Starting up Doggie Day Care

dellytots

Hi Im looking for feedback. Im hoping to start Doggie Day Care in Wicklow (wicklow town/rathnew area just off the N11 somewhere)

Im looking to see what peoples views are on Doggie Day Care I know the ones in Dublin are excellent and very busy. But I dont know anyone who uses them regularly.

Nody

Well a few things come to mind based on other dog cares I've seen in Europe that you'd need to be able to answer.
First of all pick and delivery; are you willing to go around to do all the pick ups etc. or do you expect the owners to deliver the dogs to you? What time(s) are you going to do delivery/pick up or accept the pick up / delivery?
Secondly how are you going to deal with all the dogs?
Are they walked together (if so how do you assess their ability to be walked together)?
Fed at certain times with one food/multiple various foods?
How many people do you expect to have there working with you (which is also dependent on the number of dogs you have)?
What about insurance (for you, the dogs, third party etc.)?
What if a dog needs to be rushed to a vet (what's the procedure, which vet, how will the owner be informed, what needs to be rushed to vet and what can wait for the owner)?
What do you do when the weather is bad (rain, strong wind, storm, snow etc.)?
What route would you walk the dogs (same every day, different, what about who/whom they would meet?)?
What makes you qualified to take of the various dogs?
Are there any size limits (i.e. 2 large equal 3 medium sized)?
Are there any race limitations?
What shot(s) would you expect the dogs to have before they are allowed to come?

I could keep on going but that should give a starting point to questions you'd need to answer (remember you're taking "their baby" and keeping it all day and they want the best for their dog and may not be clued in on socilization etc. beforehand)

Whispered

Do you have any specific questions, or just views in general?

In general, a good idea, not for every dog and not for every person. I wouldn't even consider opening one without a lot of experience working in one (you may have, I'm just saying in general). It's a long day, so you'd need some staff too (otherwise you'd be doing a 12 hour day every day minimum, with no breaks). Hiring competent and trustworthy staff would be so important. A love of dogs is essential, but that on it's own isn't enough.

Good luck! Have you worked in a daycare before?

dellytots

Thanks for the feedback. Yes I've seen how daycare is run. I will have a unit with inside and outside space with easy access to the motorway so I will be expecting owners to drop their dogs off with me. I would be able to do the odd collection/drop off if needed. There is a vet very close to the unit Im thinking of so that wouldnt be an issue. I also know canine first aid and so will any staff working for me.

I am a very experienced dog owner/ dog handler. I have worked for a major dog charity in Dublin.

I'm really just looking for information from people who have had experiences (good or bad) with other day care facilities either in Ireland or abroad that could give some advice on what works and what doesnt day to day.

Also location wise it any one has any thoughts?...... I feel it is well needed in Wicklow as people travel from Wicklow/Wexford for work on a daily basis

Daisy185

dellytots wrote: »

Thanks for the feedback. Yes I've seen how daycare is run. I will have a unit with inside and outside space with easy access to the motorway so I will be expecting owners to drop their dogs off with me. I would be able to do the odd collection/drop off if needed. There is a vet very close to the unit Im thinking of so that wouldnt be an issue. I also know canine first aid and so will any staff working for me.

I am a very experienced dog owner/ dog handler. I have worked for a major dog charity in Dublin.

I'm really just looking for information from people who have had experiences (good or bad) with other day care facilities either in Ireland or abroad that could give some advice on what works and what doesnt day to day.

Also location wise it any one has any thoughts?...... I feel it is well needed in Wicklow as people travel from Wicklow/Wexford for work on a daily basis

Hi dellytots,

You have no idea how happy I am to hear this! Its a fantastic idea..

I have used the doggy day care in sandyford for my little pooch and I have always wished there was one closer. (i live in Wicklow town). Also it was so busy that some days I couldn't get her in!

I know plenty of people from my estate/friends who would be interested in this service, if it takes off I will certainly spread the word!

Also just bare in mind that most people using this service would be commuting to Dublin and surrounding areas so it could be 7.00/7.30 before they get back from work. Have you put much thought into your opening hours?

Also maybe a loyalty card to encourage/incentivise people to use the service regularly!

Please keep me posted!

meoklmrk91

Diversification is pretty important here, would you be willing to board clients dogs over night, what about getting a qualified trainer in to do classes, puppy socialisation classes, agility, obedience, also what about getting a groomer in a couple of times a week to groom the dogs at an extra cost obviously.

I think if you can offer a couple of services you have a good chance at being successful as someone who comes in for a training class may decide to send their dog to daycare, get the groomed, board them as its just easier to get all this at one place. I would definitely recommend the grooming to start out with, people will be able to drop their pets in the morning and come back to a freshly groomed, tired out, happy dog. It would be very convenient.

tk123

My dog goes to daycare so as a customer I want in a (perfect) daycare..

