Dog daycare - anyone used 'Happy Irish Dogs' in Bray?

kaykew

Hello all
I wonder have any of you ever used a dog daycare service called Happy Irish Dogs based in the old Industrial Yarns Complex in Bray, Co. Wicklow? They seem to be a lot cheaper than any other similar services I have come across (e.g. 75 euros for a 5 day week as compared with 110 euros or more elsewhere). I am concerned that when you leave your dog in a center like this and the door shuts behind you there is really no way of knowing how the dogs are actually being treated during the day. I know from work experience in the past in a well known dog kennels, that what the public are allowed to see may be quite different to the reality for the dogs that are left there. Thanks.

cocker5

kaykew wrote: »

Hello all
I wonder have any of you ever used a dog daycare service called Happy Irish Dogs based in the old Industrial Yarns Complex in Bray, Co. Wicklow? They seem to be a lot cheaper than any other similar services I have come across (e.g. 75 euros for a 5 day week as compared with 110 euros or more elsewhere). I am concerned that when you leave your dog in a center like this and the door shuts behind you there is really no way of knowing how the dogs are actually being treated during the day. I know from work experience in the past in a well known dog kennels, that what the public are allowed to see may be quite different to the reality for the dogs that are left there. Thanks.

Yes I have used them a few times when I knew we were going to be busy and our dog would be home alone for extended hours – more than normal.

Sambor is the guy’s name who runs it… he charges €20 per day (slightly less the more you go)..
Looks if im honest I’d say is VERY dark inside, little or no light, no ventilation / windows whatsoever… it’s like an empty warehouse etc, now it is clean (i.e. no poo’s) BUT the smell of dog is VERY VERY strong when you go in etc… maybe dogs are cool with that but TBH that’s what put me off the place.
Anytime my dog has been there he comes back REEKING.

To be honest when I compare it to other place i.e. The doggie Lodge (too far down for me)… positive dog training (too far up for me), it’s not up to scratch but that’s just me… I only ever use it when I have to.

Have you called in for a look?

kaykew

Thanks Cocker5. That is useful information. No I haven't been down to visit yet, but when I was talking to them on the phone there seemed to be quite a lot of very loud barking going on and it sounded as if they were in a sort of warehouse, judging by the very 'echoey' sound. The last thing I want is for my dog to develop behaviour issues due to inadequate supervision/stressful surroundings etc. Your comment about your dog coming back reeking rings alarm bells for me. Where abouts is the doggie lodge? Have you used them and if so, could you give me a bit more information please? Thanks.

cocker5

kaykew wrote: »

Thanks Cocker5. That is useful information. No I haven't been down to visit yet, but when I was talking to them on the phone there seemed to be quite a lot of very loud barking going on and it sounded as if they were in a sort of warehouse, judging by the very 'echoey' sound. The last thing I want is for my dog to develop behaviour issues due to inadequate supervision/stressful surroundings etc. Your comment about your dog coming back reeking rings alarm bells for me. Where abouts is the doggie lodge? Have you used them and if so, could you give me a bit more information please? Thanks.

Now in fairness my dog went there one day per week for around 6 weeks then the odd day here and there and he doesn't have any behavioural issues.... there is always someone in the area at all times with the dogs so they are not left alone etc... for me its just the smell, no ventilation etc.. darkness thats what put me off. i suppose you will always have the barking element...

The doggie Lodge is in Rathnew.

http://thedoggielodge.ie/

Milk_Tray

PDT Sandyford is 10/10. My dog is shattered after the day and they really look after them well, good supervision and give you updates on how the dog was. MY dog nearly bursts through the door to get into the place and hates leaving lol

aonb

Milk_Tray wrote: »

PDT Sandyford is 10/10. My dog is shattered after the day and they really look after them well, good supervision and give you updates on how the dog was. MY dog nearly bursts through the door to get into the place and hates leaving lol

Best recommendation you could ask for!!!

Milk_Tray

aonb wrote: »

Best recommendation you could ask for!!!

And worth the extra few euro! It gives me piece and quiet too when she's home and collapses asleep They are so friendly in there though and I visited loads of places too before booking in

sillysmiles

I don't know the place, but just on the smell, what bothers us, may not bother a dog. But I suppose it would depend on whether the other dogs are giving out stressed smells or happy smells.

tk123

Milk_Tray wrote: »

MY dog nearly bursts through the door to get into the place and hates leaving lol

My two are the same love love love PDT. Daycare isn't doable for us (and they don't need it) but we've done classes and workshops there. And the staff are fantastic. They did go to daycare elsewhere - I've been working near where it used to be for 4 years now and it was only in Dec just gone that Bailey didn't cry and get upset when we passed the old place thinking I was leaving them there. BIG BIG regrets there for leaving him in that place.

