How to Operate a Doggy Daycare

Doggy daycare is a growing business in the U.S.

Doggy daycare is a growing business in many areas of the country. Many people choose to bring their dogs to these establishments to keep their pets from becoming anxious when left alone. Other people simply want to socialize their animals and expose them to more exercise and sensory experiences. According to the American Pet Products website, dog owners in the U.S. spent $3.36 billion on boarding and grooming services in 2008. These numbers make growth prospects promising for doggy daycare businesses in the future.

Instructions

1. Get training in dog obedience and dog handling. Understanding how dogs think and behave will help you respond to your canine clients' needs. The Association of Pet Dog Trainers, at APDT.com, can help you find trainers in your area. You can also find a directory of approved training at the American Dog Trainers Network at Inch.com. Or take a dog obedience class at a local community college. In many communities, there are often breed-specific clubs that offer training classes. Get a job working with animals with one of your local veterinarians, or volunteer at the local animal shelter. Continuing education on improved methods for handling dogs can give you an advantage over competitors.

2. Create a standardized office system for handling the animals. This should include check-in and check-out of the animals as they arrive and leave, and a column for logging numbers of hours at the daycare for billing. This can easily be created on an Excel spreadsheet. Also create a method for recording owners' work and home phone numbers, and other information in case there are any problems. MS Access is a good program for keeping track of this kind of database information. Include their preferred veterinarian and information on vaccination, so that owners can be notified when vaccinations expire.

3. Keep safety your first concern. Monitor all animal interactions, and confine troublesome dogs to a separate area or crate when necessary. Doors and windows should be secured in ways that prevent animal escapes. This might include a double-door system with inner and outer doors, or the use of kennel panels that block half the doorway to allow handlers to get dogs under control before allowing visitors in. Windows should be checked daily to make sure no one has opened them. Check daily to make sure equipment, such as toys, agility climbers and security fencing, are in good working order, with no breaks, cracks or sharp edges. Clean areas with a suitable antibacterial cleaner on a regular basis. Make note of any signs of respiratory or skin infections, such as discharge from eyes or nose, coughing, diarrhea, hair loss, or excessive scratching. Notify owners if you notice any of these signs.

4. Hire experienced personnel. Make sure they have a background with animals, either on a personal or work level. Find out how many and what kinds of pets prospective employees have. Ask if they have volunteered at pet rescue organizations. Note any experience working at pet stores or veterinarian offices. Train your staff carefully not only in the handling of the animals, but in the management of the daycare as well, so that everyone contributes to the overall efficiency of your business. Recognize extraordinary work ethic in your employees and find ways to enrich their involvement in the daily running of the business, such as involving them in advising owners on health and training issues, or helping to write newsletters or website copy.

5. Target your advertising to grow your business. Offer client incentives, such as 10 percent-off daycare fee discounts for word-of-mouth referrals. Send out cards and fliers to local veterinarians to tell them about your business. Let them know they can refer their clients to you, and meet with them in person, if possible. Tell local animal shelters you can help with rehabilitation for rescued dogs. Place ads in local newspapers and shoppers' weeklies. Set up a website with information for dog owners, with a question-and-answer section, with questions like "Why is socializing my dog important?" and "What are the signs of canine separation anxiety?"

Tips & Warnings

• Keep business liability insurance in case of accidents or animal injury.

References

• National Public Radio: Doggy Daycare Business
• Entrepreneur: Pet Care Businesses
• Canis Major: Dog Daycare