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Post by alfiemummy on Sept 30, 2015 9:31:36 GMT
It wouldn't be a service I would need or use. I am a self employed dog walker so I can take my dog with me if I want to or check in on him at home regularly. He isn't the kind of dog that likes to mix and play with other dogs lots, he prefers to keep out of the way of all that so I don't think he would enjoy himself. If I was to use a pet care service I would prefer that he had one to one attention with a dog walker or sitter.
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Post by smilesbetter on Sept 30, 2015 11:51:40 GMT
My dog would probably love this but where I live (and the dog walker I used back home who did groups of dogs, AND the dog kennels back home that does daycare) group dog walkers take the dogs out no matter the weather. There are a few indoor ones I've heard of back home but I wouldn't use one. Plus I'd take Rosa out to the dog park no matter the weather (well, except thunder and lightning haha). If I was going to send her to day care (which I have a couple times when her favourite human wasn't able to take her) I'd send her to an outdoors one as outdoors she can sniff and explore and if there's a dog she doesn't like she can easily avoid it, plus with an indoors one I'd be worried about digs getting territorial. Actually when I was in Hannover recently we needed to put her into daycare and the first one we phoned turned out to be an indoor one and they said she'd have to come for a session the day before because they needed to see if she'd fit in with their packs dynamic apparently. We decided not to go with them in the end.
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Hi guys
Sept 30, 2015 16:53:34 GMT
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Post by Roo on Sept 30, 2015 16:53:34 GMT
I wouldn't use it personally. I think you would struggle in the UK with such a service as even in our cities, there are plenty of green and open spaces nearby.
I personally feel that dogs need to have the outdoors. Our previous dogs were show dogs and used to be outside in all weathers despite taking around 2 days to dry out fully; we couldn't believe that some owners of the same breed would exercise them via a treadmill. Don't get me wrong, treadmills can be great for dogs; especially high-energy breeds - I have seen a lot of owners with huskies and similar breeds 'top-up' their dogs' exercise with a treadmill a few times a week.
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Deleted
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Hi guys
Sept 30, 2015 23:16:40 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2015 23:16:40 GMT
Thanks for your input guys. Well luckily the property i have found has a large outside space and is close to some stunning parks so a nice long walk every day would be a must anyway. There are a few day cares in action around 7 miles away that are doing amazing business wise.
Thank you all for your input i appreciate it.
I agree Roo some of the show scene can go for the easy option when sometimes a good walk can do the trick.
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Post by smilesbetter on Oct 1, 2015 9:38:47 GMT
@danes2006 if there are other day cares so close will that not mean that all your potential clients already go to them? Are you not better having your business somewhere that doesn't already have such close competition?
Also are you aware of all the legal side of this and also what insurances you will need? Is the property you have found actually allowed to be used for this kind of thing, and how will the neighbours react to suddenly having a bunch of barking dogs next door to them? I love dogs but I would not be chuffed if a dog daycare opened up next door to me haha, they can be super loud! Also are you able to employ people so that the dogs are never left on their own (for example if you need to go to the loo).
And what is your criteria for letting dogs come to your day care? Have you got an idea for how to prevent fights and what to do if a fight occurs (which I'm sure will happen at some point, especially if there are toys and things there)? What will you do if a dog or if many dogs need to be fed while they are there, will you be able to separate them to feed them (again, you will need at least one other staff member for this to make sure there is someone with the dogs at all times)? What if a dog is injured and needs to go to the vet?
How many dogs will be the maximum you can accept? What will you do if there is a couple of dogs who really don't get on with each other or who are causing a major issue with one another, will there be any way to separate them until their owners can collect them, whilst also ensuring that the dogs are still having a good time and aren't simply being shut in a room on their own for the whole time?
What will happen if a dog dies under your care? And also how will you minimise this risk? How can you ensure that the areas the dogs are allowed in are as hazard free as possible?
How will you prevent disease? Will you clean all the toys and all the areas the dogs are allowed into at the end of each day's? Are you willing to pick up the poops of all those dogs haha? Also the dogs peeing in the outdoor bit will probably kill off the grass, can you split up the area so that the grass has a chance to recover (ie dog rotation, haha) or are you okay with the fact that the outdoor area will likely just turn into a big muddy or sandy area with no grass whatsoever. That's what the dog parks here are like haha and they are really big but there is virtually no grass in them at all, they are just big sandy/muddy pits full of dogs haha.
Are you able to deal with the financial accounting and taxes? They are a depressingly boring side of running any business. How much can you get away with charging per dog? Will you be able to make enough to pay all your expenses and make this a viable business? Have you got a business plan?
Just a few things for you to think about before opening a business like this, as I know of people who have done this kind of thing and failed to think about all of this stuff which is so important. This kind of business is extremely hard work and really if you are opening it simply because you love dogs and think it will be fun then you will get quite a shock haha.
