will bring your dog into the outside area by him/herself and let him/her sniff around alone.  Next, we will bring out the most established calm and submissive dogs (Dingo is included in this group) in groups of one to two.  If your dog is copacetic with these initial “pack members” then we continue this process until your dog has met every member of the pack.  If any signs of aggression are shown, or if we do not think your dog is a good fit for our particular daycare, we reserve the right to refuse you service.  This has occurred on a handful occasions.  It does not mean your dog is a “bad” dog.  Not every dog is suitable for daycare or your dog may be a better fit elsewhere.
 
8)   What are your regular hours?  Can you accommodate an early drop-off or a late pickup if needed?
Our hours vary based upon the needs of our clients.  We can accommodate a drop-off as early as 7am and a pickup as late as 5:30pm.  If you can not pickup or drop off within that time frame we may be able to offer you a free ride dependent on where you live.
 
9)   Can you feed my dog a breakfast/lunch/or dinner if requested?
Of course!  We also have a separate feeding area for the dogs whose owners pack a lunch (or breakfast or dinner).
 
 
10) Are you bonded and insured in the event that anything was to happen to my dog whilst in your care?
Yes, we are insured by Business Insurers of the Carolinas, one of the few insurance companies that specialize in pet care general liability. 

How Doggy Daycare Can Assist with Pet Therapy Training

Have you every wondered if your dog could cut it as a pet therapy volunteer? Some time at a doggie daycare (like Dingo's Dogsitting: www.dingosdogsitting.com) may help answer this question for you.  To be clear, a pet therapy dog and a service dog serve different needs.  A service dog assists one person who may have a physical disability or mental condition, whereas a pet therapy dog provides many people therapy by means of physical contact and a variety of other interactions. 

A therapy dog and his handler typically visit people in senior centers, hospitals, and schools.  Depending on the level of comfort between the dog and his “patient”, the interaction may be as simple as a quick pet or nuzzle, or as intimate as the dog lying in bed with a person receiving medical care or someone who may be otherwise bed-ridden due to age and poor health.  Medical studies have shown that pet therapy is proven to provide positive results both physiologically and psychologically for hospital patients and children with intellectual or developmental delays (https://www.uclahealth.org/PAC/Pages/about-us/animal-assisted-therapy-research-findings.aspx)

Visits to a facility can last anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours.  Many times, there will be several pet therapy teams working in the same facility at overlapping times, which leads to several dogs working within close proximity with one another.  As such, therapy dogs must have a calm and submissive demeanor and be copacetic with humans and dogs alike.

Is pet therapy something you'd like to explore for your dog? If so it is important to expose your dog to new dogs, people, and environments regularly.   Regular doggy daycare visits can help with this.

To schedule a “meet and greet” at our Beverly facility or for any other questions about the ways in which doggy daycare can benefit your dog, contact us: 617-590-3721! (http://www.dingosdogsitting.com/#!contact-us/c1ush)

Doggy Daycare: What It Is and How It Can Benefit You (and Your Dog)!

By now you have probably heard of doggy daycare; maybe you've even thought about it for your dog but weren't yet completely sold on the idea or concept.  Daycare for dogs?  Yes, my friends, daycare is not just for children (and the elderly) anymore.  But do you (or anyone for that matter) really need daycare for a dog!? My answer is a resounding, YES! Daycare is extremely beneficial for dogs who would otherwise be left alone all day, or whose owners do not have the time, resources or availability to properly exercise and stimulate them throughout the day.  It is especially beneficial for puppies who are learning the "ins and outs" of proper social interactions, and younger dogs who need a lot of exercise. A dog who goes to daycare tends to be more well-behaved and better adjusted to social situations with other people and animals alike.

Certain animals, specifically dogs, have some very human-like tendencies. Dogs can suffer from separation anxiety just like we can. This can present in unwanted behaviors such as urinating or defecating in the house, excessive barking, chewing non-toy items (like the furniture), ingesting non-food items (like toys or any other small objects one might leave out) or even self-mutilation from excessive licking, biting or scratching.  If you have an anxious or overly excitable dog, doggy daycare might be a good option for you.

At doggie daycare your dog will get to run around and play with other dogs. Not only is this great physical exercise, but it is great for their social development as well. Dogs that interact with other dogs tend to be more socially adjusted and get along better with other pets. This really isn't surprising – it’s basic common sense.  The more experiences dogs have interacting with other humans and dogs, the more adept they will become at such interactions. They will learn they are not the only dog in the universe, and not the only one who deserves attention.   A well balanced dog is one who has had enough activity to be calm and submissive when requested to do so.  And a tired (and happy) dog = a happy owner.

Contact us for more information and/or to see if doggy daycare would be a good fit for your pooch!

Flea and Tick Prevention Part 1: FRONTLINE PLUS

There are so many flea and tick remedies on the market today that it's tough to know which one is right for you.  In the coming weeks we will post on some of the most popular methods of prevention and the pro's and con's of each.  First up, FRONTLINE PLUS:

FRONTLINE PLUS
Probably the most popular flea and tick prevention, and the one most recommended by Vets, is FRONTLINE Plus, which is applied topically.  The active ingredients in this product are fipronil and (S)-methoprene, both of which are highly toxic to fleas and ticks.  Once applied, this chemical combination stores itself in the oil glands of your pet's skin and self-distributes continuously for up to one month throughout your pet's hair and skin by way of hair follicles.  Fleas or ticks that then come in contact with your pet are killed on contact (www.frontline.com/Pages/About.aspx). 

Unfortunately, fipronil, one of the active ingredients in Frontline plus can also be toxic to humans and animals.  Toxicity on humans has been tested in few studies, more commonly involving human cells which were used in carcinogenicity studies, but with no adverse effects. Yet, fipronil has been classified by the EPA as a Group C (possible human) carcinogen based on an increase in thyroid follicular cell tumors in both sexes of the rat. Furthermore, fipronil is considered slightly irritating to the skin, while moderately irritating to the eyes in both humans and animals. 

Two Frontline TopSpot products were determined by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to pose no significant exposure risks to workers applying the product. However, concerns were raised about human exposure to Frontline spray treatment in 1996, leading to a denial of registration for the spray product. Commercial pet groomers and veterinarians were considered to be at risk from chronic exposure via inhalation and dermal absorption during the application of the spray, assuming they may have to treat up to 20 large dogs per day.^[14] Fipronil is not volatile, so there is little likelihood of humans being exposed to this compound in the air.^[24]

If injested (and this would most likely be inadvertently) Fipronil can be poisonous.  Fipronil poisioning is characterized by vomiting, agitation, and seizures, but can usually be managed through supportive care and early treatment generally with benzodiazepine use (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fipronil).

Given the adverse side-effects of fipronil, use it is recommended that you use FRONTLINE only as directed and wash your hands after use and/or touching the treated area of your pet.