HIGHLAND, Mich., Sept. 9, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Roadside Veterinary Clinic in Highland obedience trainer Patty Hinson is raising awareness about the benefits of doggie daycare for pets. According to Patty, many dogs that are left alone for extended periods during the day can become bored, destructive or depressed. Dogs may damage furniture or simply have too much energy to rest at night. Patty Hinson recommends doggie daycare as an alternative to crating a dog or relying on a dog walker. Benefits of doggie daycare include socialization activities for shy or aggressive dogs and an active, stimulating environment for energetic dogs.
Active, shy or aggressive dogs may benefit from the supervised socialization and activities offered by doggie daycare. Highland veterinarian Dr. Carol Pajak and Obedience Trainer Patty Hinson are educating dog owners about the benefits of doggie daycare.
Our animal hospital, Roadside Veterinary Clinic, offers both doggie daycare as well as feline and canine boarding for Highland and surrounding areas.
"Dogs are pack animals by nature," said Patty Hinson. "Long hours alone in a crate can cause dogs to become bored and depressed. In today's world, dogs are rarely able to spend time with 'the pack.' Consequently, a dog may become fearful of other dogs or overly aggressive. Supervised pack building activities at daycare help dogs socialize in a safe and controlled environment."
Dogs that are left alone for long periods of time while owners are at work may benefit from regular doggie daycare. According to the obedience trainer, some dogs come five days a week, while others come just once or twice.
"Even attending once a week can make a big difference for a dog's behavior and temperament," said Patty.
When selecting a doggie daycare program, Patty recommends that pet owners chose one that is run in conjunction with an animal hospital. Having a veterinarian nearby or on-call ensures that in the event of a veterinary emergency, help is only a few steps away.
The doggie daycare should also have a procedure in place for observing a new dog and introducing it to the other dogs. For example, some daycare centers will require a trial visit prior to a dog's formal acceptance. This lets the staff evaluate the dog's needs and determine how best to help dogs that are aggressive, shy, or highly energetic.
"At our daycare center, we have separate groups for dogs with different sizes and energy levels," said Patty. "Our staff is trained to safely integrate new dogs into the group and help shy or aggressive dogs be friendly with the other animals. We lead pack building games and alternate periods of stimulation with downtime. This keeps dogs engaged and active."
In addition to doggie daycare, the animal hospital also offers obedience classes, boarding and preventative veterinary services. Dogs that are dropped off for daycare or boarding may also receive other pet care services during visits.