Leaving your furry friend at the door is not easy. If you’re looking for an Auckland Doggy Daycare, you’ll need to find somewhere that feels right for both you and your pooch.
For peace of mind, it’s important to visit the daycare beforehand. Our trial days are designed to ensure that your pup fits the pack. Most reputable daycares will have a trial day option where they get to know your dog in detail. You’ll also get to see how your pooch interacts with the staff so that you can say goodbye in confidence.
We also hold open days, every second weekend, where you will get the chance to check out the facilities and ask those burning questions (bookings required). To help you find the right doggy daycare, we have rounded up the most important things you need to know.
Is your dog ready?
Before signing up to an Auckland Doggy daycare, you’ll need to check whether or not your pooch is ready. The readiness of your dog will determine your entire daycare experience so it’s important to be sure. While each dog is different, there are a few things to look out for.
Use the following tips to find out if your dog is ready:
- Check to see how your dog behaves around other dogs
- Consider any behavioural issues that your dog may have. If your pooch has trouble socialising, it may be best to hold off and work on these skills before sending them to daycare
- Watch and see how your dog behaves around other people. Shy, aggressive, or intimidated? It might be best to wait.
If your dog is energetic and confident around others, then they are probably ready to go.
If you are unsure, discuss your concerns with the daycare staff. An experienced team will advise you on different doggy behaviours and how they can help. Equally, if your dog has special dietary requirements or particular needs, ask the centre whether they can manage it.
Facilities
Get to know your centre and find out what it has to offer. Facilities are important as you want to ensure that your doggo has everything they need for a comfortable stay. Facilities vary from centre to centre but usually include individual rooms, outdoor spaces, kennels, and a communal area where dogs can socialise.
At K9 Heaven, all of our spaces are fully air conditioned with cosy areas where your dog can stretch out their paws. Our indoor doghouse ensures that your pet gets a good night’s sleep with a warm, homely atmosphere. We also have onsite grooming and bathing facilities.
For dogs, there’s nothing better than the call of nature. After all, rolling in the mud, splashing about in water, and sniffing everything in sight, is what being a dog is all about. If your doggo has bundles of energy, then choose a centre with plenty of outdoor space. At K9 Heaven, we offer 10 acres of farmland with included farm runs everyday. Not only is it good for socialisation, but you’ll also benefit from a sleepy dog at the end of the day.
Health & Safety
To keep your little bundle of fluff safe, be sure to check the centre’s health and safety policy. While they do not require any veterinary experience, staff should be well trained in looking after animals. Find out more about the team and feel free to ask about certifications and experience.
With so many animals in such close proximity, your dog is more prone to infection. With that in mind, it’s important that you choose a daycare with vigorous health and safety practices. Take a tour of the centre to see their protocols in action. At our West Auckland kennels, we make sure that our daycare is thoroughly cleaned on a regular basis.
It is also useful to know how a daycare responds in the case of illness. For example, what’s the protocol if a dog is identified with kennel cough? For more information about our policies and procedures, check out our T&Cs here.
Inclusions
Doggy daycares aren’t cheap so find out what’s included with your fee. Most centres will include food, bedding, and toys. Some daycares charge extra for things like walks, activities, petting, and farm runs. Our West Auckland kennels offer a free farm run for all daycare visits. These runs promise plenty of benefits for your dog including socialising in a pack, being out in nature, and burning off all that excess energy.
You see, our furry friends are meant to be outside. Exploring the world around them is in their nature. If you don’t have time to provide your dog with muddy adventures, then choose a daycare that takes them out for you. The best part? After rolling around in all that mud, they return home looking nice and clean.
Meals & activities
Last but not least, you will want to find out what your dog will be doing at daycare. Ask about the food and whether they offer any enrichment programmes. At K9 Heaven, our doggos receive nutritious meals including a daily dish of chicken and rice.
When it comes to daily activities, find out what a day in the life of your dog will look like. Do they have the chance to make friends with like minded doggos? Is there opportunity for sensory enrichment or physical and mental stimulation? Will your dog get enough exercise?
With so much land, our dogs get to enjoy daily farm visits, pack runs, water play, and more. They will also receive lots of love and human interaction, to make them feel at home.
Reviews & Testimonials
Before signing up to a doggy daycare, it always helps to do a bit of research. How? By listening to other dog owners. Take a look at their Google reviews to get a clearer idea of what the centre is like.
Hearing from other dog owners about their own experience can offer new insights and provide some reassurance. Alternatively, if the reviews are mostly negative, then you may want to steer clear.
Once you have found the right daycare, be sure to book a trial day. Our trial days act as an evaluation to see if your doggo is the right fit. It also gives you the opportunity to see if we’re the right fit for you. If all goes well, we’ll invite your pup to join the pack!
