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Debate3 - 38 Doggydaycare

This document provides responses from a dog daycare provider to common questions about their services. They screen dogs for suitability for daycare based on temperament and health. Dogs are introduced and play groups formed based on compatible play styles. Staff are trained in dog behavior to supervise play and ensure it remains appropriate. Unwanted behaviors are redirected rather than punished. The facility aims to keep dogs mentally and physically stimulated while also allowing rest periods.

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Kelly J. (Lady Grey)
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19 views4 pages

Debate3 - 38 Doggydaycare

This document provides responses from a dog daycare provider to common questions about their services. They screen dogs for suitability for daycare based on temperament and health. Dogs are introduced and play groups formed based on compatible play styles. Staff are trained in dog behavior to supervise play and ensure it remains appropriate. Unwanted behaviors are redirected rather than punished. The facility aims to keep dogs mentally and physically stimulated while also allowing rest periods.

Uploaded by

Kelly J. (Lady Grey)
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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14 questions to ask your doggy

daycare provider...
...and what to expect in response.

You wouldn't send your child to an unregulated daycare with untrained staff.
Do some research and choose a reputable, force-free daycare for your dog.

How do you ascertain which dogs are suitable for daycare?


Dog owners fill in a comprehensive screening form so we can ensure their dog enjoys being around other dogs and
is generally confident, happy and friendly in new environments. Dogs not suitable for daycare are those that are shy
or prefer their own space, or dogs that are reactive or aggressive on or off lead.
Dogs with existing health conditions (hip dysplasia, injuries, virus/disease, unvaccinated etc.) that may be
exacerbated or are unsafe in a daycare setting may not be suitable. Day care staff can discuss this with you upon
booking, but we also encourage you to seek veterinary advice if you are concerned about your dog's suitability for
daycare based on their health or physical ability.
Once screened, dogs come in for a few hours to see how well they fit in with the groups we have in that day.

Are dogs’ sizes, breeds and play styles taken into consideration when matching dogs for play?
Rather than just going on your dog’s size or breed, we test each dog individually to determine their play style. Some
dogs have more than one play style depending on what dog they are with. A good play style is reciprocal – they
should swap roles frequently.
Common play styles include sharing toys with other dogs, playing chasey and hide and seek, and some rough and
tumble (always closely supervised).
We look to see if dogs modify their play style based on the dogs with whom they are playing. We put similar
playstyles together and keep your dog with a regular group, so he is comfortable.

How do you introduce a new dog to your existing dogs?


We match dogs according to play style and energy levels. We safely and slowly introduce them one at a time until
your dog has a group of friends with whom he’s happy to play. We then endeavour to have the same dogs in the
same groups on the same day so that harmony can be maintained.

www.caninebehaviouralschool.com.au
Will my dog get ‘down-time’ and rest during the day?
Dogs need lots of sleep. In a full day of day care, your dog will get down time
for approximately one-third of his/her stay, tailored to your dog’s needs.
This may include lights down, calming classical music, dogs into smaller
groups, or lying on beds.
Spending too much time in a over-excited state can be counter-productive
for your dog's mental wellbeing. The end goal should be that your dog
comes home tired and content, rather than completely exhausted.
You can have too much of a good thing! We encourage you to balance day
care with other activities with your dog, such as walking, sniffing, car rides
and socialising with special friends.

What will you do to ensure the play remains appropriate for


each dog?

We provide non-stop supervision. All our staff are trained in dog body
language and communication and get a lot of practice reading how dogs are
coping during play. We watch for signs dog play is escalating in intensity, or
that a dog is becoming tired, or uncomfortable with a play partner. If
necessary, we separate the dogs and move them to different pens with
different partners. Our regular breaks mean this usually isn’t an issue. Once
we get to know your dog, we are better able to match them with suitable
play partners.

What do you do if there is a dog fight?


The best thing to do about a dog fight is to avoid it happening in the first
place. Our assessment and introduction procedures are designed to
minimise risk.
Despite the best of supervision, care and training, occasionally a dog fight
happens. Often it is over before it begins, but very occasionally it may be
more serious. Our staff are specially trained to use several measures to
break up any fights without causing injury to the dogs. Making a loud and
novel noise or throwing a blanket over the dogs will often cause them to
disengage. We may use water or physical measures to safely separate them.
These methods require knowledge and training to implement and are not
measures we like to use, but in cases of emergency our priority is breaking
up the fight.
Please note that these measures are NEVER used to train or discipline your
dog at any time. They are emergency measures for this specific situation.