One thing to remember is that not every dog is suitable for daycare and not every daycare would be suitable for every dog.

Bailey for example can't be caged so I'd never leave him in a kennel or daycare that cages them ever again after he was injured and just too stressed. Lucy would just pass out for a nap and not care! Are the dogs separated by size/age is another thing to consider too. My dog's favourite game is to crush each other - one lies down and the other get's stuck in with their shoulder then they switch - a smaller dog could get hurt or afraid there so out and about I'd ready to step in if I thought their play wasn't suitable towards another dog. Luckily they normally just lie down with a smaller dog and let them jump all over them lol

And another thing to be mindful of is bullies or pushy dogs.. who can thrive on being over stimulated in daycare. I'd grown unsatisfied by the level of care in the place I used to use but either way no way was Lucy staying there past 6 months when she'd graduate over to the bigger/older dog's side - one of the dogs nearly took her face off one day in the carpark and I didn't trust him around her. Now Bailey had been going there a few years and it made me wonder if that dog was like that with him too? Funnily enough a friend's dog was expelled for snapping at that same dog telling him to FO!

MadamRazz

We looked at the Happy Irish Dogs place to leave our dog once or twice a week. When we brought her in for an assessment and for us to have a look, I was not impressed at all. As previously said, it was very dark inside and no ventiliation. I also wasnt impressed with the man who met us. He just stood and glared at our dog. I know he was trying to be domineering alpha but seeing someone push a dog just for barking is a big no no.
Have you looked at Kings Kennels? Theyre fantastic.

I did work experience in Happy Irish Dogs in Bray! The dogs are happy alright! And it is clean. Sam is very good with the dogs though he himself might seem a bit standoffish, it's just how he is, he's a nice guy - just quiet. He takes some of the dogs on small walks during the day. He's invested in his regular clients and will spend extra time on helping the shier dogs integrate, knows the troublemakers and works towards sorting their problems. My job was basically playing with the dogs and cleaning up after them (cleaned up as it happens). I was able to teach one dog to retrieve a ball in the space of an afternoon as she was very keen to play.

I also did work experience in the Canine Centre in Churchtown, if this is an option for you either. They are the only two I can comment on personally. I would choose the Canine Centre over Happy Irish Dogs for my own dog if I could, but for proximity I would give Happy Irish Dogs the thumbs up from me.

kaykew

Lots of interesting information there - thanks everyone. I am bringing my dogs to The Doggie Lodge in Rathnew tomorrow for a 2 hour assessment. That alone seems like a very good start to me. It is really important to me to know that all dogs there have been thoroughly vetted to check that they are really well socialised etc. Also the video clips I looked at on their website look promising. Rathnew is also very convenient to where I am working, so that's another point in its favour. Let's hope my dogs pass the assessment!

kaykew

Just an update on The Doggie Lodge- my two dogs passed the assessment and have spent a good few days in the Doggie Lodge since. I have to say I am really very happy with the service provided and I am pretty particular about this kind of thing!! The key element is that all the dogs are so thoroughly assessed so that all the dogs there are able to interact with one another in a friendly, well adjusted way!! Also the fact that every day, loads of photos are available for viewing to show what the dogs were up to during the day is worth a huge amount. I am so relieved to have found a place where I can leave my two dogs during the day and where they can spend time, indoors and outdoors, interacting with other dogs, while being properly supervised by the staff of the Doggie Lodge. Congratulations to Adele and Thomas for setting up a really good dog daycare centre. It suits me and my dogs perfectly as it's only a couple of minutes off my route to work in Wicklow Town every day. Thanks again Cocker5 for letting me know about it!

cocker5

kaykew wrote: »

Just an update on The Doggie Lodge- my two dogs passed the assessment and have spent a good few days in the Doggie Lodge since. I have to say I am really very happy with the service provided and I am pretty particular about this kind of thing!! The key element is that all the dogs are so thoroughly assessed so that all the dogs there are able to interact with one another in a friendly, well adjusted way!! Also the fact that every day, loads of photos are available for viewing to show what the dogs were up to during the day is worth a huge amount. I am so relieved to have found a place where I can leave my two dogs during the day and where they can spend time, indoors and outdoors, interacting with other dogs, while being properly supervised by the staff of the Doggie Lodge. Congratulations to Adele and Thomas for setting up a really good dog daycare centre. It suits me and my dogs perfectly as it's only a couple of minutes off my route to work in Wicklow Town every day. Thanks again Cocker5 for letting me know about it!

Great to hear!! Would love to use it myself but wrong way on the n11 for me !!

Delighted it worked out well!! X