Pet owners turning to day care

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

News 14 - By: Dr. Tom Watson, News 14 Carolina

One of the hottest trends in the pet industry has been luxury boarding and doggy day care. J.P. Brewer owns and operates a boarding and day care facility, and had some comments on why it has become so popular.

"The whole concept behind doggy day care really goes back to the owners," Brewer said. "Nowadays, owners are working more hours. So by the time the dogs are staying home all day and the owners get home late at night, the owners are usually very tired from working all day."

Brewer said that the day care keeps dogs and owners happier. After a long day of work, owners can sometimes be aggravated by a hyper pet that is ready to play. And it is hard on the dog when he does not get adequate playtime.

"So the whole concept of them being at day care all day (is that ) they are playing," she said. "So when the owners come pick them up, they are literally falling asleep in the car on the way home.

"It is a wonderful thing because the owner doesn't have to worry about the dog having all this kept up energy that they usually have when they are crated all day at home."

Another important reason for doggy day care seems to be socialization of dogs.

"The exercise is extremely important, but the socialization probably ranks right up there with it," Brewer said. "When dogs aren't socialized or interact with other dogs, when the owners try to take them out in the environment, being a pet store or a doggy park, sometimes the dogs don't know how to interact with other dogs.

"So it is very important to put them in play groups that they are comfortable with being by size and temperament, and get them used to playing with other dogs. And it makes them more of a well-rounded and a very confident dog."