I agree with Mike. Every Day i Rough Up Pup 5 month old Goran In other words Push him around a little and Give him a Few Tweaks and Pokes and slaps on the sides but only with my fingers not a full hand slap, only in play of course nothing to cause him distress or hurt him, and he takes it in his stride and thinks its great. Afterwards He gets a Hug and his Beloved Obly Ball.
A dog who is in Training with Schutzund will get a few Smacks with The Crop the Pakweker Carries, They do not hit them hard but they do give them a smack at times, If a Dog is not used to this he may give way when he recieves a Smack in these circumstances, as it is i have never seen a Dog take any notice of being smacked,

Day care - whether for kids or dogs - is a fact of life today. It can be a partial solution for those who don't have the luxury of flexible schedules, work at home situations, a stay at home parent/pack leader, etc.

But accept it for what it is - and isn't. I don't buy the, "But I spend quality time with my child/dog." Those who've been through raising kids and/or dogs know there's no substitute for a lot of your time.

Mike

 Quote: benjamin colbert

 Quote: susan tuck

As if any dog wants to spend it's day out of it's own territory without it's own pack (2 or 4 legged).

Have you ever been to a doggy daycare? I've worked at a few in my day and I couldn't disagree with you more. Now I probably wouldn't bring my dog because I want to have complete control over her environment and reinforcement but I met many a dog who absolutely loved coming to doggy day care and it allowed the owner who works 8-10 hours to let their high energy dog get some play time while their at work.

Yes I have been. They are money making schemes. Anyone who knows dogs knows they don't need to go to "day care" to be happy. Those that promote it take advantage of well meaning but anthropomorphic owners. Working 8-10 hours has nothing to do with it. Most people do work, but still manage to spend plenty of time with their high drive dogs as well as give it sufficient exercise. Why have a dog if you are too tired to do stuff with it every day?

I've observed two different day care facilities. In both cases large groups of dogs were standing or lying around. Very little interaction with staff and very little interaction with other dogs. It looked boring as hell.

 Quote: susan tuck

Why have a dog if you are too tired to do stuff with it every day?

Exactly.

Because most people who have dogs do not want to do stuff with them. They may want to walk them but even that might be stretch. Basically people just want to have a dog to keep them company after work. Not everyone is like us , doing some kind of activity at least once a day probably twice for many of us. But thats ok. Not every has to drill there dog in obedience to own one, it'd be nice but its not gonna happen.

And of course they're money making schemes but have you looked around? Leerbrug isn't non-profit. Like I said, they're not for me but I'm not gonna knock someone else for it.

I see nothing wrong with this guys program, and actually see a valid place for it. All of these things are exactly what I do to my puppies, including controlled interaction with children during which I ensure the puppy gets his ears and tail pulled (not hard enough for a yelp, but to get him used to it and see it's not a big deal) mouth touched and petted in general. This is not changed virtually at all with a Schutzhund puppy other than coaching the children not to make prey movements. I want all expreniences with children to be positive for my pup so that is imprinted in his mind for the rest of his life. Same goes with vet visits, grooming, and general handling. Most of us here can accomplish that ourselves and would shun the idea of having someone do it for us and spending a bunch of money for something this basic, but the fact of the matter is that many people are clueless in this world about how to raise, train, and socialize a well rounded dog. I would rather that they seek out help form this guy, and raise a dog that they will want in their home as opposed to turning in the dog to be killed at a shelter.

 Quote: benjamin colbert

And of course they're money making schemes but have you looked around? Leerbrug isn't non-profit. Like I said, they're not for me but I'm not gonna knock someone else for it.

Please don't put Leerburg in the same grouping as the "doggy day care" set. There is a big difference between someone offering valid goods & services and those who take advantage of stupid people. The "doggy day care" set know full well what they are doing is not advantageous to the dog, rather they are preying on the guilt feelings of people who don't understand what a dog needs or wants. Same thing with the vet.

Part of bonding with a new puppy is the socialization process. They aren't saving any dogs from ending up at the pound either. The people who will utilize this kind of service will never develop a good relationship with their dogs & will find another reason to get rid of them. Like when the dog no longer matches the decor.

Once again I couldn't disagree with you more.

The people who I dealt with, bringing dogs to day care, absolutely loved their animals. They wanted the absolute best for these dogs and to them it was allowing them to play outside with other dogs for a few hours a day a few times a week instead of spending the day in a crate.

There was no malice or scheme on the owners of the business's either. I truly don't understand where the intense dislike comes from. These people provide a service that others take advantage of. Its not a scam.

 Quote: Benjamin Colbert

The people who I dealt with, bringing dogs to day care, absolutely loved their animals. They wanted the absolute best for these dogs and to them it was allowing them to play outside with other dogs for a few hours a day a few times a week instead of spending the day in a crate.

That's my point. This is not what's best for the dogs. This might be what humans would like, but it's not whats best or normal for dogs. Dogs are territorial pack animals. They want to be with their pack & barring that at least be secure in their own territory. Dogs don't go outside of their own pack to make doggy friends & frolic outside of their territory in nature either.

It's pretty much one of the big reasons dog parks are stupid too.

I have sent my two dogs at doggy daycare with my dog trainers that they knew for a weekend when we went away and could not bring them and my parents were not home and it seemed to be fine since we new the people. My dad is home and makes sure that during the day they do have plenty of water and food they need and a some play time.

They both do get some exercise because of the dog next door, very small and cute, like a mini poodle, but when he comes out he barks to let drak and holly know he is out and they all run left and to the right all along the see through fence and they feel each others noses and smell each other and runs around excitengly and barking with each other so there is some running around for a bit there.