Adequate Exercise

Dogs of all ages benefit from regular exercise, but young dogs especially seem to have boundless energy. Even if you routinely take your dogs on long walks in the morning or when you get home from work, your dog may still have the energy to expend. Taking your dog to doggie daycare for all-day play can help your dog burn up some of that endless energy while both his body and mind are getting exercise!

Mental Stimulation

Physical exercise alone is usually not enough to keep your dog feeling (and behaving) his best. Your dog needs just as must mental stimulation as he does physical activity, and routine visits to his doggie daycare may provide just what he needs. New sights, new smells, and new friends to play with will help keep his mind engaged.

Socialization and Playtime

Dogs are social creatures by nature, needing constant attention and interaction in order to thrive. By spending time at doggie daycare not only will your pup get to play with his peers, but he will learn proper playstyles and improve how he interacts with other dogs, making public interactions in dog parks or on walks a more positive experience.

Peace of Mind

Doggie daycare isn’t just good for dogs – it’s good for their parents, too! If you are constantly worried about your dog while you’re away at work all day, or worry that you aren’t giving your dog the daily exercise that he needs, doggie daycare may help secure your peace of mind!

Behavior Benefits

Taking your dog to doggie daycare offers a plethora of behavioral benefits, making both yours and your dog’s life easier. Some of the behavior benefits of doggie daycare are:

• Calmer Behavior – a tired dog is a happy dog, and a dog that’s tired from both positive mental and physical stimulation is especially happy!
• More trainability – because your dog has a chance to expend all of that extra energy, he will likely be more focused and more obedient during your training sessions.
• Better dog interactions – consistent exposure to other dogs at doggie daycare will help your dog associate interactions with other dogs as a positive experience. This makes your walks or encounters with new dogs at the dog park less stressful.
• Decreased separation anxiety – if your pup suffers from separation anxiety, doggie daycare may be just the ticket to helping him overcome his fear! Attending doggie daycare will help your dog associate his time away from you like fun and worry-free, lessening his separation anxiety over time. For pet parents of dogs with separation anxiety, knowing that your dog is supervised, and not home alone being destructive, can alleviate your own anxiety as well.

Is My Dog a Candidate for Doggie Daycare?

Most, but not all, dogs are candidates for doggie daycare. If your dog is non-aggressive, not sick, and not injured, chances are your dog will be a great fit for daycare. If you have an elderly dog that is in less than stable condition, a dog who is recovering from an illness or surgery, or a dog who has a history of aggression, doggie daycare may not be for you.

Dogs of all kinds can benefit from doggie daycare. If you’ve got an active, healthy, energetic pup that you think would benefit from all-day play with his friends, consider taking your dog to doggie daycare!

Dog daycare average cost &  contrast with other dog sitting services

If you are near Philadelphia, PA, then the average half-day cost is $22 versus the full day cost of $32. Take a look at the article Doggy Daycare Cost: Prices In Philadelphia, PA for a detailed list of dog daycare costs and requirements.

If you are unsure if doggy daycare is the service you need, then take a look at Definitions of Dog Walking, Pet Sitting & Pet Boarding to get a better understanding of all available pet services.

Note: Article contributed by Abi Pennavaria (dog and pet writer).

Abi Pennavaria is a dog mom, avid veterinary volunteer, and co-author of Saved By The Bark blog. She enjoys sharing tips and tricks for dog owners of all breeds.

The post Dog Daycare: Benefits of Taking Your Pup to Doggie Daycare appeared first on Fairmount Pet Service.

There are 22 companies that offer doggy daycare in Philadelphia with centers in 13 zip codes. I list the dog daycare prices for each at the basic half and full-day packages.

All offer full-day packages and 10 of them offer half daycare. There are discounts for how many days you need per month. I mention those breakpoints below, as well as requirements and daycare center amenities.

There are added costs if you are late picking up your dog so try not to be late. The late fees can add up quickly.

Dog Daycare prices and discounts (as of 9/4/19)

The prices are split into either full-day or half-day. The most common daycare center times are approximately 7 am to 7 pm which is considered “full day”. Half-day is typically for 5 hours. Pick up and drop off times vary so check with each company for details.