Good luck to you anyway but please take these points into consideration, even if you think you've thought of everything, have a look through and make sure you have a good answer for them all before starting this business.
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Post by smilesbetter on Oct 1, 2015 12:31:14 GMT
Also just thought of another thing, will the dogs have constant access to the outdoors (and therefore also someone monitoring the outdoor area)? I would worry about leaving my dog with a predominantly indoor day care as I'd worry she'd end up either bursting for the loo and getting a urine infection, or going to the toilet indoors and then learning that it's okay to go to the toilet indoors. I spent a lot of time training her to only go outside after all.
Also would you be heating the place in winter? You'd have to take care not to allow any dogs to over heat.
If you plan on taking the dogs for walks elsewhere you will need to get a properly knitted out van. I have seen a few examples of vans owned by dog walkers for transporting multiple dogs, from ones with lots of cages to ones where the dogs are all wearing dog harnesses and are plugged into the seatbelt thingy but are still right next to each other (in that one, there were three dog walkers working for the company who went to the same place to walk but in different directions, and they allocated dogs based on which dogs went well together etc, so no problems arose in the car the times I went with them plus they had done training with the dogs for travelling in the car together). Not sure which type I prefer, if I had a car myself I'd prefer Rosa to wear a specially made harness and be clipped into the seatbelt thing, however with multiple dogs there is the risk of the driver being distracted and a crash happening, so maybe the cages are better. In any case even if you aren't going to be doing dog walking, you should try to have at least one member of staff on site with a drivers licence at all times so that if there is a need to take a dog to a vets they can be quickly driven there. Also, make sure that the car is knitted out for that.
All your staff should have first aid training both for humans and dogs, and you should have a first aid kit for humans and one for dogs, plus you would be advised to keep a few different sizes of muzzles in case of an emergency either to prevent dog fights or if a dog is injured as an injured dog is much more likely to bite a handler and I think it's always much safer just to muzzle an injured dog if possible before attempting to perform first aid. Even if you know and trust the dog, when it is scared and in pain it is best to be on the safe side. You will also need a plan for if a dog or multiple dogs are injured so that you can get the other dogs out of the way (and still supervised) to prevent any further damage or any fights breaking out.
I know maybe this lot sounds OTT but when starting a business you need to think of all the risks and how you can deal with them. Especially when dogs are involved as there is really so much that can go wrong and you need to be able to deal with that. Customers will feel much better leaving their dog with you if they can trust you and know that you have thought about this stuff and have a plan. Dogs can be unpredictable and it would be your job to make allowances for that and prepare as much as you can.
When I was looking for a daycare for Rosa for a day while I was in Scotland, I came across one in my area where the lady had been fined for animal cruelty (still running her business though...) as an animal had died due to her negligence. If you have a good team of staff who know exactly what to do in an emergency situation then you can minimise the chance of that happening, and if unfortunately it does happen then you can at least say that you and your team did everything in your power to stop it happening (because sometimes this could happen completely unfortunately).
Also that has made me think of another thing, you will need to have a solid plan for what to do if a fire or something happens in your building. How will you get all the staff and all the dogs out safely? You can't just open the front door and send them all out onto the street, and likewise chucking them all out to the garden might not actually get them out of danger if it leaves them trapped behind a burning building. How will you make sure you've got all the dogs out, and what will you do if any get trapped within the building (and you absolutely cannot then run into the building and endanger your own life, and your staff must not do this either). How will you round up all the dogs and will you be able to access leads or anything outdoors to get them under control?
Also will dogs be allowed to wear collars and harnesses or things in the daycare? I take off my dogs collar when we go to the dog park as a lot of dogs grab collars and drag other dogs around (it happened to mines a few times as a puppy and I see it actually a lot at the dog park). She is microchipped btw. Also some dogs will presumably come in jackets or dog clothes, you may wanna have customers agree that it's not your fault if those get damaged, which they may well do.
You will probably wanna get customers to sign a contract when they put their dog in your care too by the way as otherwise they can sue you for anything. The places here do that and also won't take s dog whose vaccinations aren't up to date and who doesn't have dog insurance (which is a German thing, don't think you get that in the uk). In the uk they probably would also want the dog to be vaccinated against kennel cough.
I've seen places here that won't take dogs who have just had a spot on treatment as it can be very poisonous to the other dogs (and dogs grab at the neck a lot during play).
Also they need proof here usually that the dog has been microchipped. You could get a microchip reader to check that info and to check that the owner info is up to date, or check the pet passport if they have one.
Anyway sorry for another long post, just a few more ideas haha. Just thinking of anything I as a dog owner would be worried about with an indoor dog day care. As I say though, I would most likely not leave my dog with one, I'd either leave her with someone I know, or with a small day care that only takes a few dogs and which will take them to play outdoors. I left her with a really good one in Scotland but I still worried the whole time even though the lady running it was an ex RSPCA inspector. Would much rather leave her with trusted dog loving friends or family, or just take her with me.
