When those back-to-school commercials start running and every store for miles begins stocking its shelves with binders, pencils, and backpacks, it's almost a guarantee that the kids will get gloomy--but what about the family dog? The truth is that back-to-school time is a big adjustment for everyone, but to a dog, the change can be depressing, anxiety-inducing, and even unhealthy. Does back-to-school have to mean back-to-the-crate? With doggie daycare, the answer is no.
The Dangers of Back-to-School
Any kid is likely to tell you that back-to-school time is dangerous, and while this may be a bit of an exaggeration for summer-loving children, it's not so unreasonable for your pets. The problem is that, to a dog, summer is three perfect months of playing outside, constant exercise, copious amounts of attention, and wonderfully irregular schedules (except when it comes to feeding time, of course). For too many pets, the end of summer means the end of all that enjoyment and a one-way ticket to the crate. This can be quite an unhealthy change for dogs; with fewer chances for exercise, less attention, an often-empty house, and perhaps even a change in feeding schedule, many dogs can fall into destructive tendencies due to anxiety, boredom, doggie depression. For some dogs, this manifests itself as chewing or refusal to eat, while others will more clearly exhibit physical signs like weight gain. If you want to keep your dog just as healthy and happy during the school year as during the summer, you might want to consider doggie daycare, which provides all the attention, exercise, and care that you can't provide during your busy daytime hours.
A Closer Look at Doggie Daycare
It's unhealthy, both mentally and physically, for dogs to be locked in a crate all day after the joyful revelry of summer. However, one way to avoid this is to turn to pet care experts for doggie daycare. You don't have to pull out the crate; with doggie daycare, you can rest assured that your furry friend is getting all of the attention and socialization necessary to stay in perfect health. Plus, you can fit all of this into your unique routine--which means that Fido can stay home a few days a week and go to daycare for the rest of the time, depending on what works best. It's all about keeping you and your pet comfortable, happy, and healthy.
Here's a quick look at some of the ways that doggie daycare can fit into your schedule and keep your dog's tail wagging. It's helpful, but not a hassle, which means that you won't have to make any sacrifices in order to keep your dog entertained and exercised even while you're busy.
- Exercise. One of the most important aspects of creating a workable school-time schedule for your dog is ensuring that Fido gets enough exercise. If your dog stays in a crate all day, there's not much opportunity to stretch those legs and work those muscles, and there's even less chance to have fun--but with doggie daycare, you don't have to worry about fitting walks in before or after school, and there's no need to have your dog in a crate every day. The pet care experts at professional daycare facilities know how to keep pets exercising and having fun, which is good news for you and your furry friend alike.
- Routine. Breaking summer routines can be difficult for kids, but it's even more difficult for dogs, who don't understand all of the confusion and excitement that comes with school-time. Establishing a new routine for your dog is important; doggie daycare can be a lifesaver here. Having a place to send your dog on a regular basis can mean the difference between torn-up pillows and wagging tails, simply because the regularity and reliability allow for peace of mind (for you) and less stress in adapting to new places (for your dog). The routine will help Fido settle into the flow of school time.
- Stress relief. Many dogs become stressed or unhappy when left alone for too long, and during school, this is a problem faced almost every day. Doggie daycare helps to alleviate and eliminate this stress by giving dogs a safe, familiar place to go where there are plenty of people ready to dish out attention and plenty of toys to play with.
Back-to-school doesn't have to mean back-to-the-crate. If you're looking for more information on doggie daycare, contact us today!
