Recently there have been rumors going around town that the Dept. of Agriculture has changed it's rules about dog daycare. This is not the case. Lucky Dog has always kept 1 person per 15 dogs in the groups as directed (and still directed) by the Dept. of Agriculture. We rotate our groups (as we always have) because it's the most natural way for dogs to play (see "Quality Play"). Lucky Dog has been rotating our dogs in their groups since 2007 because It's the right way to do it! We have never skimped on staffing for your dog's protection (see "How closely are our groups supervised?".). Sure, it costs us a lot in payroll, but we think your dog is worth it.

Lucky Dog Central was inspected by the Department of Agriculture on April 1, 2010. A quote from their report "Dogs are comingled with a supervisor for every 15 dogs. The facility is kept clean with good attention to detail."

Q: What if my dog comes in when his size group is resting?

A: He will be put into a resting area with his size group, and be brought out on the next rotation of his group. Remember, the groups rotate frequently so it is never long before another rotation. If your dog comes in when his size group is playing he will of course go directly to the play floor.

Q:  Where does my dog rest?

A: We have individual kennels for the resting dogs that does not face the group, but they can see each other. We offer a bowl of fresh water while the dog is resting. Many dogs won't drink adequately when they play even though we have fresh drinking water in the play area, available at all times. The resting periods should encourage these dogs to think about drinking more than before - this is a good thing. Dogs naturally prefer a place of their own (den) to rest, so individual resting kennels provide a much better alternative than resting dogs on a play floor (some daycares actually think this is a good thing!) Imagine how disturbing it is for a dog to try and rest with other dogs trotting all around him!

Q:What goes on during the weekends?

A: Each group gets at least two extended play periods in the morning and two in the afternoon/evening. We make sure everyone gets plenty of exercise.

Q: What about web cameras?

A: We've got super clear cameras so you can watch your dog play. Cameras are now an industry standard, and if a canine care facility does not have them, you should ask why. Our cameras were even voted 6th out of 10 in the world for live camera viewing by a popular magazine!

Q: How well are the dogs supervised?

A: According to the Dept. of Agriculture, daycares are required to have 1 dog guardian per 15 dogs in free roaming dog groups. Some places get around this rule by counting a front desk person as a supervisor, or counting a person cleaning kennels or performing other tasks as a supervisor. These employees are distracted, and not necessarily focusing on the dogs! Some places allow dogs to go outside with no supervisor, or have dogs behind solid barriers that cannot be seen through with supervisors outside the enclosures. This is not safe and is not in accordance with Dept of Agriculture regulations. At Lucky Dog our supervisors are in with the dogs at all times. Monitor the cameras of any canine facility to make sure your dog will be properly supervised BEFORE you chose that facility.

Q: What will happen if one of the dogs is causing problems in his size group?

A:  If we have a dog misbehaving he will be given a time out in one of the time out kennels. The difference between the rest cycle and a time out is very different. The time out only lasts for a minute or two, and then the dog is back on the play floor. Obviously, if we have a chronic trouble maker we speak to the dog's owner and advise him of some training options. We also work with our trainers to try to solve the small problems before they become big problems.   

Q:  Does my dog get enough excercise with the  play/rest cycles?

A:  Yes, and this cycle is more natural for the dogs. Dogs left to their own choices play and rest; they don't play all day long. Facilities boasting that the dogs never rest are actually calling attention to their own weakness - they don't have extra kennels to rest daycare dogs, OR they don't understand a dog's natural inclination. Also, there is more mental stimulation from the play/rest rotation activity. Mental stimulation equals a mentally exercised dog, and that produces more contentment that adds to his sense of well being!

A little story tells you why our way of daycare is best: