Doggy Daycare (and Related Thoughts)

Since I began working here at Motivators and marketing promotional products, I have been in search of a good doggy daycare. Moving from New Hampshire to New York has been quite the change in my world of dogs. I think New Hampshire's state bird should be the dog! Just about everyone has a dog, and they are welcome in many places. In fact, there is an outdoor outlet mall that's pet-friendly. They not only have water bowls for their furry visitors, but actually allow them in the stores. What a great idea! When I lived in NH, I chose to drive an extra hour to get to these pet-friendly outlets over the closer outlet stores just for the simple fact that I could bring my dog. He didn't have to wait in the car or alone at home; he could walk around outside and accompany me into new places he'd never been before. I'm a firm believer that dogs need to be stimulated physically and mentally. Taking him on the same three-mile hike every day, no matter how vigorous, just wouldn't tire out my high-energy pup. (For those of you who haven't read my previous posts, I have a three-year-old Border Collie mix named Brodie). Taking him to new places to roam and sniff or meet new dogs, however, helps do the trick.

I've found that in New York (specifically Long Island), I seem to be in the minority with my view of dogs, their needs and how they should be treated. I had a great doggy daycare up in NH that both Brodie and I absolutely loved. In fact, I still use their promotional pet products! Brodie's leash and travel bag are proudly stamped "Woof Woof" though no such place exists here on Long Island, sadly. At Woof Woof, he could play outside in a choice of four fenced-in areas or inside on super cold or hot days with access to the outdoors. He had access to fresh water all throughout the day and learned to share and drink with others. He was constantly supervised by a staff of certified trainers, and the entire facility was kept clean. In the summer months they had kiddie pools for the dogs to cool off in, and in the winter they took the groups inside to play in turns so the dogs' paws wouldn't clump with snow. And the absolute best part was... I'd pick him up after work and he would be CALM for the rest of the evening. It was heaven - for both of us!

What I'm finding here on LI (if I find a doggy daycare at all) is that some don't give them access to water unless it's in supervised shifts once a day and one at a time. Some have several play areas with fewer staff members than groups of dogs. And most of them keep the dogs indoors all year long. I've found a few that let the dogs outside in the warmer months only, which I take objection to - I mean, come on - in New Hampshire we had way more snow and it was way colder than it is here and the dogs were perfectly happy to be outside on a brisk winter day. Talk to me about keeping them inside when the temperature drops below zero...

Forgive that rant - apparently it's a sore subject. My point (and I do have one) is that I'm looking for a doggy daycare that I can feel good about leaving Brodie at each morning on my way to work - where he can get exercise and socialize with other dogs in a clean and supervised environment. So I pose this to all you dog-lovers out there... Any suggestions???