We are extremely picky when it comes to trusting someone with our dogs, and we know how difficult it can be to find someone who is able to take care of them in the way you want them to. There are a huge array of pet services out there and it can be a minefield to navigate them all and find something that works for you and your dog. Here are some of the things to consider and tips to help you decide whether who you are looking at is a good fit.
There are three main categories of pet services depending on your needs:
1. Day care
There are two main types of day care; larger commercial doggy day cares and smaller home-based day care. At the larger day cares, dogs tend to mix in bigger groups, but there is less scope to accommodate dogs with potential behavioral problems. A lot of larger day cares are also unable to accommodate intact males over a certain age or dogs that are titre tested rather than vaccinated. However, they are often cheaper than home-based day cares and can be great for social dogs. Consider what sort of environment you would prefer, and also what would best suit your dog.
2. Dog Walking
Dog walkers tend to pick your dog up from your home, take them for a walk either separately or with a group of other dogs, and then return your dog home again. They may also offer services such as drop-ins and dog sitting. There is a lot of variation in how individual dog walkers operate, and some may have experience of working with difficult dogs, whilst others may not. Some dog walkers may also be happy working with your dog trainer in order to continue the training you are doing with your dog out on their walks.
3. Boarding
Again, there are several different types of boarding. There are larger commercial kennels where your dog is in a kennel environment, and on the other end of the spectrum are services such as Rover, Trusted HouseSitters and Borrow My Doggy, which tend to be individuals on a more informal basis. Some dogs can find kennel environments very stressful, but larger kennels can benefit from more experience and expertise than home boarders or house sitters. Some trainers also offer boarding for more difficult dogs and there are also an array of home boarders who have licensing to have your dog come and stay in their home either on their own or with other dogs as well so there are lots of options that can accommodate different dogs.
There are pros and cons to each of the above options, and a lot of variation between services of the same type, which makes finding one that suits your dog even more difficult. However, there are some tips and questions you can ask to get a better idea as to whether you would be happy to leave your dog with them.
Ask about their training and behavior experience
Finding someone to look after a dog with no behavioral issues is pretty easy, but finding someone to look after a dog with behavioral problems or specific training needs can be more difficult as it requires someone with a good understanding of behavior and experience in working with these sorts of dogs. So, be sure to ask about the person/company's qualifications, but most importantly their experience of working with dogs and certain behaviors.
When doing so, it is incredibly important to be honest about your dog and any behavioral issues that they have even if this leads to the person being unable to look after the dog. It can be frustrating to have your dog refused, but this is to ensure everyone's safety and so that the person is aware of your dog's potential triggers and can manage them appropriately. Some businesses just don't have the time and capacity to safely manage some dogs, in which case they are not the right place for them.
It is also for your dogs benefit to find someone capable in managing them and their behavioral issues as sending them somewhere where they can't could lead to your dog having a negative experience which will also affect their behavior and training. This could also lead to them having a regression in their training which then means you will need to work a little harder once they are back to help them to feel more comfortable again. Finding someone with behavioral experience if you have a dog who needs extra support is well worth the extra time and effort.
Ask how they would deal with specific situations
In line with the above, ask the person how they/their staff would deal with a certain scenario that your dog may encounter. For example, if your dog can be nervous or reactive towards other dogs on a walk, ask them how they would deal with a dog approaching them. Another good question to ask is what their process is for introducing new dogs - is it done in a structured way or are the dogs just put together and left to sort themselves out? Are dogs given free access to toys and treats, and how is any potential conflict between dogs managed? Asking these sorts of questions can help you determine whether your dog would manage in that environment and whether there are options available for your dog. Some facilities have several different spaces in order to cater for specific dogs who need specific set ups and it may be that there are alternative options for your dog in order to make their stay more enjoyable.
If you want your dog handled in a specific way or with specific tools let them know and ask whether they are happy and confident using them
We don't want our dogs to learn any bad habits when they are being looked after by someone else, and so it is important that everyone is on the same page. For example, if you are working on loose lead walking but your dog walker allows your dog to pull like a train, then you are going to struggle to make progress. So, it is important to discuss their methods and the way you have been training your dog so that you can determine whether that person is best placed to care for them. If the person isn't receptive to the way you would like your dog to be handled or the tools you use then maybe they aren't the right fit.
However, if the person responds that that they don't have experience with that tool or training method, this does not necessarily mean that they won't be the right fit. For example, some dog walkers are not comfortable using slip leads because they have not had experience with them before and don't want to use it incorrectly. This is the sensible thing to do, and sometimes all it takes is the client showing them how to use it, following which they often become a valuable tool in their toolbox. We have sometimes done training sessions at which both the client and the dog walker are present, so that we can get everyone on the same page. We love collaborating with other professionals, whether that be through people attending our professional handling workshop, or joining sessions with a mutual client to learn how to better handle the dog. The more we can work together for the benefit of your dogs the better.
How much exercise and downtime do the dogs get in a day?
It is worth checking how much exercise and downtime your dog gets, particularly in the case of larger commercial pet services. Some kennels are unable to offer dog walks but your dog has access to a run for exercise, which can be incredibly under stimulating for some dogs, and at the opposite end of the spectrum some day cares have limited ability to provide downtime which can result in over stimulation. It is important to consider the pros and cons to each individual dog.
The main thing you need to ask yourself is do you trust them to look after your dog? If you can answer yes then you're sorted! If you have any doubts or worries then do not be afraid to ask as many questions as you need, and if you don't get the right answers then that service might not be for you. Although it probably doesn't feel like it sometimes, there is someone out there for every dog even if you don't find them straight away.
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