Paws and Effect: Sending the 'fur babies' to day care

Doggie day cares are one of the busiest and fastest-growing businesses today. According to the Humane Society of the United States, 40 percent of American families own at least one dog, and with 63 percent of those people considering their pets as family members, canines have solidified their place as the most popular family pet.

But with pet ownership comes new responsibilities.

Stacy Busch-Heisserer and Howie the cat. (Laura Simon)

Gone are the days of throwing Fido in the backyard while you work all day. The effects of us being gone all day weigh heavily on canines. By being alone and without their human companions, dogs can suffer from higher levels of anxiety, which can produce unwanted behaviors, such as fear, excessive barking and destructive behavior. And let's not forget how crazy they act when we do get home -- exactly when we don't need or want them to be.

Do you know what to look for in a good doggie day care? Don't depend on legislators to do your homework for you. Unfortunately, just like in the world of child care, there are the good, the bad and the downright ugly.

Fact: In Missouri, doggie day cares are not inspected by the state unless they offer overnight boarding. It's up to you, the pet owner, to make sure the place you are sending your precious pup is on the up and up.

Here are some things to look for when choosing a dog day care facility for your furry family member:

__1. Is day care even an option?__ If you have a senior dog or one that isn't terribly social, doggie day care might not be a good fit. If you have to be gone all day and your dog is active or young, doggie day care is a definite consideration. A well-run day care may increase your dog's happiness and at the same time decrease your guilt. Taking your social dog to a place where he can interact with others of his own species can also ward off separation anxiety. Happy dog = happy owner!

__2. Tour the indoor facility.__ Obviously, a good dog day care should be clean and well-ventilated. Dogs can produce some odoriferous offerings, and on a rainy day, there's not much outside time -- you get the picture. Also look for how they clean the facility. Pouring bleach on a spot and leaving isn't enough -- not to mention you don't want Fido breathing toxic fumes all day.

Check to make sure there is an adequate staff-to-dog ratio. Dogs are known to be pack animals, but they do not thrive in overly large groups. This can cause higher levels of stress and anxiety which could, in turn, result in illness or even injury to a dog. A good day care will take steps to keep play groups smaller to ensure a healthier, happier playtime.

__3. Check out the outside play yard.__ Large and small dogs should have separate play areas or play times. While large and small dogs can get along nicely, large dogs often don't know their own strength, and no one wants their tiny dog trampled by a large, overzealous dog.

There is also the chance that in the midst of play, a small dog could be mistaken for prey by a larger dog. This is called predatory drift. If this happens, the consequences could be devastating. Separating large and small dogs will cut the risk of this occurring.

Play groups should also be divided according to style of play and energy level. Dogs are less likely to be stressed if they are put in groups with compatible playmates. High-energy dogs play better with other high-energy dogs, and low-key dogs interact better with lower energy dogs. A good day care will test dogs before they place them in play groups and will continually monitor those groups for changes.

__4. Temperament testing.__ A good day care will temperament test every animal before it becomes a day care participant. A written application, release and waiver form and shot records are a must. The written application should include questions about not only the dog's medical history, but also his history in dealing with other dogs and strangers. The more the day care staff knows about your dog, the better they will be able to work with him or anticipate problems.

Some day cares choose to exclude intact male or female dogs or even specific breeds, often based on local ordinances. Make sure to ask questions in regards to these possible restrictions. Behavior problems can be an issue with any breed, but only a good, well-trained, compassionate staff will know how to best handle any situation that may arise. Accidents happen in life, but a lot of conflicts can be prevented with a well-trained person monitoring the animals.

__5. And speaking of a well-trained staff ...__ When loose in a group, dogs absolutely must be supervised at all times. A good day care will have a well-trained staff (and plenty of them) who are up-to-date on animal care techniques and have a healthy background in dog behavior and body language. Daycare employees need to be tuned into each of the dogs to recognize potential issues and stop them before they escalate. A good day care will also advocate positive reinforcement of good behaviors as opposed to punishing bad behavior. A dominance-based approach can cause more problems than it ultimately will solve.

A proactive staff member will also be able to recognize signs that a dog is sick or hurt, or even just having an "off" day. Staff members should be trained in pet first aid, too.

__6. Other services.__ A good day care will offer to administer medication, feed a special diet or offer one-on-one services for canine clients. Specialty services may include training, individual quiet time for older or low-energy dogs and extra potty breaks. These options should have minimal or low cost. Don't let them nickel and dime you! Some day cares offer bathing or even full grooming for an additional price. High-end or luxury services can include massage therapy, aromatherapy, even aquatherapy. These services will incur more cost, but will appeal to those who don't have time to go elsewhere or want to really pamper their pooch. Some day cares even offer webcams so pet parents can log on and see what Fluffy is doing with her day. Our furry kids are just as important as our two-leggers, so it will benefit both you and your pooch to do your homework before sending him off to "school." Daycare truly can be a rewarding experience for your dog -- and you!

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Stacy Busch-Heisserer is the owner of Busch Pet Products and Deer Creek Doggie Day Camp in Cape Girardeau. She is a lifelong animal lover who has four cats and four dogs.