Benefits of doggy day care

Dogs left alone can turn into dogs in trouble. Lonely dogs can develop separation anxiety when left on their own too often, which can lead to inappropriate barking, chewing, or digging. Even a house-trained dog can lapse into soiling when it grows agitated because of loneliness, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. 
Dogs that need more attention can find it at a local doggy day care, where canine clients have an opportunity to play and exercise. 
Benefits of day care for dogs include: 

INCREASED HEALTH

Like humans, dogs need regular exercise to maintain their health.

IMPROVED SOCIAL SKILLS

Dogs learn to remain calm and confident in tense or unsettling situations. 

DECREASED DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR

No more chewed couches or shoes. 

INCREASED SAFETY

Owners know their dogs are being cared for and are safe. 
Owners should tour a dog day care to see if it is fit for their pet. Good questions to ask are about staff-to-pet ratio, staff training, time spent outside, and food and treat quality and routine. Also, check the amenities, looking for available toys, exercise areas, and quiet corners for times of rest. Find out the size of the facility versus the number of animals using the space.
Doggy day cares usually have a variety of flexible schedules from which pet owners can choose, whether they’re leaving their pets half a day or all day every day of the week, just a few days a week, or whenever needed for trips.
Other services most day cares offer are grooming, training, and veterinary. 
Perhaps the most important thing a doggy day care provides is companionship when the owner is away. 
“Boredom and excess energy are two common reasons for behavior problems in pet dogs,” according to the ASPCA website. “Day care provides a great antidote for bored, lonely, or high-energy dogs with busy guardians who work away from home all day and don’t want to leave their dogs alone.” 
editor@thepicayune.com