Doggie Daycare

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by Toughy

Dapper...........

there is something to be said for being among the first clients for a building business...........my facility has been in business for 5 years and our clients that stuck with us when we had less than 10-15 dogs get perks...........supporting local business is important.....I hope it's a woman owned business......laughin........

the place you found sounds perfect..............take your baby on Wed so he can play with the other jack.......they need each other...........also you might ask for a chance to meet the parents of the other jack..........that way you could keep in contact and make sure the playmates are always there at the same time........

by the way..........you actually do want your baby to fall asleep standing up.............it's a sign of a good day care and a good experience...........many owners always say their babies fall dead asleep on the way home......

Hey, Toughy, thanks for writing.

Yes, I thought about how it is good that he would be one of the first clients. My issue is just that most days there are only 2-3 other small dogs there (any day of the week, per owner) and I guess it is the waiting of the building up of the number of dogs that concerns me (and paying in the meantime!)

On his interview day he stayed for a half day and the two other dogs that were there were boarders, so they were put in crates for naps. Therefore, my guy was just standing in there with no friends for 1.5 hours (webcam!). :-( It also appears to be acceptable that someone isn't always in with the small dogs. I assume that this is a function of it being a large warehouse where it is all fencing (so the dogs can be seen by the workers when they are not in with the dogs).

The day that he was falling asleep standing up on the way home (which yes, I saw as a great thing!), there were 7 small dogs, but the owner acknowledged that this was a function of there being a larger than usual number of boarders due to the Holidays.

So, I guess it is just about choosing or not choosing to wait it out until more dogs begin to come there. I think I will stick with this first one. It is just SO close to my house.

In terms of ownership....both places are owned by women (I always use women owned businesses when I can!)

Oh, and one last thing....although I had planned to bring him on Wednesdays, I did make sure that the other Jack Russell came on the same day...or I would have changed days. I also plan on going to the Grand Opening (they have already been open for two months, though), so that I can meet other dog owners to find out who comes when, etc.

Thanks again for your thoughts.