Page 21 - Issue 2_2018

Dog Walker vs Doggy Day Care:

Finding the Best Option for You and Your Pup

By Alexandra Anastasio

As a working dog owner, the struggle of leaving your dog home alone Cons:
for lengthy stretches can be trying on both you and your canine.
Regardless of the reason, it’s not easy to meet all of your pet’s needs • Young or high-energy dogs often need more exercise than they’ll
without some type of assistance. “A dog that must endure long days get during a limited visit with a walker.
(six or more hours) without appropriate exercise can suffer quite a bit • Your canine partner is still home alone for the better part of a day.
of stress,” says Aïda Muñoz, a dog walker and pet sitter for Precious • Owners must ensure their walkers are trustworthy. They have a
Paws Pet Sitting LLC in Royal Oak, Michigan. key to your home and they’re responsible for your dog’s well-
being while he’s in their care.
Thankfully, when it comes to providing care, there are a variety of • Lack of socialization with other dogs.
options to consider. By having professionals to turn to, owners can
breathe a sigh of relief and alleviate some of the guilt felt when leav- Day Care
ing their pup.
Pros:
Because each dog’s needs are differ-
ent, it’s up to you to determine which • A chance to meet and play with other dogs — a good option for
type of care they’ll benefit from the those that do well in an active playgroup.
most. Will your canine companion • Provides the mental stimulation and physical activity dogs need
flourish in a day care environment, or for hours on end.
is he best suited for an in-home dog • Establishes a routine and relieves separation anxiety and bore-
walker? A more senior dog that needs dom.
bathroom breaks or the opportunity • Great exercise — a tired out pup will be relaxed and exhausted by
to stretch his legs during the day the time he comes home.
would most likely respond better • Lots of TLC.
to the one-on-one attention a dog • Strangers will not be in your home.
walker can provide, as opposed to
being surrounded by younger, more Cons:
active dogs in a day care setting. “It
all comes down to the client and what her objective is,” says Bethany • Potential for bad behavior — if you’re in the midst of training, the
Stevens, owner of On the Move Pet Care in Rochester, New York.
freedom given at day care might derail your work and/or create
new issues.
Just like people, dogs have different temperaments and personalities,
and what works for one might not be best for another. Some adapt • Though most day care facilities require all shots be up-to-date,
to a larger and more energetic group, while others feel more secure • there is still a chance of exposure to different illnesses.
Possibility of under-qualified staff — while we hope the people
in their own home. Choosing which path to take is no small feat, so taking care of our dogs are trained, we never truly know how
here are some pros and cons of each to help you make an informed
decision. someone will act in an emergency.
• Transportation — the lack of flexibility in an owner’s schedule
can make it difficult to comply with specific drop-off and pick-up
Dog Walking times.

Pros: Regardless of the option you choose, do your research. When hiring
an in-home pet service, Stevens suggests finding a business that is
• Personalized and customized to the needs of the dog — does licensed, bonded, and insured. If you decide to utilize a day care facil-
your pup need a walk or just a bit of playtime? ity, observe the staff and the program ahead of time. “Make sure they
• Daily exercise, which is important for both mental and physical have a good reputation and that they offer webcams as part of their
stimulation. service; that way you can check in on your dog,” says Alexandra Bas-
• A good option for dogs that exhibit aggression or fear issues and sett, lead dog trainer and behaviorist at Dog Savvy Los Angeles.
are overwhelmed in a larger setting.
• Guaranteed one-on-one attention. And remember, a tired dog is a happy dog!
• Avoid the stress of a new environment.
• A daily walk can be less expensive than a full day at day care. Reprinted with Permission 2018
• Less risk of being exposed to illnesses and parasites that may be www.akc.org
present at a day care.
• Consistency with behavioral training; dog walkers can adhere to
your rules and help reinforce training.
• Convenient for an owner who has transportation issues. Joyce Craig©

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