Dog Walking as an Alternative to Doggy Day Care in Bellingham
If you’re a dog owner in Bellingham, WA, you probably know that our city has no shortage of options when it comes to caring for your dog while you’re away at work. Plenty of professional pet sitters offer individualized dog walking services on a daily basis, something that savvy dog owners know to take advantage of. Others opt for dropping their pooch off at a doggy day care facility. Both options have their advantages, and for certain canine personalities, day care may well be the best option.
However, doggy day care is certainly not the only choice, and is definitely not always the best choice for every dog. We’ve written before about why in-home pet sitting is often a better choice than dog boarding, and a similar philosophy applies here: many/most animals just do better in the comfort of their own home. Here are some reasons that we here at Boulevard Bark feel dog walking is a better choice for most dogs than day care.
Day Care May Not Suit Your Dog’s Temperament
There are no one-size-fits-all answers for pet owners. Some dogs may thrive in a day care setting, where there are lots of other dogs to socialize with. But many dogs don’t thrive in that setting. Dogs who are a bit older or more reserved may not be too keen on spending the day surrounded by more excitable or high-energy dogs. And many dogs simply prefer their homes, their familiar beds and napping corners, and even drinking out of their own water bowls throughout the day.
Dog Walking Provides Individualized Attention
The workers at your local doggy day care do their very best, but there are limits to what they can provide for your fur babies. One day care worker is in charge of a number of dogs throughout the day, which naturally limits the amount of personalized attention they can pay to your dog. When you opt for private dog walking, you hire a professional who you are paying to give all of their attention to your dog before, during, and after the walk. Dogs and dog walkers develop a unique bond, and your dog will be excited to greet your dog walker at the door every day.
Day Care Puts Your Dog at Risk
The day care setting brings its own risks to your dog’s health and well-being. Spending the day surrounded by other dogs puts your dog at risk of getting into fights. Even the best behaved dogs sometimes end up fighting, especially when in close quarters with different dogs day after day. There also is an increased risk of illness when groups of dogs are together in close quarters for prolonged periods of time. When you opt for private dog walking, you eliminate these risks from your dog’s life.
In the end, the choice is yours. And yes, doggy day care does have its up sides. For some dogs, day care will be a better choice. But if your dog loves to enjoy the comforts of home, he or she may just thrive on the individualized attention and care of a professional dog walker.
