| It's a fact: North Americans love man's (and woman's) | | | | health of dogs. |
| best friend. Today, part of expressing that love means | | | | If you're a dog owner and/or lover yourself, the dog |
| making sure that the family canine is well cared for. | | | | daycare business is probably perfect for you. Dog |
| This is the main reason that dog daycares are one of | | | | daycare owners report a strong sense of satisfaction |
| the fastest-growing pet-related ventures. | | | | from not only being in business for themselves, but |
| According to the American Veterinary Medical | | | | also for what they are able to contribute to the lives of |
| Association, there are approximately 72 million dogs in | | | | the dogs they care for. |
| living in U.S. households. A significant number of these | | | | To start a dog daycare in your home, you'll need to |
| canines live in households where most or all of the | | | | focus on two main physical components: |
| human occupants are gone for extended periods of | | | | 1) An indoor dog shelter: Dog daycares need adequate |
| the day (six hours or more) five or more days per | | | | indoor space. You'll need to prepare separate kennel |
| week. This means that Fido and Fifi are often home | | | | spaces, enough for the maximum number of dogs that |
| alone for 20 or more hours every week. | | | | you'll be caring for at any one time. This is where dogs |
| Many dog lovers, particularly those whose owner(s) | | | | will be kept during meals and "doggy down time", or to |
| work full-time outside home, are concerned about the | | | | calm down overly aggressive dogs. |
| amount of time their dogs spend alone. They worry | | | | Kennels must be large enough not to be confining and |
| that their canines aren't getting the exercise, attention | | | | must be in a sheltered area. You can alter an |
| and socialization they need to thrive. | | | | outbuilding (like a shop) or barn to accommodate this. |
| Dogs, like children, can suffer psychologically when left | | | | Or you can build an entirely separate structure. Check |
| alone regularly for extended periods of time. They | | | | with your local Humane Society or SPCA chapter for |
| may experience attachment disorders or become | | | | recommendations on individual kennel size and other |
| anxious, overly aggressive or excessively afraid of | | | | details. |
| humans. | | | | 2) An outdoor play area. You need not necessarily |
| Sometimes, in an attempt to soothe their anxieties, | | | | have acreage. However, an outdoor play area should |
| dogs damage their owner's homes or possessions. | | | | be large enough for dogs to get a good run in. (If your |
| They may even regress physically and physiologically | | | | yard is smaller, you may want to consider taking only |
| (such as losing bowel and bladder control). All of these | | | | small-breed clients.) Your play area should be fenced in |
| problems create tension between pet and owner | | | | to ensure their safety. |
| which often serves only to worsen those problems. | | | | As already mentioned, you can get help, ideas and |
| It is for these reasons that dog owners decide to seek | | | | support at your local Humane Society or SPCA. You |
| out dog daycare for their pets. It provides canine | | | | should also check with your city to make sure that |
| lovers with peace of mind that their dogs are not only | | | | your dog daycare meets any eligibility and licensing |
| safe during their absence, but are also receiving the | | | | requirements. |
| love, care and attention that is so vital to the good | | | | |