[ponyfarm]

Max is six months old now. My human kids have gone back to college. He has to stay in his crate during the day now.
I work three days a week.We take a 1/2 walk in the morning..he really is still tired at 5:30 am lol! I come home for lunch and play with him for about an hour of jolly ball and digging etc. Get home at 5 pm and play till 10 pm.

Today at lunch while I was getting his bone stuffed to put in his crate, he disappeared! He went and hid at the top of the stairs..he did not want to go in his crate. I felt terrible.

So, there is a day care that is gsd saavy, has good rubber flooring. Small groups. What do you all think? What experiences have you had? Or , should I just wait for Max to adjust to his new schedule? I sorta feel like he is in his most energetic phase,, at this age and I hate to coop him up, but don't want him screwed up either!

Thanks for any insight.

 

[ponyfarm]

Think I take doggy day care on a case by case basis. If I went and liked/trusted the staff, plus the dogs look healthy/happy and are managed by the staff then I would try it out. They are all different and some are much better than others with more qualified and knowledgable staff.

That said, I'd probably work more on fun time when I was home. Fun with me! So finding a wonderful place to go with my pup to train that we enjoy. Whether obedience, tracking, herding, agility, flyball, rally........... so many different choices.

Max and I do lots of fun stuff together! Every other Weds is our annual class, Thursday is obedience class and Friday is dock diving. Saturdays is hiking/socializing with friends.

The gal who owns the place I am considering is where Max does dock diving and obedience. She owns two gsd's herself out of Mike Diehls program, as is Max's dad. She is used to their rough-play!

I think I might sign him up for a half day and see how he does!

 

[ponyfarm]

I have mixed feelings about groups of strange dogs together. My personal experiences have not been good in a free run- pack environment.

IMO, since he's only 6 months, I would asume he would be playing with pups of similar age and temperament. As they get older, it may be a different story.

Just keep in mind, it could only take one fight to change your pup's temperament.
Ask me how I know this.

Be careful.
Get to know the staff.
See how many dogs.
Are they close in age?

Thanks! I decided against it! I got him the great dane sized crate and will just play hard, work hard on my days off. Hopefully he will adjust. I think I would just worry with someone else in charge of his well-being, if we did day-care. (OK, and I did stress about sending my kids to school..lol)