There are discounts for different “packages”. The packages are just the number of days which tend to be in 5, 10 or 20-day increments. So a 20-day package will be the cheapest dog daycare price, The most expensive would be the single day rate which are the prices that I list below.

Here are the dog daycare rates for each company listed in ascending zip code order:

Zip code 19103
Dog School: The full-day dog daycare price is $34 with discounts for 5, 10 or 20-day packages.

19106
The Ruff Life:: The half-day dog daycare price is $25 with a 10-day discount. The full-day daycare price is $35 also with a 10-day package discount.

19121
Andrew’s Pack: The full-day price is $32.

19123
Dog School: The full-day price is $34 with discounts for 5, 10 or 20-day packages.
The Towne Barker: The half-day dog daycare price is $18 with a 5-day discount. The full-day daycare price is $28 also with a 5-day package discount.

19125
Park Bench Philly: The full-day price is $30 with discounts for 5, 10 or 20-day packages.
The Groove Hound: The full-day price is $30 with discounts for 10 or 20-day packages.

19127
Scallywags: The half-day dog daycare price is $20. The full-day daycare price is $30 with a 10 or 20-day package discount.

19130
Dog School: The full-day dog daycare price is $34 with discounts for 5, 10 or 20-day packages.

19144
Just 4 Paws: The half-day dog daycare price is $20 with discounts for 10 or 30-day packages. The full-day daycare price is $30 with a 5, 10 or 20-day package discount.

19145
Bark Park: The half-day dog daycare price is $27. The full-day daycare price is $34 with a 5 or 10-day package discount.
The Philly Pack: The full-day daycare price is $40 with a 5-day package discount.

19146
Dog School: The full-day dog daycare price is $34 with discounts for 5, 10 or 20-day packages.
Central Bark: The full-day dog daycare price is $38 with discounts for 10 or 20-day packages.
Groom & Board: The full-day dog daycare price is $32 with discounts for 5, 10 or 20-day packages.
ZDogWalkers: The full-day dog daycare price is $30.

19147
Barkadelphia: The half-day dog daycare price is $25. The full-day dog daycare price is $34 with discounts for 5, 10 or 20-day packages.
For Paws Philly: The full–day dog daycare price is $25.
Pant Dog Center: The half-day dog daycare price is $25. The full-day dog daycare price is $40 with discounts for 4 or 10-day packages.
The Pit Stop: The full–day dog daycare price is $35 with discounts for 5, 10 or 20-day packages.

19148
Phila Paws & Claws: The half-day dog daycare price is $25. The full-day dog daycare price is $30.

19154
Camp Bow Wow: The half-day dog daycare price is $21 with discounts for 10 or 20-day packages. The full-day daycare price is $28 with a 10 or 20-day package discount.

Disclaimer: I am not endorsing any of the pet businesses listed on this page. I do not personally know any of the owners. This is simply a listing of dog daycare prices that I compiled for people needing that service.

Common Dog Daycare Requirements

Make sure you have all your paperwork for your dog from your vet. You need to show proof of up to date vaccines for rabies, distemper, and bordetella. I’m sure those can be emailed to them by your vet.

Also, all dogs must have treatment for heartworm and flea & tick, though I’m not sure how you can prove that. Proof of spaying or neutering is often required as well.

Your dog will also have to have a behavior or temperament assessment. This will involve a quick walk test and a dog pack meet and greet. They have to make sure your dog can be social with other dogs.

You will not be accepted if your dog shows aggression. so keep that in mind.

Common Dog Daycare Center Amenities and Activities

Your dog will be walked 1-3 times per day. Probably once for half-day packages, and at least two for the full day. And of course, water is provided.

Some of the amenities to look for are separate play areas with climate control and a free roam area. Some centers have webcams and rubberized floors. I also noticed some of the centers mentioning the ability to separate dogs by size, age, and energy level.

Additional Pet Service Rates

I have an article on the rates and cost for every type of pet service. The article is called Pet Service Rates but it also includes other subjects like Philly dog parks, pet-friendly hotels, 24-hour emergency vets, and adoption locations. Check it out if you are interested in other pet services located in the city.

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