Canine companions are generally a much-loved member of any household, but life is busy and sometimes it can be difficult to give your dog the attention and stimulation they crave - particularly if you’re working full-time or have family commitments.

Doggy daycare providers are an increasingly popular option with owners who want to provide their dog with some short-term care, company and fun while they take a break. Doggy daycare gives the dog the chance to socialise and get some exercise in a safe and supportive environment with dedicated carers and other dogs. There are a range of daycare centres out there offering fun activities for dogs, and it's worth doing some homework online to find the perfect fit for your family.

Choosing your daycare provider – do your due diligence!

If you're thinking about finding a daycare centre for your dog, you should first consider whether daycare is the right fit for his or her personality. Your dog will be socialising with other animals for a relatively long period of time, and while shy dogs can gain confidence, a dog that is aggressive or highly anxious may not be ready. Make sure your dog's vaccinations are up-to-date: it's very common for daycare centres to insist that dogs are vaccinated, to reduce the risk of illness spreading, and also common for centres to insist dogs are desexed (particularly females).

Do you have a young puppy, a dog with special needs, or an elderly dog? If so, you might also need to factor their age or health condition into your decision. Many daycare centres will only accept dogs over 16- 18 weeks, though others do have special facilities available for younger puppies. Elderly dogs might struggle if they are kept in a group with overenthusiastic teenagers, but there are some daycare centres that make special accommodations for senior dogs, dogs with disabilities and dogs recovering from operations, for instance by providing them with a quieter atmosphere and their own space.

Fortunately, most providers also recognise the importance of compatibility when it comes to dogs: it's not uncommon for large daycare centres to put similar personalities together so they feel more at ease. Some daycare centres focus on specific breeds of dog, or divide dogs into groups by size, so very small dogs aren't playing with larger ones. If you can, it's good to do some research into how many other dogs your pet will be interacting with, to give you an idea of how they will fit in.

Finally take a look at the programme of your centre: it's important that your dog gets some exercise and entertainment, but dogs that receive too much stimulation due to very intense daycare programmes may return home dog-tired! If you want to be able to walk or play with your dog when you return from work this may be something you need to consider.

When you have a list of potential options, it's time to check out you preferred daycare centres by taking your pet for a visit. With most providers this is compulsory before you enrol, as they also want to get to know you and your dog and make sure his or her behaviour and personality are compatible with their programme.

This is also a great chance to check that you feel completely comfortable leaving your dog with the daycare provider, and that you're happy with the way they communicate with you. Don't be afraid to speak up if you have any questions or concerns - and remember your pets rely on you to make the best decisions for their welfare.

New Zealand has rules in place for any operation involving animals: the relevant legislation is Animal Welfare Act 1999 and associated regulations, the Code of Welfare for Dogs (October 2018) and the Code for Temporary Housing of Companion Animals (October 2018). Your daycare provider should be compliant with these codes.

Shopping around

In Auckland, there are many choices available, including the SPCA Doggy Daycare, based in Hobsonville, and the award-winning DogHQ. Other popular options include The Dog Den, which provides a safe space for dogs to socialise (divided into groups by personality), grooming and boarding services.

Barkley Manor is another doggy daycare provider which divides dogs up into Hogwarts-style houses, based on personality type! This centre offers a range of services, including a puppy nursery and outings such as forest walks. Yet another provider, Urban Dogs, offers a swimming group in addition to daycare and other services.

If you’re Wellington-based, Nose2Tail and Waglands Dogs are high-ranking choices: there are also a number of providers in the city catering to smaller or toy breeds. In Christchurch, Kuri and K9 Kindy are popular providers.

There are also businesses that are not traditional daycare centres, but provide options to keep your dog safe and entertained. For example in Dunedin Pack of Paws runs a variety of services ranging from walks and mobile daycare to pet sitting and brief checks at your home when you’re away. Fetch Dog Walking provides both a dog walking service and farm stays in the Auckland region.

If you only need a short break during the day, or if your dog is a real homebody, getting a pet sitter or a dog walker might be an option to look into: this way you also don’t need to worry about transport costs or the logistics of getting your dog to daycare (some, but not all, daycare providers do include a "taxi" service). Check out Pawshake: this site connects you to a verified pet sitter, in your area, who can offer services including personalised daycare in your home, or a site such as Petsitters NZ.

Expense and risks

For as little as $30 or $40 your dog can have a fun day out at a doggy daycare centre. However if you want daycare to be a regular event in your dog's life, it pays to compare prices and make sure you’re getting the best value for money. Most businesses have a detailed price list on their website. Some providers might offer a pass, for instance for five days of doggy daycare which can be used in a specified period of time, starting at about $180 - $200. Monthly rates, where a dog can attend once a week for a month, begin around the $160 price range.

Pet sitters charge their own rates which may vary: as an example, on the Petsitters NZ website, dog sitting services begin at $26 for a 35-minute visit, including a walk and feed.

There are certainly some benefits when it comes to doggy daycare, including more socialisation for your dog: but unfortunately when you leave your dog at a doggy daycare you are also accepting a level of risk that comes from having a group of dogs together in one place. One of the benefits of having pet insurance in this situation is you will be covered if something happens to your dog, such as an injury from a fight or an illness, and he or she needs veterinary care. Take a careful look at your contract before you enrol your pet and make sure you understand all the terms and conditions, including what you are liable for, if your dog causes any damage.

In general, pet insurance policies range from about $52 to $87 per month, a fraction of the costs of doggy daycare and could save you from expensive bills, depending on your breed of dog, their age, gender, and what level of cover you want. If you are interested in knowing more about pet insurance, check out Quashed’s guide here, and this background article on pet insurance. If you're interested in other aspects of dog ownership, take a look at our article on Everything you need to know about owning a dog.

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