- Qualifications - I want people who have gone to the bother of getting qualifications and are undertaking on-going study to compliment their experience. 100 years experience is no use to me (not aiming this at you) if it's experience out dated methods/practices - apdt registered all the way.

- Facebook - I like photos/videos of my dog so I know he's happy/playing with the other dogs and not miserable or off by himself... I send my dog to daycare for socialization so it's for his benefit not mine - photos/videos put owners at ease. ...and while I'm at it real likes from real customers - not propaganda spamming sponsored ads (I'll stop there before I get myself in trouble!)

- Sleeping arrangements - I'd prefer an option of open plan where the dogs can crash out if they want and kennels/crates if they prefer them - I don't like the idea of my dog jumping up trying to look out of a window in kennel door for fear of him hurting himself and he thinks he can open all crates (he can actually open some) with his nose so hurts his nose trying to escape :rolleyes:

- Big/Small dogs together - I'm not sure what I think on this tbh. I have a retriever and he has some small friends who he plays with and is very gentle with but at the same time not all dogs are gentle like he is and I've passed smaller dogs at our daycare who've gone ballistic at him who clearly don't like bigger dogs... One of the reasons we started him at daycare was to help him work on his confidence after he'd been snapped at as a young puppy by a small terrier type dog...He was terrified of small dogs until he mixed with them at daycare. So on one hand there's the safety aspect - you'd need to be sure that if the dogs were mixed there'd be no injuries but on the other hand if the dogs are kept apart all the time they'll miss out on socialization with dogs of other sizes - I hope that makes sense?

- The floor - a non-slip floor is a must for me because my dog has had operations on his legs. Being honest I think this is a no-brainer - slippy floor and a big room for dogs to get up some speed up and run around is a cruicate injury waiting to happen imo

- People skills - you need to have staff with both people and dog skills who are happy to give advise to owners. If you don't have a perfect dog for whatever reasons personally speaking it can be stressful - it's great to have people who I can ask advise and put my mind at ease. It's also great to have staff know that my dog is afraid of certain things, they know his medical history etc etc

Thats all I can think of atm lol but ask away if there's anything you want more info on.

dellytots

Thanks for the response guys!!

@Daisy185: I love the loyalty card idea - I will use this!!
Opening hours yes I will aim to be open early 6.30-7am for people heading to Dublin and until 7-7.30pm. Also good to hear some local interest

@Meokimrk91: I have groomer,trainer, pet food friends I want to get involved

@tk123: All staff will be fully trained with people & dogs. There will be an option for dogs to stay with me over night (in my home not in the unit) Im big into the Facebook pics & updates. The floor covering maybe astro turf or the non slip stuff used in playgrounds.

Anymore suggestions keep them coming also open to any criticism it all helps I want it done right from the start

unclebill98

I currently use a day care.

What I find fantastic are,

All dogs play together
They are all assessed before a dog is allowed in
Pack walks
Vet on stand by
Pics and vids on FB without fail
All staff can take care of the dogs
Boarding available

What I don't like

Can be expensive and don't have deals. Loyalty card etc would be a great idea!
Thats really it.

They are a fantastic thing however for me I would not leave me dogs there if I did not trust the person looking after them. I would also not like different people looking after them everyday as I would expect the day care to inform me of issues my dog has and this is hard if its different people every day etc.

jsabina

I also bring my dog to day care, actually once a week.
I really love it, I know that he is in good care and he will play all day and be in company.
I like that they do a bit of training with the dogs.
I LOVE to see pictures and videos posted on facebook, I think it's very very important.

now that he is adult it is a bit expensive
it would be nice to have a sort of discount for people using the service regular basis and maybe using other services as well..

I will bring him to day care for sure until he is adolescent / adult because socialization for me is a must!

dellytots

Hi guys

I wanted to thank you for the feedback and let you know that we are now OPEN in Rathnew <snip>we offer day care, training and a shop

Edel

JustAThought

dellytots wrote: »

Hi guys

I wanted to thank you for the feedback and let you know that we are now OPEN in Rathnew we offer day care, training and a shop

Edel

Well - very best of luck with it : )

muddypaws

Wow, that was quick. Best of luck with it all.

Blogger50

Congratulations! Looks fantastic from the Facebook page. Now if only someone would open one in Kildare I would be delighted!

I was only fantasizing about doing this today when my contract runs out next year!

anniehoo

Whilst it killed me to snip your post Edel as I really hope your business does well, there is no self advertising allowed here.

I genuinely hope your doggie daycare does well and everyone is free to PM you if interested and comment subsequently on your service as long as they're not affiliated.

Thems the rules folks as harsh as they are

dellytots

Thanks everyone for the well wishes

(No worries it's totally fine. I was unsure exactly what I was allowed write I just wanted to put an "ending" on my post)