Can I view your facilities or watch my dog playing?


You are welcome to view our facilities through our viewing window at any
time and will have a great view of your dog playing. For safety reasons
(yours, your dog and other dogs), we don’t allow guardians to enter the pen
area or interact with the dogs inside. We are happy to explain all elements
of our facility to you from the viewing area. We also have a live webcam so
you can log in to watch your dog!

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WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CANINEBEHAVIOURALSCHOOL/
What training and qualifications do your staff members have?
Professional, force-free daycare staff ensure your dog is as happy and safe as possible. Our centre follows the
guidelines of the Pet Industry Association that state:
Staff must have training in dog management including dog behaviour and basic body language to enable them to
safely interact with and handle unknown dogs. Body language includes posture, ear and tail positions, facial
expressions, emotional states, stress signals, warning signals and resource guarding.
Staff training and qualifications must be documented.
Staff must know common breed types, their individual behaviour traits and how they react to people and new
environments.
Staff must be trained and understand group dog play before they are put in a position of monitoring and
supervising group play.
Our staff are also educated in human and animal first aid and are familiar with common dog health conditions and
illnesses. We use credentialed, force-free organisations or trainers to train our staff and provide updates regularly.

What is your dog to staff ratio and how can I be assured that my dog is always supervised?
The recommendation of the Pet Industry Association Australia is a ratio of one staff member for six dogs.
https://piaa.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/SG-Boarding-and-Doggy-Day-Care-June-2016.pdf
At our facility we have a minimum of one staff member in the pen, with a maximum of 6 dogs per staff member. The
number of dogs is determined by the size of our pens, and the size and playstyles of the dogs in care on the day. We
also rotate our dogs for supervised rest time, away from play which also helps to minimise the dog/staff ratio.

What happens in your daycare when a dog responds in the way you want him to?
We will positively reinforce a dog when he does the right thing. This means the dog gets paid with something he
values highly (fun, toys, praise and/or food) and will be more likely to repeat the behaviour in future. We will discuss
with you the most suitable reinforcement for your dog based on what he likes and finds motivating in a distracting
daycare environment.
We always reinforce ‘good’ behaviour like sit for greetings with our staff, being quiet if they like to bark, and calm
behaviour and interactions between dogs and people.
What happens in your daycare if my dog is ‘naughty’ or ‘bad’?
We do not use any form of physical punishment in our interactions with your
dog. We do not manhandle, spray water, yell, force, push or pull them around
our facility, or in response to an unwanted behaviour.
Your dog’s unwanted behaviour will be redirected, and an alternative
behaviour may be requested and reinforced. This teaches the dog what is
wanted of him, rather than leaving him to guess what's not wanted of him.
Although our staff are not qualified dog trainers, we will do our best to ensure
unwanted behaviour (like jumping up, mouthing, or barking) is redirected to a
more appropriate alternative (like sit or quiet) that can be reinforced.
We can also recommend a force-free trainer who can provide advice and
support if you need additional assistance with your dog's behaviour.

What is your hot weather policy? How do you deal with dogs
that don’t cope well in the heat?
We are fully air-conditioned so day care is always available. However, for
dogs that don’t cope well in the heat (brachycephalic breeds like bulldogs,
pugs and Cavalier King Charles spaniels), we increase their rest time at
daycare so they have plenty of time to relax and cool down.
All our pens have clean water constantly available, and some pens have
clam-shells for paddling.
We have emergency procedures in place in the event of a power failure, and
also for natural disaster/bushfire risk. Ask us for more information.

Does your daycare belong to any professional associations?


As a professional force-free daycare, we maintain memberships only with
select organisations that advocate humane, ethical training methods that
are minimally aversive to animals. We do not participate in any
organisation that promotes or endorses methods, care or training styles
that use punishment, force, fear or intimidation.

What do you suggest as an alternative if you don’t think my dog


is suitable for daycare?
Some dogs do not enjoy daycare. Instead, you can invest in dog walking or
pet sitting services from qualified carers. A qualified (credentialed) force-
free trainer can give you further ideas to help your dog’s environmental
enrichment. We encourage all our clients to supplement daycare with other
enriching activities they can do together.

Make the right decision for your dog.


Always choose qualified dog training and care
providers that use force-free methods.

Developed by Canine Behavioural School,


Adelaide, South Australia.

www.caninebehaviouralschool.com.au

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