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Deleted
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Hi guys
Oct 1, 2015 16:22:16 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2015 16:22:16 GMT
Hi smilesbetter.
I have taken all of this into consideration and you have many valid points i myself have already looked into.
First aid both human and dog is a must, insurance is sorted, yes constant access to the outside space, i am thinking 1 person to every 5 dogs, most daycared have 1 person to every 7 and i will have someone outside keeping a watch on any dogs out there as well as cctv cameras tboth inside and out of the property. The property has a gate to the rear so dogs can be escorted off the premises safely away from the building. I see alot of people filling cars and vans with lots of dogs but as i have large dogs myself i like mine to travel happily and comfortably with a well padded bed to snooze on and it would be the same for the dogs in my care. As for dogs wearing clothes and things i would say that would be a no no. I would definately have muzzles and plenty of extra leads on hand for any incidents that may occur aswell as a couple of indoor pens if any dogs need to cool off or are to be fed when in day care i have somewhere for them to settle.
I hope this has answered most of your questions ☺
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Post by CollieSlave on Oct 1, 2015 17:45:42 GMT
Hi guys i am new to this forum. I have been obcessed with dogs for as long as i remember. I have been lucky enough to have such an amazing breed in my life for the last 10 years (great danes). I show the danes throughout the uk and together we have great fun. Together we have ran on the green carpet at crufts many times and each time is just as amazing as the first as it was always a big dream of mine.I have now decided it is time to make my passion my career. As i have my diploma in animal care and many years experience of the different requirements of individual animals. My odea is to open a indoor park theme dog day care within the middlesbrough area. Every day no matter what tge weather will be a fun day at the dog park. I would love to know what you guys think and if it would be a service you guys would use if the need ever presented itself. Any input would be great and if anyone would like more info i will happily answer more of your questions. Thanks guys ☺xxx Are you from the USA? If not, why do we all become GUYS? There are plenty of English options to describe people without resorting to yet another USA-import! To me, Guy goes with Fawkes or, alternatively, a male person. But maybe I'm just out of touch and we should all speak Transatlantic lingo.
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Post by gypsy on Oct 1, 2015 19:34:40 GMT
Hi guys i am new to this forum. I have been obcessed with dogs for as long as i remember. I have been lucky enough to have such an amazing breed in my life for the last 10 years (great danes). I show the danes throughout the uk and together we have great fun. Together we have ran on the green carpet at crufts many times and each time is just as amazing as the first as it was always a big dream of mine.I have now decided it is time to make my passion my career. As i have my diploma in animal care and many years experience of the different requirements of individual animals. My odea is to open a indoor park theme dog day care within the middlesbrough area.Every day no matter what tge weather will be a fun day at the dog park. I would love to know what you guys think and if it would be a service you guys would use if the need ever presented itself. Any input would be great and if anyone would like more info i will happily answer more of your questions. Thanks guys ☺xxx Are you from the USA? If not, why do we all become GUYS? There are plenty of English options to describe people without resorting to yet another USA-import! To me, Guy goes with Fawkes or, alternatively, a male person. But maybe I'm just out of touch and we should all speak Transatlantic lingo. Middlesborough was in the North East of England last time I looked. Seems Danes2006 has deleted herself......
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Post by smilesbetter on Oct 1, 2015 20:31:14 GMT
I say "guys" a lot haha if I was to speak the language I grew up with on here the majority of you wouldn't be able to read my posts haha.
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Post by CollieSlave on Oct 2, 2015 12:48:51 GMT
Are you from the USA? If not, why do we all become GUYS? There are plenty of English options to describe people without resorting to yet another USA-import! To me, Guy goes with Fawkes or, alternatively, a male person. But maybe I'm just out of touch and we should all speak Transatlantic lingo. Middlesborough was in the North East of England last time I looked. Seems Danes2006 has deleted herself...... Oh, dear! .....
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Post by scallywag on Oct 2, 2015 20:25:19 GMT
LOL CollieSlave I can hear the concern in your voice and disappointment too
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Post by gypsy on Oct 2, 2015 21:14:51 GMT
LOL CollieSlave I can hear the concern in your voice and disappointment too I feel a bit bad for Danes2006 if I'm honest. Saying that...I've apoligised twice this week! Maybe I'm ill......
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Post by scallywag on Oct 2, 2015 21:19:05 GMT
Yes but why did Danes2006 delete themselves, you gotta toughen up if you want to make it in this day and age cant recall what may have been said so upsetting to run a mile so soon ? Maybe I need to go read the thread again ?
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Post by scallywag on Oct 2, 2015 21:22:09 GMT
Which I did and .... Guess the word GUYS ? Was the problem ? Hmmm
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