The Rise in Doggy Daycares

A new type of pooch pampering has been showing up all across the UK, doggy daycares. According to petbuisinessworld.co.uk, the leading website for UK pet trade, the market for pet care is thought to be worth around £1.7 billion and is expected to rise to around £2.1 billion by 2023.

Doggy daycares are somewhat of a new concept in the UK and have been around for a decade but only within the last three to five years have they really taken off. When they were first brought to the UK from the US the majority were in London and larger cities but now, they are more widespread and can be found all over. The big question is making them so popular with pet owners?

They are facilities which offer short-term daytime care for dogs just as we take our kids to nursery like how you may take your child to a nursery. The PDSA, the UK’s leading vet charity report that 50% of UK adults own a pet and around 23% of the UK adult population own a dog. Meaning that there are around 9.9 million dogs in the UK, which may explain why this industry is booming.

Dogs have been in our lives for millennia and are often called ‘man’s best friend’ so it only makes sense that we want to treat them well. Although most dogs are spoiled with treats and attention there is one way we may be somewhat neglectful of our dog that many people do daily. Often people will see no harm in leaving their dog alone while they are out at work, this means that the dog is left alone for many hours during the day for up to five or even six days a week. According to dogtips.co.uk, ideally, no dog should be left alone longer than four hours, but this can vary slightly with different breeds and levels of training.

Doggy daycare is different from kennels and boarding facilities as the main goal of the daycare is to allow the dogs to play, socialise and exercise in a safe and monitored environment. It could almost be described as pet sitting but for numerous dogs at once. A lot of dogs benefit from time playing with other dogs and this can help their behaviour and confidence as they gain experience from unfamiliar and varied environmental situations.

Although doggy daycare facilities are excellent places for dogs to release their energy, they should not be the only time that the dogs get to spend some time out of the home.

Sharon Comrie, Superintendent of the Scottish SPCA said, “Some dogs can accept being home alone for eight to 10 hours, but it is not fair on them. Dogs are social animals who need companionship, be that from other dogs or humans.

“Taking your dog to daycare can be hugely beneficial as it provides the dog with socialised playtime which can lead to less aggression towards humans or other animals. In general, the more time a dog spends out of the house, the better its behaviour will be.

“It is recommended for dogs to get around two to three hours of exercise over a day which daycares can facilitate. They are a good alternative if you are working but they should not be the main caregivers for your dogs.

“Although some dogs are not suitable for those kinds of environments and it is all about testing things out and seeing what is best for your dog.”

Dogs are pack animals and social creatures who need stimulation and long spells at home alone can have a negative impact on your dog. This is one place where a doggy daycare facility can help. Being around other dogs and finding their footing can have many benefits for dogs. So, it is easy to see why there has been a rise in the popularity and availability of these facilities.

Lorna Nielson, co-owner of Doggy Day Care Academy based in Falkirk, said, “Over the last few years there has definitely been an increase in facilities but I think we need to take a step back and look at America and Canada where doggy daycare has been about for over a decade. They are ahead of the game and we [the UK] have caught on in the last three to five years.

“I would think it’s more about the focus on dogs as a social animals and the shift in training. It’s all about positivity and being part of the family. It’s like taking your children to nursery. Getting the best care possible for their dogs that’s why there is the demand.

“No two dogs are the same just like people. Some dogs prefer the company of humans or prefer other dogs’ company. One of the things we hear people complain about is dogs behaving badly. Usually, the dogs are only expressing that behaviour because they are bored and in need of something to do.

“In a daycare environment, they have mental stimulation, it’s not just exercise. For us at daycare it’s about catering to the dogs' needs we have a structured day and it's very much about playing with other dogs, and playing with staff which is important to gain trust from the dogs, then some dogs just want to sit in your lap and have contact. Mental stimulation games are available for the dogs it’s not just an empty yard, there are things set up to entertain and stimulate them.

“At the end of the day, it’s all about the dogs. It’s like a furry friendship group. “

Doggy daycare facilities not only take care of the dogs during the day they usually offer other facilities such as groomers, and puppy socialisation (young dogs must get appropriately socialised for them to function as confident level-headed dogs) and some even offer vet services.

Daycares such as the one run by Lorna Nielson even offer dog massage courses, first aid and even scent training.

Daycares can not only offer a place for dogs to learn and play but they can offer owners a chance to free up some time during their day to potentially get things done that they may struggle to do while taking care of their dog.

The cost of these facilities can be off-putting to some with them charging from around £15-30 for a full day of daycare location dependent. This may seem a lot but when you consider how much a day of nursery or even a childminder may cost you for a child it is pretty comparable in price for what is essentially the same service. Regardless it definitely costs less than a brand-new settee when your bored pup chews it to shreds.

Although services like this are a luxury for your pet it is not difficult to see where the potential benefits of a service like this might be. With a strong focus on dogs’ health and well-being for those that it is a possibility, it is a great option. The popularity of facilities like this in the US shows that they are very successful and have a high demand and the fact that multiple doggy daycares in the UK have a waiting list of up to around 80 dogs, shows that even though they are a hit trend within the UK it seems like they are here to stay.

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When selecting a daycare for your dog it is important to consider a few things:

Going and visiting the facility, most doggy daycares will happily give you a tour and showcase some of the facilities they provide. If you don’t have the time to go and physically check out the place, you can always phone the daycares directly and ask any questions you would like answered.

It is best if you understand what your dog’s needs and wants are. Older dogs tend to not care for playing with puppies or unfamiliar dogs and an environment full of energy-filled other dogs clambering everywhere might not be enjoyable for them. So, it is important to ask if the dogs will be grouped or separated appropriately.

Another key thing to consider is the dog-to-staff ratio. The more dogs per staff member the less attention can be given to individuals. The recommended ratio as stated by the International Boarding and Pet Care Services Association (IBPSA) is 15 dogs per member of staff for a safe standard of care.

Choosing a daycare which also runs activities for the dogs instead of just allowing free play could be beneficial as from guided play the dogs can learn how to interact and behave which may lead to better behaviour in the home.

You should also consider asking dog owners who you already know what facilities they use and recommend. They might even be able to give you a few to avoid. If you don’t know other dog owners there is always the ability to check online most daycares have online reviews where you will be able to see first-hand what people have experienced from their dog attending.

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